Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 418

Volume 3 - Chapter 117: The Fourfold Trial, Unparalleled Grace - Part 1

Golden light slowly split open the illusory sky, forming a towering, unapproachable gateway.

The surrounding energy surged and diffused like rippling waves, exuding an ethereal aura.

“Is this the Celestial Gate?”

“Do the beings emerging from it possess the same terrifying power as living saints?”

“More than that. Beyond the Celestial Gate lies the domain of the ancient sages—a truly radiant and magnificent world.”

“I missed it a thousand years ago, but this time, I’ve finally made it.”

Amid the crowd in the imperial capital, alongside the excitement of young geniuses from all factions, there were also some elderly figures with fervent expressions, their eyes burning with anticipation.

Though their appearances showed the marks of age, their lifespans stretched across millennia. In the grand scheme of an eternal lifespan, less than a thousand years was still considered young.

These individuals had cultivated martial arts to their peak and earned reverence and high status. Without much incentive to advance further, they had grown complacent.

But now, with the Celestial Gate reopening and the dazzling world behind it in sight, they felt a resurgence of youthful ambition, the same passion they had as youths chasing their dreams.

In the halls of Qiandao Palace, Qin Zhenren emerged from his secluded chamber and stood atop the palace, gazing into the distance.

Below him, seven or eight disciples leapt into the air, their eyes filled with anticipation. Among them, Qingjingzi and Ming Yuejian, the most talented of his direct disciples, had eyes glimmering with determination.

“This journey is open to you all,” Qin Zhenren said gently. “Use your abilities to seek the teachings of the sages. If any of you attain sainthood in the future, do not forget the grace of the Jiang family.”

Although Qin Zhenren’s end was near, he placed no restrictions on his disciples. Choosing one to inherit his legacy at this time would be cruel, possibly fostering resentment.

Thus, he decided to let them compete freely. Only if they failed would he select someone from among them.

However, this approach meant that the one inheriting his mantle would likely be the least talented of the group, incapable of leading Qiandao Palace to new heights. Its influence might even gradually wane.

Even so, it did not matter...

In ten years, the founding ancestor of the Jiang family would resurrect, and the Great Yu Dynasty would no longer rely on Qiandao Palace for protection.

“Master…”

Hearing Qin Zhenren’s words, the disciples looked ashamed. Yet, with the opportunity for martial glory before them, they could not bring themselves to refuse.

Qingjingzi and Ming Yuejian exchanged a glance. The two had previously told Qin Zhenren they did not wish to participate, preferring to stay in the mortal world to accompany their master in cultivation. However, Qin Zhenren had insisted they go, saying it would be a waste for them to remain.

This left them no choice but to comply.

Still, deep down, they both harbored great curiosity about the mysterious Celestial Gate. As cultivators, it was impossible not to long for it. They simply believed there were things in life more important than cultivation.

...

Meanwhile, the imperial palace was quieter than usual, as there was no morning court session.

In the rear halls, Li Hao and Yu Huang were having breakfast together.

The palace cuisine, prepared by top-tier chefs, was exquisite. Some of Yu Huang’s favorite dishes had been specially prepared for Li Hao to try, leaving him amazed. The dishes required culinary skills at the fifth stage of the Culinary Dao to achieve such perfection.

At that moment, they were savoring a medicinal dragon meat porridge.

The dragon meat, stewed until tender, was flavorful and free of the usual gamey scent.

“The Celestial Gate has opened,” Yu Huang remarked, sensing the energy fluctuations above the imperial palace. He looked up, his eyes flickering. He had witnessed this scene a thousand years ago, when even as an emperor, he had been unable to conceal his excitement.

This time, however, his heart was calm.

Glancing to his side, he saw the young man merely take a brief look before returning to his meal.

This boy… Yu Huang felt a hint of exasperation. It was the Celestial Gate, yet Li Hao seemed entirely unmoved.

“Another bowl, please.”

Li Hao handed his empty bowl to Chu Jiuyue, who promptly accepted it.

In the rustic courtyard, Chu Jiuyue could act more casually. But in the imperial palace, and especially in Yu Huang’s presence, he treated Li Hao with utmost respect due to his position as the Great Yu Divine Dynasty’s only Celestial General.

He could execute members of the royal family at will—an indication of his unparalleled status.

Chu Jiuyue quickly refilled the bowl and handed it back. Li Hao continued eating while occasionally glancing at the Celestial Gate. From within, he sensed waves of powerful auras radiating, each unmistakably at the Dao Law Realm.

These presences made no effort to hide their strength, seemingly aiming to project a form of deterrence.

“The powerful figures of the Three Great Sacred Lands have come to recruit disciples.”

At that moment, Jiang Ziyan and several royal heirs arrived.

These princes and princesses, with their exceptional talents, had all trained at Qiandao Palace. Coupled with the royal family’s supreme techniques, they were unparalleled among their peers in the same realm.

In the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, only a handful could suppress them.

Upon seeing Yu Huang and Li Hao casually having breakfast, Jiang Ziyan was momentarily stunned. Why did these two seem so relaxed?

Behind her, the royal heirs felt a pang of guilt upon meeting Yu Huang’s gaze. They knew that heading to the Celestial Gate was akin to abandoning their responsibilities to the Great Yu Dynasty. Their decision had been made after much deliberation.

“Greetings, Father.”

The princes and princesses quickly knelt to pay their respects.

As they caught sight of the youth dining with Yu Huang, a tinge of jealousy surfaced in their eyes.

Still, they knew the young man’s identity—Li Hao, the Celestial General of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty. He had saved the imperial palace and the imperial capital from destruction. Without him, the royal family would have long been annihilated.

Moreover, the authority granted to him was immense. If any of them dared offend him, Li Hao could execute them on the spot, and their father might even applaud his actions.

“Rise,” Yu Huang said calmly.

The emperor saw the eagerness and tension in their expressions and easily read their thoughts. To him, their emotions were as transparent as a blank page.

He sighed inwardly. Without comparison, there was no sense of loss. As his offspring, these royal children were far more obsessed with the Celestial Gate and its promises of fame and fortune than Li Hao. But then, who could resist such temptations?

As his thoughts lingered on ambition, Yu Huang’s gaze shifted to the pitch-black Xuanyuan Sword resting by Li Hao’s side. The one least concerned with fame and glory wielded a blade forged from them.

He silently hoped this sword would live up to its name, becoming the pinnacle of countless dreams and ambitions, and shining in its full brilliance in that world beyond.

A faint smile spread across Yu Huang’s face as he said to Li Hao, “One day, I hope to see you standing at the summit, radiating with boundless glory.”

Li Hao, finishing his bowl of porridge, handed it back to Chu Jiuyue. With a wry smile, he replied, “Your Majesty, please don’t put so much pressure on me…”

“...”

Yu Huang resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the boy. He chose not to reply, though the group of royal children present made him maintain his composure.

With a soft huff, he addressed his children, “If you are going to compete, bring back something worthy of the Jiang family name. Don’t bring shame to us!”

Relieved to have their father’s permission, the princes and princesses eagerly nodded and promised with fervent determination.

As more members of the royal family arrived, Yu Huang’s gaze landed on his younger brother, Jiang Qingshan. His eyes flickered slightly.

“Qingshan, you should also give it a try this time,” he said.

Jiang Qingshan shook his head with a gentle smile. “I’ll pass on this one.”

“You’re not going?” Yu Huang asked, surprised.

Jiang Qingshan responded warmly, “If I go, who will stay behind to chat with you?”

“...”

Yu Huang looked at his brother, momentarily silent.

By this time, the golden light emanating from the Celestial Gate had grown even more radiant. Seven figures emerged, each exuding overwhelming power.

Among them, one blurred figure stood in the golden radiance of the Celestial Gate, their towering presence seemingly on par with the heavens. Though their appearance was unclear, the sacred aura of a saint radiated from them, rolling out in waves across the imperial palace.

“I am Yu Zu of the Primal Holy Land. Today, I reopen the Celestial Gate, offering boundless fortune and merit to connect the mortal world to the path of sainthood.”

“Those among you who are prodigies, and whose qualifications meet the standards, may cross the Celestial Gate, seek grand opportunities, and listen to the sacred teachings of the sages!”

The blurred figure’s detached yet commanding voice echoed throughout the imperial capital. Each word, though light, fell with the weight of a pearl, reverberating directly in everyone’s souls.

Ordinary citizens, upon hearing the voice, felt an instinctive reverence rise within them. Many dropped to their knees, bowing in awe.

“That is my master,” Jiang Ziyan said, her eyes gleaming with admiration. Although her master was only a semi-saint, not a full saint, the difference between a semi-saint and a saint was like that between an ant and the heavens—utterly insurmountable.

Li Hao placed his chopsticks down. His meal was finished, and he was full.

He looked quietly at the figure standing within the Celestial Gate, the aura vast and majestic. Even at this great distance, he could feel its oppressive weight.

“Is that a saint?”

Across the imperial capital, countless cultivators gathered for the Celestial Gate, their gazes alight with fervor. Though unable to discern the figure’s form, their awe and reverence deepened.

“Those qualified to enter the Celestial Gate must pass four trials: the Reflection Mirror, the Extreme Dao Monuments, the Dao Heart Tower, and the Heavenly Ascension Staircase.”

“Eligibility will be assessed based on age, cultivation level, realm, and Dao heart, as determined by us.”

“Now, let it begin...”

With that, Yu Zu’s figure gradually faded, vanishing from sight.

The seven Dao Law Realm cultivators who had stepped out of the Celestial Gate swiftly took out several items.

A massive, pitch-black mirror, more than ten zhang tall and oval-shaped, floated into the air. Its surface showed only darkness, reflecting neither the blue sky nor white clouds.

Next, eight towering Extreme Dao Monuments appeared one after another, floating in the air in sequence.

A small purple-hued tower rotated gently, suspended above the Celestial Gate, emanating a misty glow.

Lastly, a snow-white staircase of energy extended from within the Celestial Gate, forming forty-nine steps.

The Extreme Dao Monuments were positioned beside the staircase, one every five steps, with the final nine steps leading to the Dao Heart Tower.

At the base of the staircase stood the massive oval Reflection Mirror.

“Who will be the first to step forward?”

One of the Dao Law Realm cultivators standing beside the staircase surveyed the crowd.

His divine sense blanketed the entire city, detecting the numerous powerful presences gathered here. Though his voice lacked the ethereal authority of Yu Zu, it carried a sharp, indifferent tone.

“That’s Senior Brother Zhang,” Jiang Ziyan said, recognizing the speaker. Without hesitation, she leapt into the air and approached him.

“Junior Sister,” the Dao Law Realm youth greeted her with a slight smile. His gaze lingered briefly on her snow-white collarbone, as delicate as porcelain.

“Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother Zhang,” Jiang Ziyan said with a slight bow.

“Junior Sister, you’re too polite,” the youth replied with a faint smile.

Table of Content - Next Chapter >>>