If they proceeded along the original route, they would encounter naturally occurring hazards.
For example, there's the Thunderstorm Area with its deadly lightning, followed by the Wind Blade Area capable of slicing a person in half with its hurricane winds. Then, there's the Extreme Cold Area, challenging even for talent warriors with ice attributes, and finally, a water area known as the Ming River, which prohibits flying and nothing can float on its surface.
To cross this river, one must wait for a narrow wooden bridge that appears for ten minutes at noon. To cross the bridge, one must drink water from a stone bowl in front of it to make their body light, almost soul-like. Clearly, the bridge is not meant for the living. Moreover, the bridge imposes torturous conditions like suddenly turning into sharp blades or burning with intense flames, and one must endure this pain silently.
Chu Tian managed to cross this bridge previously by relying on his strong mental fortitude. Considering where to ambush Xu Qiao Sheng, Chu Tian immediately dismissed the idea of doing it on the bridge, as it's impossible to attack anyone there.
Chu Tian had to wait until he was actually inside Hell's Gate to see which area would be most detrimental to Xu Qiao Sheng. However, he was intrigued by the idea of trying the second route's Mist Area.
The specific plan would depend on how many people Xu Qiao Sheng brought to Hell's Gate the next day.
...
The next morning, Chu Tian was awakened by noisy voices outside the inn. Looking out the window, he saw Xu Qiao Sheng with a group of about a hundred people waiting downstairs. All of them appeared to be A-level talent warriors, likely Xu Qiao Sheng's personal guard.
After getting ready and going downstairs, Xu Qiao Sheng informed Chu Tian that they were pressed for time and that a transport aircraft was waiting at the Kunlun base. To save time, Xu Qiao Sheng planned to air-drop near Hell's Gate, as the area was similar to Earth's Bermuda Triangle, where aircraft would malfunction and crash.
On the ride to Xu Qiao Sheng's encampment, Chu Tian observed soldiers and mercenaries building defensive fortifications, including large Gauss cannons, Sunburst missiles, and even large-caliber laser cannons designed to repel alien invasions. This made Chu Tian realize that even without powerful warriors, humanity could still resist beasts and the hidden Bug Tribe through technological weaponry.
Reaching the temporary airstrip, Chu Tian saw a massive transport aircraft. Xu Qiao Sheng led him aboard, and soon they were flying toward Kunlun.
Xu Qiao Sheng asked Chu Tian about the route to enter. Chu Tian suggested entering from the west side, which he had never traveled but heard from Mukto could lead safely to the Red Lotus Karma Fire area, bypassing the Mist and Illusionary Areas.
After considering the risks, Xu Qiao Sheng decided to take the original route, believing it to be safer despite its dangers.
The next day, the aircraft hovered thirty meters above ground near Hell's Gate's entrance, and Chu Tian was the first to jump down, followed by everyone else. The aircraft then returned to the Kunlun Human Base.
Xu Qiao Sheng only asked Chu Tian to guide them to the Red Lotus Karma Fire area as quickly and safely as possible. Chu Tian nodded and began to plan his attack on Xu Qiao Sheng, intending to lead them on a slightly longer route to wear down Xu Qiao Sheng's guards.
With everyone following, Chu Tian led the way into Hell's Gate. The guards were initially shocked by the stark difference inside the gate, with a grey sky, black clouds, and continuous snow obscuring vision, and the looming Thunderstorm Area in the distance.
As they ventured deeper, they braced themselves for the challenges that lay ahead in the perilous domain of Hell's Gate.