At dawn, a sliver of light suddenly shone from the depths of the Dark Forest.
That wasn't real sunlight, but a white pillar of light that shot up from the depths of the dark Metal Castle, piercing the sky and illuminating the entire gloomy forest in every detail. Within the pillar of light, two enormous stone gate phantoms slowly materialized, standing side by side, as if leading to two completely different worlds.
"Two doors," Sessler exclaimed in a low voice.
Beirut stood before the pillar of light, still looking as ordinary as ever, but the oppressive aura emanating from him forced everyone to lower their heads. He surveyed the crowd, his gaze sweeping over Linley, Bebe, Doehring, and Barker, his voice low but clear.
"The gates to the Necropolis of the Gods have opened," Beirut said. " Deity Level use the Deity Level passage, and Saint Realm use the Saint Realm passage—the two realms are different, and the dangers are also different. This time, those who enter will only be able to return after ten years."
He paused, his gaze first falling on Doehring, then turning to the War God, Dylan, and Cesar, the other Deity Level beings. "Gentlemen, follow me through the Gate of Deity Level. The opportunity deep within the tomb is enough for you to take another step."
Doehring nodded slightly. He turned around and looked at Linley, the disciple he had guarded for half his life, a rare hint of gentleness appearing in his eyes.
" Linley," Doehring said, "I can't protect you beyond the Gates of the Saint Realm. Bebe is here, Barker is here, but the true path you must walk is yours alone. The Necropolis of the Gods will not treat anyone who ventures in kind—remember, only by surviving can you have a future."
Linley solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Grandpa Doehring, don't worry, I will definitely come out alive."
Doehring looked at him, said nothing more, just nodded, then turned and walked towards the Deity Level gate with Beirut, the War God, and several other Deity Level. When they reached the gate, he stopped, looked back, and then stepped in, his figure disappearing into the bottomless darkness.
"The path to the Deity Level is even deeper." Beirut stood before the gate to the Deity Level, giving a final look to the people of the Saint Realm. "Those of the Saint Realm, enter through this gate. Ten years later, we will meet again here. If anyone perishes within, it can only be said to be fate."
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and pushed, and the gate to the Saint Realm slowly opened a crack.
The War God and several other Deity Level had already left. On the Saint Realm side, Linley was leading the way. Without hesitation, he turned to Barker and Bebe: "Let's go. Grandpa Doehring went to the Deity Level side; we ourselves must also carve out our own path."
Barker grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth. "Sir, I've finally got to practice my skills in a place like this." He strode forward and was the first to step through the door.
Linley didn't rush to leave. He stood before the gates of the Saint Realm, glancing back at the land he had personally protected—the direction of Baruch Mountain City. There lay Delia, Taylor and Sasha, Wharton, and the kingdom he had guarded for so many years.
"Ten years," he whispered. "I'll come back in ten years."
He took a deep breath, no longer lingering, turned around, and walked side by side with Bebe into the slowly closing stone door.
Suddenly everything went black, then suddenly everything went bright again.
When Linley could finally see clearly, he found himself standing in a completely unfamiliar world. Above him stretched a vast and deep sky, and below him lay an endless gray-brown wasteland, dotted with broken stone pillars and shattered statues, like the ruins of an ancient city that had slumbered for countless millennia. An ancient and oppressive aura permeated the air, as if the remains of countless powerful beings lay buried beneath every inch of the land.
"This is the Necropolis of the Gods," Linley said softly, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.
Bebe had transformed from a small beast into a ten-zhang-long behemoth, lying warily at his feet, its eerie eyes scanning the surrounding shadows.
"Where are Barker and the others?" Linley asked.
Bebe whispered, "The gates to the cemetery disperse those who enter. This gate to the Saint Realm will probably send me, my master, and Barker to different corners."
Linley nodded. He was about to take a step forward when he suddenly stopped—from the depths of the gray-brown wasteland beneath his feet came an extremely faint sound, like the turning of a sleeping giant.
"There's something down there," Linley whispered, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness for the first time. " Bebe, from the moment you stepped into this place, you must be on your guard with every step you take. The Necropolis of the Gods will not treat anyone who intrudes kindly."
Bebe gave a low growl, which was taken as a response.
Linley gripped the Purple Blood Soft Sword tightly, gazing at the desolate ruins ahead, his eyes gradually hardening. He knew that from this moment on, he had completely left the familiar Yulan Continent and stepped into a world belonging to ancient powerhouses, a world brimming with both boundless opportunities and endless dangers. Meanwhile, Doehring was behind another door, forging his own path alone.
"Then let's go," he said softly. "Within ten years, I will find my own path here."
As he finished speaking, he and Bebe walked side by side into the depths of the wasteland. Behind them, the gate to the Saint Realm had completely vanished, as if it had never existed at all.