Eternal Holy Emperor
Chapter 261 - 234: Trial Gate!

Chapter 261: Chapter 234: Trial Gate!

Tiandu Academy encompassed a vast and colossal land, appearing even larger than it seemed from the outside world, because it was woven with Heavenly Divine Array Patterns, and branded with the Dao Trace of Divine Spirit Realm in the void, making Tiandu Academy look much broader than the outside world, almost forming a new heaven and earth of its own.

The location of the Trial Gate was situated deep within the academy, in an open square.

Beyond the square, there stood a towering mountain, vast and high, rising a thousand feet tall, with its peak reaching into the clouds above, so lofty as to be lost from view amidst the mist and smoke.

From afar, one could see eight stone gates standing tall from bottom to top upon the mountain, each spaced a hundred yards from the next, and with each succeeding gate growing larger, especially the last one at the summit which was absurdly tall. Even from the foot of the mountain, one could still discern the hugeness of that gate, a full hundred yards in height, its imposing and majestic presence giving off an intense sense of oppression.

The Trial Gate!

This was the legendary Trial Gate, or also known as the Eightfold Trial Gate, with each successive gate being twice as high and twice as wide as the previous one.

The first stone gate was ten feet high; the second, twenty feet; the third, forty feet; the fourth, eighty feet; the fifth, one hundred sixty feet; the sixth, three hundred twenty feet; the seventh, six hundred forty feet; the eighth was a grand one hundred twenty-eight yards, even taller than the dark walls of Tiandu City.

As for the width, the first gate was five yards wide on each side, and similarly doubling with each layer, with the eighth being sixty-four yards wide.

Simply put, this was a trial gate within Tiandu Academy specifically designed to test the strength of students, similar to the Pillar of Strength in Xiafeng Academy, which required true strength to push open.

However, this so-called strength had to be the most formidable kind.

To push open the first gate required the force of a thousand pounds, which wasn’t much, as any student from Tiandu Academy could easily do so.

But starting from the second gate, it wasn’t merely twice the weight of the first, but four times as much, because it was double the height and width, resulting in four times the weight, reaching sixteen thousand pounds.

The third gate was sixty-four thousand pounds, doubling with each layer, the weight of the sixth gate nearly reaching a million pounds, and the weight of the eighth gate was outrageously over ten million pounds.

It was said to be even more than that, because the eighth was the most mysterious of the Trial Gates.

Indeed, it was a true Trial Gate, blocking the way for all students.

Legend had it that if one could push open the eighth stone gate, they would not only receive unparalleled rewards, but once the eighth gate was opened, it would unlock a mysterious passage leading to a new Mysterious Land.

Of course, all of this was just a legend; no student in the history of Tiandu Academy had ever achieved this feat.

Because it was too difficult, simply unattainable.

Even the young generation of Divine Spirits had come to test their strength in the past, but rumors suggested that no one had actually succeeded in pushing open the eighth gate.

Moreover, only the younger generation could push it open; once they passed a certain age, they couldn’t move it one bit, not even the first gate.

This ancient Trial Gate left behind a puzzle-like secret, unknown to anyone, waiting to be explored by the world.

In front of the mountain was a rather spacious square, surrounded by old Tiandu Academy students, where at the moment, over three hundred vibrant young men and women stood.

These were the proud young elites of this session who had passed through the Trial Road. Anyone who could pass the Trial Road was basically at least a warrior of the Innate Realm, exuding powerful auras, far surpassing any previous batch of newcomers.

They could almost be proclaimed the strongest batch in the history of Tiandu Academy, rarely matched by any previous history.

Not far away stood several imposing Academy Elders, all venerable figures of the Martial God Realm, here to test the trial achievements of the many students.

Ye Chen’s gaze scanned the area and soon caught sight of Xia Teng, Xia Yang, Vivian, Hongs Rong, and Yang Yi; a faint smile appeared as he saw several familiar faces safe and sound, and he felt relieved.

He also looked towards some exquisite chariots parked not far away. Though there was not the slightest breath emanating from them, Ye Chen’s perception was exceptionally sharp; he could feel that the people sitting inside were terrifyingly powerful and familiar to him.

As expected, several Ancient Heroes had come too, likely keen on challenging the Trial Gate as the rumors had suggested in the tavern.

Additionally, there were also strong presences lurking in the shadows; although some of them hadn’t reached the Martial God Realm, they were at the Innate Peak level and very young. It was clear without guessing that these must be the strongest demons from the Heavenly Level Academy.

He hadn’t expected the Trial Gate to attract so much attention.

Similarly, he harbored a hint of curiosity toward this Eightfold Trial Gate, because he sensed a special Dao Rhythm emanating from it. It seemed unlike anything from this realm and more like a Divine Item from the Heavenly and Myriad of Realms.

Just then, Elder Yan chuckled: "Trial Gate? Heh, I didn’t expect to encounter one here too. It really is fate."

Ye Chen was surprised, as Elder Yan seemed to know the origins of the Trial Gate. He asked him directly.

Elder Yan said, "In the Heavenly and Myriad of Realms, I have once seen a similar Eightfold stone gate at the Center of Ten Thousand Domains. However, it was not called a Trial Gate, but rather the Eightfold Heavenly Earth Gate, which is much more magnificent than the one we see before us now. It is said that the Eightfold Heavenly Earth Gate serves as a Teleportation Gate to an unknown land, and this Eightfold Trial Gate likely has a similar function, leading to some Mysterious Land. Perhaps it even provides a gateway to the outer realms, allowing passage into the Heavenly and Myriad of Realms."

Ye Chen nodded, his curiosity about the Eightfold Trial Gate thickened. If he could use this gate to enter the Heavenly and Myriad of Realms, it would save him a lot of effort.

However, his intuition told him that it wouldn’t be simple.

At that moment, he made up his mind. If necessary, he would attempt to push the Trial Gate open and see if the Eighth Level truly led to the Heavenly and Myriad of Realms.

At this instance, an Academy Elder stepped forward with long strides to the front of the Trial Gate, facing hundreds of freshmen who were there to take the test. With an imposing nod, he proclaimed solemnly, "I believe you are all aware that there is a test for new students every year to gauge their strength. Today marks the opening of the Trial Gate test, a means to measure each of your capabilities."

"You are not required to push open many levels of the Trial Gate, and we will not penalize anyone who only opens the first level. However, from the Fourth Level onwards, you will be granted qualifications for cultivation in the sanctified lands bestowed by our Tiandu Academy. Three days for the Fourth Level, ten days for the Fifth Level, a month for the Sixth Level, and a year for the Seventh Level."

Upon hearing this, a great stir rippled through the crowd.

The Cultivation Holy Land was the highest-grade place of cultivation within Tiandu Academy. The nature’s spiritual energy there was not only the purest but also visibly misty, with precious spirit liquid forming cultivation pools, enabling cultivation progress at breakneck speeds.

Moreover, in this Holy Land, one could seek Enlightenment, with Dao Traces from generations of predecessors left behind. A prolonged cultivation period there could lead to insights into a variety of Dao Traces.

Even just entering for one day was enough to significantly enhance one’s cultivation, achieving rapid progress.

It can be said that this Cultivation Holy Land is the dream of any student, coveted by all but reserved only for the truly outstanding elites.

Even within Tiandu Academy, the competition is fierce, and only the most gifted geniuses were worthy of the abundant Cultivation Resources.

Suddenly, someone couldn’t help but raise a question: "May I ask the elder, what if one pushes open the Eighth Level of the Trial Gate?"

This question suddenly attracted the attention and gazes of everyone present; not only the inquirer wanted to know, but all were curious. If pushing the Seventh Level granted a year in the Holy Land, then what incredible rewards might come from opening the Eighth Level?

Eyes fell upon the elder, all eager for an answer.

The Trial Elder was taken aback, clearly having not anticipated this question. The prospect of someone reaching the Eighth Layer seemed too incredible and hadn’t even been considered before.

At that moment, an elder with the air of a divine Daoist descended from the sky, his presence swirling with an extraordinary Dao Rhythm, his aura full of Immortal Energy, his beard pure white as if he were an Immortal himself.

However, the appearance of this elder made three Martial God Elders bow respectfully and say in unison, "We greet Elder Ouyang."

Without a doubt, this was a powerful Heavenly Divine Realm expert, a Supreme Elder in Tiandu Academy, esteemed and influential. His arrival made everyone bow in respect, with none daring to avoid the courtesy, including the strongest elites from the Heavenly Level Academy.

Only the heroes from chariots, who were Distinguished Personages from ancient times, refrained from making any gesture of respect. Their status was so revered that even Heavenly Gods would address them as superiors; hence, their refusal to bow was understandable.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen’s figure blurred, and no one knew if he had paid respect.

"We greet the Supreme Elder."

The Supreme Elder nodded, exuding an approachable demeanor, devoid of any Heavenly God Dao Power. He smiled warmly and gestured for the crowd not to be nervous, then replied, "That’s a good question. Although no one has ever pushed open the Eighth Level, I can tell you this: Anyone who can push open the Eighth Level of the Trial Gate also qualifies as a future leader of Tiandu Academy."

Upon hearing this, it was like a spring thunderclap, leaving the crowd utterly astonished!

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