Batian Martial Soul

Chapter 14722 Forcing your way through the Heavenly Gate will surely lead to death.

The moment the old man withered vines saw the God-Slaying Sword, his already ethereal soul trembled violently. The deepest fear in his soul surged forth like a tidal wave, instantly engulfing him completely.

He no longer cared about his dignity or status, and let out a heart-wrenching scream:

"Wen Yan, save me...!"

Ling Xiao's eyes were as cold as ancient ice. He slightly raised his wrist, ready to swing his sword and slash down, intending to completely obliterate the remnant soul of the withered vine old man, making him vanish into thin air.

But just as the sword was about to fall, a vast and boundless, terrifying pressure that surpassed all the laws of the Netherworld suddenly descended from the top of the heavens, like the sky collapsing, completely enveloping the entire dense forest and Ling Xiao's figure!

Ling Xiao slowly raised his eyes and looked up.

Amidst the churning clouds and billowing mist, an old man in grey robes emerged, his every step creating a gust of wind, causing the void to tremble slightly with each step.

The old man was dressed in a gray-white Taoist robe with dark gold cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs. His silver hair was tied up high, and his demeanor was as deep and serene as an abyss. A simple purple gourd hung at his waist, and a thin red mark was faintly visible between his eyebrows. His whole body exuded an unfathomable eeriness and majesty.

Wen Yan swayed and slowly moved to Ling Xiao's side. His voice was extremely low, but it couldn't hide the solemnity in his bones:
"It is Mr. Zhulin... This man is unfathomable."

Mr. Bamboo's gaze fell on Ling Xiao, a gentle smile playing on his lips, his tone calm:
“Young friend, since his physical body has already disintegrated and he is practically a cripple, why not give this old man a little face and let him go…”

Before he could finish speaking...

Ling Xiao's God-Slaying Sword was suddenly drawn from its sheath!

"Shh..."

A chillingly cold light shot out from the sky, so fast that even the soul couldn't react in time.

Before the old man with the withered vines in the distance could react, the God-Slaying Sword pierced straight through his brow. The sword instantly emitted a chilling light, like a ravenous beast, frantically devouring his divine soul essence.

The old man withered vines let out a terrified scream, struggling, twisting, and trying to escape, but he had no power to resist the God-Slaying Sword.

In the blink of an eye, the withered vine old man was completely devoured, leaving not even a trace of his soul or breath behind.

Upon seeing this, Mr. Zhulin's eyes narrowed slightly, but the warm, spring-like smile on his face remained unchanged, without even a slight tremor.

Ling Xiao raised his right hand and summoned the God-Slaying Sword, which transformed into a streak of light and flew back into his hand. He turned and left, his back resolute, leaving not even a glance or a trace behind.

Mr. Bamboo stood silently in place, ultimately making no move.

It's not that I don't want to, it's that I don't dare.

In the past, the world was always shrouded in mystery regarding the power behind Ling Xiao. But now, with the complete annihilation of the Sword Star Holy Hall, leaving no one alive, everything is now crystal clear.

Even the number one sect that had dominated the Silent Realm for countless years was uprooted and completely wiped out by Ling Xiao. Who would dare to make any rash moves?

Even the mighty giants of Broken Boundaries Mountain, who have stood for millennia and reigned supreme, now felt nothing but fear and awe in the face of Ling Xiao.

After a long silence, Mr. Bamboo Grove sighed softly, his tone complex and difficult to decipher:

"This is the old man withered vines' own calamity."

Having said that, he turned and slowly walked away.

Wen Yan remained silent for a moment, then also silently retreated, not daring to say another word.

Ling Xiao did not leave Pojie Mountain, but went straight to Wang Xuanying's residence.

Wang Xuanying stared at the decisive and imposing young man before her, her expression extremely complex:
"Young friend, that old man with the withered vine..."

Ling Xiao spoke calmly and casually, uttering only two words:
"It's gone."

Gone.

Those two simple words made Wang Xuanying's face stiffen. After a long silence, he finally nodded slightly and dared not ask another question.

Ling Xiao suddenly spoke, his gaze calm:

"Mount Breaking Boundaries is the third level of the Realm of Annihilation?"

“No, it’s only the second floor. The third floor… we can’t go there at all.” Wang Xuanying slowly shook his head.

"But you know the way, right?"

Ling Xiao asked again.

Wang Xuanying was taken aback, then his face lit up with wild joy, and his voice trembled slightly:

"Young friend, are you going to the third floor?"

If anyone else mentioned the third level of the Realm of Annihilation, he would only scoff and regard it as a pipe dream. But Ling Xiao was different; he held in his hand the true key to breaking the seal of the Realm of Annihilation.

Ling Xiao nodded, his tone leaving no room for argument:
"Go."

Wang Xuanying laughed excitedly, his voice trembling:

"Great! Okay!"

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Xiao uttered a calm remark:
"lead the way?"

Wang Xuanying nodded repeatedly, almost blurting out:

"Nature! Natural!"

So, Ling Xiao followed Wang Xuanying upwards, breaking through layers of clouds and boundary barriers. About two hours later, the two entered a vast, boundless, and deathly silent starry sky.

At the very top, an enormous celestial gate stretched across the sky. The gate's barrier was covered with mysterious and ever-flowing ancient runes, exuding a terrifying aura that suppressed all ages and was inviolable.

Beneath the Heavenly Gate, in the void, countless corpses floated silently.

The entire passageway was like a living hell.

Men, women, young and old, all were present, motionless, like sculptures, silently suspended in the deathly void.

Wang Xuanying looked up at the majestic Heavenly Gate, his voice low and heavy:
"Young friend, this is the Heavenly Gate leading to the third level, personally guarded by the Holy Temple's Envoy of Annihilation."

Ling Xiao looked at the densely packed corpses, his brows slightly raised:

"What are these?"

"The predecessors who have stormed the Heavenly Gate throughout the ages," Wang Xuanying said in a sorrowful voice.

"They all failed?"

Wang Xuanying nodded, her tone filled with helplessness:

"None succeeded. Some perished completely, leaving not even a skeleton; while these others had such profound cultivation in life that their physical bodies were immortal, but their souls... had long since dissipated."

Ling Xiao asked again:

How powerful were they in life?

Wang Xuanying pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly and clearly, each word distinct:

"Among them... there are quite a few powerful individuals at the Upper Lord level."

Upper Lord!
Ling Xiao fell silent.

The superior master... means that figures like Wen Yan and Mr. Zhulin are far inferior to these corpses, even worlds apart!

Wang Xuanying sighed deeply, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes:
“Although we reside in the Broken Boundary Mountain, we know that forcibly breaking through the Heavenly Gate is as difficult as ascending to heaven. However, if we offer the Demon Lord Black Heaven Sword to the Silent Extinction Court, we might be able to bribe them, break the seal, and leave this Silent Extinction Realm.”

Ling Xiao spoke calmly:
"With my current strength, if I were to force my way through the Heavenly Gate, I would surely die, wouldn't I?"

Wang Xuanying nodded, making no attempt to hide anything:

"Correct."

He knew that Ling Xiao's combat power was extraordinary, and fighting beyond his level was commonplace for him, but if he tried to force his way through the Heavenly Gate, it would still be a dead end.

Ling Xiao nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Wang Xuanying was taken aback and quickly asked:

"Young friend, aren't you going to Tianmen?"

Ling Xiao paused, turned to look at him, her gaze clear and sharp:
"Wang Xuanying, have you ever considered that even if we enter the Heavenly Gate with this item, what then? Can we survive there?"