Eternal Tale

Chapter 272: Opening of the Celestial Gate

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

…

Thunderous cries of battle echoed outside the Four Immortal Mountains, like an unstoppable tide, filled with a terrifying and overwhelming killing intent.

The violent currents and fierce gales churned the once-calm sea into towering waves. Massive warships lined up in a dense formation, and all eyes were fixed on the far edge of the Hanging Sea Region.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Suddenly, the vast and boundless sea beyond began to surge and swell. What first came into view were rows of fearless battle flags.

Gigantic warships emerged on the horizon, dark clouds covering the sky. The distant edges of the sea were filled with an unending fleet of warships, as far as the eye could see—each carrying allies and cultivators.

The cultivators aboard stood with faces full of excitement and awe, gazing into the distance where the legendary Four Immortal Mountains glowed brilliantly in the sunlight, marking Da Li’s true forbidden zone.

The sight was overwhelming, like a grand tidal wave, so grand that it stunned Chen Xun and his companions into silence.

They stared blankly at the distant spectacle, exclaiming “Whoa!” and “Amazing!” as if they had never witnessed such a scene in their life. They couldn’t stop muttering in awe.

"Moo!!"

Black Ox trembled with excitement, raising its head to the sky and letting out a long bellow. The enormous ancient formation it now saw was the same one they had encountered before!

If its guess was correct, these Four Immortal Mountains served as the true formation cores of this grand formation—an awe-inspiring feat that left it in amazement.

"Brother Xun, Brother Ox... I’m not sure I can handle this..." Xiao Chi gasped for breath. "With such a force, I can't even begin to imagine how terrifying those corrupted beings must be."

"Hahaha!" Chen Xun laughed heartily, hugging Black Ox, his eyes fixed on the majestic mountains. "It was worth the journey!"

"Moo moo~" Black Ox was elated, nudging Chen Xun. They had finally witnessed the true grandeur of the world.

As cultivators from all factions engaged in heated discussions, two figures streaked across the sky, their formidable auras shocking the surroundings.

At the same time, four figures stepped out from the Four Immortal Mountains, converging in the middle of the sea and sky. They stood like the protagonists of the world, watched by all with eyes filled with reverence.

"Bai Li Wentian, Daoist Jiu Hua, it’s been many years!"

"Fellow Daoists, it's been a long time. The day of the thousand-year blood war is upon us again."

Bai Li Wentian cupped his hands, his gaze imposing. "These here are the brave souls of our realm. Even the Foundation Establishment cultivators deserve the respect of the Bai Li Clan."

"Indeed!"

"Absolutely!"

The voices of the cultivators carried for miles, reaching all present. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators felt a jolt in their hearts, instinctively bowing toward the sky, unable to speak.

Even Xiao Chi’s eyes widened; despite its fear, a sense of peace filled its heart after hearing these words.

Chen Xun and Black Ox smiled warmly. These were genuine Deity Transformation stage cultivators, individuals with vast hearts and profound outlooks. No wonder they had such magnanimity—bringing along even their small boat without disdain.

"Fellow cultivators, open the Celestial Gate! The people of our realm have long been ready!"

"Heh, the ancient tribes are also prepared!"

"Elders, activate the Celestial Gate!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

…

The Four Immortal Mountains responded with booming echoes. Each mountain erupted with beams of light that shot into the sky, turning the sea into a raging tempest. The water roared as it seemed ready to swallow everything in its path.

*Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!*

The night sky lit up, illuminating everything. The scale of the phenomenon made the heavens and the earth rumble, far beyond anyone’s imagination. The enormous formation that spanned the sky and sea finally stirred!

Despite the shock, from Foundation Establishment cultivators to Nascent Soul elders, none felt fear—except for the shivering Flameglow Ancient Lion.

Everyone’s eyes were wide open as the purple-gold light barrier emitted radiant beams of energy. It was the unleashing of spiritual power, the activation of the grand formation that even shook the heavens.

The sea beneath them began to recede, as if the water was being siphoned away.

Above them, the War Realm ships prepared, with formations stabilizing the sea and securing the surroundings.

At that moment, a wave of spiritual pressure spread through the heavens and earth. Countless cultivators paled, their spiritual energy circulation stalling, but the pressure did not come from any of the cultivators.

Instead, it emanated from the majestic Four Immortal Mountains standing over the sea!

*Bang! Bang!*

The sounds of massive ruptures echoed everywhere. Some large ships started to sway, and the red lines that connected them snapped one by one, transforming into forces that suppressed the sea region.

"Old Ox, Xiao Chi, hold on."

Chen Xun’s eyes gleamed with excitement, filled with awe. "The Hanging Heaven's Gate is about to open."

"Moo moo!"

"Brother Xun... I... I'm holding on!" Xiao Chi clung tightly to Black Ox, terrified of being left behind. "It's spiritual pressure... too terrifying."

Chen Xun and Black Ox exchanged glances, showing no discomfort and even letting out strange laughs—spiritual pressure? Was that all?

But, knowing not to draw too much attention, they pretended to be overwhelmed, supporting each other with expressions as if they had eaten something unpleasant.

Xiao Chi, watching them, almost believed it!

The ancient formation’s phenomena lasted for an entire hour, with discussions and astonishment echoing all around.

In the distance, the purple-gold light barrier emanated vitality. The sea’s waters had been siphoned off to a significant depth, and the grand formation continued to transform.

*Boom! Boom!*

The deafening sounds of earth-shaking explosions spread across the world, and the Four Immortal Mountains themselves quaked, producing a mysterious and awe-inspiring scene.

"Look, the formation—it’s the Celestial River!"

"The Hanging Heaven's Gate lives up to its name. So this is how it is—the gate is formed by an endless river suspended in the sky!"

"What kind of mighty cultivator could create such a formation?"

"Unbelievable!"

…

Exclamations rang out from all directions. Cultivators craned their necks to gaze at the faraway sky. The formation, frozen like a tidal wave, was majestic and grand, finally solidifying.

"Fellow Daoists, set sail!"

"Set sail!"

"Yes!"

…

An unquestionable command echoed from the sky, and the warships began moving toward the Celestial Gate. The rainbow-like glow of countless formations illuminated the sky, blindingly bright.

The deafening sounds roared as the Hanging Heaven’s Gate, fully activated by the Four Immortal Mountains, transformed into a curtain of water. The opening of the gate echoed loudly as towering columns of water rose, defying gravity and reaching the heavens, painting the sky.

Whether in the sky, on the sea, or in the air, warships charged forward like moths to a flame, heading into the gate—a vast darkness stretching infinitely ahead.

Despite their overwhelming numbers, endless as they seemed, they appeared insignificant beneath the towering, suspended Celestial River. Yet none faltered, all pressing forward fearlessly!

Meanwhile, at the rear.

Chen Xun and his companions stayed back, finding a secluded spot to observe. The Bai Li Clan made no effort to force them; they never compelled anyone but did not offer a way back.

"Brother Xun... are we not joining the battle?!" Xiao Chi noticed the dwindling number of warships around them, sensing it might be safer to travel together.

"We’re not here to fight; we came to witness and see the sights," Chen Xun shook his head. "Our paths are ultimately different from theirs. To have traveled this far together, I’m already satisfied."

"Moo moo~" Black Ox nodded, understanding his brother’s sentiment.

As immortals, joining the fight to slay the corrupted beings and risking turning against others later would hold no meaning. They were fundamentally different from the others.

Eternal beings, no matter where they went, would always stand out, especially when facing beings like those corrupted entities.