Eternal Life Starts from Tai Chi

Chapter 380: Taiyin Heaven Closes, a Strange Phenomenon

The major Holy Lands had extensive knowledge of Taiyin Heaven, as they had entered it numerous times and acquired many treasures from within.

The last time Taiyin Heaven manifested, it had even allowed someone from the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty to break through to the National Guardian Martial Saint Realm. An expert of this caliber was considered a foundational figure, even among the major Holy Lands. Breaking through to this realm was exceedingly difficult, even for them.

The Saint Sons and Saintesses of the major Holy Lands possessed the most superior talent, opportunities, and fortune, yet even for them, it was merely a possibility. Not every generation’s Saint Son or Saintess could break through to this realm.

The Saint Son and Saintess of the Taiyin Demon Sect had entered Taiyin Heaven with the goal of finding opportunities within the tower.

"The aura in this tower feels somewhat familiar. There must be an inheritance left behind by our sect."

The Taiyin Saintess gazed at the tower, now close at hand. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, but her vigilance also heightened considerably.

She wasn’t just wary of the dangers along the path, but also of the Taiyin Saint Son at her side.

Though they were both from the Taiyin Demon Sect, their relationship was nowhere near as harmonious as it appeared. A fierce competition existed between them. If their interests clashed, neither would hesitate to kill the other to claim the opportunities within the Taiyin Celestial Tower for themselves.

Though they called themselves a Holy Sect, their actions were anything but holy. When it came to a fight, each was more ruthless than the other, leaving no chance for their opponent to turn the tables.

"While there is Taiyin Qi in the tower, it doesn’t necessarily belong to our sect. It’s more likely an aura that has been nurtured within the tower itself."

"A predecessor once entered one of the towers in Taiyin Heaven and encountered this very situation."

The Taiyin Saint Son’s sinister voice echoed once more.

"We’ll find out once we’re inside."

The Taiyin Saintess shattered an approaching Mechanical Puppet with a single palm strike. This was one of the trials to enter the tower, and its combat power was at the Inner Refining Five Viscera Level.

The puppets had been difficult to handle at first. But after discovering their power cores, they finally overcame the trial. Now, the tower was right before their eyes.

Only by entering the tower could they hope to seize the true opportunities, which was precisely why all the major powers were so desperate to get inside.

"Shatter!"

A bizarre weapon materialized in the Taiyin Saint Son’s hand, and he used it to directly destroy the core of an approaching Mechanical Puppet.

"So this is the tower. It’s exactly as the records described. Finally..."

Gazing at the tower gates right before him, the Taiyin Saint Son couldn’t suppress the look of excitement on his face.

But his joy was short-lived; his expression changed drastically.

"Why now...?"

Nearby, the Taiyin Saintess frowned as she watched the changes unfolding in Taiyin Heaven.

Her expression had also turned exceptionally grim.

’To have struggled so hard to get here, only to face such a drastic turn of events.’

"Strange. Under normal circumstances, Taiyin Heaven should remain open for a full month. It’s only been a little over half a month, so why is it closing already!"

"Don’t tell me it’s related to that tower that disappeared!"

Inside one of the towers, the Supreme Sect Saintess wore a puzzled expression.

The closing of Taiyin Heaven was somewhat similar to its opening. But where its opening released a concentration of Spiritual Qi, its closing drew it back in from the void. From within Taiyin Heaven, one could witness the scene of Spiritual Qi pouring back.

The Supreme Sect Saintess was looking toward the place where the Spiritual Qi was converging. The commotion was too great to ignore, and it was also the very spot where a once-unapproachable tower had vanished.

This convergence of Spiritual Qi could be felt clearly throughout Taiyin Heaven, and it signaled that the Secret Realm was about to close. Anyone who failed to leave would be trapped inside.

Predecessors had been trapped in Taiyin Heaven before. By the time it opened again, all traces of them had vanished, with barely a mark left behind.

Therefore, even though the Supreme Sect Saintess was reluctant to leave—the tower’s inheritance was right before her eyes, and passing its trials would likely grant her an immense opportunity—her steps were resolute as she ran directly for the exit. Even without the inheritance from Taiyin Heaven, she had a bright future ahead of her; she certainly wasn’t going to risk it all by remaining behind.

"Damn it! That Secret Realm node that appeared in Silver State really did affect how long Taiyin Heaven was open this time. What rotten luck!"

The Celestial Fragrance Sect Saintess was already in a rapid retreat. She had abandoned any thought of whatever other opportunities might still lie within Taiyin Heaven.

Their group had been among the first to enter, so they had naturally ventured deeper, passed more trials, and received a fair number of rewards. But compared to the inheritance within the tower, it was all a pittance.

The inheritance within the tower was the prize they truly coveted.

As the phenomenon of Spiritual Qi pouring back into the tower began, everyone inside Taiyin Heaven started to evacuate. Even those who had been fighting over a treasure just a moment before had abandoned their struggles. All were now fleeing for their lives, terrified of being too slow and getting left behind.

Most of the people still inside Taiyin Heaven were from the major Holy Lands, and they were well-aware of what was happening.

In that moment, a flood of people poured out of Taiyin Heaven, each one running faster than the person before them.

As the spectacle of Spiritual Qi pouring back into Taiyin Heaven faded, the vortex above the Qingyuan River vanished along with it.

The massive phenomenon disappeared in an instant, and the Qingyuan River began to return to its normal state.

It was as if the entire spectacle had been an illusion.

"Taiyin Heaven was open for far too short a time on this occasion."

Divine Constable Jin Feihua of the Six Gates watched the vortex in the middle of the Qingyuan River disappear, her face so calm that her expression was unreadable.

Many from the Six Gates had entered Taiyin Heaven, and even more had died during the trials. She had managed to last until the very end. When she saw the Supreme Sect Saintess charge toward the tower, she had followed, though at a slightly slower pace.

She had just been about to enter the tower when she saw the Supreme Sect Saintess fleeing from inside. Although she didn’t understand the specifics of the situation, she had followed on instinct.

Now, seeing Taiyin Heaven close, she finally understood what had happened.

Members of the Six Gates had died in the various trials within Taiyin Heaven, and some had certainly failed to escape in time.

Her knowledge of Taiyin Heaven was limited, not nearly as extensive as that of the Holy Lands. This was a result of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty having gathered very little intelligence on the matter.

The information on Taiyin Heaven inherited from the previous dynasty was scarce, leading to this disadvantage.

Now that Taiyin Heaven was closed, those people were trapped inside forever. To survive until it opened again would take at least a thousand years; it was essentially impossible.

Not even a National Guardian Martial Saint could live that long.

"My Lady, are we heading straight back?"

A member of the Six Gates asked the question. His cultivation was at the Inner Master realm, but he hadn’t passed many trials and had exited Taiyin Heaven earlier than Jin Feihua, leaving with the crowd when he sensed something was amiss.