Global Awakening: I'm the Only One Ready

Lu Yuan’s speculation seemed almost too absurd to believe, but since the advent of the Global Awakening, which of the events that had so far transpired weren’t bizarre and absurd?

Mount Kunlun was a legendary place since ancient times, so it wasn’t a surprise that it contained something absurd.

The glimpse he caught of the world inside the folded space gave him much to ponder. Judging by the words ”Heaven Gate” that occasionally coalesced between the two pillars, and by the imposing aura of the city within, the other half of the city truly resembled the ruins of the Celestial Court at Mount Tai.

However, the other half of the city inspired dread and made one think of the City of the Wrongfully Dead within the legendary Netherworld.

Jiang Ningxian seemed to be contemplating something as she took in the sight. It was clear that even she had never witnessed anything like this before.

”Could Mount Kunlun truly contain both the Immortal Realm and the Netherworld?” she muttered, visibly shaken as she turned to Lu Yuan.

”Who knows?” Lu Yuan smiled. ”We will have to go inside and see for ourselves.”

From out here, nothing could be determined with certainty. They would have to go in to say things for sure.

Jiang Ningxian nodded and stared at the blood-red space. ”The space has only just opened, so it’s still unstable. We need to wait. The violent spatial currents could annihilate anyone below the Great Sage Realm. Even if you’re lucky enough to survive, there is no telling where you’ll end up.”

Lu Yuan said nothing, accepting her assessment completely. The Dao of Space was far too profound for him to understand, and despite his current level of strength, he couldn’t meddle with it lightly.

In truth, it wasn’t just him. Every Awakened from Earth and every being from the Outer Cosmos stood rooted in place. They exercised restraint, as they could all sense that a great danger still lingered.

Just like that, all eyes remained fixed on the blood-red space within the mountain, waiting in silence for the right moment to enter.

Following Lu Yuan’s earlier instructions, the Peacock King and the others revealed solemn faces and quietly consolidated their strength. Upon entry, everyone would be randomly transported elsewhere.

Under such circumstances, they had to be thoroughly prepared for just about anything.

Time crawled by, and a full day soon passed. At last, the space began to stabilize.

Fortunately, everyone present was strong and patient enough. Waiting an extra day meant nothing to them.

Just then, a low rumbling echoed from up above. From within that blood-red space, a powerful aura erupted, piercing the firmament. The clouds emanating radiant light were dyed crimson at once, creating a terrifying sight.

The scene told everyone one thing for sure—the secret realm before them was fraught with danger. Even if it became stable, unknown dangers still awaited them inside, and many faces turned pale at the grim realization.

Even the beings from the Outer Cosmos hesitated, doubt flickering in their eyes. Would they go in or not? They acknowledged the danger, but they also understood that great danger meant great opportunity.

A single gamble could change their fate entirely.

”It’s stable now,” Jiang Ningxian said, a gleam of light flashing in her beautiful eyes. Her interest in Mount Kunlun had grown considerably more than before.

”Then let us get ready to enter,” Lu Yuan said, noticing her eagerness. He glanced at the Peacock King and the others nearby, giving them a look that urged caution.

Then, he took a deep breath and stepped forward, arriving before the blood-red space in an instant.

Jiang Ningxian followed close behind him. Mysterious runes and streams of light coiled around her. This was a secret divine art passed down to the members of the Jiang Clan, and it was a formidable divine art that protected one’s body and soul.

The two exchanged glances and stepped through the gate.

The Peacock King, the Nine-tailed Fox King, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, and the Spirit Monkey each erupted with powerful auras before charging into the blood-red space.

”King Lu and his group are inside! It must be safe to enter now. Everyone! I’m going first!”

”Going first? I don’t think so. King Lu is invincible, and it’s only right that he goes in first.”

”Exactly. And as for whether you can beat us to the chase, it all depends on how strong you are.”

When Lu Yuan’s figure vanished from sight, Earth’s Awakened erupted into discussions, vying to be the next to enter Mount Kunlun’s secret realm.

Even though they weren’t members of Lu Yuan’s Celestial Court or under the jurisdiction of Huaxia’s officials, they were quite formidable. All of them were at least at the Unfettered Realm, and they had great confidence in themselves.

Now that an opportunity to become even stronger had presented itself, they would not let it slip away. As for the beings from the Outer Cosmos, they collectively sighed in relief upon seeing Lu Yuan depart for the blood-red space.

Then, they wasted no time and sprang into action, rushing toward the gate.

”We’re moving as well. Do not fall behind.” Zhou Yunqiong issued her orders and led her subordinates into Mount Kunlun’s secret realm.

In truth, beyond those present, others were still making their way toward this location. However, they were just too slow and had missed the chance to enter as soon as the gate opened and stabilized.

Fortunately, Mount Kunlun’s secret realm seemed to be waiting for something, as it remained open for everyone to access.

***

A vast, blood-red sky stretched overhead, and beneath Lu Yuan’s feet lay countless withered bones.

Each step produced a dry cracking sound as the bones crumbled into powder underfoot. The ruthless passage of time had rendered these bones too weak to withstand even the slightest force on them.

Lu Yuan walked across them. He tried to avoid them at first, but he found it impossible, so he decided to just give up.

In truth, this place bore a strong resemblance to Guang Chengzi’s Dao ground at the Kongtong Mountains, but the biggest difference was the chaotic aura it exuded.

He deduced that a terrible battle had once taken place here, claiming countless lives. As for why it happened and what caused it? Lu Yuan didn’t know the answers.

Lu Yuan stood amidst the bones before raising his gaze toward the distance.

There, a massive city colored entirely black loomed over him.

Pitch-black lightning crackled nonstop above the city, and along its towering walls, countless shadowy figures clawed their way upward in a seemingly endless climb.

It was a deeply unsettling sight. Farther away, half of the city lay bathed in auspicious, radiant light to form a stark contrast with the other half.

One could say that half the city was heaven, while the other half was hell.

It seems I got transported to a great place. Lu Yuan surveyed his surroundings and realized that he was in the central region. He looked behind him and saw an enormous expanse of unknown size.

Jiang Ningxian, the Peacock King, and the others were likely somewhere within it.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he decided to explore the half of the city that resembled the Netherworld. He had always possessed an adventurous spirit, and this time would be no different.

Besides, he had a feeling that he would discover something interesting there.

He was alone, anyway, so he had no one else to worry about if he ended up being in danger. With that in mind, Lu Yuan launched himself into the air and flew toward his destination. The chaotic aura became more intense as he approached.

The figures scaling the black walls grew clearer. Their faces remained indistinct, but he could tell that they had encountered some great terror while they were still alive, and each of them was clad in armor.

For some reason, they couldn’t reach the top of the city wall, no matter how hard they struggled, as a mysterious force would repel them and send them tumbling back down before they could reach the top.

Immediately afterward, they would start climbing again. They repeated the cycle of climbing and falling over and over again.

Lu Yuan found this strange. There was clearly a gate, so why were they climbing the walls? He looked up at the city gate and saw a few words inscribed above it, which he recognized instantly—City of the Wrongfully Dead!