I've recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Name: 'Pokémon But Stardew Valley'
Don't forget to vote for the new Douluo novel in Patreon! Voting ends in 3 days!
----------------------
"This is!"
Within the Void Gate's pocket dimension, Gu Tianchen distinctly sensed an unusual fluctuation expanding at its periphery.
"Old Gu, seize the moment!"
Though unaware of Chen Junting's actions, Gu Tianchen immediately followed instructions. Channeling his spatial abilities, he guided their pocket dimension deeper into the rift.
The chaotic spatial energy within the passage—normally violent enough to shatter dimensions—had been strangely pacified (in truth, restrained by Electrolux), allowing their passage without destruction.
"Master, how are you holding up?"
Sensing their slow movement, Chen Junting silently communed with Electrolux. He worried his teacher's fragmented divine consciousness couldn't withstand a deity's lingering power.
"Rest easy. This god's residual power here is rootless—eroded by time to near nothing."
"Master implies... this deity is dead?"
Electrolux fell silent.
How extreme is your thinking?!
He'd meant to say this place was likely abandoned by its divine master—not that the deity had perished. Immortals weren't so easily destroyed.
But recalling this world's history, his skepticism vanished, replaced by agreement.
"Your reasoning has merit."
With Electrolux's validation, Chen Junting merged tales with reality, deducing the deity behind this realm: the Angel God!
Though confirmation requires firsthand observation.
Emerging from the spatial passage, the fluctuation vanished. Maintaining vigilance, Gu Tianchen opened the Void Gate.
Stepping out, their vision blurred.
Reopening their eyes, two colossal peaks loomed like primordial beasts crouching on the plain. Shrouded in storm clouds, their oppressive aura made hearts tremble.
Yet this wasn't the crucial discovery.
"Truly another world beyond the surface!"
Chen Junting gripped his Seven Kill Sword. Confirming no immediate dangers, he exhaled deeply.
The sound snapped Gu Tianchen from his awe.
Closing the gap between them, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Chen Junting, facing forward.
"Let's go. Let's see what this place offers." Chen Junting's gaze fixed on the twin peaks, anticipation sharpening his voice. His intuition—now honed by the Eye of Fate—promised immense gains.
"Understood."
Gu Tianchen wisely didn't question their smooth entry. Instead, excitement burned in his eyes at Chen Junting's call to advance.
They soared toward the peaks. As distance closed, storm clouds parted to reveal a valley between the mountains. And within it—
Stone swords stood rooted in the earth. Though not towering, their aura made even airborne Chen Junting and Gu Tianchen feel minuscule.
Chen Junting's Seven Kill Sword resonated with the stone forest. A pure, undiluted sword intent rose from him as he gazed at the blades.
Wordlessly, Gu Tianchen moved to guard his side, martial soul primed to counter hidden threats.
"Hum hum hum—"
As sword song faded, Chen Junting opened his eyes.
He'd gained insight—but not yet enough.
"Let's descend."
Gu Tianchen hesitated. "Wouldn't entering disrespect the deity?"
Chen Junting waved a hand over his storage soul guide device. A bundle of prepared incense appeared.
"If you're worried, we'll first offer respect to this realm's master."
"You even planned for this?!"
Gu Tianchen was torn between amusement and exasperation. Yet actions spoke truer—he accepted incense sticks under Chen Junting's teasing gaze. Together, they bowed solemnly.
After all, this opportunity belongs to the realm's owner.
"Let's go."
Chen Junting's sword finger slashed downward.
Torn earth revealed gleaming white bones. Before they could react, a mental wave engulfed them—erasing their thoughts.
Awakening, Chen Junting found a colossal head lowered before him. Eyes like water vats regarded him.
A tyrannosaur-like beast, over a hundred meters tall, loomed like a small mountain. Four clawed forelimbs—reminiscent of Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear—ended in formidable talons. Purple-black scales covered its body, jagged spines lined its spine, and crimson eyes dominated a head that was a quarter of its mass. Every feature radiated destruction.
Chen Junting recognized the species.
It was a soul beast from the same era as the Tyrant Dragon, and similar to the Golden Dragon King Bloodline flowing in the Tyrant Dragon, the Bloodline flowing in this soul beast was the Purple Blaze Destroying Dragon Bloodline. It was also impure but singular, granting it the attribute of destruction.
"Roar—"
The Domineering Dragon unleashed a simple roar—but its shockwave shook heaven and earth. Sound waves became tangible force!
Power.
Raw Power.
Even after witnessing his master's battles with Du Busi, Chen Junting felt this beast outmatched them.
As if existing on another tier.
Only two soul beasts might rival it: Beast God Di Tian, and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King slain by Tang San ten thousand years ago.
"Junting."
Electrolux's aged voice echoed in Chen Junting's sea of consciousness.
"Master."
"The beast before you isn't real. Its cultivation was shackled by this world's laws, preventing its ascension to divinity. Its lingering will formed this illusion. Without divine-level spiritual power, you couldn't break free."
'Exactly as I thought.'
A divine ripple freed Chen Junting. Gazing at the bones and stone swords piercing them, he understood who had slain this Domineering Dragon.
'Perhaps it was luckier than the Deep Sea Demon Whale King—never bred as livestock by the first Angel God to test successors.'
"Master, I'm grateful."
Sensing Gu Tianchen trapped in the same illusion, Chen Junting channeled Electrolux's power. A divine ripple pulled his companion free.
"Ah—thank you." Recovering, Gu Tianchen stared at the bones. "An illusion?"
"Born from this beast's dying will." Chen Junting explained the situation.
Learning that the Domineering Dragon's power rivaled Beast God Di Tian, Gu Tianchen gasped.
Chen Junting pressed onward.
"Let's move forward."
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)