Genius stepping stone, no one knows the gate of eternity better than me

The Eternal Gate opened, as vast as a heavenly gate, with a thin light curtain at its entrance, separating the world inside from the world outside.

When Xiao Fan passed through the light curtain, he felt the space shift slightly.

It was as if he had entered a long, dark, narrow passage, pitch black where he couldn't see his hand in front of his face, but soon, after some twists and turns, it suddenly opened up.

When he saw light again, the place where he stood had transformed into a different scene.

A group of sixty thousand people appeared high in the sky, where the sky was azure and white clouds drifted leisurely.

Behind them, there was also an ancient, unchanging Eternal Gate, emitting golden light.

Looking down from this blue sky and white clouds, there were people the size of ants moving on the ground.

Peddlers set up stalls on the streets, officials and nobles strolled through the main streets, courtesans laughed and called out, and talented scholars and beautiful women walked in pairs.

Stooped elders, innocent young children, and many hurried young adults, everyone's face was brimming with contented smiles.

However, they had no cultivation and looked like ordinary Mortals.

But unlike Mortals, each of them exuded a profound Dao charm, as if they were Essence Spirits that had gained sentience.

"What is this?"

Xiao Fan was a bit confused, wondering how he had landed in a Mortal city.

Not only Xiao Fan, but even the Yaochi Immortal Palace Disciples who had entered with him also had blank looks in their eyes.

"Strange, what's going on? This Secret Realm is a bit special."

"Before coming in, I had read through the Immortal Palace's records on the Eternal Gate. These records were compiled by our predecessors, and although each time is different, there are always some commonalities."

"Right, I also prepared by carefully reviewing the records of the past ten Secret Realms. In the records, Secret Realms are mostly barren deserts, continuous mountain ranges, or boundless oceans, and even outer space has appeared, but a Mortal world Secret Realm is truly a first."

"After all, every time one enters the Gate, the situation inside changes drastically. Perhaps this time, it just happens to be modeled after the human world."

"That's possible."

"Let's go. While there are few people, let's seize the initiative and quickly go find Opportunities."

"Mm, let's go."

According to past experiences, the general environment appearing within the Eternal Gate was mostly traces left from ancient times.

Perhaps immortal mountains and cloud palaces, or Sect ruins, or battlefields left over from ancient wars.

They varied.

But their commonality was a scene of desolation and emptiness. Even if there were living creatures, most were demon Essence Spirits.

Even if there were people, they appeared as lone Cultivators, and there had never been a Mortal kingdom, let alone this vibrant scene, which was a complete reversal of the former desolation and loss.

It was too abnormal.

After only a brief moment of confusion, the Yaochi Immortal Palace Disciples began to act, scattering in all directions.

Having entered first, they naturally wouldn't waste time. They immediately formed groups of three to five and flew off in all directions, fearing they might miss something.

As for Xiao Fan, he didn't rush to leave. Instead, he concealed himself, waiting for the appearance of the treasure-hunting rat.

Xiao Fan didn't find the abnormality of this Secret Realm strange.

Because this time, a Child of Destiny was present, so compared to previous times, it was bound to be different.

Xiao Fan was alone. Yu Yue had originally offered to arrange guards for him, but he felt that these guards combined wouldn't be enough for him to fight, and would instead be a burden.

Besides, he already had Miao Xiaoqing in mind, so there was no need for others to arrange anything for him.

After the Yaochi Immortal Palace people dispersed, another dense crowd of people streamed through the light curtain.

They wore white clothes and blue robes, with a large 'Saint' character embroidered on the left chest of their clothes, allowing their identity to be recognized at a glance.

People of the Saint Institute!

Similar to the Yaochi Immortal Palace, the Saint Institute Disciples also looked at the scene below with surprise.

"What's going on?"

However, they didn't have time to think much and immediately formed their own groups, flying off in all directions.

The Yaochi Immortal Palace people were already gone, indicating that they had begun to act. If they delayed any longer, they feared all Opportunities would be taken first.

This was the advantage of being a forerunner; those who came later had no room for thought and could only desperately catch up.

"Little kitty, you've finally appeared."

Xiao Fan remembered Miao Xiaoqing's aura. The moment she appeared, his target was locked. He secretly transmitted a message to Miao Xiaoqing, and Miao Xiaoqing, who had originally been smiling, instantly looked troubled.

Looking around, Miao Xiaoqing tried to find Xiao Fan's figure but found nothing.

"Don't try to escape, stay where you are and wait for me."

"Oh." Miao Xiaoqing replied reluctantly via transmission.

"Senior Sister, aren't we leaving?"

Seeing that everyone else had already departed, but Miao Xiaoqing remained still, a female Saint Institute Disciple next to her asked curiously.

Miao Xiaoqing was not acting alone. As a seed Disciple, she had her own followers.

Miao Xiaoqing said lightly, "You all go on your own. I have my own arrangements."

Miao Xiaoqing's followers exchanged glances upon hearing this.

However, they dared not ask further. They simply bowed to her and then left separately.

Miao Xiaoqing was just a toy. Xiao Fan would notice her, but wouldn't give her too much attention. His focus was more on the treasure-hunting rat.

Which was Ye Tian.

From the moment Ye Tian appeared, Xiao Fan had been observing his every move.

Unlike most people from the Saint Institute, Ye Tian showed no surprise on his face. Instead, he looked calm, as if the scene before him was entirely within his expectations.

This was too illogical!

However, once he thought of him being a Child of Destiny, everything became logical.

Ye Tian wasn't in a hurry. He chose to remain still.

Only after everyone else had left did he choose to depart.

As a Child of Destiny, he naturally attracted enmity. Sure enough, before Disciples from other forces could even turn against him, the Saint Institute Disciples were already at odds with him.

On Ye Tian's path, a Saint Institute Disciple, seven feet tall and with a handsome face, blocked Ye Tian's way.

Behind him, there were more than ten Disciples respectfully standing, maintaining their distance from him, indicating a clear hierarchy.

The man spoke calmly, "Ye Tian, I heard you defeated Wang Teng of the Creation Immortal Domain."

Ye Tian confronted the man, but he had no impression of this person.

"Who are you?" Ye Tian said coldly.

Dissatisfied with Ye Tian's hostility, the Disciple standing behind the man immediately stepped forward and cursed at Ye Tian:

"How dare you! Do you think you can be arrogant just because you became a seed Disciple?"

"This is Senior Brother Ouyang Ke. When he became a seed Disciple, you were still a drop of liquid."

Ouyang Ke!

Upon hearing this name, a serious expression appeared on Ye Tian's face.

Among the five seed Disciples of the Saint Institute, Ouyang Ke had the greatest reputation.

For no other reason than Ouyang Ke's immense strength. Six thousand years ago, when he had just entered the Late Stage of Profound Immortal, he killed an evil Cultivator at the Late Stage of Heavenly Immortal.

Killing an enemy across a major Realm!

Six thousand years had passed, and he was still at the Late Stage of Profound Immortal, but this was a result of him deliberately suppressing his Realm and not making a Breakthrough, all for the sake of entering the Eternal Gate.

However, while his cultivation had not broken through, his strength had steadily increased. In these six thousand years, Ouyang Ke had undergone countless external trials, experienced many life-and-death moments, and gained countless Opportunities.

Three thousand years ago, Ouyang Ke was put on a bounty by his enemies. During a trial, more than a dozen True Immortal Realm assassins pursued Ouyang Ke.

Ouyang Ke had nowhere to go and was forced into the Fallen Immortal Mountain.

As a result, Ouyang Ke rose to the occasion and, with his Late Stage Profound Immortal cultivation, broke into the Fallen Immortal Mountain.

Fallen Immortal Mountain, also known as the True Immortal Graveyard, meaning that even True Immortals who entered would face certain death.

The dozen True Immortal assassins looked at each other, none daring to enter. They could only guard outside, even though they also believed Ouyang Ke was doomed.

But to everyone's surprise, Ouyang Ke not only emerged from the True Immortal Graveyard unscathed but also greatly increased his strength.

As soon as Ouyang Ke came out, he swiftly killed the dozen assassins with an overwhelming force.

Even more terrifying was that his Realm had not broken through; he was still at the Late Stage of Profound Immortal, but his strength had vastly increased.

Late Stage Profound Immortal cultivation, sweeping through True Immortals! This was Ouyang Ke's strength.

And now, another three thousand years had passed; his strength must have advanced another level.

Therefore, even if Ye Tian defeated Wang Teng and became a dark horse, no one still thought highly of him, only believing he was a nouveau riche with no foundation.

Compared to a Genius like Ouyang Ke, who grew through life and death, the difference was immediately apparent, like heaven and earth.

"So it's Senior Brother Ouyang. May I ask why Senior Brother Ouyang is looking for me?" Ye Tian said knowingly, cupping his hands, very humbly.

Ouyang Ke was quite pleased and said, "It's nothing major, just meeting a newcomer. After all, someone who can defeat Wang Teng should have some strength."

"And I recently heard that you are determined to obtain the position of Saint. Is that true?"

Ouyang Ke, who had originally been calm and composed, had a serious look in his eyes when discussing the position of Saint.

Hadn't he risked his life and lived a perilous existence, all for the position of Saint?

Ouyang Ke was never careless. Ye Tian had just entered the Saint Institute and was already able to become a seed Disciple. Although outsiders said Ye Tian was still inferior to him, he himself felt a sense of crisis.

So it was for the position of Saint.

Ye Tian understood. No wonder he sought him out. Did he feel threatened by me?

"That's right, I am determined to obtain the position of Saint." Ye Tian stated directly, without evasion.

Even though Ouyang Ke was powerful, Ye Tian did not hide his ambition in the slightest.

If it were an ordinary person, facing such a vast disparity in strength, even if they thought so in their heart, they wouldn't dare to say it aloud.

But Ye Tian was a Child of Destiny, so how could he act like an ordinary person? He had to be arrogant!

While saying this, Ye Tian also tensed his entire body, his mind highly focused, fearing that Ouyang Ke would try to kill him.

After all, dead people had no value, and the Saint Institute would not punish its most outstanding seed Disciple for a dead him.

In the light curtain of the Eternal Gate, people were constantly being transmitted in every minute, every second. Many people witnessed this scene: the clash between an old-school Saint Institute Genius and a Saint Institute rising star.

Perhaps it was inconvenient to act in public, or perhaps Ouyang Ke disdained bullying others, but the greater possibility was the blessing of the Luck halo.

The result was that Ouyang Ke did not make a move.

"Interesting. I will let you understand how much despair the chasm of strength can bring."

"Let's go."

With that, Ouyang Ke led his followers and flew towards the horizon, searching for Opportunities.

And Ye Tian also breathed a sigh of relief.

"If he had killed me just now, although I have means to save my life, I would most likely have been severely injured."

"However, since you didn't act against me, then after we leave here, you will be trampled under my feet and no longer be my opponent." Ye Tian thought to himself.

Feeling the waves of fluctuation from the broken blade in his Sea of Consciousness, he was full of confidence.

Without wasting time, Ye Tian turned and left.

"With the broken blade guiding me, no one understands the Eternal Gate better than I do!"

After Ye Tian left, Xiao Fan also appeared behind Miao Xiaoqing, casually stroking her dark hair.

"Speak quickly." Without even turning her head, she immediately called out.

Xiao Fan knew Miao Xiaoqing's aura, and how could Miao Xiaoqing not know his scent, the scent of an old pervert!

"Is that how you talk to me? Have you forgotten the meows from a few days ago?" Xiao Fan said, holding her soft hand.

Miao Xiaoqing's legs went weak, and her ears instantly turned red. She said in annoyance, "Wow, you!"

Xiao Fan's thoughts stirred, and [Life and Death in a Single Thought] immediately took effect. In Miao Xiaoqing's heart, a vast and profound figure immediately appeared, which was Xiao Fan.

And she herself could only prostrate and lower her head, not daring to look directly at him, as if meeting his gaze would put her entire being in danger.

"Be a good girl. I only need obedient little kitties. Disobedient kitties will break."

Xiao Fan gently held her in his arms, tenderly stroking her beautiful hair, and the cat ears hidden beneath her hair.

Looking in the direction Ye Tian had left, Xiao Fan summoned his Treasure Shuttle, bringing both of them inside, and chased after Ye Tian.

How could Miao Xiaoqing dare to resist? She could only silently bury her head in his embrace, secretly wiping away tears.

Heavens, why must a little kitty like me suffer such pain?