The radiance of the barrier gate began to fade, yet it still shone brilliantly.
This boundless starry sky was perpetually filled with mystery and the unknown.
But at this moment, the most mysterious, the most unknown, and the most alluring thing was undoubtedly that barrier gate — massive enough to surpass an entire world.
Every faction was itching to make a move, but no one dared.
After all, the most powerful forces in the current martial cultivation world had not yet moved.
They didn't dare be the first.
Just then, a figure emerged from the largest floating warship of the Seven Realms Holy Land.
All eyes turned toward him.
Though that figure appeared so minuscule against the vast starry sky, and he simply walked normally without releasing any oppressive aura, the gaze of every onlooker was filled with reverence, and for many, their hearts began to race.
The once-booming expanse of the starry sky fell silent all at once.
The Master of the Seven Realms Holy Land — Jie Tianran.
The strongest being in the eyes of all contemporary martial cultivators.
Under the gaze of countless multitudes, Jie Tianran walked with his hands clasped behind his back, heading toward the barrier gate. But he had not gone far before he suddenly halted, turned to look at the crowd behind him, and spoke: "This era is known as the Era of Gods, all because of this phantom vast enough to cover the Heavenly River."
"It possesses a power beyond our knowledge — one that inspires both fear and longing."
"But whether we truly stand in the most extraordinary Era of Gods, or whether this is merely one of countless unremarkable eras in the long stretch of time… there is no doubt that this era is the most special and most extraordinary one for us."
"Because we live in this era. Our lives, everything we are — all of it is dedicated to this era."
"This era shines brightly because of our existence."
"Therefore, this era belongs to all of us, and this opportunity should naturally belong to everyone as well."
"Everyone, there is no need for hesitation. Show your courage, display your abilities, and explore what lies within that barrier gate."
"Whatever you may find will belong to you."
With those words, excited cheers erupted across the starry sky. Even from such a great distance, Chu Feng could hear them clearly.
Everyone understood what Jie Tianran meant.
He would impose no restrictions — in this Era of Gods, everyone would rely on their own abilities.
And so, the fear dissipated. Some figures were the first to dart toward the barrier gate, and more and more followed.
Some wore supreme treasures, some unleashed their martial power, and some deployed barriers.
In short, most of them shone with dazzling light for various reasons.
Like a meteor shower, they all charged toward that enormous barrier gate.
The scene was truly magnificent.
Squeee—!
But suddenly, a strange sound rang out from within the barrier gate.
Immediately after, a pitch-black figure shot out from the barrier gate.
It was a demon beast.
Its form was humanoid, but it stood ten thousand meters tall, its eyes blood-red, its massive fangs bared like a zombie. The black wings on its back were identical to those of a bat — and most critically, those bat-like wings spanned a hundred thousand meters.
The moment it appeared, it opened its mouth wide, and a piercing shriek swept in all directions.
More importantly, the sound itself was secondary — visible white sound waves emanated from its mouth. The sound waves spread at terrifying speed, covering an enormous area.
The first batch of martial cultivators to move were all caught within the range of the sound waves.
They naturally sensed something was wrong, but at first, those caught in the sound waves felt no discomfort — except that their bodies were frozen, unable to move, with no escape.
But soon, the sound changed, and the white sound waves turned red.
The next instant, blood sprayed everywhere. Every living being within the sound waves — whether human or demon, whether a body barely over a meter tall or a colossal creature ten thousand meters in size — all of them simultaneously dissolved into blood and scattered into the starry sky.
"Demon beasts! There are demon beasts!"