"Ghost Gate Pass?"
Chen Jiuyang asked, "What is this?"
The leader of the True Demon Sect said, "The Ghost Gate Pass is our Sacred Path trial illusionary realm."
"The first pass, the Evil Ghost Pass, will materialize the most terrifying evil ghost in the heart of the trialist."
"The second pass, a hundred ghosts walking at night, a myriad of ghosts."
"The third pass... it's not worth mentioning. Given the reasons for both of you, only the first two passes are open. Whoever completes the trial first will enter my Sacred Path secret realm."
"My Sacred Path secret realm is far more abundant than the so-called righteous sects and noble families. Even I have not entered the Sacred Path secret realm."
Chen Jiuyang's heart stirred. Previously, when entering the Shu Mountain secret realm, the Azure Vault Sword Spirit only asked him to take ten medicinal plants.
He wondered if this demonic path secret realm had such rules and felt a bit of anticipation.
Chen Jiuyang said, "This King can participate."
The leader of the True Demon Sect nodded slowly and rose from his high seat, saying, "Everyone, please follow me."
Immediately, dozens of people followed him, passing through the Han clan's territory and arriving at a mountain peak. Here stood a grand hall, covered in dust and exuding a sinister aura.
The leader of the True Demon Sect and other demonic martial artists took their seats on the viewing platforms on either side. He said, "You two will enter through the main gate and automatically enter the Ghost Gate Pass trial illusionary realm."
Han Lixuan smiled and said, "King Qian, let's go together. Let's see who breaks through this Ghost Gate Pass first."
Chen Jiuyang's expression was calm as he stepped into the grand hall.
In an instant, black mist surged, engulfing him.
Having experienced the illusionary realms of Confucius's disciple and Sage Wang, Chen Jiuyang had gained insights and resolved inner doubts. This time, he wanted to know what he feared most at this moment.
Inside the grand hall, there were two stone mirrors, each reflecting the most feared things of Han Lixuan and Chen Jiuyang.
"Hmm, Han Lixuan's greatest fear is the failure of his martial cultivation breakthrough. It's been like this since he was a child, which is quite normal..."
What everyone was most concerned about was what Chen Jiuyang feared most.
Soon, their expressions turned grim.
"Ghastly cannibalism, evil ghosts appearing? This... how is this possible! Where did King Qian see ghosts and such horrors..."
Only the Han family patriarch and Elder Han's expressions suddenly changed: "This is... that old monster from the Lotus Sect!"
...
Chen Jiuyang had not seen evil ghosts, only heroic spirits. He feared heroic spirits turning into evil ghosts, and the Dragon Kingdom falling into chaos. He feared that old monster from the Lotus Sect, not human but a ghoul, devouring everything.
These were Chen Jiuyang's deepest fears.
In the illusionary realm.
Although Chen Jiuyang was terrified, he was not afraid.
He faced the objects of his inner fear directly.
The demonic path cultivators plotted against Chen Jiuyang, but no matter how they schemed, they did not know the secret of the Royal Authority Sword.
With the Royal Authority Sword by his side, even if that old monster from the Lotus Sect appeared before Chen Jiuyang, he would have to retreat.
Even with evil ghosts and horrors, the brilliant Royal Authority Sword rendered everything unstoppable.
In just half an hour, Chen Jiuyang broke through the first pass, astonishing the demonic martial artists.
The leader of the True Demon Sect said, "King Qian truly has a good disposition..."
As for Han Lixuan, he was still trapped in the first pass's illusionary realm, and it was unknown how long it would take.
"..." The demonic martial artists fell silent.
Drawing out the Yan Sheng Blade, Chen Jiuyang entered the 'Hundred Ghosts Walking at Night' pass. With a single strike, he easily overcame the hundred ghosts.
The demonic martial artists were once again mistaken. Chen Jiuyang was a Three Revolutions Pure Yang cultivator, capable of suppressing evil with a drop of blood. His vitality was not just simple Pure Yang.
Thus, Chen Jiuyang easily passed these two passes of the Ghost Gate.
After exiting the passes, with the Yan Sheng Blade planted in the ground, he sat on a rock, unwilling to leave!
Some demonic martial artists' expressions changed drastically.
Chen Jiuyang's name was well-known among their demonic path, known as the God of Slaughter.
This Chen Jiuyang had broken through two passes and could have left immediately for the secret realm, yet he sat there without moving.
Did he intend to kill Han Lixuan?
Or was he here to teach Han Lixuan a lesson?
The demonic martial artists could not fathom Chen Jiuyang's intentions.
Their expressions shifted several times, but they ultimately restrained themselves and remained silent.
They had bullied Chen Jiuyang first in this matter, bullying him for not having a high enough cultivation, not having reached the Heavenly Realm.
If Chen Jiuyang had reached the Heavenly Realm, they would not dare to act like this.
They had already offended Chen Jiuyang. Relying on the True Demon Sect leader's face, they could barely get by. If they spoke up now, they would have completely and irrevocably offended Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang closed his eyes to rest. After a long while, Han Lixuan finally broke through the first pass, and then spent another half a day killing his way through the second pass.
"Heh..." Han Lixuan's face still held a hint of smugness. "Even with the guidance of a Sacred Path senior, it took me a full day to pass the two passes. I wonder how long this King Qian will take. He probably hasn't even broken through the first pass yet."
"..." The demonic martial artists' expressions immediately sank, and they dared not speak. The scene instantly became silent.
What a fool Han Lixuan was, to say such a thing!
After Han Lixuan emerged from the passes, he saw Chen Jiuyang sitting on a rock outside. His face stiffened, then turned pale, his eyes filled with disbelief.
How could Chen Jiuyang have broken through the passes faster than him? This was impossible!
But the facts were before him, leaving him no choice but to believe.
Chen Jiuyang slowly opened his eyes, yawned, then slowly stood up. His eyes were cold as he looked at Han Lixuan, and his voice was calm:
"You are too slow. Do you know I've been waiting for you for a day?"
Han Lixuan gritted his teeth and said, "What do you want to do?"
"What do I want to do?" Chen Jiuyang's eyes were icy. "You despicable scoundrels plotted against this King. Did you think it would end just like this?"
"Buzz!"
The Yan Sheng Blade hummed and moved on its own. Without Chen Jiuyang's command, it flew up from the ground and landed in Chen Jiuyang's hand.
"Take this King's blade, and this matter will be settled."
"As for whether you live or die, it depends on your ability and luck."
"Rumble!"
The air current exploded, the form of the Yan Sheng Blade suddenly expanded, and a cold glint flashed as it slashed down towards Han Lixuan.
Han Lixuan's expression changed drastically. He quickly used his divine intent technique to resist Chen Jiuyang's strike.
"Creak creak!"
Han Lixuan's bones creaked. How could the power of Chen Jiuyang's blade be borne by an ordinary Earth Realm martial artist?
Chen Jiuyang slowly retracted his blade. The phantom form of the blade did not dissipate, continuing to press down on Han Lixuan.
Chen Jiuyang slowly turned around and looked at the leader of the True Demon Sect, saying, "The victor has been decided. Please, leader, take this King to the demonic secret realm."
Just now Chen Jiuyang referred to himself as "I," but now he referred to himself as "This King."
Pressing Han Lixuan with a single strike in front of them was a sign of no mercy and a warning to them.
Did they really think this King was easy to bully?
The leader of the True Demon Sect's smile remained unchanged, and he said, "This competition was spectacular. My Sacred Path secret realm shall be opened for King Qian. Follow me."
Then, a group of people followed the leader of the True Demon Sect to a bridge hall. Between the bridge and the grand hall was a black river that could devour and drown all things, and the bridge was submerged in the river.
The leader of the True Demon Sect and the leaders of the other eight demonic paths simultaneously approached a stone. They took out tokens and inserted them, and only then did the bridge beneath the black river slowly rise.
The leader of the True Demon Sect said, "King Qian, please."