Chapter 137: The Divine Path’s Conspiracy

The moment Gu Xiaoyao set foot on the Divine Path, a deep and ancient voice thundered across the entire continent.

“Sword Saint Realm, ninth tier, ascend the Divine Path. Divine Path assessment begins now.”

Every living being across the continent was immediately made aware of this earth-shattering news.

After a thousand years, the Divine Path had reopened. This could only mean one thing—a new god was on the verge of emerging. Worry gripped the Human Race.

They feared that their strongest would fall within the Divine Path, a loss too painful to imagine.

………………

Elsewhere, in the Demon Domain.

The land had long since fallen to ruin. Evidence of fierce battles scarred the region; everywhere lay destruction, with not a spot left untouched except Demon God Peak.

Suspended in the pitch-black void outside Demon God Peak was an extraordinarily beautiful woman, frozen in place by some overwhelming force. Her eyes were full of unwillingness and regret.

Her name was Murong Qingxue. For the sake of lasting peace for the Human Race, she’d ventured alone into the Demon Domain.

She had challenged the god of the Demon Race—Lin Mo.

Their battle nearly reduced the Demon Domain to rubble. For three hundred sixty-five rounds, neither side could claim victory.

But Lin Mo eventually unleashed overwhelming power, suppressing Murong Qingxue by force and imprisoning her in the void.

He’d intended to kill her, but learning her true identity changed his mind. Instead, he spared her—deliberately keeping her alive.

He wanted her to witness the Demon Race’s grand dream of unifying the world.

Murong Qingxue’s previously troubled face softened as she sensed a familiar aura. Her lips curled into a smile and her eyes arched like crescent moons, a laugh bursting uncontrollably from her lips.

“Haha, I knew you’d make it. I’ll be right here, waiting for you to arrive.”

Seeing Murong Qingxue smile, Lin Mo stepped forward to stand by her side. He reached out, gently stroking her flawless oval face, his voice teasing.

“Oh? Descendant of the Murong Clan, what’s got you smiling? Why not share it—let me in on the joy too.”

“Get lost. Don’t touch my face. You’re filthy and I want nothing to do with you!” Murong Qingxue spat, grinding her teeth and twisting her head desperately to break free.

Suddenly, Lin Mo tightened his grip, pinching her delicate face hard, his gaze growing cold and mocking.

“Murong Qingxue, right? The only reason you still draw breath is out of respect for your grandfather, Murong Jianbai. Try not to forget that privilege.”

“You’re not even worthy to mention my grandfather’s name, you devil! Let me go!” Murong Qingxue struggled with all her might.

Lin Mo watched her but didn’t grow angry. Instead, he just smiled, turned away, then glanced back at her.

“I know, that strange phenomenon just now—nothing more than your Divine Path reawakening.”

“So, what do you think? Will he become a god faster, or will I finish wiping out the rest of humanity first? Watch me as I unify the world!”

Lin Mo threw his head back and roared with laughter. In a flash, he vanished, leaving only a lingering afterimage.

“You—you monster!” Murong Qingxue hurled her fury at his fading silhouette, powerless and grief-stricken.

………………

Meanwhile, Gu Xiaoyao pushed open the ancient, heavy bronze gates and stepped onto the Divine Path.

An ageless, booming voice echoed all around.

“The Divine Path assessment begins now. Climb all ten thousand steps to reach the summit and move on to the next trial. Fail, and be reduced to dust.”

Gu Xiaoyao looked back, but the entrance he’d passed through had disappeared. Only endless void remained behind him. He lifted his gaze, taking in the Divine Path ahead.

On either side of the path, piles of white bones stretched as far as the eye could see. Most had crumbled to powder, leaving only faded sect robes as tokens of who they once were.

Taking his first step onto the staircase, Gu Xiaoyao found the pressure on the first ten steps almost nonexistent. He passed through them with ease.

Just as he was marveling at how simple it was, the pressure on the stairs suddenly soared, instantly reaching the first tier of the Sword Saint Realm. But for him, it was child’s play.

Without breaking a sweat, he leapt forward, passing through to the twenty-fifth step. Just as he prepared to continue, some strange writing caught his attention, and he paused to read.

“I am Li Shang, Sect Master of the Vast Sea Sect.”

“Now, with my lifespan nearly exhausted, I’ve used all I have to finally set foot on this legendary Divine Path. Just when I thought I’d found a chance at immortality—”

Suddenly, the remaining words were covered by something. Gu Xiaoyao curiously brushed it aside and was stunned by what he saw.

“Just when I thought I too could achieve the legendary Sword God, I accidentally stumbled upon the secret of becoming a god!”

“There can be only one god in this world. It’s been a trap from the very start!”

“Becoming a god is nothing but a cruel illusion. The laws of the world are incomplete, the spiritual energy is thin, and above the ten thousand steps are extraterritorial beings barring the way—it’s a dead end!”

“All those who dreamed of godhood poured everything into climbing to the ten thousandth step, only to become food for these extraterritorial monsters!”

“Their power is terrifying beyond imagination. Mere mortals like us are nothing before them.”

“I gave everything I had, narrowly surviving. But when I tried to escape, the entrance was gone—replaced by endless void.”

“Now, I finally understand. This is a trap with no way out. My journey ends here, forever unfulfilled. Those who come after, beware.”

“If you can escape, run! —Li Shang, Final Words.”