Key

Key...

Tu Leng swiftly pivoted, his eyes fixed on Qin Wentian. The presence of a buried immortal was a grave threat, one he felt powerless to confront.

"Let's work together for now, or we'll both meet our end," Tu Leng proposed urgently.

However, Qin Wentian's response was eerie calmness. He met Tu Leng's gaze with an intense, almost fiendish look. "Oh, is that so? You may die, but I certainly won't."

"Are you out of your mind?" Tu Leng cursed. The approaching figure from behind further intensified Tu Leng's fear, trapping him between two formidable foes.

"He's not insane. Have you figured out who I am?" a voice from behind inquired. Tu Leng was cornered, his apprehension growing as he asked, "Who are you?"

"I am him, and he is me," the figure replied cryptically.

"Madness, all of you are mad," Tu Leng muttered. Blood-colored lightning crackled around him as he charged toward Qin Wentian. Lightning cleared a path for him as he approached.

"Something's amiss," Tu Leng sensed the unusual, recalling rumors that Qin Wentian had mastered the true intent of Dreams, capable of unconsciously drawing others into his dreamscape.

BOOOM!

A massive bolt of lightning struck Tu Leng, and he felt pain course through his body as his dreamscape shattered. His body drenched in cold sweat, he realized it had all been a dream. Qin Wentian remained unscathed, his chest intact, and no gaping wound in sight.

"I WANT YOU TO DIE!" Tu Leng lunged at Qin Wentian again. Qin Wentian, however, stood still, a cold smile playing on his lips. Tu Leng's attack struck again, opening a massive hole in Qin Wentian's body. To Tu Leng's dismay, Qin Wentian continued to smile, seemingly trapped in an endless nightmare.

Chi...!

A sharp sound jolted Tu Leng awake from the dream, but he hadn't moved from his spot. He stared down at the sword piercing his heart, twisting and slicing through his organs. Tu Leng strained to turn his gaze to Qin Wentian, puzzlement in his eyes. He longed to see the figure behind him clearly, but he could no longer shift his head.

"Double-layered dreamscape. How can your true intent of Dreams be this strong?" Tu Leng managed to utter, understanding the true intent of Dreams to some extent. It was unique but had a significant flaw. Initiating physical attacks could destabilize the dreamscape, making it vulnerable. Only when the dreamer faced a much weaker opponent would they initiate a physical attack. Instead, they'd use mental attacks, fueled by their spirit and imagination, to torment their adversaries.

Tu Leng, however, had already exited the dreamscape the first time he turned around. Why was he still ensnared?

"The first time wasn't my dreamscape. When you turned and looked at him, you entered his dream. The second time, it was my creation. I didn't move to attack you; he did," Qin Wentian calmly elucidated.

Tu Leng shivered, gripped by an icy dread. He stammered, "That's your...true-self incarnation!"

Qin Wentian remained silent, neither confirming nor denying Tu Leng's realization. Regret, despair, and hatred flickered in Tu Leng's eyes before a sinister smile crept in. "A formidable opponent like you is truly terrifying. However, you will surely die. HE WILL NEVER SPARE YOU."

"Puchi!" Di Tian's sword struck with finality. Tu Leng's laughter ceased as death claimed him. The figure behind him was none other than Di Tian, a true incarnation created through the Great Nirvana Immortal Art.

A true-self incarnation mirrored the original, each a demon-level genius.

Qin Wentian had long devised a plan for his true incarnation, Di Tian. Di Tian served as a crucial tool for Qin Wentian's growth, primarily used for contemplating Mandates while his main body ventured the world, seeking experiences to further his development. This approach accelerated his cultivation, ensuring he retained a lifeline even if his original body perished.

Di Tian was akin to a shadow, rarely manifesting in Qin Wentian's life. He only emerged in pivotal moments, such as in this immortal palace.

Di Tian's existence did not intrude upon Qin Wentian's life; it was a trump card, a concealed weapon lurking in the darkness. Currently identical, they would diverge in the future. As Di Tian advanced, he would follow a distinct path from Qin Wentian, maximizing the potential of the Great Nirvana Immortal Art. By allowing Di Tian to evolve alongside him, he would wield a lethal weapon of unparalleled sharpness.

After Di Tian relieved Tu Leng of his belongings, he disappeared in a random direction, opting not to stay with Qin Wentian. They both left the area and eventually found a secluded spot to cultivate. Seated together, they retrieved their Yuan Meteor Stones to harness their power.

Astral energy surged within them, purging impurities, expanding meridians and channels, and refining astral novas. In just a single day, both Qin Wentian and Di Tian soared to the eighth level of Heavenly Dipper.

Their previous battle against a buried immortal had provided valuable insights. The buried immortal's swordplay had sparked a realization in Qin Wentian, leading him to comprehend the true intent of Sword. Roaming the burial grounds, he had been on the brink of understanding the Mandate of Demons. The relentless combat with Tu Leng had forced the breakthrough. Demonic energy surged within him, invigorating his bloodline and accelerating his cultivation. This transformation also allowed him to understand the true intent of Demons.

Having grasped these four Mandates—Force, Dreamsleep, Demon, and Sword—Qin Wentian's combat prowess soared. On the Sacred Battle Platform, he could easily overpower Liu Lan and Di Shi. Even against opponents like Tu Leng, he exuded confidence in his victory.

The next step was to ascend to the unrivaled tier within Heavenly Dipper, truly dominating this realm. Observing the buried immortals' strength, Qin Wentian recognized the vast gap between himself and their terrifying power. The immortals were on a different level, even Tu Leng, with his four comprehended intents, had been incapable of withstanding a single strike from them.

After breaking through, Qin Wentian and Di Tian furthered their cultivation, refining their foundations, and honing the control of their true intents. This discipline allowed them to fine-tune the intensity of their attacks during actual combat.

More than ten days elapsed as Qin Wentian and Di Tian ventured deeper into the immortal burial ground. Countless tombs filled this space, numbering in the tens of millions. The sight no longer stirred Qin Wentian's emotions, and he dared not imagine the sheer number of immortals interred here. Yet one fact became evident—this immortal palace was not part of the Royal Sacred Region. Such a multitude of immortals defied reason.

As they journeyed, Qin Wentian would cultivate when inspired. Today, he reached the end of the desolate burial ground of immortals.

Before him, a radiant screen spanned the heavens and earth, resembling a descending rainbow bridging the two realms. Within the shimmering screen, an ethereal door materialized.

"The key," Qin Wentian uttered, his expression grave. With a whistle, Di Tian appeared, clutching a key that transformed into an ethereal form, aligning with the keyhole of the ethereal door. Moments later, a small opening emerged.

Qin Wentian and Di Tian felt a slight tremor as the illusory door swung open, the key left behind by the Xia Emperor proving its worth. What secrets lay beyond this portal, shrouded in ancient auras and foreboding energy fluctuations?

Qin Wentian exchanged a glance with Di Tian, their eyes reflecting a mix of hesitation and determination. "Having come this far, I'd regret it if I didn't venture further," Qin Wentian murmured to himself. Without delay, he turned and boldly walked away, leaving the space behind. After his departure, the resplendent light of the illusory door flashed, sealing it shut, effectively separating the two realms once more.

Now on the other side of the doorway, Di Tian stood alone, the illusory door firmly sealed behind him. He realized that retreat was no longer an option. Pondering the fact that the Xia Emperor never used this key, Di Tian wondered how the emperor had obtained it. Was it due to his strength or perhaps sheer luck?

"Finally, a newcomer," a raspy voice broke the silence. Di Tian's demeanor remained composed; he had committed to this journey and would face whatever awaited him with unwavering resolve.

"Those who can enter here are capable of single-handedly defeating buried immortals. This newcomer must possess significant strength, right?"

"Ha! I wonder if he'll succeed in inheriting the old thief's legacy. If he does, it means freedom for all of us."

Multiple voices chimed in, as though they had been starved for company. The arrival of Di Tian breathed life into this desolate world, rendering it more vibrant.

"Only those who can defeat buried immortals have access to this place?" Di Tian pondered. The might of a buried immortal was staggering; those capable of vanquishing them were undoubtedly unrivaled in the Heavenly Dipper realm. Did that mean only these titanic figures could enter this domain?

"Old thief? Inheritance?"

These individuals clearly harbored resentment toward the immortal palace's master, daring to call him an "old thief." It suggested the possibility that the master had passed away.

Di Tian swiftly discarded irrelevant information and continued forward, their discussions echoing in his ears.

"Only at the eighth level of Heavenly Dipper? How is that possible?" one voice expressed disbelief.

"Stop dreaming. I've been here for 80,000 years. Although not many have entered in that time, a few hundred individuals have crossed these thresholds. Each of them was a peerless figure of their era. But what was their fate? You, deviants, toyed with them until they met their demise. So don't spout nonsense about this newcomer inheriting anything. I curse that the old thief will never find a successor for all eternity. Look at the absurd difficulty of the conditions he set."

"Haha! Let's go easy on him this time, don't let this little fellow meet an early demise. Otherwise, it'll be too boring," someone laughed heartily, as though they already regarded Di Tian as their plaything.

"Is this a nest of devils?" Di Tian wondered aloud, his heart involuntarily trembling at their words. Stuck in this place for 80,000 years, these individuals had likely grown twisted in both personality and sanity over time.