Chapter 21: That Chain of Origin

The flying boat approached one of the chains of origin, where twelve World-level cultivators sat cross-legged, evidently also attempting to cross the chain.

"Whoosh." The flying boat descended.

"Eight more have come."

"We have company again." The other twelve World-level cultivators who had been there earlier all smiled, and even took the initiative to stand up and greet Ji Ning and his companions.

"Fu Zhou greets you, fellow Daoists."

"Qu Huo greets you, fellow Daoists."

These World-level cultivators all came over to chat, and Ji Ning and his group, after disembarking, also exchanged a few words.

It was common to strike up conversations and get acquainted, because those who could reach the birthplace of the universe at the World level were no ordinary World-level cultivators; their futures were boundless. Since fighting was forbidden here and there was no need to worry about safety, it was better to make more friends. Perhaps among these friends, some might become rebellious Dao Lords, or even Eternal Emperors.

Ji Ning and his companions also chatted, fabricating a few things as needed.

"Why haven't you fellow Daoists crossed this chain to enter the inner region?" Feng Yi asked with a smile.

"It's not that we don't want to, but we simply can't," a gaunt World-level cultivator immediately shook his head. "To go from the outer region to the inner region, the only path is the chain of origin. If you try to fly over, you'll be directly sucked into the abyss... But the chain of origin is also very dangerous. For World-level cultivators, there are trials at the World level. For Dao Lords, there are trials at the Dao Lord level. They are all extremely difficult, and the closer you get to the inner region, the greater the danger."

"Oh?" Ji Ning and the other seven were curious.

"Ah, I forgot to mention."

The Bathing Roc Dao Lord, who was drinking wine nearby, laughed and said, "As you walk along the chain of origin, some 'wraiths' will attack you. The closer you get to the inner region, the more numerous and powerful the wraiths become. Also, the chain itself can affect your mind. If you're not careful and fall into demonic possession, you'll surely die."

"Yes, this senior is right. So, fellow Daoists, as you advance along this chain, when you feel you're nearing your limit, retreat quickly. At least you'll save your life. If you stubbornly push forward, you might encounter dangers beyond your limit, be thrown out of the chain's protection, and be sucked down by the abyss. Then your true spirit will be annihilated, and you'll surely die."

"Better to retreat than to force your way forward."

The twelve World-level cultivators all advised.

The Bathing Roc Dao Lord also nodded: "Know your limits, and there's still a way to live. Force your way forward, and you'll surely die."

"Thank you, everyone."

"We understand." Ji Ning and the others all responded.

Ji Ning and his companions exchanged glances. This chain of origin was not to be underestimated. Those who could come to the birthplace of the universe were all extraordinary World-level cultivators, yet only about one in a hundred could succeed. The difficulty was unimaginable. Arrogance would only lead to death.

"We'll try first; you three don't rush," Feng Yi transmitted. "Qing Huan, Beiming, Huo Jin, Tian Huo. In my opinion, I'll go first. From what they say, this chain also affects the mind. I'm quite confident in that regard. As for the so-called wraiths... I'll act within my limits."

"Mm."

"Alright." Ji Ning, Qing Huan, and the others nodded.

Since one in a hundred World-level cultivators could usually succeed, the heartforce cultivator 'Feng Yi Xinjun,' who had been acknowledged by the ancient pagoda, was certainly unmatched in mental fortitude among countless World-level cultivators. Even the proud Ji Ning and Qing Huan understood that they were far behind Feng Yi in this aspect.

...

The twelve World-level cultivators, the Bathing Roc Dao Lord, and Ji Ning and his six companions all watched.

Feng Yi Xinjun had already stepped onto the chain of origin.

The chain of origin was over a thousand li long and five or six zhang wide. Though called a chain, it was practically a bridge. But for Ji Ning and the others, even walking on a tightrope would be steady without any wobble.

"Hmm?"

Walking on the massive chain, Feng Yi Xinjun frowned and said, "Everyone, this chain is indeed quite strange. Be sure not to let it disturb your mind."

"Roar~~~"

"Roar~~~"

From the darkness beneath the floating inner world, two shadowy figures suddenly shot out. They moved incredibly fast, covering a thousand li in a flash, and arrived before Feng Yi Xinjun. One was a cold-faced man holding a warblade, the other an ugly alien with nine arms holding nine whips.

Both shadowy figures attacked Feng Yi Xinjun. His gaze turned cold, and before him appeared a multitude of lotus-shaped treasures resembling fiery red lotuses. These lotus treasures flew out and transformed into flaming divine birds. In midair, three hundred and ninety-one flaming divine birds, blazing with fire, easily shattered the two shadowy figures.

Ji Ning and the others frowned as they watched.

Were these wraiths?

Why did they seem like cultivators?

"Those are cultivators who died long, long ago," the Bathing Roc Dao Lord explained. "After death, their true spirits were annihilated, but their power was transformed into strange wraiths. Since you are World-level, the wraiths sent are also at the World level. If a Dao Lord tried to cross, it would be truly terrifying."

Ji Ning and the others nodded.

"Many of them died failing to cross the chain of origin, and naturally there are quite a few brilliant ones among them. These wraiths will attack in large numbers," the Bathing Roc Dao Lord sighed. "To cross the chain of origin and reach the inner region is difficult, difficult, difficult."

...

Feng Yi Xinjun advanced steadily, manipulating his treasures to shatter all obstacles.

"Boom, boom, boom~~~" The chain of origin also trembled slightly, emitting strange ripples. Ji Ning and the others could see with their naked eyes the ripples spreading about ten zhang. Feng Yi Xinjun had to rely on the chain's power to avoid being sucked into the abyss. But relying on the chain's power naturally brought some influence.

"Hmph."

Feng Yi Xinjun continued advancing calmly.

His treasures slaughtered all wraiths. As he progressed, more and stronger wraiths continuously emerged from beneath the floating inner world.

As a heartforce cultivator, he was also highly skilled in controlling treasures. These wraiths were not yet qualified to force him into close combat.

...

"Five hundred li. He's moving so fast and steadily." The Bathing Roc Dao Lord watched in astonishment. "This little fellow is too formidable. His mental fortitude is incredible."

"Not even a wobble?"

"He's completely unfazed by the chain's influence?"

The twelve World-level cultivators who had already failed were also stunned. The mental influence of the chain grew stronger gradually. At five hundred li, the influence was already intense. Normally, even if one could withstand it, it would be very uncomfortable. But Feng Yi Xinjun looked calm, strolling as if on a leisurely walk, far too relaxed.

Ji Ning and his companions smiled.

"One in a hundred succeeds? Hmph, how can they compare to us?" Qing Huan transmitted to Ji Ning and the others, quite pleased.

"Mm."

"Brother Feng Yi is indeed relaxed."

Though Ji Ning and the others were not arrogant, they had to admit Qing Huan was right. In overall strength, they were indeed superior to many World-level cultivators in the birthplace of the universe. After all, they were the cream of the crop selected from the most monstrous talents of the Mangya Kingdom.

Feng Yi Xinjun kept advancing...

Six hundred li, seven hundred li, eight hundred li, nine hundred li...

The Bathing Roc Dao Lord and the twelve World-level cultivators watched in disbelief. However, near the end, Feng Yi was forced into close combat, and his expression turned serious. His pace slowed noticeably, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on.

"Whoosh." Finally, under the siege of over a thousand wraiths, Feng Yi Xinjun, amidst the slaughter, reached the end of the chain and stepped into the inner region.

"Haha!"

"Good!"

"Brother Feng Yi, congratulations!"

"Feng Yi, wait a moment. We'll be there soon."

Qing Huan, Ji Ning, Tian Huo, Huo Jin, and the others were all delighted. The first to try, Feng Yi Xinjun, had succeeded, which made them very happy.

"How is this possible?"

"He succeeded just like that?"

The Bathing Roc Dao Lord and the twelve World-level cultivators couldn't believe it. Normally, crossing the chain was extremely difficult. The red-robed bald young man seemed to be the most relaxed they had ever seen.

"Beiming, Qing Huan, Tian Huo, Huo Jin." On the other side of the chain, Feng Yi stood at the end, looking over from afar, and called out loudly, "The mental influence of this chain is terrifying, even more so than the wraith attacks. Be careful."

"Understood." Ji Ning and the others laughed and responded loudly.

"Which of us three will go first?" Qing Huan looked at Ji Ning and Huo Jin.

...