69novels Chapter 1758 - 45: Plague Relics (Part 1)
Chapter 1758 - 45: Plague Relics (Part 1)
Of course, whether or not we can enter still ultimately depends on the results at the detection point in front of the platform.
In front of the crowd stands a gigantic Light Gate, above which an elder enveloped in a purple aura is sitting suspended in mid-air.
Everyone, including the warships, must pass through the Light Gate before entering the ruins—this is a crucial step to determine whether they meet the conditions.
Currently, the gate to the Plague Relics hasn’t been opened yet, but from the large Array behind the Light Gate, Zhang Xiaoman can tell where it is likely to open soon.
"Ji Xing, both our powers have reached the limit of the Control Level. When passing through the Light Gate later, make sure to restrain your aura and compress your strength as much as possible. Otherwise, if you’re deemed too powerful by the Light Gate and unfit to enter, it would greatly impact our plan."
Lan Gu advised via sound transmission.
Zhang Xiaoman glanced at him and nodded lightly, indicating that he understood.
The crowd is now gradually passing through the Light Gate, and it hasn’t yet been Lan Family’s turn.
Warships can enter too, but their size and number are strictly limited—each family can only bring one destroyer-class warship, and it must not be loaded with certain powerful spatial devices or advanced energy engines that might affect the stability of the ruins.
The crowd is quite orderly; as they enter, they don’t trigger any alarms from the Light Gate—everything looks harmonious and orderly.
Finally, after everyone from a previous faction has entered, it’s Lan Family’s turn.
The warship carrying the collecting forces goes first, followed by two hundred Dark Spirits of Control Level and above.
These Dark Spirits form the core strength of the Lan Family. Among over two hundred people, most are above Middle Level Control. Typically, each is a respected Spirit Master in the outside world, but here they are just a background force to something truly powerful.
Zhang Xiaoman, Lan Gu, and the other two elders walk at the front. They are all at the Peak of the Upper Control Level and are the cornerstone strength of this operation. Only if they can pass the Light Gate’s criteria can Lan Family’s collecting forces have a true guarantee of success.
He can feel countless gazes focused on the four of them, not just from Lan Family’s experts, but from other families as well.
After all, once inside, there’s nothing to stop them from fighting each other. Battles over resource acquisition inside the Plague Relics are all too common, so when Lan Family’s elite forces appear, they naturally attract scrutiny.
Zhang Xiaoman mused to himself, realizing that this operation is indeed fraught with danger; he’s already marked by many even before entering. He has no doubt about their determination to eliminate him, fearing that once a battle erupts inside, both he and Lan Gu are likely to be prime targets.
Especially Lan Gu, the Family Head of Lan, and one of the Eleventh Elders of the Star Spirit Council. A contender for the position of Great Elder, his enmity is undoubtedly maxed out; eliminating him would deliver a massive blow to the Lan Family.
Nonetheless, being the pinnacle power of this operation, Lan Gu isn’t easily dealt with. With his overwhelming strength over most present and accompanied by other strong allies, striking him down is nothing but a fool’s dream.
At this moment, Zhang Xiaoman is approaching the Light Gate, with Lan Gu and the other two elders entering first without triggering any reaction from the gate.
Seeing this, Zhang restrained his aura, thinking that this Light Gate had better not react. Unsure if the Dark Star Ring’s power could shield him from the Light Gate’s probing.
Yet he quickly shook his head internally. While the Dark Star Ring can prevent tracking, it’s ineffective against face-to-face probing, so relying on it is clearly unrealistic.
Fortunately, his Dark Spiritual Power limit is comparable to Lan Gu’s. Since Lan Gu can enter, he should have no problem either.
While swiftly pondering, Zhang Xiaoman stepped into the Light Gate.
In that moment, it felt like entering a narrow spatial passage, surrounded by endless purple light, with nothing visible or audible.
With most of his senses muted, Zhang Xiaoman’s heart tensed slightly but he didn’t forget to restrain his aura, striving to maintain his rhythm as he proceeded forward.
He wasn’t aware of the time until light returned to his vision, and he found himself standing on the other side of the Light Gate.
"Made it through?"
Zhang Xiaoman glanced back at the massive Light Gate, thinking to himself that this thing was indeed mysterious.
He had clearly done more than just pass through a door; it felt like he had crossed a spatial passage. Yet likely in others’ eyes, it looked merely like he had taken a single step.
"Buzz~"
Just as Zhang Xiaoman felt relieved, the Light Gate slightly trembled. Although the frequency was minimal, he noticed an unusual reaction in the light.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Numerous gazes immediately focused on him, making Zhang Xiaoman the center of attention.
"This isn’t good."
He cursed inwardly, realizing that the Light Gate had detected his strength; it was incredibly sensitive. Even though he was just at Fake Transcendent Level, it managed to pick up his presence, making entry difficult.
Lan Gu ahead turned back in surprise, casting a puzzled glance at Zhang Xiaoman.
"May I know what realm you are at?"
In the distance, a handsome red-haired man asked.
Zhang Xiaoman recognized him as the Clan Leader of the Rothschild family and one of the Eleventh Elders of the Star Spirit Council—a match in strength with Lan Gu, and their families were the closest, making them mortal enemies.
Feeling the collective gaze, Zhang Xiaoman took a deep breath and calmly replied:
"Honorary Elder of Lan Family, Peak of Control Level."
"Peak of Control Level? How did he trigger the Purple Charm Light Door? Could he be stronger than Elder Lan Gu?"
Some couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
Zhang Xiaoman knew he was now thoroughly marked. It was like having a huge red mark over his head in a game, and even if he did get in, he’d replace Lan Gu as the main focus in any fight.
"Are you about to break through to Transcendent Level? The Purple Charm Light Gate reacted; it seems you won’t be able to enter, which is quite a pity."
The handsome red-haired man spoke again, and Zhang Xiaoman glanced at him, knowing the man was Damien Rothschild, surely the most excited if Zhang couldn’t enter.
He gave Damien a look but didn’t answer, instead turning his gaze to the purple-clothed elder seated above the gate.
Zhang Xiaoman knew it didn’t matter what Damien said; the final decision rested with the elder.
The purple-clothed elder opened his eyes at that moment, gave Zhang Xiaoman a brief glance, and swiftly closed them again.
"You may pass."
A voice resonated with those present, allowing Zhang Xiaoman to finally relax.
As he expected, the Purple Charm Gate had merely reacted slightly; it didn’t prevent him from passing. A true Transcendent Level presence would have caused more than a minor fluctuation in the gate.