Chapter 117: The Boundary Gate

Chapter 117: The Boundary Gate

“Phew…”

The little monk, his head surrounded by swirling white steam, exhaled deeply and opened his eyes. Seeing Jiang Yan smiling at him, the little monk immediately placed one palm upon his chest and bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude sincerely: “Layman, I thank you deeply for saving me, and even more for helping me advance.”

Jiang Yan had already learned through the transparent information interface that Monk Wukong had advanced in cultivation. Hearing the monk’s grateful words, Jiang Yan smiled and gently waved his hand. Spiritual energy flowed through him, lifting the bowing monk effortlessly. Calmly, he said, “It was but a small favor, little master. No need to mention it. May I ask, if we want to return to the Linqing Prefecture, what methods are available?”

Monk Wukong, halted mid-bow by Jiang Yan, was not surprised. Foundation Establishment cultivators were naturally different from Qi Refining cultivators. Though he had advanced to the peak of Qi Refining through the Qingmu Spirit Transformation Technique, he was still insignificant compared to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After some consideration, Monk Wukong slowly answered Jiang Yan’s question. “Layman, to return to Linqing Prefecture, there are only two methods. The first is to find a boundary gate in this realm that leads to other realms. Passing through such gates and transferring across several major realms should eventually bring us back to the Tianyue Realm, where Linqing Prefecture lies. Once in Tianyue Realm, returning to Linqing Prefecture would be much easier.”

The terms boundary gate, major realm, Tianyue Realm—all these novel phrases caused a slight flicker of interest on Jiang Yan’s face.

He already knew that Mount Hua was located in Tianyue Realm, while he currently stood in Yunlan Demon Realm. But he did not know how the realms connected, nor how to return from Yunlan Demon Realm to Tianyue Realm. From Monk Wukong’s explanation, if one could find the boundary gate of Yunlan Demon Realm, returning to Tianyue Realm would not be difficult.

Seeing the joy on Jiang Yan’s face, Monk Wukong couldn’t help but temper his words. “Layman, though I am not an outstanding disciple of Huasheng Temple, I have come into contact with the Thousand Realm Rune Map there. The map covers vast territories, but it seems this realm is not on it. I fear this realm is undeveloped, without any boundary gates.”

If a world was discovered by cultivators, they would set up a boundary gate in that realm to connect it with others. Through these gates, cultivators could travel back and forth between realms.

The Great Thousand Worlds were populated with myriad realms, some discovered by cultivators and others not. Based on the little monk’s assessment, Yunlan Demon Realm was likely an undiscovered realm. Thus, returning to Linqing Prefecture via boundary gates was nearly impossible.

Since the first method seemed unfeasible, Jiang Yan looked at Monk Wukong expectantly, waiting for the second method.

Clearing his throat to speak, Monk Wukong was interrupted by a cold voice from behind. “The second method is to enter other realms through space-time rifts between this realm and others, then use boundary gates in those realms to return to Tianyue Realm. This method is even less reliable. Finding space-time rifts is far more difficult than establishing a boundary gate.”

After taking the Huasheng Powder, several monks of Huasheng Temple had quickly recovered from their injuries. Hearing his senior brother Monk Wukong respectfully speak to Jiang Yan, Monk Wusheng was eager to repay Jiang Yan’s kindness and spoke first.

Jiang Yan’s brow furrowed tightly at these words. According to these two monks, returning to Mount Hua was almost insurmountably difficult…

The five monks of Huasheng Temple exchanged glances, and within each other’s eyes, the color of disappointment was unmistakable.

“Layman Jiang has no way? Could it be that Master Kongse’s divinations were flawed?” Monk Wukong glanced at Jiang Yan’s frowning face and frowned himself, thinking of the divination cast by the young monk Kongse.

“There’s no need to worry. Our sect leader senior brother surely has a solution and can take you out,” Tang Wan, lying in Jiang Yan’s arms, suddenly spoke gently to the Huasheng monks.

Monk Wukong looked at Tang Wan, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he held his tongue. Leaving this realm without a boundary gate or knowing the exact location of a space-time rift was nearly impossible—unless someone among them was a master rune craftsman capable of forging a boundary gate…

“Tang heroine, you are too naive,” said a monk behind Monk Wukong coldly—the same monk who had earlier stopped Wukong from helping Jiang Yan. “Layman Jiang may be acquainted with Master Kongse, but he is not Master Kongse himself. Without Master Kongse’s abilities, he is at best the head of a minor sect unworthy of notice.”

“Wuming, do not be rude,” Monk Wukong suddenly spoke, stopping his junior brother. Even if Master Kongse’s divinations were inaccurate, Jiang Yan was still a Foundation Establishment cultivator—someone his junior brother should not offend.

Though Monk Wuming traveled with Monk Wukong and the others, his status was insufficient. He only knew Jiang Yan’s connection with Kongse but was unaware of Kongse’s other instructions regarding Jiang Yan. Though he felt some discomfort from the spiritual pressure radiating from Jiang Yan and Tang Wan, Monk Wuming did not realize this pressure was unique to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Chided by his senior brother, Monk Wuming ceased mocking Tang Wan, but his gaze remained filled with disdain. “Just a disciple from a minor sect, I don’t understand why Master Kongse associates with them or why my senior brother is so courteous.”

“Junior brother, forgive my disrespect. Tang heroine, please do not take offense,” Monk Wukong said, placing one palm on his chest and bowing to Tang Wan.

Jiang Yan smiled lightly, waving his hand casually, then asked Monk Wukong about some key points concerning boundary gates. The sect leader system had just rewarded him a boundary gate. He was considering whether to produce it and establish a passage back to Linqing Prefecture.

Patiently, Monk Wukong explained the functions of the boundary gate.

A boundary gate was forged by a rune craftsman to connect two realms.

At first, realms had no connecting passages. Later, due to shifts in their positions, realms collided, creating space-time rifts at their intersections, which also gave rise to the demon hunters. Some cultivators, by accident, passed through these rifts into other realms. To return to their original realms, rune craftsmen who also arrived by accident imitated the demon hunters’ gates and invented boundary gates to link two realms. Thus, boundary gates came into being.

“Brother, why are you explaining all this to him? A second-rank minor sect leader likely never leaves Linqing Prefecture except to hunt demons. What use is this knowledge? Shouldn’t we just activate the Primordial Rune and return to Huasheng Realm?” Monk Wuming suddenly interrupted Monk Wukong’s explanation, speaking impatiently.

Jiang Yan’s brow tightened further. This Monk Wuming had provoked him repeatedly—did he think Jiang Yan was some unyielding idol made of clay?

Monk Wukong hurriedly rebuked his junior brother. “Wuming, Layman Jiang is our temple’s destined friend. Even Master Kongse respects him greatly. How can you be so rude?”

Veins bulged on Monk Wuming’s forehead as he replied stubbornly, “I just don’t understand why you value the leader of this minor sect so much. He’s only a second-rank sect head. Can he really help us return to Linqing Prefecture?”

Monk Wukong’s face flushed red. Pointing at Monk Wuming, he said, “Junior brother, you…”

Wuming interrupted again, “Brother, you don’t need to hold this minor sect leader in such regard. A second-rank sect is hardly noteworthy. Even in Linqing Prefecture, beneath a small third-rank sect, there are vast followers. You are a disciple of a great sect; don’t demean yourself.”

“Besides, so what if he has potential? Being tied to one sect, no matter how gifted, makes it hard to truly excel. I have seen many talented cultivators, those with over eighty in their root constitution, but they never became powerful. Being constrained by a sect, improving one’s strength is almost impossible. He probably has no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment this lifetime.”

Monk Wuming rambled on, oblivious that his senior brother’s face had shifted through red, black, and pale white. Yet, his disdain for Jiang Yan was understandable. Though a registered disciple, Monk Wuming and Monk Wukong hailed from the prestigious Huasheng Temple, and looking down on an obscure minor sect was natural.

“Brother, a second-rank sect… the smallest of the small. Our Huasheng…”

“Phew…”

As Monk Wuming spoke vehemently, a powerful spiritual pressure suddenly radiated from Jiang Yan’s position. It swept across the hall, silencing Monk Wuming instantly.

Tang Wan rose from Jiang Yan’s arms, frowning slightly. “Little master, I don’t know how powerful Huasheng Temple is, but I won’t allow you to speak ill of my senior brother. If you continue, then so be it.”

After speaking, she reached toward a small stone on the ground. Under everyone’s gaze, the stone shattered into powder, scattering everywhere.

“F-Foundation Establishment…” Monk Wuming stammered, feeling Tang Wan’s spiritual pressure and witnessing the shattered stone.

“Bang…”

A massive gatehouse of white marble suddenly appeared before them. The towering gate, carved entirely from white marble, was enormous. As it landed, dust billowed throughout the hall, causing Monk Wuming to cough and jump about.

“Boundary gate!” Monk Wukong looked upward at the grand white gate and exclaimed.

“B-Boundary gate…” Monk Wuming stopped his restless movements, staring dumbfounded at the gate. Could this obscure minor sect leader really be so formidable?

“We can go back through this, brother?” Tang Wan smiled brightly, looking at the stunned Monk Wuming.

Still dazed, Monk Wuming didn’t hear her words. Beside him, Monk Wusheng nudged him and pointed at Tang Wan. “Tang heroine is asking if we can return through this.”

Startled by the nudge, Monk Wuming jumped before cautiously replying, “Y-Yes, we can go back through this. The boundary gate… so this is what it looks like.”

!#