The Lofty Heavenly Gate

After ten thousand years, Yi Feng experienced love, hatred, passion, and enmity within the Divine Source Dreamscape, as if he had lived another life. Meanwhile, the real world he had forgotten had undergone tremendous changes.

Cloud Star.

Shadow Island.

The Guardian Brigade protected the stability of the island day after day. Through the changing of the eras, they never forgot their past promises.

However, ten thousand years of time were ruthless. Although Shadow Island had stabilized and urban life had become increasingly peaceful, many people had fallen in desperate battles to defend the island, buried deep underground alongside residents whose limited talents had caused them to exhaust their lifespans.

Over these past ten thousand years, the crowd had continuously guarded the peace of Shadow Island. Even without the presence of the direct disciples, relying on everyone's loyal protection and the various blueprints and guidance left behind by Lord Fang Zaowu before his departure, the place remained exceptionally stable, and the urban construction had neared perfection.

Long streets wound like dragons as vehicles shuttled back and forth.

The bustling urban nightscape was even more dazzling than in the past. Elevated highways crisscrossed through the city, connecting the entirety of Shadow Island in all directions.

The rural-urban fringes were now also filled with towering skyscrapers.

At a magnificent and imposing highway intersection, a middle-aged man wearing a white hard hat led a group of people standing in front of a giant excavator by the roadside, a hint of composure in his eyes.

After waiting for a long time, there was not the slightest anomaly in the surrounding heaven and earth.

Only then did everyone feel slightly relieved, sighing as they reminisced about the past years.

"Phew..."

"Before we knew it, ten thousand years have passed. I wonder where the direct disciple lords are now, and when they will return?"

"Yes, the direct disciple lords have been gone for far too long."

"When I first joined Shadow Island, I was just a handyman. Now, I have become a member of the construction company and have been promoted to a technician. Time really flies."

Hearing everyone's words, the middle-aged man in the white hat stood with his hands behind his back and spoke solemnly.

"No matter when the direct disciple lords return, we must continue to hold our ground. This is our duty as members of Shadow Island, and the obligation we must fulfill!"

"If it weren't for Shadow Island, how could we have what we do today?!"

His deep voice carried immense authority.

Dozens of employees wearing safety helmets bowed respectfully.

"Yes, Manager Xiong!"

After bowing respectfully, the crowd stood up and looked at Xiong Fen standing tall with his hands behind his back, exuding an aura of majesty. They could not help but whisper in reverence and secret admiration.

"Manager Xiong's words are absolutely right. He is truly a role model for us all!"

"Who says otherwise? I heard that Manager Xiong wasn't among the first to come to our Shadow Island, but he comprehended the Great Dao through his own hard work, even achieving his current position as manager. His achievements far surpass those of Manager Old Xiong from back then!"

"Indeed it is so!"

"Truly, a tiger father does not beget a dog son; the student has surpassed the master!"

...

In their whispered discussions, the crowd did not skimp on their words of praise.

In the past, if these words had fallen on Xiong Fen's ears, he might have been a bit smug. But now, Xiong Fen had long been tempered by the years. His state of mind and vision had grown tremendously, and his every word and action were no less than his father's demeanor back in the day.

The once immature youth had transformed into a veritable Lord Manager. He had a few more crow's feet around his eyes, had grown a beard, and exuded the steady demeanor of a middle-aged man.

Hearing everyone's whispers at this moment, Xiong Fen could not help but feel somewhat emotional.

Over these past ten thousand years.

He had continuously comprehended the Great Dao of Involution, broke through the Heaven Rank bottleneck, stepped into the Desolate Realm in one fell swoop, and was promoted to manager, becoming a prominent figure among the younger generation of Shadow Island.

Relying on the Great Dao of Involution, he not only achieved success for himself but also stood out in the competition for a Dao Companion, defeating several young talents from the Manure Scavenging Brigade to marry a beautiful woman.

His wife was the daughter of the owner of a restaurant in the city where they used to gather for meals.

One must know that the city was filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. The fact that Xiong Fen was able to become Dao Companions with such a woman had blinded many people's eyes in shock back then.

Now that he had achieved fame and success, it was no longer considered marrying out of his league, and the couple lived in harmony and stability.

It could be said that eighty percent of everything Xiong Fen possessed today was earned through his own relentless hard work.

As for his old man...

The legendary Manager Old Xiong was indeed extremely seasoned and had a profound comprehension of the Dao of Involution. Unfortunately, due to his limited talent, he ultimately failed to break through the Heaven Rank bottleneck.

Now in his twilight years, he had no choice but to step down from his position as manager.

Fortunately, Xiong Fen had achieved considerable success, which brought Old Xiong great comfort. He now spent his retirement years in a school-district house in the city, smiling and playing with his grandchildren, living a peaceful and carefree life.

Sighing over the past, Xiong Fen felt an even deeper sense of belonging to Shadow Island.

This place had long ceased to be just his land of serendipity; it was a home deeply ingrained in his bloodline. Everything he fought for in this life was in Shadow Island!

No matter what.

He would defend this place to the death, quietly waiting for the Mister and the direct disciple lords to return!

In the city, there were millions of people just like Xiong Fen. Everyone had long regarded this place as their entire life. Even if some were buried here forever, they would smile in the netherworld, having no regrets in this life.

Just as Xiong Fen and the crowd were waiting quietly and sighing with emotion.

Suddenly!

The sky turned dark!

The unusual sign startled everyone into looking up vigilantly. The crowd, who had been whispering a moment ago, all spread out their powerful divine senses, keeping a close eye on any possible rustle of leaves in the wind!

Xiong Fen was even more cautious. While spreading his divine sense, he secretly began to channel his Desolate Ancient Power, ready to awaken his divine abilities for battle at any moment!

Strangely enough.

After the brief darkness, no incoming enemies were seen.

There were only continuous anomalies in the sky. Rosy clouds filled the heavens, flying rainbows flowed across, and the sky acted like a screen, reflecting all sorts of bizarre celestial phenomena!

That strange anomaly certainly made everyone tense up.

They waited nervously for several breaths, but they did not see anything particularly special, nor did they see any dangerous enemies approaching.

The technicians all looked confused, exchanging quiet glances.

Only Xiong Fen did not relax the vigilance in his eyes in the slightest, giving earnest instructions in a deep voice!

"Everyone, keep your eyes peeled on the surroundings. Do not slack off in the slightest!"

At the same time, he did not forget to issue a decisive order to the assistant beside him!

"Record a video immediately and report the anomaly here to the city. Notify the seniors of all departments!"

After speaking these two sentences in a deep voice.

The employees of the labor protection company all stood their ground tensely, constantly paying attention to the anomaly in the sky. The assistant also immediately complied, transmitting the report of everything to the high-rise meeting building in the city!

Seeing the rosy clouds becoming increasingly dense, Xiong Fen and the crowd still could not see through the reason behind it. They could only dutifully guard this place, wearing tense expressions, unsure if this was a blessing or a curse.

However, their actions were seen with absolute clarity by several dark shadows deep within the rosy clouds!

Several obscure auras condensed into shadows. Their consciousness swept across the highway intersection, overlooking the entire dazzling city, and they successively spoke gloomy words.

"Hehe, deep within this unknown planet, there is actually an independent small world. What a great trick!"

"To think that the Heart of the World and the World Origin of this realm are about to take shape. They really hid it well. This move of doing things under the table is indeed brilliant."

"We cannot let them succeed. We absolutely cannot let the Heart of the World and the World Origin take shape here!"

"Hmph! To think they could deceive the heavens and cross the sea with just this is no different from an idiot's daydream!"

The hoarse voices echoed deep within the rosy clouds, as if they had traversed through the eons. The sheer might transmitted by the voices alone was unspeakably terrifying, causing even the anomalous rosy clouds to grow dim.

As the faint echoes finally faded.

Deep within the sky ablaze with radiant light, the silhouette of a colossal, ten-thousand-foot gate gradually emerged. The massive gate grew increasingly distinct, spanning the heavens above the Shadow Island like a celestial canopy!