"This is impossible! Without the Star Emperor's stone key, even we wouldn't be able to open that star gate!"
An ancestor shouted in distress, his voice filled with panic and confusion.
"I also find it strange. I wonder what's going on this time, how the star gate suddenly opened?"
An elder nodded and sighed.
The other three ancestors fell silent upon hearing this.
As everyone's gazes converged on the star gate, an unfamiliar figure slowly walked out from it.
Mu Qingqing's eyes widened as she realized the figure was someone she knew – Xuan Kong!
Xuan Kong held a jade box in his hand and calmly walked out of the star gate.
Upon seeing Mu Qingqing, the corners of his lips curled into a smile, and he said, "We meet again, Brother Xin Ci."
Mu Qingqing was stunned and voiced the question in everyone's mind.
"Xuan Kong, when did you enter the star gate?"
Mu Qingqing asked in surprise.
She recalled only seeing him once at the beginning of the Ascension Ladder.
After that, she hadn't seen any sign of Xuan Kong.
"Well, actually, I just arrived not long ago."
Xuan Kong said with a smile.
He then stored the jade box in his spatial ring and looked at Mu Qingqing with a chuckle, "Brother Xin Ci, I've obtained what I wanted. You can do as you please now. I'll be leaving."
With that, Xuan Kong moved, and before everyone's eyes, he vanished into thin air in front of Mu Qingqing.
Mu Qingqing was stunned.
What did Xuan Kong mean by this?
What did he mean he had found what he wanted?
Before Mu Qingqing could figure things out, the opened star gate suddenly underwent a drastic change.
The space around the star gate began to distort, and various shrieks erupted.
"Not good!"
All five Heavenly Venerable realm ancestors exclaimed in unison.
They no longer had time to ponder how Xuan Kong had evaded their eyes to enter the star gate.
They fully activated their spiritual power, transforming into five streaks of light that shot towards the star gate.
"Quickly seal the star gate!"
Mu Xiaohe, the only five-star Heavenly Venerable realm ancestor among them, roared.
They were acutely aware of what lay within the star gate.
The star emperor's created miniature world not only housed numerous treasures but also sealed many Nether God and Demon creatures.
If these creatures were to escape, the entire Eastern Continent would face a great calamity.
At this moment,
Thousands of miles away from Hao Xing City, in a desolate mountain range.
Xuan Kong leaned against an ancient tree and chuckled, "Heh heh, with just the five of you, you won't be able to seal the star gate."
He then squinted his eyes and playfully tickled a small bird perched on his shoulder with his finger.
At this point, he suddenly looked up in the direction of Hao Xing City and murmured, "Brother Xin Ci, I wonder what you will do next? I am truly looking forward to your subsequent performance, after all, you are also one of the things I desire..."
Having said that,
He lowered his head again, stroked the bird's head, and let out a soft chuckle.
...
Hao Xing City.
"What's going on? Why won't the star gate close?!"
Mu Xiaohe and the other four Heavenly Venerable realm ancestors jointly unleashed their techniques, attempting to close the star gate.
However, they discovered a strange force obstructing them.
They tried for a long time but ultimately failed.
At this moment, various Nether God and Demon creatures began to pour out of the star gate.
Most of them were low-level Nether Gods, with bizarre appearances and ferocious natures, their bodies a dark gray.
Some had wings, some were spherical and covered in tentacles, and others had pointed ears.
In short, they were all strange, unheard-of creatures.
Upon seeing these beings, everyone felt a chill, as if they were witnessing demons crawling out of hell.
A swarm of low-level Black Feather Nether Gods, their dark wings filling the sky, surged onto the Ascension Ladder.
Their physiques were similar to those of normal humans, but they possessed crow-like heads and wielded sharp, elongated spears.
They were all ferocious and violent, exuding intense killing intent.
Seeing this, many martial artists were terrified, unsure how to cope.
However, many others remained calm and directly attacked the Nether Gods.
"Raging Thunder - Tracking Missile!"
With a flash of lightning, Nan Yunting appeared on the Ascension Ladder.
Several lightning tracking missiles flew out in an instant, striking the low-level Black Feather Nether Gods.
The demonic monsters screamed, injured by the lightning, and were sent flying off the Ascension Ladder.
"Mere demons, dare to act presumptuously in the Eastern Continent Grand Competition!"
Nan Yunting declared arrogantly.
Then, he moved, pursuing the demonic monsters.
"Fierce Wind Fist!"
"Frost Sword Technique!"
"Thousand Character Mantra - Ink Entanglement!"
Tie Liefeng, Xue Qianwu, and Wan Shuwen, three other prodigies, also joined the fray, engaging in combat with the demonic monsters.
"Rumble~"
The strength of these three was already immensely powerful, and they instantly killed many members of the Black Feather Nether God clan.
The performance of these prodigies ignited the fighting spirit of those present, who then joined the battle.
"Everyone, let's go! We are Eastern Continent prodigies after all, how can we let these demons bully us."
A man in green robes stood on the Ascension Ladder and roared loudly.
"Drive out all these demons!"
"Annihilate them all!" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Disciples from various major factions echoed his sentiments with loud cheers.
For a time, the vast Ascension Ladder was filled with sounds of combat.
Various Nether God clans emerged endlessly.
Mu Qingqing stood before the star gate, her Ten Sacred Blades chain dancing wildly, continuously shredding the Nether God clan demonic creatures pouring out of the gate.
But the sheer number was too great; Mu Qingqing alone could not slay them all.
Even a few Heavenly Venerable realm Nether God clan Demon Lords broke out of the star gate.
"Little girl, this star gate is not right. Star Emperor was a Saint Emperor realm expert, even if he sealed many Nether God clans in the miniature world, he could have easily eliminated those low-level ones. There was no need to seal them!"
Old Han appeared from the crystal space and warned Mu Qingqing.
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingqing seemed to understand something.
"Could it be that something abnormal happened inside the star gate, or that someone inside connected to another miniature world?!"
Mu Qingqing guessed.
"Indeed."
Old Han nodded in agreement.
Mu Qingqing looked at the star gate, pondered for a moment, and decided to enter and investigate personally.
"Xin Ci, what are you doing?"
"Xin Ci, are you crazy? That's a star gate, full of monsters!"
"Stop, Xin Ci!"
Seeing that Mu Qingqing was about to charge into the star gate, Liu Mu Ming, Mo Qian, and Bai Ting, who were closest to her, shouted in concern.
"It's fine, I'll be back soon."
Mu Qingqing waved her hand.
With that, she took a step and entered the star gate.
Seeing this, Liu Mu Ming and Bai Ting no longer concealed their cultivation bases and auras.
Instantly, the two of them exuded immensely powerful auras.
Mo Qian, standing beside them, was dumbfounded and couldn't help but exclaim, "What the heck? You're all King realm, and peak five-star at that!"
"Sorry, we actually hid some of our strength."
Liu Mu Ming and Bai Ting gave embarrassed smiles.