Immortal Emperor Clan

CHAPTER 7 “The Gate of Conquest”

The black gate descended completely above Heaven Ascension Mountain, hanging between heaven and earth like an ancient wound carved into reality itself. Chaos lightning twisted around its colossal frame while endless black mist poured from countless cracks across its surface. The floating mountains trembled beneath its presence. Ancient spirit beasts hid inside their caves. Even the stars above seemed dimmer beneath the shadow of the forbidden gate.

Thousands of Gu Clan cultivators gathered across the mountain peak.

Fear lingered in many eyes.

Excitement burned in others.

No one remained indifferent.

Gu Tian stood at the edge of the sacred platform, his black robes fluttering beneath violent winds. His gaze remained fixed upon the gate. Deep within his consciousness, the Multiverse Conquest System remained active. Golden symbols drifted through his spiritual sea while warning messages continued appearing one after another.

> Hidden World Connection Stable.

> Taigu Mieshi Realm Confirmed.

> Conquest Authority Available.

> Awaiting Host Decision.

His heartbeat quickened slightly.

Not from fear.

From anticipation.

Far above him, Gu Shen floated beneath a storm of golden dragon flames. The Heaven Burning Spear remained in his hand, radiating terrifying Emperor Weapon pressure. Ancient runes glowed across the crimson-gold spear shaft while waves of heat distorted the surrounding space.

One strike from that weapon could reduce entire mountain ranges to eternal fire.

Yet even Gu Shen had not attacked again.

Because the situation had changed.

This was no longer simply a threat.

It was an opportunity.

And opportunities often carried greater danger than enemies.

An elder suddenly stepped forward from the crowd.

Elder Qin.

Leader of the Conservative Faction.

His white beard trembled slightly while concern filled his aged eyes.

"This gate carries chaos contamination."

His voice echoed across the mountain.

"We should seal it immediately."

Several elders nodded in agreement.

"The risk is too great."

"No one understands what exists beyond it."

"If corruption enters our realm, countless lives may be lost."

The atmosphere grew tense.

Then laughter exploded through the gathering.

"Hahaha!"

Gu Xu stepped forward while resting the Tyrant War Spear upon his shoulder.

His scarred face carried fierce excitement.

His battle aura surged like a raging sea.

"Seal it?"

His eyes swept across the gathered elders.

"Inside lies immortal opportunity."

The War Elder pointed toward the black gate.

"Our ancestors conquered heavens."

"They seized kingdoms."

"They fought dragons and immortals."

"And now all of you wish to hide behind defensive formations?"

Disdain appeared openly upon his face.

"Ridiculous."

Several members of the War Faction immediately voiced support.

"War Elder speaks truth."

"If another world exists, then resources exist."

"Ancient inheritances."

"Lost techniques."

"Divine treasures."

The mountain erupted into argument.

Voices rose from every direction.

Political divisions hidden beneath centuries of peace suddenly surfaced.

The Conservative Faction demanded caution.

The War Faction demanded invasion.

Meanwhile another group remained silent.

The Bloodline Faction.

Their eyes remained fixed upon Gu Tian.

Because they cared less about the gate itself.

And more about what the gate represented.

One elder from the Bloodline Faction slowly stood.

His gaze narrowed thoughtfully.

"This entire event began with Young Master Gu Tian."

Instant silence followed.

Many eyes turned toward Gu Tian.

The elder continued carefully.

"The awakening."

"The system."

"The hidden world."

"The ancient gate."

"Everything revolves around him."

No one denied it.

Because it was true.

Lady Yuexin frowned slightly.

Her elegant fingers tightened upon her sleeve.

She disliked where the discussion was heading.

The elder continued.

"If the hidden world truly recognizes him..."

His gaze sharpened.

"Then perhaps he is the key."

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Some nodded.

Others appeared uneasy.

Gu Tian remained silent.

Yet inwardly, old memories stirred once again.

The mocking voices from childhood.

The expectations.

The pressure.

The endless comparisons.

For years, he had lived beneath the weight of being Gu Shen's son.

Nothing he achieved ever felt enough.

Nothing ever truly belonged to him.

Now the entire clan stared at him once more.

Waiting.

Judging.

Calculating.

A cold wind passed through the mountain peak.

Gu Long finally stepped forward.

Commander of the Immortal Army.

Advanced Great Saint Realm.

Leader of three million elite Gu Clan soldiers.

His silver battle armor gleamed beneath flashes of lightning. Countless scars marked his hands. Unlike politicians and scholars, Gu Long carried himself like a man forged upon battlefields.

He knelt before Gu Shen.

Then rose.

"My Clan Leader."

His voice was calm.

Steady.

"If invasion becomes necessary..."

His gaze shifted toward the gate.

"The Immortal Army stands ready."

The declaration struck the crowd heavily.

Because Gu Long never spoke carelessly.

If the Immortal Army mobilized, entire realms could fall.

Gu Shen remained silent for several moments.

The storm intensified overhead.

Chaos lightning illuminated his face.

His expression revealed nothing.

Yet everyone understood.

The decision belonged to him.

Then unexpectedly—

Gu Tian stepped forward.

The arguing elders immediately fell silent.

The young heir lifted his gaze toward the colossal gate.

His dark eyes reflected endless black lightning.

For a brief moment, he appeared older than his years.

As though ancient memories rested behind those calm eyes.

"The gate should not be destroyed."

His words echoed clearly across the mountain.

Many elders frowned.

Others listened carefully.

Gu Tian continued.

"If the hidden world wished immediate war..."

His gaze remained fixed upon the darkness.

"It would have attacked already."

"The gate appeared."

"It observed."

"It waited."

Silence followed.

Even Gu Xu stopped smiling.

Because the reasoning made sense.

Gu Tian slowly clenched his fist.

The system interface flickered before him once more.

Beyond the gate waited danger.

Beyond the gate waited answers.

Beyond the gate waited the truth hidden inside his fragmented memories.

Most importantly—

Beyond the gate waited his destiny.

For the first time in years, certainty settled inside his heart.

He would not run from it.

Not anymore.

Far away, hidden among the crowd, Mo Xue watched him quietly.

A strange expression appeared within her cold eyes.

Not hatred.

Not fear.

Something far more complicated.

The black gate suddenly trembled.

A deep rumbling echoed through the heavens.

Everyone looked upward.

Chaos lightning exploded across the sky.

The gate's surface began glowing with ancient crimson symbols.

One symbol.

Then another.

Then thousands.

The atmosphere turned cold.

Unnaturally cold.

Even Gu Shen's expression darkened.

Because the symbols were activating by themselves.

Without anyone touching the gate.

Without any formation.

Without any ritual.

Slowly...

Very slowly...

The enormous gates began opening inward.

And from the darkness beyond—

A single armored figure stepped forward.

Its face remained hidden beneath a black helmet.

Its sword dripped with ancient crimson light.

And its eyes...

Were fixed directly upon Gu Tian.

To be continued...