92: Chapter 90 The Temptation of the Heavenly Road

High above the endless firmament, thick clouds and the power of Laws were violently churning and coalescing in a certain part of the Void Realm, faintly forming an immense, illusory stairway leading to an unknowable height. Ancient runes flickered around it, as if bearing the weight of countless ages.

"Above the core of the Central Region, the abnormal gathering of Heavenly Dao power has persisted for half a month. The fluctuations have intensified recently, and signs recorded in many ancient texts—'The Heavens descend a stairway, Dao patterns manifest themselves'—have begun to appear one after another."

Empress's speech quickened, "The great dao golden ranking list foretells a Golden Age, and the opening of the Heavenly Road is the highest tide of baptism and competition within this glorious era!"

She explained in detail, "It is said the Heavenly Road is not a physical entity, but a special 'superimposed Realm' formed from the Laws of Heaven and Earth, the lingering Dao insights of countless Peak experts since antiquity, their Legacies, Secret Realms, and even the Origin power left after their demise."

"It is like a single eruption and presentation of all the essence and Opportunities from the entire long river of this world's history."

"For ordinary Cultivators, merely setting foot on the Heavenly Road, even if only to obtain a wisp of grace from predecessors at the outermost edge or to find an undiscovered minor Secret Realm, could allow them to be reborn and soar to great heights."

"History is not lacking in examples of obscure nobodies who, by Destiny, entered the Heavenly Road, obtained world-shaking Legacies, and emerged to become major powers."

"And for the strong..."

Empress looked at Chu Ye, her eyes blazing, "The Heavenly Road represents the supreme Opportunity to Breakthrough existing Bottlenecks and glimpse higher Realms!"

"There are lost Ancient Secret Techniques, insights into the Origin left behind by peerless experts upon their death, Innate treasures born at the dawn of creation, and even... the possibility of touching upon clues about Realms above 'Immortality'!"

"But Opportunity and risk coexist."

Her tone turned cold, "Within the Heavenly Road, Laws are chaotic, space is layered, and killing intent lurks everywhere. There are not only natural danger zones and deadly situations generated by heaven and earth but also fierce slaughter and competition from all factions and every entrant."

"Each opening of the Heavenly Road is a bloody elimination contest. Treading upon countless corpses, only a handful can ultimately ascend to the heights and obtain the greatest Opportunities."

"The so-called 'Road to Heaven' is also a 'Road Paved with Corpses'."

Chu Ye listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the warm teacup.

The Heavenly Road... This was unexpected, yet made perfect sense.

The System allowed him to grow rapidly, the great dao golden ranking list heralded a Golden Age, and this Heavenly Road seemed like the ultimate stage and Gu-raising field prepared by this world for this 'Great Age'.

"When will it fully open?"

He asked.

"The rate at which the Heavenly Dao power is gathering is accelerating. Based on observations and calculations from ancient texts, at most half a month, at least 7 days, the entrance to the Heavenly Road will stabilize. That will be the time to enter."

Empress replied, "Right now, all factions in the Central Region are probably in an uproar. Secret preparations, Alliances, and even actions to eliminate potential competitors have likely already begun."

Chu Ye set down his teacup, his gaze profound.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion's prophecy of the "Hundred-Day Death Tribulation" coincided so closely with the opening of the Heavenly Road!

Was it a coincidence, or was the Heavenly Road itself the location of his "Death Tribulation"? Or perhaps, someone intended to use the Opportunity of the Heavenly Road to besiege him?

"The Road to Heaven... The Road of Conquest..."

Chu Ye repeated softly, the corner of his mouth slowly curving into a cold, aggressive arc. "Interesting. How could such a feast be without us?"

He looked at Empress: "Ni Chang, immediately send messages in our names to the core of all factions that have formed Alliances with us or have close dealings with us."

"Simultaneously, closely monitor the movements of all top-tier forces in the Central Region, especially the Myriad Dao Alliance, the Dragon Clan, and... those who did not attend the birthday banquet."

"Li Yue." Chu Ye turned to the current Palace Mistress of Guanghan standing by in attendance. "The ancient texts of Guanghan Immortal Palace contain the most detailed records about the Heavenly Road. You are responsible for compiling all relevant information, especially changes in the power structure after past openings, known major Opportunity points and danger zones. Report within two days."

"Cold Moon." He then looked at Li Yue's Revered Master. "Assist Ni Chang. Use your connections and experience in the Central Region to analyze the possible strategies of various factions and potential allies."

"Yes, Your Highness." The three women responded in unison, each accepting their orders, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

They knew well that the opening of the Heavenly Road would be the crucial battle determining the future world order and the greatest test of whether Chu Ye's power could truly reach the summit.

Empress prepared to leave and make arrangements. Reaching the doorway, she paused, turned back to look at Chu Ye, a flicker of complexity in her phoenix eyes. "Within the Heavenly Road, Opportunities are countless, and dangers are also countless. You... must be careful."

She paused, her voice even lower. "Those 'gifts' sent... might also be of some use, whether as pawns to scout the way, or for other purposes."

Hearing this, Chu Ye was first taken aback, then chuckled and shook his head. "You..." He knew Empress was referring to the various women presented as "gifts" at the birthday banquet, some of whom might truly possess special skills or Physiques.

"I have an idea."

Chu Ye's smile faded. His gaze turned towards the gradually brightening sky outside the window, as if he could already see the illusory form of the Road to Heaven slowly coalescing high above.

"Since the road has opened, then let's go and venture upon it. Let's see what this so-called Death Tribulation truly looks like, and also see what kind of scenery lies at the end of this Road to Heaven."

Beneath the calm words lay unwavering resolve and surging Battle Intent.

The Heavenly Road was about to open. An ultimate contest that would sweep up all the world's powerful experts and decide the future ownership of Luck was about to raise its bloody and glorious curtain.

And Chu Ye was already prepared to step into the very center of this vortex.

And the hundred-day countdown for Chu Ye had already begun its silent descent.

The news of the Heavenly Road's imminent opening was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, thoroughly igniting the long-quiet Five Regions.

Countless ancient Secret Realms opened their gates. Dust-sealed coffins were awakened by the descendants of Families using their vital blood. From deep mountains and great marshes came long-absent roars and the singing of swords.

Those peerless Prodigies and ancient freaks who had been hidden away, Sealed, or had gone into seclusion for various reasons emerged from their closed-door cultivation one after another, their auras shaking mountains and rivers.

The Golden Age was no longer merely a prophecy, but had descended upon the world in the most vivid and intense manner.

Yet within this storm of the glorious era, one of the most watched and mysterious focal points, Chu Ye, seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Spies from the major powers of the Central Region had practically turned the capital of Great Chu upside down but failed to capture the slightest trace of him.

Naturally, he was not in the outside world.

Within the hundred phoenix diagram, a vast world existed independently.

At this moment, in the core region of the world, Chaos swirled densely, and Primordial Qi coiled like Dragons.

That "primordial tree embryo" rooted in the world's Origin swayed slightly. With each movement, it showered boundless, pure, and majestic rain of vitality light.

The power and rules of the entire world were, under Chu Ye's will, converging, compressing, and refining towards this region.