Chapter 330: Ning Xiaochuan Takes Action

Chapter 330: Ning Xiaochuan Takes Action

"Brother Ning, do you perhaps have a way to break the barrier?" Yu Qing asked.

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head lightly and said, "This barrier was laid down by the Heavenly Emperor himself. Even if we knew the method to break it, it wouldn’t be so easily done. I still need to study it further and prepare thoroughly before making a move."

Powerful figures like the Cloud Marquis and the Spiritual Void Venerable had already attempted to break the barrier surrounding the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, but none could shake it. No one had managed to force their way inside.

"Even the descendants of the Heavenly Emperor cannot enter. It seems the Divine Palace truly is a place only accessible to deities."

Many Martial Artists felt regret in their hearts. They had come to the Divine Palace but were unable to enter.

Yet, there was nothing to be done. The barrier had been set by the Heavenly Emperor himself—it was not something mortals could break.

Three days passed. Strong cultivators like Yu Qing, the Demon Sect Saintess, and Prince Jindu all took turns attacking the barrier, but each attempt ended in failure.

Finally, the human Martial Artists decided to set aside their differences and join forces, pooling their strength to attack the barrier together in an attempt to forcibly break into the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace.

Over a hundred experts from major sects, the imperial court, and the Demon Sect gathered to discuss a method to break the barrier.

The Spiritual Void Venerable, enveloped in a hazy Profound Qi radiance, stood beneath the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, her ethereal figure exuding an otherworldly grace. With a gentle wave of her jade-like arms, she conjured a vast array of intricate "Line Patterns" in the air.

These Line Patterns, formed from condensed Profound Qi, were densely interwoven yet followed a certain order, leaving many of the gathered prodigies dizzy and sweating profusely.

Only a powerhouse like the Spiritual Void Venerable could memorize the pathways of these Line Patterns and arrange them using Profound Qi.

"These are the 8.45 million nodes that form the barrier. Each node represents a force of 45,000 kg. If an ordinary person were to attempt crossing the barrier, they would only trigger one node—equivalent to 45,000 kg of force. But if we try to breach it, we would trigger a hundred, even a thousand nodes. The stronger one’s cultivation, the more nodes they would activate, and the greater the force they would have to withstand. It’s nearly impossible for a single person to break through this barrier alone."

Though the Spiritual Void Venerable was young—less than twenty years old—her status was unparalleled. As a descendant of the Heavenly Emperor and the master of the Emperor's Martial Palace, she became the focal point of the gathering, commanding reverence from all present.

No one could clearly see her face, but they could sense her transcendent, immortal-like aura, as if she were a celestial being not of this world.

Ye Nan Tian said, "Even if we attack the two gates of life simultaneously, it’s futile. When I struck with the force of one sword, the barrier retaliated with nine times the power. If I hadn’t escaped quickly, I would have been killed by the rebound."

In the distance, the human experts continued debating ways to break the barrier while others made further attempts, unleashing Divine Abilities and Mystic Artifacts, shaking the void and causing the earth to tremble.

Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochuan sat cross-legged 50 km away, still studying the Mystic Gate Arts. He too arranged 8.45 million kilometerne Patterns on the ground, unfurling them like a colossal scroll, forming a breathtakingly magnificent sight.

"Minor Marquis, everyone has gathered to study methods to break the barrier. Why don’t you join them and exchange ideas? Your mastery of formations is so profound. If you collaborate with Spiritual Void Venerable, you might just succeed in breaking the barrier," Nie Lanzhi said.

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "My approach differs from Spiritual Void Venerable’s. He believes the two gates of life are the key to breaking the barrier. But I think the essence of Mystic Gate Arts lies in the word ‘mysterious.’ The Three Mystic Gates—Yi, Bing, and Ding—might hold the variables needed to break the barrier. Lanzhi, you’ve also studied the principles of Mystic Gate Arts. Join me in researching the Three Mystic Gates, and later, we’ll attempt to break the barrier together."

"Me?" Nie Lanzhi vigorously shook her head. "Even my sister and Senior Brother Ye failed. There’s no way I can succeed."

"How can you say you can’t without even trying?" Ning Xiaochuan fixed his gaze on her.

Nie Lanzhi’s heart trembled, and after a moment, she nodded softly and began studying the barrier outside the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace.

A day later, Ning Xiaochuan retracted the strands of profound qi into his body, closed his eyes in contemplation for a brief moment, then stood up.

The moment he rose, the Dragon-Tiger Profound Qi within him erupted. A brilliant pillar of light shot into the sky above his head, pointing directly toward the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace.

Ning Xiaochuan’s power surged relentlessly, his aura overwhelming. Countless phantom images of dragons and tigers swirled around him, converging into a vast ocean of dragon-tiger energy.

He intended to force the Three Mystic Gates of the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace to reveal themselves through sheer power.

As his aura exploded, the Heaven and Earth Profound Qi in the air madly converged toward him, startling all the genius martial artists within 50 km.

These martial artists had been discussing methods to breach the barrier. Now, their attention snapped to the distant figure.

"It’s Ning Xiaochuan! He’s actually here too. But why is he 50 km away instead of joining us?"

"His aura is terrifying. He’s drawn all the Heaven and Earth Profound Qi within a 50 km radius. What is he planning?"

"Could he also be attempting to break the barrier?"

Everyone wore expressions of curiosity, unable to fathom why Ning Xiaochuan was unleashing such immense power.

"Whoosh!"

In an instant, Ning Xiaochuan’s body transformed into a colossal rainbow bridge, spanning 25 km.

The speed of his movement left the onlookers stunned.

"Boom!"

Lightning crackled across the sky, gathering above Ning Xiaochuan’s head and coalescing into a massive beast claw.

"Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan hurled the beast claw toward the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace.

The claw was intercepted by an invisible barrier a kilometer away from the palace, shattering into wisps of blue smoke.

Undeterred, Ning Xiaochuan launched a second strike, then a third...

A young martial artist sneered. "Ning Xiaochuan is too timid. Does he really think he can break the barrier from 25 km away?"

Yu Qing glared at the martial artist and said, "If you don’t understand, then don’t spout nonsense. At least then no one will think you’re a fool. Ning Xiaochuan is using his attacks to locate the gates of the barrier—this is called 'testing the waters with stones.'"

Many nodded in agreement, observing that each of Ning Xiaochuan’s palm strikes followed a precise pattern, as if probing the barrier’s weak points.

After delivering thirty-six consecutive strikes, Ning Xiaochuan withdrew his Profound Qi and swiftly dashed toward the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace.

"Roar!"

The Small Red Dragon merged with his body, forming a set of crimson Divine Dragon Armor and a crystalline Battle Sword.

Many were envious of Ning Xiaochuan for possessing a Divine Dragon hatchling as his Battle Pet. Some even revealed murderous intent, eager to kill him and seize the dragon for themselves.

"Ning Xiaochuan is just one man. Does he really think he can break the barrier alone? How arrogant," sneered a High-level Mystic Beast with disdain.

"Boom—!"

Suddenly, the earth trembled violently as a massive stone beast with Dual Wings charged toward the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace.

The 70-meter-tall stone beast’s thundering steps shook the mountains, terrifying countless martial artists and causing widespread panic.

"An Earthly Venerable-level stone beast! Everyone, run!"

"Heavens! How could such a monstrous beast be drawn here? Please don’t let this trigger a stone beast stampede!"

The crowd scattered in fear, fleeing in all directions.

"Wait—there’s a girl standing on the beast’s back! It’s… Nie Lanzhi of the Tianyin Sect! How is she riding that stone beast? Could she have subdued it with some supreme Divine Ability?"

"Impossible. Even her sister would have no choice but to retreat if faced with such a terrifying creature."

Many stopped in their tracks upon seeing Nie Lanzhi standing atop the Double-headed Stone Beast, murmuring in astonishment.

"It really is Lanzhi!" Nie Lanxin’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, never expecting her sister to appear before her in such a manner.

"She’s controlling the stone beast and charging toward the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace. Could she be Ning Xiaochuan’s ally?" many speculated.

This theory was soon confirmed.

Ning Xiaochuan gestured to Nie Lanzhi, who immediately rushed toward one of the Three Mystic Gates—the "Ding Gate"—of the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace. Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochuan moved to another position, striking the barrier and forcing open an illusory gate.

Standing atop the Double-headed Stone Beast, Nie Lanzhi seemed to float in midair, her white robes fluttering in the wind as her flawless skin radiated dazzling starlight.

She formed a strange hand seal, summoning strands of cosmic starlight that coalesced into a radiant beam. With a graceful flick of her jade-like finger, she directed it toward the barrier.

She was borrowing power—the power of heaven and earth itself.

"Boom!"

The barrier trembled, reacting to the unexpected force, and a second gate was forced open.

Previously, many martial artists had attempted to attack the barrier, only to suffer fierce counterattacks that nearly cost them their lives.

Yet now, Ning Xiaochuan and Nie Lanzhi had not only forced open the barrier’s gates—they had done so without suffering any backlash.

A genius girl from the Bayi Sect exclaimed in amazement, "I always thought Fairy Nie of the Tianyin Sect was the most extraordinary talent of our time, but I never expected her younger sister to surpass her in natural aptitude. What kind of unparalleled technique is this? She even managed to borrow the light of celestial stars!"

"The Nie Sisters truly never cease to amaze. The younger sister outshines the elder, completely overshadowing her brilliance."

Many were astonished, believing Nie Lanzhi's talent to be even greater than her sister's. Her beauty, pure and captivating, left them in awe and envy.

"I can't help but wonder why Nie Lanzhi and Ning Xiaochuan coordinate so seamlessly. Could it be that the younger Nie Sister is to marry into a noble house?" someone remarked.

The Demon Sect Saintess immediately fixed her gaze on Nie Lanzhi, a flash of freezing energy flickering in her beautiful pupils, her fingers involuntarily tightening.