Ascension of The Unholy Immortal-Chapter 288: Golden gate

Tian Zi’s eyes swept across the assembly of twenty experts. His gaze lingered briefly on each competitor before finally settling on a specific individual. A playful smile played on his lips as he made his decision.

"I will challenge number 16, Lin Xue."

The crowd erupted in uproar, the mixture of astonishment and confusion palpable in the air.

"Isn’t Lin Xue his brother-in-law? What is Tian Zi trying to do?" A runic mastery realm elder eyed the unfolding scene with deep perplexity.

"Tian Zi’s power isn’t any less than Long Zi’s," another elder chimed in, shaking his head, "In fact, he could be even more formidable. So why would he want to challenge for merely the 16th position?"

"Is he trying to eliminate Lin Xue?" a murmur spread among the crowd.

"Eliminate?" The magnitude of the scenario dawned on them. "Lin Xue has already used his chance to challenge. If he’s defeated this time, he will be eliminated!"

Sweat beading on his forehead, Lin Xue’s face contorted from green to an ashen, as though he’d swallowed something vile. What on earth does Tian Zi want from him?

"Brother Tian Zi, I don’t believe we have any previous enmity," Lin Xue’s voice quivered slightly as his gaze settled on Tian Zi’s nonchalant figure.

"Enmity?" Tian Zi’s lips curled into a sneer, his eyes narrowing with disdain. "Do you think you’re worthy of such a notion?"

Lin Xue’s complexion darkened from green to an intense black. He clenched his fists tightly, with veins popping out in stark relief against his pale skin. "Dong Tian Zi, I’ve only ever respected you because you’re my brother-in-law. But don’t for a second think that I’m just a nobody you can insult and humiliate."

Tian Zi’s demeanor remained unfazed, his eyes as cold as the winter moon. "Respect?" He chuckled mirthlessly. "Respect ? You, Lin Xue, are nothing more than a profitable outsider ."

Determination etched itself onto Lin Xue’s face. "Fine," he muttered, taking a stance, "if it’s a fight you want, a fight you will get."

Despite facing defeat at the hands of Dong Wan’er and Liang, He remained a formidable paragon, his confidence unshaken by mere setbacks.

"Big brother Tian Zi, what is the meaning of this?" Dong Xian’er’s voice trembled with impatience as she stepped forward, unwilling to stay silent any longer.

Tian Zi cast her a brief, measured glance before redirecting his attention to Dong Tian Di. "Clan Head, I have already issued my challenge."

Dong Tian Di gave a solemn nod and turned his gaze to Lin Xue. "You have thirty seconds to ascend the stage; otherwise, you forfeit."

Lin Xue’s eyes narrowed in determination, and without hesitation, he strode toward the stage, trailing behind Tian Zi.

In an instant, the arena dissolved around them, and the two experts found themselves transported to the parallel dimension.

Tian Zi’s lips curled into a disdainful smirk as he addressed Lin Xue, "I will let you start first. I advise you to use your strongest move; otherwise, you won’t get the chance."

Lin Xue roared angrily, "Dong Tian Zi, you are taking things way too far!"

Tian Zi’s eyes grew cold, and he responded with nothing but a silent, icy stare, his presence as arrogant as ever.

As Lin Xue flicked his wrist with an imperious gesture, the Imperial Dragon Palace Array materialized effortlessly around him.

From within the shimmering array, the colossal Dragon Palace emerged in all its grandeur.

With a solemn expression, Lin Xue ascended onto the majestic door of the Dragon Palace and disappeared inside, his presence fading into the opulent interior.

Moments later, the palace trembled violently.

After an eternity that felt like a mere heartbeat, Lin Xue emerged from the depths of the Dragon Palace, his form transformed into that of a fearsome dragon monster.

His eyes locked with Tian Zi’s, a feral growl reverberating from his maw as he surged forward with blinding speed.

Tian Zi’s eyebrows arched slightly as a surge of aura erupted from him, its sheer intensity causing the very fabric of the dimension to tremble.

"Half Divine Expert," a murmur escaped from the lips of the astounded experts outside the tournament grounds.

"First, Tian Shu, and now Tian Zi," exclaimed a paragon, his voice laced with astonishment."The younger generation has already surpassed the older one. The Dong Clan is rising once more."

An elderly expert remarked with a hint of nostalgia, "The competition for the position of clan head will be even more fierce this time."

***

Within his monstrous form , Lin Xue, felt a chill ran down his spine as Tian Zi’s aura washed over him.

Suddenly, his eyes widened in horror as he gazed at a gaping hole in his chest, a crimson stream pouring forth from his ruptured heart.

The parallel dimension imploded, casting the combatants back into the arena below the watchful eyes of the crowd.

The ten Half-Divine experts stared at Tian Zi with wide-eyed disbelief, struggling to comprehend the swiftness and precision with which he had dispatched his opponent.

Tina Shu, observing from afar, wore a faint smirk, as if privy to some unspoken secret.

Lin Xue, who had just emerged from the parallel dimension, stood motionless, rooted to the spot. His eyes blazed with an unquenchable hatred and seething anger as he fixated on Dong Tian Zi, who was calmly walking toward seat number 16.

Suddenly, Lin Xue coughed up blood and crumpled to the ground.

Gasps of shock rippled through the assembly of experts, their faces contorting in astonishment and dismay. Lin Xue had passed out from sheer rage.

In an instant, a figure leaped from the audience seats and landed near the stage with a graceful fluidity. It was none other than Dong Xian’er, who scooped up the unconscious Lin Xue and vanished from sight.

"Now that everything is settled and the twenty seats have been confirmed, does anyone have any objections concerning any of the participants?" Dong Tian Di’s voice boomed across the hall, his sharp eyes meticulously scanning the crowd.

The air grew tense as silence stretched unbearably. Furrows etched deep into Dong Tian Di’s brow. What was happening? Why was nobody objecting to Liang?

Unable to suppress his unease, he cast a side glance at Elder Mu, who met his gaze with a look of bewilderment.

"Tian Di, what’s the meaning of this? Didn’t you assure me not to worry about Liang, that the elders would handle it?" Dong Tian Mu’s voice transmitted through the mental link, clearly irked.

"Elder Mu, something strange is happening," Dong Tian Di replied, his tone uneasy.

"Can’t you see it? That brat must have bribed everyone with Red Lotus possessions. That’s why no one is making a move against him!" Dong Tian Mu responded coldly, barely able to contain his disdain.

"What?" Dong Tian Di’s eyes widened in astonishment. "How dare he? Has he no regard for his own life?"

Puzzlement overtook him as he grappled with the realization. For such a thing to transpire, Liang must have emptied the entirety of Red Lotus’s space ring.

"Elder Mu, what do we do now?" He asked, seeking direction as the situation spiraled out of control.

Elder Mu remained silent, his lifeless gray eyes slowly swiveling toward Liang.

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Feeling the weight of the gaze upon him, Liang turned to Dong Tian Mu and flashed a nonchalant smile.

"Well, Elder Mu, it seems that young Liang has secured his position. Let the tournament proceed as planned."

Dong Tian Di could only grit his teeth in reluctant acceptance.

Elder Mu snorted and waved his hand, igniting a mystical energy that set the floating stage into an observable rotation.

In a moment, an intricate ancient array materialized, with four luminous pillars rising ambitiously towards the heavens.

A powerful and majestic aura began to permeate the air as a resplendent golden gate gradually manifested in the sky above.

"The secret realm gate will close once everyone has entered and will only reopen in five months," Dong Tian Mu announced, his empty eyes scanning the assembled experts with an expressionless gaze. "You will enter according to your designated seats. The gate can only accommodate one expert at a time, with a five-minute interval between each entry."

"Tian Shu, you may proceed," Dong Tian Di commanded with authority.

Tian Shu acknowledged them with a respectful bow before stepping calmly towards the golden gate.

"How on earth did you manage to pull that off?"

A familiar voice echoed suddenly in Liang’s mind, jerking him from his thoughts.

His gaze zeroed in on Dong Rui, who was staring at him with an intensity that could pierce steel.

A small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of Liang’s lips. "Do you really think I can’t see right through what you all are planning?"

Dong Rui’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of amusement dancing within them. "Yes, yes, you’re definitely clever. Now, enlighten me."

Liang’s smile faded as he arched an eyebrow, clearly uncomfortaeble with the probing question.

How had he managed to do it? Truth be told, Liang himself couldn’t fully comprehend the extent of what he had achieved. He had nearly exhausted all of the Red Lotus’s resources and even sacrificed a few of his own most valuable items.