354 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

**Chapter 354: Welcome to the Immortal Realm** "You old fossil, you're trying to keep me here, aren't you!" Ye Ling Long stood up, glaring fiercely at Shen Han Song who was wielding his fly-whisk. Feng Li and Chi Ling Teng stood protectively by her side. This old man truly was no good; he had just whipped her with that fly-whisk. Rubbing her still aching back, Ye Ling Long thought bitterly. Feng Mian's face was equally dark with frustration. "Shen Han Song, what is the meaning of this? You never mentioned this would happen." At this, Huang Tian Ya stepped forward, placing a palm on Feng Mian's shoulder. "Old Phoenix, I advise you to stay out of this. This is merely a secondary path since the road to the heavens is blocked." Shen Han Song sighed. "Blame your misfortune. Now, I have no choice." Just as he prepared to make his next move, a sudden fierce wind erupted, swirling fallen leaves into the air and clearing the stone platform of all debris. Then, the patterns on the platform lit up with a golden glow as if infused with life. Startled, Ye Ling Long looked at the glowing patterns beneath her feet, several moments passed before realization struck. "Is this... Could the array be activating?" Shen Han Song's eyes widened, filled with excitement. "The teleportation array is activated! It's activated!" His entire being surged forward, like a great Roc taking flight, aiming for the stone platform. Huang Tian Ya also darted towards it, his face alight with anticipation. With a resounding thud. As they neared the platform, it was as if they'd collided with an invisible barrier, bouncing back without making it onto the platform. Curiously, Ye Ling Long reached her hand out to touch the golden beam in front of her. It felt like a wall under her fingers—sturdy and unyielding. The platform and the outside world seemed completely separated, leaving Ye Ling Long trapped within while Shen Han Song and the others were barred from entry. "How can this be? How can this be?" Shen Han Song muttered in disbelief. The surroundings were in chaos, with two giant serpents holding off many, ready to claim any cultivator in their tribulation period. Yet Shen Han Song cared only for the now-activated teleportation array before him. Regret flooded his heart—why hadn't he remained on the platform just moments ago? Meanwhile, Qian Jun's voice rang in Ye Ling Long's mind, "Quick! Channel your true energy into the array to activate the teleportation!" Acting purely on instinct, Ye Ling Long did as Qian Jun instructed. Light surged around her, and the monumental force of spatial energy enveloped her. In seconds, the dazzling light filled everything, and when it subsided, the stone platform was empty, leaving the spectators confounded. All traces of Ye Ling Long, Feng Li, and the Chi Ling Teng vanished from the platform. Shen Han Song hurried onto the stage, frantically feeling the intricate patterns, attempting to inject his energy, but to no avail, there was no reaction. It was as if everything before was a mere illusion. Had Ye Ling Long not truly disappeared, Shen Han Song would have convinced himself it was a mirage. Yan Ke, observing the scene, pondered curiously: Could Ye Ling Long be a descendant of a higher realm faction? Otherwise, how could she activate the teleportation array? Yet though Ye Ling Long was gone, the serpents remained a menace. The two serpents, nearly transformed into dragons, possessed formidable defenses; ordinary weapons barely scratched them. If the battle persisted, everyone faced defeat. Shen Han Song, desiring further study, had no choice but to retreat. The group hastily withdrew through the forest along the path they had come. Once all had departed, the serpents pursued, leaving the once bustling platform silent once more. It was as though nothing had ever occurred... Meanwhile, for Ye Ling Long, the transition was disorienting, as if she were tossed in a washing tub. Just as nausea crested, light filled her vision, and she gratefully felt solid ground beneath her feet. Ye Ling Long swore there was nothing more she appreciated at that moment than the feel of firm earth underfoot. Surveying her surroundings, she found herself upon a stone platform remarkably similar to the one in the secret realm. Another teleportation array, she guessed, yet this one seemed long forgotten amidst ruins. However, surrounding this area, Ye Ling Long noticed the ambient energy was profoundly different—purer and denser than the spiritual energy she knew. Her meridians naturally began to cycle the energy, revitalizing her mind and body, filling dried pathways with invigorating energy. In her hand, Qian Jun glimmered briefly, and its presence materialized before her. Qian Jun raised its gaze, basking in the air filled with a long-missed essence, a nostalgic smile on its face. "After millennia, I'm finally back. Master, we shall surely avenge you!" Qian Jun's voice wavered with emotion, eyes reddened, though no tears fell—merely a sword spirit lacks such means. Ye Ling Long began to conjecture, "Could it be that we’re..." Before she could finish, Qian Jun interrupted her. "Indeed, we are no longer on the Tian Qian Continent. We've been fortunate. By traversing the teleportation array, we've arrived in the Higher Realm—the legendary Immortal Realm!!!" Ye Ling Long was left speechless. So this was her shortcut to ascendance?