Chapter 1800 – Entering the Battlefield
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Like this, it was decided that Lin Ming would enter the Akashic Dream Battlefield. The rest of the spiritas disciples present felt as if they were living a dream. What happened today was far too strange. A human had rushed into their meeting site and instantly defeated core disciple Yi Fan without using a weapon, thus obtaining the qualifications to enter the Akashic Dream Battlefield.
Their Zenith Palace would actually be sending a human into the Akashic Dream Battlefield. This was something that hadn't happened for hundreds of thousands of years.
"Lin Muk, what were you doing on the Great Desolate Glacier? Don't try and tell me you only passed by."
Jaderiver felt the situation was strange. Lin Ming was mind-bogglingly strong and had also appeared in the same area as the space storm; she couldn't help but link them together.
"It's true, I was just passing by. I had just left the mountains not too long before that."
Lin Ming had no intentions of revealing anything related to the Divine Realm. The existence of a space channel that crossed the 33 Heavens was far too important a secret.
Jaderiver shook her head. There had been far too many flaws in Lin Ming's words. "No matter what the situation is, the reality is that I brought you into Zenith Palace. In the eyes of all present, you suppressed Yi Fan. Let alone slapping his face, you completely tore down any face he had. Since you high-handedly demanded a spot into the Akashic Dream Battlefield, I hope that when the time comes you will listen to orders and try your best. After all, this is a war between sects and the strength of an individual is limited. If you can gather enough merit points and contribute a decent amount to Zenith Palace then that will be greatly beneficial to you."
Jaderiver seriously said. Lin Ming hummed in agreement. Right now he still had to rely on Zenith Palace.
Afterwards, the name list for those entering the Akashic Dream Battlefield was revised. Yi Fan wasn't kicked out. Rather, Zenith Palace used their connections to abruptly add on another entry spot.
Even though Yi Fan had been injured by Lin Ming he was still a strong soldier of Zenith Palace; his combat strength couldn't be underestimated.
After being struck silly by Lin Ming, whenever Yi Fan saw Lin Ming walk around he felt a deep sense of hate, but also fear.
The 9000 plus disciples of Zenith Palace that were participating in the Akashic Dream Battlefield were divided into groups. Lin Ming was placed in the first squad of the first group, and the captain of this squad was impressively Jaderiver.
"Miss Jaderiver, before I heard the Vice Palace Master say that those who obtain enough merit points in the Akashic Dream Universe can exchange them for heaven-shaking rewards, and some of these rewards could even tempt a True Divinity. Would you happen to know what sort of rewards these are?"
When the Vice Palace Master had been vividly speaking in order to muster excitement, Lin Ming had heard all his words with his sharp hearing senses before he rushed into the meeting site. After hearing all of this, he had become curious as to the details of the matter.
Jaderiver rolled her eyes at Lin Ming. "What are you asking about these things for? These simply aren't things that you nor I can hope to reach for. Certainly, if there was something that would tempt True Divinities then these True Divinities would send their disciples to take them. But in the last several billion years there have been many disciples from True Divinity level influences entering the Akashic Dream Universe, and yet they haven't been able to take out too much."
"Oh? Then that means there have been people that have taken rewards out?" Lin Ming asked, sensing the meaning behind Jaderiver's words.
"Just because someone can take out such a reward every billion years doesn't mean you can too. Stop dreaming."
At this time, a female disciple standing near Jaderiver suddenly interjected. Her name was Xiao Chi and she was also a core disciple of Zenith Palace.
"I was just curious." Lin Ming's eyes twitched. He really wanted to get to the end of this question.
Jaderiver helplessly shrugged. She said, "It is rumored that within the Akashic Dream Universe there are many treasures that are deeply buried. Amongst these treasures are top divine objects. For instance, legends state that there are divine soul springs, golden pages, undying divine medicines, and so forth."
Lin Ming perked up, "Golden pages?"
"Mm, they are parts of an incomplete ancient text. I heard they are something that can even move the hearts of True Divinities. There are other things that can tempt True Divinities of course. For instance, undying divine medicines that can lengthen the lifespan of a True Divinity level powerhouse. If a True Divinity were to refine these medicines into pills then they could create pills that surpass a transcendent divine pill, in other words, pills of a True Divinity level. These pills contain the perfectly exquisite Laws of the Great Dao, and after swallowing them one can perceive the Great Dao Laws. For an Empyrean trying to break into the True Divinity realm, they are an immeasurable boon."
Jaderiver had only heard some rumors and didn't know the exact details of things. But her words caused Lin Ming's heart to shake. Golden pages, undying divine medicines… was it possible that these golden pages were from an incomplete version of the Spiritas Holy Scripture?
The possibility was high. If the Spiritas Holy Scripture and Akashic Dream Universe both originated from the hands of the first ancestor of all spiritas, then these golden pages were extremely likely to be related to the Spiritas Holy Scripture. And, the Spiritas Holy Scripture was of utmost importance to the True Divinities of the spiritas.
"Besides the golden pages from something that might be the Spiritas Holy Scripture, there are also divine soul springs, undying divine medicines, and other treasures… it seems that everything within this Akashic Dream Universe is quite extraordinary. It's worth looking forward to…"
As Lin Ming was thinking this, his thoughts began to heat up.
The reason he was going to the Akashic Dream Universe was not just to search for Sheng Mei but also to struggle for lucky chances.
There were still three days until the Akashic Dream Battlefield opened. During this time, Lin Ming didn't do anything at all. Rather, he sat in meditation and adjusted himself to his peak condition.
Three days afterwards, the Akashic Dream Battlefield officially opened.
All disciples participating in the Akashic Dream Battlefield convened at the highest peak. Each person was given a token.
"Pour your energy into the token and you will be able to sense the existence of the Akashic Dream Universe. Afterwards, your spirit will enter while your mortal body will be sealed in a separate space. It is an extremely safe procedure!"
A white-robed Elder loudly proclaimed as he stood atop a high platform.
Lin Ming felt much more relieved upon hearing this. To have his spirit enter the Akashic Dream Universe and his mortal body sealed away in some separate space was perfect for him. If his mind entered the Akashic Dream Universe he wanted to ensure that no one would be able to harm his mortal body while he wasn't there.
"Very good. The time has arrived. Everyone, prepare to enter the Akashic Dream Battlefield!"
Not too far away from the white-robed Elder, there was a massive incense burner. This incense burner had a thick coiled incense burning within it, and this incense had now burned to its end.
"All disciples of Zenith Palace, listen to orders – open the Akashic Dream Universe!"
As the white-robed Elder spoke, every disciple of Zenith Palace poured their energy into their token. Lin Ming also did this.
9301 tokens began to emit a dim halo after absorbing the energy. As these halos gathered together, they combined as one, becoming an extremely brilliant and beautiful sight!
The entire sky was lit up with by the multicolored energies.
And at this time, the 9301 tokens projected thin beams of light. These thin blue beams shot into the endless skies, forming a bridge that spanned the heavens and earth, penetrating hundreds of thousands of feet upwards.
Chi chi chi!
For a time, the skies were pierced through by these 9301 beams of light. The power of space dissipated outwards, forming a massive dark red and purple space gate.
This space gate was like an ephemeral dream. The constantly shimmering purple and red surface changed again and again, as if a kaleidoscope of whole new worlds was within it.
For a time, all of the disciples of Zenith Palace that carried a token felt an irresistible traction force lift up their bodies and send them flying towards the space gate.
Lin Ming felt himself hurtle forwards faster and faster. As he flew, everything seemed to become further and further away. A tremendous tearing power started to work upon his spiritual sea.
His mortal body began to separate from his soul.
He stared helplessly on as his mortal body grew further and further away until it was sealed in a chaotic space. At the same time, his soul form was sucked into that red and purple space gate. After this, everything turned hazy in his mind.
This space gate was extremely mystical and there were countless exquisite Laws contained within that Lin Ming couldn't understand at all. But, it was clear that these Laws were connected to the soul forging system.
Lin Ming couldn't bother with delving deeper into this. All he felt was an agonizing headache as if his soul was being constantly distorted by some great strength.
He didn't know how long these feeling continued for. In the next moment, Lin Ming's body shook and he had arrived in an unknown world.
This area was bleak and desolate. The ground beneath him was sparse wilderness. The skies were high and far and covered in thick layers of clouds. It was a depressing sight.
"This is the Akashic Dream Universe?"
Lin Ming closed his eyes, allowing his sense to spread out like a web. All he felt was that there was an ancient and vast aura flooding this land.
This sort of feeling caused Lin Ming to think as if this universe was a world left behind from ancient times. Even through billions of years it had maintained its once glorious scenery.
And at this time, Zenith Palace disciples began to pop up all around Lin Ming. As they appeared, some of them stumbled to catch their footing. All of them were pale; it was clear they were feeling queasy from travelling through that space gate just now.
No matter how powerful one's soul force was, one wouldn't feel comfortable upon entering the Akashic Dream Universe. This was because the stronger one's soul force was, the greater the backlash they would receive upon entering the space gate.
As the many Zenith Palace disciples appeared, the curtains for the sect wars had officially been lifted.
Chapter 1801 – Emperor God Wall
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"The resting city is just ahead, so let's go there first."
Jaderiver said. Zenith Palace had sent more than 9000 disciples to participate in the Akashic Dream Battlefield and she wasn't the decision maker.
The decision makers were the several half-step World Kings that had joined in. They were Elders of Zenith Palace and this also included the Vice Palace Master, the white-robed old man who had been hosting the meeting conference.
Entering the Akashic Dream Universe had no restrictions on age. Rather, it looked at whether or not someone was an outstanding individual and just how much potential they possessed.
Generally speaking, if one was doomed to never be able to take another step forwards in their cultivation road then there was no need for them to enter the Akashic Dream Battlefield. Only those who had hopes of going further down their road of martial arts would come here to struggle for a lucky chance.
The city within the Akashic Dream Universe was extremely lifelike and none of it felt like an illusion at all. Touching anything gave a feeling no different than interacting with objects in the real world.
The truth was that the spiritual world and real world were never clearly distinguished to begin with. In fact, there were even some spiritas martial artists who theorized that the current 33 Heavens was nothing more than a dream of a sleeping creator god.
This city was incomparably broad and a massive number of outstanding elites were also gathered here.
Many more martial artists continued to hasten their way to the city.
Of these people's cultivation, the lowest amongst them were at the Soul Sea realm, a spiritas cultivation realm equivalent to the human Divine Sea realm. As for the highest, they were Great World Kings, and more than one at that.
Lin Ming guessed that there were likely also half-step Empyreans here, and even true Empyrean supreme elders; he just hadn't seen them yet.
As they arrived not too far from the city, Lin Ming looked up at the city gates that rose a thousand feet high. Above these gates were two strange spiritas characters.
Lin Ming had previously studied the language of the spiritas. He could see that these characters said – Emperor City!
Each character was the size of a large house and they were drawn in an illustrious manner. The aura they gave off was intimidating.
Even Lin Ming couldn't help but feel a faint sense of awe and dread upon seeing these characters.
Emperor City was surrounded by walls on three sides, each side stretching out nearly a thousand miles long. As for the rear side of the city, it was backed up against a giant divine mountain.
This divine mountain was as smooth as a mirror and was covered with a canopy of runes.
As Lin Ming and the others approached within a hundred miles of this divine mountain, they felt a tremendous pressure.
Ordinary Zenith Palace disciples could not approach. As they tried, they felt all of their blood vitality, spirit essence, and soul force being pulled upon by this pressure, making the energy within them nearly explode outwards from their bodies.
Jaderiver said, "This is the Emperor God Wall. It has already existed for countless years and is the divine object of Emperor City. It is said that it was stained with the blood of peerless God Kings and their aura has yet to dissipate even after billions upon billions of years have passed. And, what we see now is only a projection of the Emperor God Wall. The true Emperor God Wall is not here, but every city has a projection of the Emperor God Wall."
As Jaderiver spoke, the disciples of Zenith Palace were shocked. Even Lin Ming was left flabbergasted.
It was only a projection yet it exuded such a terrifying pressure.
Then, just what would the true Emperor God Wall be like!?
Some of the outstanding disciples of Zenith Palace strode within several miles of the God Wall. At this distance, they could see many martial artists tirelessly moving forwards as well as some others meditating beneath it.
"They are cultivating, trying to use the pressure of the Emperor God Wall to aid in their breakthrough."
A Zenith Palace Elder explained.
By being beneath the Emperor God Wall, one would have to withstand a terrifying pressure. This pressure could burden one's soul and spirit essence, and even directly work upon the martial artist's body that was sealed away in a separate space to further temper their blood vitality, allowing them to make a breakthrough. It was an incomparably mysterious phenomenon.
This cultivation isn't too bad. Eh, there are also some characters on the God Wall."
A Zenith Palace disciple exclaimed. Lin Ming looked up, able to clearly read the runes written atop the Emperor God Wall.
These runes were ancient and mysterious, consisting of the spiritas language from billions of years ago.
Not even Lin Ming could fully understand them.
"These carvings are…" A Zenith Palace disciple asked.
"They are the rules, as well as the divine objects within the Akashic Dream Battlefield. Look at the third row, that is the Wild God Creed. In the legends it's said to be a holy text left behind by the first ancestor of the spiritas. The fourth row lists the Weeping God Springs. It is said to be a deep spring that can even help cleanse the marrows of a True Divinity supreme elder. If one could obtain that God Springs' water to use for alchemy, they could make True Divinity level medicines. As for the fifth row…"
The one speaking was the white-robed Vice Palace Master. His understanding of the Akashic Dream Battlefield was more deep than Jaderiver's, and as he slowly introduced the various objects, everyone who listened to him was left dumbfounded. Although they clearly knew they couldn't obtain any of these things, just hearing about it was more than enough to cause their blood to boil over with excitement.
"How do we obtain these things?" Lin Ming asked. As for the other disciples of Zenith Palace, although they didn't think they could ever obtain these treasures they were still curious about how one obtained them.
The Vice Palace Master said, "Some of these divine objects can be exchanged for using an incredible amount of merit points. As for some other things, they require achievements, lucky chances, or various other items to exchange for them."
As he spoke, another Zenith Palace disciple said, "Look, there are also names carved upon the God Wall!"
Hearing this disciple's shout, many people looked down. As he said there were indeed names of powerhouses left behind on the Emperor God Wall.
These names were all written in different handwriting styles and they emitted a dreadful aura. One could instantly see that they weren't left behind by ordinary mortals.
Those that can leave behind their names are mostly Empyreans as well as a small number of Great World Kings. They are all proud children of heaven that have existed through the history of the spiritas. There are some people that weren't Empyreans when they left behind their names, but they would eventually become Empyreans in the future. Rather, it should be said that most of them became extreme Empyreans, and a few of them even managed to step into the realm of True Divinity."
The Zenith Palace Elder's explanation left everyone bewildered. Even amongst the spiritas, True Divinities were a mythical existence. It was hard for ordinary martial artists to imagine what they were like.
"Mm? Sheng Mei!"
Lin Ming's pupils shrank. Amongst the many names, he could make out Sheng Mei's!
Sheng Mei had also carved her name above the God Wall.
"Soul Empress Sheng Mei, her talent cannot be imagined. Through the vast 33 Heavens, no one can surpass her."
Jaderiver thought that Lin Ming had come from the wild mountains and didn't know about many matters, thus she briefly introduced Sheng Mei. Sheng Mei was absolutely the heroine of the spiritas, and as Jaderiver mentioned her name, she felt awe and pride.
"Not everyone can leave behind their name on the Emperor God Wall. These people have all achieved some peerless accomplishments or have accumulated merit points to a terrifying degree. Only then can they leave behind their name on the Emperor God Wall."
Another Zenith Palace Elder explained.
At this time, everyone was startled. They watched as a decrepit one-legged old man with scattered hair walked towards the Emperor God Wall.
Because this person only had one leg, he seemed to hop as he walked. In addition to that, his entire face was marred with horrifying scars, making him seem like a ghost walking around during daytime.
"Just who is that? What a scary-looking old man."
Standing beside Jaderiver, Xiao Chi couldn't help but cover her mouth in shock.
"Stop spouting nonsense!" A Zenith Palace Elder hurriedly said. However, Xiao Chi's words had already been heard by the one-legged old man.
The old man's hearing was extremely sharp. He suddenly turned his head, revealing a grisly and humorless smile.
With this, everyone could see that he had a Great World King cultivation.
All of the disciples from Zenith Palace paled.
"Hehe."
The one-legged old man diabolically grinned. As he stared at Xiao Chi, Xiao Chi shivered and a cold chill ran up her back. She felt as if she were being stared at by some viper.
"Our junior was being foolish. Senior, please forgive her."
"Whatever. I am someone that bears deep grudges." The one-legged old man simply didn't place the Zenith Palace Vice Palace Master in his eyes. As he turned back and walked forwards, he left behind an endless killing intent.
For a time, Xiao Chi's face turned as white as funeral paper. "Elder, I…"
No one thought that in Emperor City, just a few words could draw a catastrophe upon oneself.
The several Elders of Zenith Palace all had ugly complexions. That one-legged old freak had a bizarre personality. If one annoyed him, they definitely wouldn't have a happy ending.
And at this time, a gloating laugh rang out. "Haha, congratulations everyone from Zenith Palace! You just arrived and yet you've already drawn a winning ticket. Looking at your expressions, it seems you'll all be wiped out sooner or later."
These words caused the disciples from Zenith Palace to frown.
They turned to see a middle-aged fat man jovially walking towards them, laughing all the while. Behind him was a large group all wearing the same uniform; it was clear that they came from the same influence.
"Eh? There's even a human! Has Zenith Palace degenerated so much that they must even send a human to participate in the Akashic Dream Battlefield?"
The fat man openly mocked Zenith Palace as he saw Lin Ming.
"Forget about him, let's go." The Vice Palace Master was clearly acquainted with the fat man, but their relationship seemed extremely bad. He didn't want to have any accidents occur. Within the confines of Emperor City, fighting wasn't allowed.
Just as the Vice Palace Master was leading the disciples to leave, the skies suddenly darkened. A massive ancient vicious beast emitted a terrifying slaughter energy as it flew over the city gates and fell atop a tall pagoda within the city. This ancient vicious beast was huge and as it unfolded its wings, its wingspan was nearly a hundred miles wide, almost camouflaging the skies. The towering pagoda that it fell upon seemed as small as a toy.
A horrifying howl pierced through the heavens, making the ears tingle with numbness.
"What an amazingly dreadful aura. Just what kind of ancient beast is that?"
Many Zenith Palace disciples asked, horrified.
"That is a leviathan roc! Although it has an impure bloodline it can almost compare with a God Beast. It is even stronger than most half-step Empyreans."
A Zenith Palace Elder whispered, his breath catching in his throat.
"I know this leviathan roc, it is Empyrean Heavencore's personal mount. This isn't even its complete form. When it fully manifests its body, its wingspan can reach a thousand miles!"
As everyone was speaking, the leviathan roc suddenly opened its gaping jaws. An army of martial artists walked out from within the stomach of the leviathan roc.
In the legends, the leviathan roc had a separate world contained within its body. It could easily swallow mountains and rivers, much less something as small as hundreds of thousands of disciples.
These disciples that marched out from the stomach of the leviathan roc were all from Heavencore Heavenly Palace.
Besides the outstanding young elites of Heavencore Heavenly Palace, there were also the core disciples and the martial artists that made up the backbone of Heavencore Heavenly Palace.
Lin Ming was vigilant as he saw this. Amongst these people, there were many World Kings, Great World Kings, and even half-step Empyreans!
They were all disciples of Heavencore Heavenly Palace. However, some of these people had already followed Empyrean Heavencore for 100,000 years and were no longer considered juniors.
These people possessed a profound cultivation. The reason they came to the Akashic Dream Battlefield was in hopes of going further in their cultivation. For instance, a Great World King becoming a half-step Empyrean, or a half-step Empyrean becoming a true Empyrean.
"This is an Empyrean level influence…"
Some people sighed in admiration. Just any one of these high level Heavencore Heavenly Palace disciples could easily sweep away Zenith Palace.
Far too many masters had gathered at the Akashic Dream Battlefield. It was destined to be an unrivalled war.