Barrier bypassed, reverse key obtained

The Guixu Temple floated silently in the dead Void Realm. The transparent barrier, swirling with the halo of stars and Guixu, acted like an eternal curtain, guarding the secret behind the door.

Nightmare stood before the barrier, not immediately attempting to break it, but observing intently. This Restriction was extremely ancient, its rune structure complex and precise. The Power of the Stars and the power of Guixu, two seemingly opposing forces, intertwined and coexisted here in an arcane way, forming a stable and powerful defense. Attacking it forcefully might not only trigger unknown counterattacks but could also destroy the temple and even the dao reversal key inside.

But Nightmare did not need to use brute force.

He slowly raised his right hand, palm upward, thoughts shifting slightly. In his Sea of Consciousness, the phantom of the star dao fruit, radiating warm starlight, trembled slightly. A pure, ancient stream of the Power of the Stars, carrying the aura of the Origin, flowed along his Meridians to his palm, gathering at his fingertips and transforming into a soft yet profound silver starlight.

This starlight was of the same Origin as the star runes swirling on the barrier.

"As expected," Nightmare whispered, confirming his previous judgment. The Restriction of this Guixu Temple had a direct connection to the star dao fruit, or rather, to the Legacy of the Lord of the Stars. Its purpose might not be merely to block intruders, but to filter them—only those carrying the true star (or Reverse Path) Legacy could enter safely.

He hesitated no longer and gently pressed that point of silver starlight against the transparent barrier.

Hum—!

The moment the starlight touched the barrier, the entire barrier rippled like a stone thrown into a calm lake! Those complex star runes on the barrier seemed to be activated, flashing and flowing rapidly in a specific sequence! The gray halo formed by the power of Guixu quietly receded, as if making way for the force of the same Origin.

There was no resistance, no exclusion. The power of the star dao fruit was like a top-level pass, quickly identified and accepted by the core of the Restriction.

Nightmare could clearly feel that the core of the Restriction—a tiny energy node hidden deep within countless runes—was sending him a faint, confirming fluctuation. That was the "keyhole" reserved by the Restriction itself.

"Found you."

Nightmare's gaze sharpened, and the silver starlight at his fingertips suddenly transformed into a wisp of condensed, domineering pitch-black flame—the Dao Reversal Demonic Star Flame! This flame did not destroy the structure of the Restriction but acted like the most dexterous key, following the fluctuation from the core of the Restriction, precisely "drilling" into it, instantly touching that energy node!

Sizzle—!

A faint sound, like a candle wick being extinguished.

The energy node acting as the hub of the Restriction did not explode the moment the Nidao Demonic Flame touched it; instead, it was instantly vaporized by the high temperature and annihilated silently.

With the core destroyed, the entire massive and precise Restriction instantly lost its source of power.

Clatter—!

Like shattered glass, the transparent barrier swirling with the halo of stars and Guixu crumbled and dissipated before Nightmare, turning into specks of fluorescent light that quickly merged into the surrounding Void Realm, leaving no trace behind.

The giant, cracked gate of the temple was presented to Nightmare without any obstruction.

From finding the core to breaking the Restriction, the whole process took only two or three breaths, clean and efficient, without causing any extra energy explosion or spatial vibration.

Nightmare withdrew his hand, stepped forward, and gently pushed open the stone gate that had been sealed for who knows how many years.

The gate hinges emitted a low, strained grinding sound as they slowly opened inward.

The interior of the temple was more spacious and dilapidated than it looked from the outside. The high dome had collapsed in many places, and broken boulders and star reliefs were scattered on the ground, with thick dust covering everything. Only in the deepest part of the temple stood a relatively intact square altar, also built of dark silver material.

On the altar, there were no extra decorations, only an irregularly shaped object about the length of a palm floating in mid-air.

It was a chaotic dark silver color, its material neither gold nor jade, and its surface was covered with strange, naturally formed patterns that looked like the intersection of star trajectories and Guixu vortexes. It had no brilliant light, but it emitted a unique aura that was profound, restrained, and seemed capable of devouring everything while nurturing everything. This aura resonated strongly with the Dao Reversal Demonic Star Flame and the star dao fruit in Nightmare's body, causing the Demonic Flame around him to sway and cheer involuntarily.

The first dao reversal key—guixu dao reversal key!

Nightmare's eyes brightened. He stepped forward and, without any hesitation, reached out and grasped the floating key.

It felt cool to the touch and heavy, as if holding a small piece of condensed star. The moment his fingers touched the key—

Hum!!!

The guixu dao reversal key suddenly erupted with an intense chaotic light! The light was not dazzling, but it carried a palpitation that pierced the Soul! Like a living thing, it turned into a stream of chaotic light and instantly submerged into Nightmare's body along his arm!

Nightmare's body shook as he felt a vast and ancient stream of Reverse Path information, accompanied by pure Dao Reversal Origin power, surge into his limbs, bones, Dantian, and Sea of Consciousness like a bursting river! This power quickly merged and resonated with the star dao fruit and the Dao Reversal Demonic Star Flame, as if it were originally a missing part of his power, finally returning to its place!

[Successfully obtained one of the 'three keys of dao reversal': guixu dao reversal key!]

[guixu dao reversal key fusing... Fusion successful!]

[Unlocked new 'Dao Reversal Origin' characteristic: Spatial Affinity (significantly improves perception and control over the Law of space).]

[Unlocked exclusive ability: Dao Reversal Spatial Travel!]

[Ability description: With the guixu dao reversal key as the core, combined with the Dao Reversal Demonic Star Flame, a stable Dao Reversal spatial channel can be opened for cross-realm travel. The travel process has minimal impact from Heavenly Dao monitoring, is highly concealed, and has high resistance to 'realm wall turbulence' and 'Law mist'.]

[Current traversable target range: Mortal Realm, Spirit Realm (requires positioning coordinates). Travel to higher-level realms (such as the Immortal Realm) requires collecting subsequent dao reversal keys or reaching the corresponding level of strength.]

[Hint: The guixu dao reversal key has been activated. Its unique dao reversal fluctuation may have been perceived by relevant entities in the Spirit Realm (such as Heavenly Dao Protectors, high-level Heavenly Dao Envoys). Host, please be vigilant!]

A series of cold System prompts flashed quickly through Nightmare's mind along with the Fusion of power.

He closed his eyes and carefully felt the newly added power and information within him. His understanding of space deepened instantly, as if the complex, layered spatial structure beneath the "skin" of the world before him became clearer and more distinguishable. With a slight thought, he could faintly sense the location of the fragile and chaotic "realm wall" between the Mortal Realm and other neighboring realms (especially the Spirit Realm). The guixu dao reversal key in his Dantian Qi Sea formed a stable triangular structure with the star dao fruit and the Dao Reversal Demonic Star Flame, slowly rotating and nourishing each other.

Reverse Path Spatial Travel... This ability came just in time! Whether it was heading to the Spirit Realm to find the second key or attacking the heavenly dao core in the future, it was crucial!

However, the System's last warning also made Nightmare's heart skip a beat.

The Heavenly Dao forces of the Spirit Realm... have they already noticed? They act fast indeed!

He slowly opened his eyes, and a chaotic galaxy seemed to flow in his pitch-black pupils. He confirmed again that the Fusion with the guixu dao reversal key was extremely stable, and the newly added power had been initially mastered.

This place should not be stayed in for long!

Almost at the same moment he made his decision, a feeling of being spied upon, extremely subtle but carrying obvious hostility and vast pressure, came like a cold tide from a very distant direction, separated by a thick realm wall! That feeling was of the same Origin as the aura of the Mortal Realm's Heavenly Dao, but purer, more majestic, and carried a kind of high-and-mighty scrutiny and... cold killing intent!

The Heavenly Dao Protector of the Spirit Realm! Bringing the Righteous Path Alliance of the Spirit Realm, they were coming! What they had locked onto was the unique dao reversal fluctuation generated when the guixu dao reversal key was activated!

Although separated by a realm wall, it would still take time for them to arrive in the Mortal Realm and lock onto the specific coordinates, but Nightmare would never entrust his safety to the speed of his enemies.

"Want to stop me? Then let's see who is faster."

A cold glint flashed in Nightmare's eyes, and he did not hesitate any longer.

He mentally communicated with the guixu dao reversal key and the star dao fruit in his body, while simultaneously urging the Dao Reversal Demonic Star Flame. The power of the three instantly resonated, gathering and twisting in front of him, forming a slightly rotating pitch-black vortex with endless chaotic starlight flowing inside—the prototype of a Reverse Path spatial channel!

From the other end of the channel came the familiar aura of the Ten Thousand Demon Valley, carrying the fluctuation of the Dao Reversing Heaven Extinguishing Array. Before entering the Guixu Abyss, Nightmare had already left a clear spatial beacon at the core of the Ten Thousand Demon Valley.

He stepped forward, and his figure disappeared into the pitch-black vortex.

The vortex then rapidly shrank and disappeared.

Inside the Guixu Temple, silence returned. Only a faint trace of Reverse Path aura remained on the altar, proving everything that had just happened.

...

Almost a few breaths after Nightmare left.

The gray mist above the Guixu Abyss was suddenly forced away by an invisible force! A huge spatial rift shining with brilliant golden light, like the eyes of a Heavenly God, slowly tore open above the abyss! Behind the rift, one could vaguely see the vast world scene of immortal mountains and pavilions, flying spirit birds, and several towering figures exuding an aura far more terrifying than the Mortal Realm's heavenly dao avatar!

However, when their majestic Divine Thought swept across the dead Guixu Abyss below like a storm, especially the empty Guixu Temple, they only captured a spatial ripple that was rapidly dissipating, and the cold fact that the key "foreign object" had already disappeared.

"A step too late!" A majestic and angry grand voice came from behind the rift, "The dao reversal fluctuation has dissipated... The target has transferred by some means! Immediately track the remaining spatial traces and lock onto their destination!"

"As the Protector commands!" Several respectful and sharp responses rang out.

The golden rift slowly closed, but the pervasive, heart-palpitating pressure of the Spirit Realm's Heavenly Dao hung like a dark cloud over the sky of the Mortal Realm.

...

Ten Thousand Demon Valley, deep within the Dao Palace.

Space twisted slightly, and a pitch-black vortex appeared silently. Nightmare's figure stepped out of it, his breath steady, as if he had only performed a short-distance teleportation.

He immediately summoned the Valley Master of the Ten Thousand Demon Valley who was waiting outside.

"Master, you are back!" The Valley Master felt relieved upon seeing Nightmare, but then noticed the deeper, unfathomable aura on Nightmare, as well as a trace of coldness that had not yet dissipated between his brows.

"Hmm." Nightmare nodded slightly, without explaining the specific experience in the Guixu Abyss, and ordered directly, "The Heavenly Dao forces of the Spirit Realm have noticed the movement and are trying to track us. Pass the order down: the whole valley is to enter the highest state of alert, keep the Dao Reversing Heaven Extinguishing Array semi-activated, and be ready to deal with cross-realm attacks at any time. At the same time, strengthen the monitoring of all spatial nodes in the Far West Land, especially the weak points bordering the Spirit Realm. Report any abnormalities immediately."

The Valley Master's expression changed, and he replied sternly: "Yes! This subordinate will do it immediately!" He knew what "Spirit Realm Heavenly Dao forces" meant; they were existences far more terrifying than the Righteous Path of the Mortal Realm.

"In addition," Nightmare called him back and added, "Speed up the progress of the Alliance's recuperation. Resource allocation should be tilted towards Cultivators with the potential for Breakthrough. We... may not have much peaceful time left."

"Understood!" The Valley Master nodded heavily and hurried away to make arrangements.

Nightmare stood alone in the quiet room, spread his palm, his thoughts moved slightly, and the phantom of the guixu dao reversal key appeared and disappeared in his palm.

The first key was obtained, and the cross-realm ability was unlocked, but the crisis followed closely.

He closed his eyes, his mind sank into the star dao fruit again, and he began to deduce and sense the second dao reversal key—the specific location and clues to obtain the "lingyuan reverse key" hidden in the Spirit Realm.

Spirit Realm... that would be a wider, more dangerous stage with more powerful enemies than the Mortal Realm.

But the path of the Reverse Path never retreats.

Only by moving forward can one overturn the final—heavenly dao core!