The peak stands tall and sharp, the cold wind howling.
A group of people ascended the steps, walking for a long time, yet still unable to see the summit.
Ling Feng couldn’t help but ask, "General Fang, why not just fly to the top directly, but instead climb this steep and difficult mountain path step by step?"
"This mountain of Ten Thousand Ridges, known as the Three Thousand Realms, the summit is the entrance to the Ancient Tower Forest. Once you enter the Three Thousand Realms, forget about flying, you won’t even be able to circulate the slightest bit of True Qi. You can try it and see."
Fang Wentong said with a faint smile.
Ling Feng and the others blinked in surprise, urging their True Qi, and indeed, as Fang Wentong said, no wonder with their physical strength, they began to feel fatigued after walking only a while.
"The Three Thousand Realms, huh?"
Ling Feng took a deep breath; this Ancient Tower Forest seemed a hundred times more mysterious than he imagined.
"By the way, General Fang, those stone statue giants at the foot of the mountain earlier, who are they? Are they extraordinary individuals from the army too?"
Ling Feng asked in a deep voice.
"Not at all, not at all."
Fang Wentong shook his head, "Those four Heavenly Guardians are not stone statue giants; they are Heavenly People, who have been guarding here since ancient times."
Ling Feng and the others exchanged glances, completely confused.
"This matter is rather long to explain." Fang Wentong smiled lightly, "It will take at least another two to three hours to finish this path. I might as well explain as we walk."
"Over seven hundred years ago..."
As Fang Wentong narrated, Ling Feng finally understood that this ’Three Thousand Realms’ had existed long before the Sky-reaching Fortress was established. It was first discovered by the military of the Sky White Empire, who also found those so-called ’Heavenly Guardians.’
These Heavenly Guardians, with a flip of their hands, could easily suppress the Human Emperor, seemingly not belonging to this world at all.
However, they apparently had no interest in slaughtering humans. Instead, they established an alliance with the Northwest Army, allowing the army to select outstanding talents to enter the Three Thousand Realms for comprehension.
And this Three Thousand Realms, also known as the Ancient Tower Forest, was merely an external term.
Thus, over seven hundred years passed, with the Northwest Military strictly guarding this secret, outsiders only thinking the Ancient Tower Forest was an ordinary Secret Realm, unaware it involved such a colossal secret.
"General Ling, you are deeply trusted by the Grand Commander, which is why I am telling you these origins, but I hope that after you hear it, you will keep it to yourselves, and not speak a word outside."
Fang Wentong said in a deep voice.
Ling Feng nodded; he knew well what could be said and what couldn’t.
"When you reach the summit, you will see a Heavenly Person transformed into a thousand-year-old tree, who calls himself Tian Shu. He seems to be the master of the four Heavenly Guardians. When you meet Tian Shu, do not speak unnecessarily. Once he opens the Ancient Tower Forest, just go inside. Generally speaking, Lord Tian Shu will not bother with us ordinary folks."
"Understood." Everyone nodded again.
About three hours later, the group finally reached the summit. Indeed, atop the mountain, they saw a massive thousand-year-old ancient tree. Its canopy quivered slightly, and then an expressionless face emerged, surveying the group, before extending a branch like an arm, gently sweeping open a light screen.
"Thank you, Lord Tian Shu."
Fang Wentong and the group, including Ling Feng, bowed to the ancient tree and then pointed to the light screen, saying nonchalantly, "General Ling, you just go through the light screen. There’s no particular trick to comprehending the Three Thousand Great Dao. If anything, it would be to find a stele that resonates with you after entering the Ancient Tower Forest and try to comprehend it. If you’re lucky, you might comprehend a Great Dao."
"Thank you for the reminder, General Fang." Ling Feng nodded in gratitude.
"Well, that’s all I’ll say. Most people will come out in about three days. I’ve seen someone last up to seven days. As for you all, it depends on your Qi Fortune. I wish you a fruitful experience."
Fang Wentong nodded slightly to them. He had entered the Ancient Tower Forest before but only managed to comprehend a movement technique.
However, it was enough to make him stand out among the strong of the same rank.
Just as they were about to step through the light screen, suddenly, the thousand-year-old tree quivered again. The expressionless face on the canopy shifted its gaze, staring directly at Mu Qianxue.
The Tree Man’s voice was dry and hoarse, extremely piercing, yet carried an undeniable authority, causing everyone’s heart to tremble.
Mu Qianxue trembled slightly, bewildered, staring at the Tree Man.
Everyone’s expression changed, especially Fang Wentong, whose eyelids twitched wildly. He had brought over a hundred people here, but it was the first time hearing Lord Tian Shu speak.
The Tree Man spoke again, his voice now carrying a more threatening undertone.
Ling Feng immediately stood in front of Mu Qianxue, bowing to the Tree Man, "Lord Tian Shu, may I ask what is wrong with my friend?"
The Tree Man ignored Ling Feng, repeating once more, "You, stay!"
A terrifying pressure surged like a tide. Ling Feng, standing in front of Mu Qianxue, felt as if tens of thousands of mountains were pressing on his head, making it almost impossible for him to stand straight.
Even so, he gritted his teeth and firmly stood before Mu Qianxue, staring up at the Tree Man, "Lord Tian Shu, may I ask...?"
Before he could finish, Ling Feng suddenly spat out blood. This so-called Tian Shu was not of this world at all. Crushing Ling Feng was as easy as squashing an ant.
Tian Shu saw the blood Ling Feng spat out, surprise flickered in his eyes, then he shook his head slowly, "Forget it, you can go in."
Everyone looked at each other, not understanding what this Tian Shu was planning.
But at least they escaped danger.
Mu Qianxue bit her lip, her beautiful eyes filled with concern as she looked at Ling Feng.
"It’s nothing, just a minor injury."
Ling Feng wiped away the blood from his lips. Although his face was slightly pale, fortunately, he was unharmed.
Luckily, Tian Shu bore no killing intent towards Ling Feng; otherwise, Ling Feng might not have survived, or at least be half-dead.
Fang Wentong exhaled a long breath, glanced at Tian Shu, and said awkwardly, "You should go in first; I have some other matters to deal with. I’ll take my leave now."
With that, he dashed down the mountain, not wanting to experience that terrifying feeling again.
Ling Feng glanced at Tian Shu, bowed, and said respectfully, "Thank you, Lord Tian Shu."
Then, he and Lee Bufan entered the light screen together.
Once everyone disappeared from the mountain top, Tian Shu’s canopy quivered again, and the expressionless face revealed a trace of puzzlement.
"Two individuals with a Divine Race aura appeared, one being Jiuli Divine Fire, the other, even I cannot discern, how curious! How strange!"
In the next moment, Tian Shu sighed softly, "The destined time, oh time of destiny, when will you come? I’ve been waiting for over seven hundred years! Alas..."
Atop the thousand-year-old tree, the human face gradually faded, leaving only a sigh lingering for a long time...