Chapter 2398

Chapter 2398: Extra: Gate of Truth (1/2)

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Above the universe.

This was the Path of Truth that countless beings couldn’t reach.

Here, several beings who were transcendent above all matter were currently engaged in a conversation.

“Perhaps…

“I’m a fake cultivator…”

The man’s voice was calm, and this greatly astonished all of the other transcendent beings.

This was the truth. At the same time, however, it also represented a unique and profound Dao.

Meng Qi, Ruler Bai Luo, and the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor didn’t dare to underestimate the man in white because of this.

From the man’s body, they could sense the might of a vast and boundless universe. It was as if he could unleash the might of a paramount universe with a simple wave of his hand. He was definitely no pushover.

“Dare I ask for your title?” Ruler Bai Luo asked in a respectful voice.

An Lin’s eyes darted about. He felt like directly giving his name would seem too ordinary, so he pondered for a moment before replying, “Others all refer to me as the Paramount Heavenly Darkness God.”

“Paramount Heavenly Darkness God…”

The expressions of the three transcendent beings instantly changed upon hearing this.

This was especially the case with Ruler Bai Luo, who cultivated a Holy Light that was powerful enough to illuminate the entire universe. He was extremely animated upon hearing this.

However, they wouldn’t conclude the good or evil of a being purely from whether they practiced light or darkness. They were all transcendent beings, and they were all mature beings. Thus, they would consider such problems from a different perspective.

“Heavenly Darkness God, Divine Phoenix Maiden, judging from your auras, it seems like you haven’t pushed open the Gate of Truth yet?” Meng Qi asked in a friendly manner.

An Lin and Xu Xiaolan nodded in reply.

The Nine Forms Dao Ancestor pointed toward the Path of Truth and said, “The Gate of Truth is over there. The pinnacle of truth, and the ‘summit’ of Dao; that place is a culmination of all your understanding and comprehension of the world. Go on, head over to open the Gate of Truth…”

Meng Qi—a jellyfish-like creature who had countless galaxial tentacles—smiled and said, “I was incompetent, and I only managed to open six gates.”

The Nine Forms Dao Ancestor immediately rolled his eyes—all eighteen of them. He huffed and said, “We know you opened the most gates, okay? There’s no need to emphasize it so many times.”

“The Heavenly Darkness God and the Divine Phoenix Maiden don’t know, right?” Meng Qi said with a serious expression.

“There’s a different number of Gates of Truth that one can open?” Xu Xiaolan asked in surprise.

“Naturally,” Ruler Bai Luo replied. “The more Gates of Truth one opens, the greater the number of Truths one understands. In turn, this allows them to accept and fuse together with a more profound power…

“Of course, this only represents the Truths that you understand at the current moment. According to legends, there have been transcendent beings who have walked the Path of Truth again after opening several Gates of Truth. They were able to witness the Gates of Truth again, and they even managed to open more of them…”

Ruler Bai Luo spoke in a meaningful voice.

Meng Qi swayed his tentacles and said, “That’s only a legend. In any case, I’ve never witnessed such a phenomenon before. How many gates you can open now is how many gates you can open in the future. This represents the pinnacle state of a transcendent being… Our journeys… have already reached their conclusion.”

There was a hint of emotion in his voice as he said this. In fact, there was even a slight hint of desolation from a lonely being who had reached the pinnacle and yearned for competitors.

“So how many Gates of Truth are there?” An Lin asked.

“Nine is the pinnacle of digits. According to legends, there are nine gates in total…” the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor replied. “However, we’ve never seen any transcendent being opening all nine Gates of Truth.”

Meng Qi nodded and said, “Ordinary transcendent beings can only open one to two gates. More powerful beings can open three to four gates. Those who can open five or more gates have generally transcended by creating or destroying a paramount universe…”

An Lin nodded in understanding.

Just then, Meng Qi had said that he had comprehended the Essence of Void. With this comprehension, he had transformed a paramount universe into a peculiar point. In other words, he had destroyed a paramount universe. It was because of this that he had transcended from the universe and become a paramount being. It was also because of this that he could open six Gates of Truth.

“A while ago, I saw an impressive transcendent being called Pangu. Apparently, he transcended by creating a paramount universe called the Tai Chu Universe. He opened seven gates right before my very eyes…” the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor said.

Meng Qi bobbled his jellyfish head and said, “The juniors are truly frightening…”

Pangu?

An Lin and Xu Xiaolan’s expressions immediately changed.

Isn’t Pangu the supreme being who created the Tai Chu Universe?

Right now, the Tai Chu Universe had already been replaced by the Divine Mirror Universe that Tina had created using the Divine Mirror Heavenly Dao.

Meanwhile, the Tai Chu Heavenly Dao had completely fused into An Lin’s body, allowing him to become a peculiar existence. In an even more peculiar twist, An Lin had relied on his own cultivation and the Tai Chu Heavenly Dao to become a transcendent being…

However, An Lin didn’t say this. He was afraid that he might frighten the other transcendent beings.

The Heavenly Dao of a paramount universe… Even transcendent beings couldn’t possibly obtain or fuse together with such a matter.

This was analogous to how humans could create galactic space shuttles. However, for a human to fuse together with a galactic space shuttle? Was this a f*cking joke?

In some sense, An Lin had fulfilled the dream of all transcendent beings. He was in possession of the complete Heavenly Dao of a paramount universe. If he were displeased with someone, he could directly unleash the power of the Heavenly Dao to pummel them. Who wouldn’t be afraid?

“Let’s go. Let’s head over to open some gates,” Xu Xiaolan said in eagerness.

An Lin nodded in agreement. He held her warm and smooth hand as he walked along the Path of Truth.

The Truth was dazzling.

Time was eternal and unhurried.

An Lin and Xu Xiaolan held hands as they walked down the Path of Truth together.

Visions of the past flashed before their eyes.

They had experienced many hardships, and they had also comprehended many truths of the world.

At this moment, these experiences and comprehensions would become their strength to open the Gates of Truth.

An ancient and eternal gate that forever existed at the pinnacle of Truth towered before them. This was a profoundly mysterious gate. This was a gate that expounded all Truth unto the transcendent beings. It told the tale of all Dao.

“I’ll go first.”

Xu Xiaolan took a deep breath before stepping forward.

She gazed at the towering gate before her. It was hazy and hidden, and it was as if this gate were both existent and non-existent for all eternity. It couldn’t be sensed, and its form couldn’t be described. Upon closer inspection, however, it was as if one could see their own experiences etched on this towering gate.

Meng Qi, the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor, and Ruler Bai Luo observed her from afar. They didn’t disturb her.

“How many Gates of Truth do you guys think she can open?” Ruler Bai Luo asked in keen interest.

Meng Qi pondered for a moment before saying, “She attained transcendence by obtaining the dual essential powers of the True Dragon and Vermilion Bird. This is unseen and unheard of in the history of transcendent beings. She’s forged a new path, and she’s also exceptional even among transcendent beings. As such, I feel like she can open at least five gates.”

The Nine Forms Dao Ancestor immediately teased, “Perhaps she can open seven gates, one more than you!”

“Impossible! Only transcendent beings who have created or destroyed a paramount universe can possess such understanding of Truth. Possessing a dual essential power alone, it’s simply impossible for her to achieve this!” Meng Qi said with an animated expression.

As they said this, the beautiful woman in jade had already opened the Gate of Truth that rested above countless universes. Countless Truths funneled toward the woman in jade.

Her aura became increasingly ethereal and transcendent.

When the Gate of Truth vanished.

Xu Xiaolan had already obtained many Truths. Her aura was as profound as the boundless universe, and her eyes were able to see through all matter. She could directly observe the essence of all matter.

“This still isn’t enough…” she murmured.

She continued to walk forward.

With a single step, it was as if she had traversed across an unimaginable expanse of the universe. It was as if she could traverse between past and present.

The Path of Truth tremored as a second Gate of Truth materialized before her.

She pushed the gate.

The second Gate of Truth was also opened.

There was almost no resistance at all.

Immediately afterward, she opened the third gate and then the fourth gate…

The three transcendent beings were stunned.

The incredible speeds at which she was opening the gates… It was as if she were waltzing through her home…

Sure enough, the fifth Gate of Truth also materialized.

There were Dragons and Vermilion Birds soaring above this gate, and they were radiating with auras that were formidable enough to suppress the heavens.

“Comprehending the essential powers of the True Dragon and the Vermilion Bird, and then opening five Gates of Truth. She can already be considered as extremely outstanding, even among all of the transcendent beings,” Meng Qi said with a nod. He caressed his head with his tentacles, and he continued with an expression of acknowledgment, “However, she’s still slightly inferior to me. I collapsed the void, and I transformed the entire paramount universe into a single peculiar point. It was through this that I attained transcendence and opened six gates in a single breath.”

Ruler Bai Luo huffed and said, “You merely refined the Small Hong Meng Universe. If you’re so impressive, why don’t you refine the Great Hong Meng Universe as well?”

Meng Qi was rendered speechless.

Refine the Great Hong Meng Universe?

If he were so powerful, should he open all nine Gates of Truth to celebrate?

The woman in jade opened the fifth Gate of Truth.

Xu Xiaolan officially became a high-rank transcendent being.

“Hahaha! Let’s head over to congratulate the Divine Phoenix Maiden.”

“Huh? Why is she still walking forward?”

“Gasp… Impossible! Perhaps…”

Lotuses of Truth blossomed beneath Xu Xiaolan’s feet.

Scenes of the past flashed before her eyes.

“That which I’ve lost, that which I’ve sacrificed, and that which I’ve obtained…”

A gate that possessed the Truth of Reincarnation started to materialize before Xu Xiaolan.

She opened the sixth Gate of Truth.

However, that peculiar feeling was still extremely powerful.

The woman in jade turned around, flashing a smile at the man in white.

The three transcendent beings were only aware that she had transcended with two essential powers.

However, they didn’t know that… this was her second time transcending!

She had experienced the full cycle of life, starting from an infant and then becoming a young woman, and then finally an old lady. From the beginning until the end, however, there was always a man accompanying her, never leaving her or abandoning her. He always tried to cheer her up.

While transcending, she had experienced a splendid feeling. This was a feeling of union between life and eternity. However, even such a feeling hadn’t convinced her to leap toward transcendence. She had instead turned around to leap toward that man in white. She had chosen to stick with him through thick and thin.

It was for that one person.

It was for him that she had abandoned her first transcendence.

Beneath this Truth, and among all of the paramount universes, had anyone ever walked this path before?

In any case, she had genuinely comprehended more truths than ordinary transcendent beings.

As she smiled, her most sincere feelings materialized into the seventh Gate of Truth!

The three transcendent beings were transfixed with shock and disbelief.

As Xu Xiaolan opened the seventh Gate of Truth, the entire Path of Truth started to tremor. Countless universes were offering their essence and fortune, which endlessly funneled into the woman’s body.

This was a sight that could astound the heavens.

This was a sight that could astound countless powerful beings.

The woman in jade opened her limpid yet profound eyes, and it was as if countless universes were being birthed and destroyed within them. She wanted to continue forward, yet she was forcefully stopped mid-step.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to continue. Rather, she couldn’t continue any longer.

She turned around to smile at the man in white. She poked her tongue out in slight embarrassment, saying in a slightly apologetic voice, “I’m sorry, I truly can’t walk any further.”

A faint smile spread across An Lin’s face. He spread his arms and said, “No worries. Come back here.”

The three transcendent beings almost spat blood upon hearing this.

He was actually consoling her? Could they still live?

An Lin embraced Xu Xiaolan and patted her head as he gently consoled her.

The three transcendent beings didn’t want to walk over to congratulate her anymore.

“There are nine gates in total, yet I only managed to open seven…” Xu Xiaolan said with an upset expression.

“It’s okay. Pangu only managed to open seven Gates of Truth as well, no? You’re already as powerful as Pangu,” An Lin said with a smile. “As it turns out, Celestial Maiden Xiaolan is already powerful enough to rival Pangu!”

Sure enough, Xu Xiaolan felt much better after hearing this.

Xu Xiaolan’s voice was soft and gentle as she said, “Hubby, you should also hurry up and head over to open the Gates of Truth. You’ll genuinely benefit a lot!”

“My cultivation is a mess, so how can I possibly gain any benefits?” An Lin didn’t hold any hope.

Xu Xiaolan gazed at him with a serious expression. She pursed her lips and said, “How is it a mess? My hubby is the best!”

The three transcendent beings had never witnessed Dao partners transcending at the same time. As they looked at An Lin and Xu Xiaolan interacting with each other, they felt as uncomfortable as could be.

After a while, An Lin finally started to walk toward his Path of Truth.

As he walked along this path, it was as if each step would cover a boundless distance and countless tens of thousands of years. In fact, it was as if he could traverse between past and present.

The three transcendent beings continued to secretly communicate among themselves.

“Meng Qi, how many Gates of Truth do you think this Paramount Heavenly Darkness God can open?”

“It’s hard to say… I can’t see through him. Moreover, he said that he didn’t have an essential power just then, so this is truly hard to speculate. However, to not have an essential power can’t be a good thing. He’s most likely an ordinary transcendent being. That being the case, he can only open three gates at most…”

“Not necessarily,” the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor said. He was far more thoughtful than Meng Qi, and he said in a solemn voice, “This man in white looks ordinary, yet at some instances, I felt an overwhelming and terrifying aura from him. It was as if I were facing a boundless paramount universe, one that couldn’t be fathomed.

“Yes, he’s incredibly powerful. He clearly hasn’t opened any gate yet, but I can already sense an indomitable Dao surrounding his body…”

Ruler Bai Luo also came to his senses, and he asked, “You’re saying that… he’s concealing his true strength?”

The Nine Forms Dao Ancestor shook his nine heads and replied, “He isn’t concealing anything, nor does he need to conceal anything. He looks especially weak, yet this is because he’s returned to the fundamental state after mastering all else. It’s this that is respectable…”

Upon hearing this, Meng Qi and Ruler Bai Luo finally understood what the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor was saying.

An Lin looked extremely weak, yet he was actually incredibly powerful. However, he didn’t need to tell them that he was incredibly powerful.

Was this truly the case?

Meng Qi and Ruler Bai Luo both remained skeptical.

In reality, An Lin felt like he was a weakling. He didn’t feel powerful at all.

Moreover, he had indeed been telling the truth just then. His cultivation was truly a mess. In fact, he was thankful to the heavens that he had even survived until now. To transcend was already a blessing that he had earned from ten thousand past lives. As such, how could he hope for more?

He was a fake cultivator, and he had never experienced the true feeling of cultivating. As such, how could he have any confidence in opening these gates?

Not only that.

What was his Dao?

What was his Truth?

An Lin fell silent.

He was filled with nervousness as he took his first step.

The Path of Truth tremored violently, with the light of chaos blooming in disarray. Beneath him, a myriad of universes all unleashed a tide of energy. This was a colossal storm.

“What in the world is happening?”

“Heavens! Why is the Path of Truth shaking so violently?”

The expressions of the three transcendent beings changed drastically.

An Lin was also dumbfounded. In the next moment, however, a towering Gate of Truth immediately materialized before him.

This was an indescribably tall and indescribably wide gate. It was filled with an aura of age and eternity, and upon it was an engraving of An Lin’s Dao.

An Lin naturally had his own Dao. It was just that others couldn’t understand it.

However, the Gate of Truth had sensed it, and it had gathered the essence of his Dao to form this magnificent Gate of Truth. Upon opening this Gate of Truth, he could obtain the Truth as well as a boundless power.

An Lin pushed the gate.

The gate was incredibly heavy, and he was unable to open it even after exerting his full strength.

“Ugh… How is it so heavy…?

“This gate doesn’t seem right…”

An Lin continued to push the gate, yet to the transcendent beings’ surprise, the gate didn’t budge at all.

“There’s nothing wrong with the gate; there’s something wrong with you!” Ruler Bai Luo exclaimed.

“Opening the gate is actually very easy. One simply needs to walk forward and push. Indeed, it’s summoning the Gates of Truth that’s extremely difficult…” the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor said. He was filled with confusion, and he continued, “How is it possible that he’s summoned the Gate of Truth but can’t open it?”

An Lin was also filled with puzzlement as he listened to the transcendent beings’ remarks.

Just as the transcendent beings were confused and astonished, he was also extremely puzzled.

What in the world? He had initially thought that he was a weakling who could only open one or two gates. Now, however, he couldn’t even open a single gate? What the hell?!

An Lin unleashed his full strength, yet the Gate of Truth was like an eternally unmoving structure that was held in place by countless universes, with its roots embedded deep in the Path of Truth. It showed no signs of budging.

He turned a pleading gaze to Xu Xiaolan.

Xu Xiaolan was extremely anxious, and she shouted, “An Lin, hurry up and open it!”

“How should I open it?” An Lin asked.

“Just push it open like a normal door,” Xu Xiaolan replied.

An Lin: “…”

Not only was he trying to push it open like a normal door, but he had even changed his stance eighteen times. However, he was still unable to open the gate.

This gate was like an aloof goddess, one who was closed off to him regardless of how hard he tried.

He was feeling utter despair!

“Huff… This gate is definitely toxic,” An Lin murmured in despair. He turned his gaze to Ruler Bai Luo and the others and asked, “Say, can one still be considered as a transcendent being even if they failed to open a single Gate of Truth?”

The three transcendent beings were stumped by An Lin’s question.

You’re asking me? How should I know?

I’ve never come across such a peculiar transcendent being either!

“This… I truly can’t recall any transcendent being who’s failed to open even a single gate…” Ruler Bai Luo replied.

Meng Qi nodded and said, “Upon opening a Gate of Truth, the transcendent being can obtain the Truths behind the gate. They can obtain the power of the Paramount Truth. Thus, if one doesn’t even possess the Power of Truth, they can only be considered as a shell of a transcendent being…”

Right now, the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor was still unable to regain his composure. He had initially thought that An Lin was concealing his true strength. As it turned out, however, he was actually a weakling who couldn’t even open a single Gate of Truth!

An Lin’s heart sank when he heard this.

He could accept the result of only opening a single Gate of Truth. However, to not open a single Gate of Truth…

He wasn’t resigned to such a fate!

Why?!

He had challenged heaven and earth, and he had reached the absolute pinnacle of the Tai Chu Continent. He had gained the title of number one Battle God of the Tai Chu Continent. In terms of combat capability, even his wife was beneath him. So, how was he unable to open even a single Gate of Truth?

Flames of fighting spirit sparked in his eyes.

He wasn’t someone who gave up easily, and he wasn’t someone who walked an ordinary path.

“Since the Gate of Truth won’t open for me, I’ll smash it open!”

An Lin’s aura instantly changed.

It was as if the Tai Chu Universe were descending.

A boundless and harrowing power started to ram at the Gate of Truth.

The expressions of the three transcendent beings changed drastically.

“What is he trying to do?”

“He’s using brute force to ram the Gate of Truth? Has he gone mad? He’s actually trying to open the Gate of Truth through brute force?”

“The Gates of Truth are eternal and indestructible. How many years have passed? Yet they still remain flawless and unscathed. How can he ever hope to damage the Gate of Truth with brute force?”

“Beware of suffering a backlash from the Gate of Truth!”

The transcendent beings were deeply astonished, and some of them called out to warn the man.

“Husband!” Xu Xiaolan exclaimed. She was also extremely anxious, and she hadn’t imagined that An Lin would actually resort to brute force.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” the man replied. He then unleashed a furious roar, causing the power of a paramount universe to materialize and descend. This power furiously rammed at the Gate of Truth.

The three transcendent beings were stupefied. Attacking the Gate of Truth was called knowing what he was doing?

Energy exploded with chaotic fury.

The Path of Truth shook violently.

Beneath them, swathes of stars died, and the entire universe started to shift.

The man suddenly unleashed a paramount attack, causing the entire Gate of Truth to shudder.

“What incredible power…” Meng Qi murmured in astonishment.

At this moment, however, it was as if the Gate of Truth suddenly sensed a challenger. It started to ferociously counterattack.

Bursts of devastating Power of Truths swarmed toward An Lin.

An Lin unleashed his most profound divine abilities, summoning one hundred and eight divine beings to attack the Truths in unison.

However, the Power of Truths directly pierced through these divine beings before impaling themselves into the man.

The man instantly vomited a mouthful of blood.

His physical body was instantly obliterated by the Power of Truth. His internal organs were all shattered into oblivion.

If the Truth approved of a transcendent being, the transcendent being would then be able to wield the Power of Truth. This power would become the sharpest blade for the transcendent being. If the Truth didn’t approve of a transcendent being, however, it would become the most devastating destructive power. Let alone killing living beings, it could even annihilate nomological laws or entire worlds with ease.

“An Lin!” Xu Xiaolan shouted. She immediately dashed toward the wounded man.

“Don’t come over! This is extremely important for me!” An Lin shouted.

Xu Xiaolan forcefully stopped in her tracks. Her eyes were filled with concern.

She was extremely anxious for An Lin. However, she was more so willing to believe in him!

“Paramount Heavenly Darkness God, hurry up and stop. The Power of Truth can erase all matter. If you don’t open the Gate of Truth, you can never rival its power,” Meng Qi said from afar.

The Gate of Truth continued to shake.

An Lin was drenched in blood, yet the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even brighter.

“Eat this!”

The aura of the Tai Chu Continent started to rapidly spread.

The aura of a paramount universe emanated from the man’s body, and tens of thousands of different Heavenly God Powers appeared in unison. Among them, the six paramount Heavenly God Powers—the Heavenly Earth Power, the Heavenly Heaven Power, the Heavenly Life Power, the Heavenly Sea Power, the Heavenly Light Power, and the Heavenly Darkness Power—all materialized to attach the Gate of Truth!

“What a petrifying aura… This… is the power of a paramount Heavenly Dao?”

“Not only that, but it’s even the most flawless and most powerful Heavenly God Power!”

“Good heavens! He’s summoned an entire paramount universe?!”

“No… This is impossible. No one can do such a thing. Even transcendent beings can only create or destroy a paramount universe. They definitely can’t carry it with them, much less wield its power…”

Meng Qi, Ruler Bai Luo, and the Nine Forms Dao Ancestor were all stunned by what they saw. It was as if they had witnessed something inconceivable.

In the next instant, the Gate of Truth started to violently shudder and shriek.

Ten thousand bursts of Power of Truth violently shot toward the man, yearning to erase his existence.

The man roared in fury, unleashing his full power as he did so. The tens of thousands of Heavenly God Powers and the six paramount Heavenly God Powers carried with them the entire power of the Tai Chu Universe as they mercilessly smashed into the Gate of Truth.

Boom!

This explosion…

It sent a shockwave through all universes in existence.

At the same time, it moved the entire Path of Truth.

The ten thousand bursts of Power of Truth were bent and dispersed by the power of the Tai Chu Universe.

Boom, boom, boom!

Explosions continued to rock the Gate of Truth. Then, to the utter shock of the three transcendent beings, it started to rapidly collapse and crumble, transforming into a pile of broken rubble.

“What am I witnessing? The eternal and indestructible Gate of Truth has collapsed?”

“No… This is definitely fake… How is this possible?!”

At this moment, the entire world view of the three transcendent beings was shaken to the core.

However, this was only the beginning.

An Lin dashed forward before picking up several broken pieces of the Gate of Truth. He then opened his mouth and chomped down on them.

The three transcendent beings were utterly stupefied.

Even Xu Xiaolan covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise, “An Lin, what are you doing?!”

“Upon opening the Gate of Truth, one can obtain the Power of Truth. However, I can’t open it!

“As the saying goes, when God closes a door on you, he’ll open another one for you.

“If I can’t find this new door, then I have no option but to smash the old door.

“I speculate that these remains of the Gate of Truth contain the Power of Truth. So let me eat them and digest them first.”

As he spoke, An Lin continued to furiously eat the crumbled Gate of Truth.

Xu Xiaolan: “…”

The three transcendent beings: “…”