Chapter 105: The Teleportation Array!

A somewhat teasing voice echoed. The completely exhausted Yun Shan saw that the energy turbulence around him was slowly subsiding, and the chaotic spatial cracks were also beginning to heal gradually under the slowly shrinking flame disc.

Jiang Yun, dressed in black, appeared unscathed in front of Yun Shan.

Seeing the young man before him, Yun Shan felt a mix of gratitude and frustration. Although Jiang Yun indirectly saved his life, Yun Shan couldn't help but feel stifled when he thought about the situation he had been in, where everything seemed under control, compared to his current miserable state.

At this moment, Yun Yun looked panic-stricken. Before Yun Shan could speak, she turned to Jiang Yun and said sincerely, "Today, our Yun Lan Sect is saved from peril with Master Jiang's help, and my teacher was spared from deceit. Yun Yun is deeply grateful. In the future, as long as you need anything, our Yun Lan Sect will spare no effort to accomplish it for you."

Her soft voice was firm, but Jiang Yun could sense an underlying unease.

Jiang Yun looked playfully at Yun Yun. She was trying to place all the blame on the Soul Palace, depicting Yun Shan as a victim. After all, Yun Shan had made a move just now. If Jiang Yun were to settle the scores, the Yun Lan Sect would face obliteration in an instant.

"Master Yun Shan, don't you have anything to say?" Jiang Yun did not harbor any ill will towards Yun Yun, as she was unaware of the situation and did not take any action earlier, which left some leeway for Yun Lan Sect.

However, Jiang Yun did not have such a good temper towards Yun Shan. Not killing him immediately was already for the sake of Yun Yun, and also because killing Yun Shan might provoke Yun Yun to resist, making his subsequent plans difficult.

"Kill me or flay me, as you wish. This matter is my sole responsibility and has nothing to do with Yun Yun or Yun Lan Sect!" Yun Shan, having experienced life and death, seemed to have come to terms with it and appeared ready to die with honor.

"Teacher~" Yun Shan's words naturally made Yun Yun anxious. She looked at him with pleading eyes that shifted between Jiang Yun and Yun Shan, evoking deep emotion.

Yun Yun genuinely regarded Yun Shan as a father and Yun Lan Sect as her home.

"Alright, I only want one thing from Yun Lan Sect, and everything that happened before can be forgiven!" Jiang Yun said plainly. He had no concern for Yun Shan's life or death. His purpose in coming to Yun Lan Sect had always been singular.

"What do you want? As long as Yun Lan Sect has it, it will be given to you!" Yun Yun's face lit up with joy upon hearing Jiang Yun's words. There was still room for negotiation. Even if it was the sect's inheritance, she would not hesitate.

"I want the method to access the Life-and-Death Gate!"

"The Life-and-Death Gate?" Yun Yun and Yun Shan were a bit surprised. The Life-and-Death Gate was a secret place in Yun Lan Sect. Traditionally, only those who resonated with the gate could be considered for the position of the next sect master. It was also the final test before a new sect master took over.

In the original work, after losing the three-year challenge to Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran entered the Life-and-Death Gate. Within a few short years, by the time Xiao Yan returned to Yun Lan Sect, she had advanced from a Great Dou Fighter to a Dou King. The speed of her progress was astonishing, making her cultivation almost on par with Xiao Yan despite all his opportunities along the way.

Jiang Yun knew there was another rumor about the Life-and-Death Gate, which he intended to explore during this visit.

Even though Jiang Yun's request seemed bizarre to the others, as the Life-and-Death Gate was primarily a place for quick cultivation improvement and of minimal utility to a Dou Huang (Battle Emperor), they had no choice but to agree, given it was Yun Lan Sect's ancients' dormant ground.

Escaping death, Yun Shan dared not linger in front of Jiang Yun any longer and promptly returned to retreat and heal his injuries. Jiang Yun had no interest in resolving Yun Shan's issue with the Soul Palace's hidden schemes within his soul.

The Life-and-Death Gate was located in the restricted area behind Yun Lan Sect in the Jia Ma Empire. Jiang Yun and his companions followed Yun Yun and her teacher through the grand hall until they reached the back mountain.

"It's a space lock!" Looking at the inconspicuous cave before them with the ancient "Life-and-Death Gate" carved on the stone wall beside it, Zi Yan exclaimed in surprise as she sensed the familiar wave of energy.

She had seen this at the Jia Nan Academy and never expected Yun Lan Sect to have a similar secret place.

"What is a space lock?" Nalan Yanran asked in confusion. This was beyond Dou Zun (Battle Venerate) realm, knowledge Yun Yun wouldn't even have access to if not for the Yun Lan Sect's legacy.

As Yun Yun explained softly, Jiang Yun scrutinized the entrance of the cave. There was something strange about it.

His soul force couldn't penetrate, being repelled by a mysterious power, although he could sense a terrifying energy deep within the Life-and-Death Gate.

"It seems there is indeed a secret here!" Jiang Yun thought. "I'll go in first to investigate. Zi Yan, take care of Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian!" After pondering for a moment, Jiang Yun instructed the three of them.

"Alright, be careful!" Knowing they couldn't stop Jiang Yun's decision, the trio could only trust in him further, believing no barrier left by a Dou Zun (Battle Venerate) could hinder Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun nodded, extending his hand as he began forming complex seals with his fingers. With each seal, an immense, invisible wave spread like ripples. The so-called resonance was the compatibility with the Yun Lan Sect master's legacy technique, which was effortless for Jiang Yun.

The invisible wave gradually spread, finally making contact with the spatial folds. The cave entrance in front of them seemed like a watery mirror, continuously rippling.

Nodding towards Zi Yan and the others, Jiang Yun stepped into the entrance without hesitation.

As Jiang Yun's figure disappeared, Zi Yan maintained an unapproachable demeanor, sitting cross-legged at the entrance, making Yun Yun's attempt to converse futile. Not having much choice, Yun Yun reluctantly left with Nalan Yanran.

Simultaneously, Jiang Yun felt enveloped in endless darkness, experiencing slight dizziness due to the teleportation, but it subsided quickly as brilliant light emerged before him again.

The scenery shifted, and an aura of desolation hit him. Amidst the boundless wasteland, clouds floated, and the world around was filled with grey mist. Jiang Yun cautiously circulated his Dou Qi, constantly observing his surroundings.

"The energy here is thicker than outside!" Jiang Yun grabbed a handful of the misty gas before him, finding it rich with worldly energy. It was indeed a place that could expedite cultivation, reinforcing the notion that the Life-and-Death Gate held many secrets.

Gazing into the vast distance, everything seemed desolate, punctuated by occasional energy storms. The overabundance of spiritual energy could sometimes be lethal.

"Qing Ming Elder, can you confirm my suspicions now?" Jiang Yun asked, looking at the materializing Qing Ming.

After pondering for a while, Qing Ming responded, "There is indeed the aura of the Great Thousand Worlds, but we need to go deeper and see the core of this place to be sure."

"In that case, let's venture further!" Jiang Yun's gaze turned sharper as he looked towards the depths. The grey land ahead made way for rapidly forming energy, revealing numerous illusory figures taking shape in Jiang Yun's sight.

"To think the past sect masters and elders of Yun Lan Sect would exist in such forms, similar to the Heavenly Tomb, but unfortunately, their powers and intellect are lacking!" Observing the familiar yet strange scene, Jiang Yun swiftly assessed. These apparitions wouldn't be able to obstruct him. With a firm press of his toes, Jiang Yun's figure shot towards the center.

"Roar—"

"Impudent, how dare you invade Yun Lan Sect's sacred ground..."

"Who are you to trespass on Yun Lan Sect's forbidden land..."

The instant Jiang Yun dashed, the apparitions roared at him, each call louder than the last, infused with a terrifying killing intent.

Just as Jiang Yun anticipated, they lacked intellect, blindly repeating their lines. Jiang Yun raised a palm, sending ripples through space; the apparitions dissipated momentarily before reassembling and attacking again like real beings.

Noting their minimal attack power and persistent nature, Jiang Yun lost interest, ignited fully and transformed into a black lightning bolt, rapidly advancing towards the center.

Breaking through obstacles, Jiang Yun eventually stopped at a cliff.

"So this is it!" Jiang Yun and Qing Ming now faced a massive stone array, severely damaged by time, barely recognizable. Yet, traces of marvelously carved runes and astonishing energy waves emanated from it made nearby earthly energies boil.

Moreover, Jiang Yun sensed a distinctive energy he was familiar with—the spiritual energy of the Great Thousand Worlds.

It was likely this trace of spiritual energy enabled the remnants of Yun Lan Sect's sages to form such bizarre existences after their deaths.

Regarding why Yun Lan Sect hadn't discovered this strange place for so many years, even Jiang Yun could barely recognize it as a teleportation array.

"Is this a teleportation array?!" Qing Ming remarked with surprise.

"Does Elder Qing Ming know where this array leads?" Jiang Yun's eyes gleamed as he asked, "Can it be repaired?"

Qing Ming frowned slightly, instantly guessing Jiang Yun's thoughts. Qing Ming gravely asked, "Do you intend to return to the Great Thousand?"

Jiang Yun paused, then shook his head. "I'm not strong enough yet. There are still numerous opportunities in the Dou Qi continent to grow quickly. It's not time to go to the Great Thousand yet."

Nodding, Qing Ming, assured by Jiang Yun's clarity, inspected the array carefully, saying softly, "From my observation, this is a medium-scale teleportation array, likely established when the Dou Qi continent and the Great Thousand Worlds were still linked, at least 30,000 years ago."

"I can't determine its destination, but it can be repaired given the previous foundation!"

"Can you repair it now?" Jiang Yun inquired.

After a thoughtful pause, Qing Ming nodded, "Yes, but it can only be used once before the teleportation stone is damaged."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Elder Qing Ming. We will eventually return to the Great Thousand. The Dou Qi continent's depleted source limits breakthrough to Dou Di. Let's consider this as our backup route!" Qing Ming agreed, finding merit in Jiang Yun's approach. The Dou Qi continent hasn't seen a Dou Di for millennia, likely due to a lacking substance. Uncertain if Jiang Yun could obtain it, he considered it prudent to create an alternative in venturing to the Great Thousand.

Without further delay, Qing Ming started repairing the array, and after watching for a while, Jiang Yun ventured outside, recognizing the time that would be required. The environment inside was quite conducive for cultivation.

"Xiao Yun, you're back!" Seeing Jiang Yun, the trio, Zi Yan and the others, expressed their joy. Though confident in his strength, concern was inevitable. His safe return brought complete reassurance.

After Jiang Yun explained the inside situation and mentioned his plan to retreat for some time, the trio agreed wholeheartedly. Even the usually restless Zi Yan had no objections, as the recent auction rewards gave her plenty to consume and digest.

Thus, with Jiang Yun leading Zi Yan and the others into the Life-and-Death Gate for retreat, the Jia Ma Empire settled into peace once more.

However, with the return of the Mu Lan elders and Yan Luo Tian, Mu Lan Valley and the Golden Goose Sect's power surged. Simultaneously, news of the exterminated Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate spread, heightening tensions among the empire factions, none willing to forfeit the benefit.

Moreover, a mysterious black-robed figure frequenting the Jia Ma royal family healed experts like Jia Xing Tian and Mu Chen, reinforcing the royal family's commitment to the emerging power struggle.

In no time, war and conflict spread among the empires!

On the vast grey land, thin energy mist drifted with the breeze, giving the mysterious world an added layer of ethereal charm, making time seem to lose its concept in this solitary realm.

Sitting cross-legged on a cliff, Jiang Yun's aura surged impressively at a certain moment. As he opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashed across the cliff.

"Seven Stars!" Jiang Yun muttered to himself as he sensed his newfound strength.