Taichu Sea, Moon Island.
Ye Yun and the other two arrived outside the island, and the scene was no different from when they left, except that there were visibly few people on the island.
It seemed that after they came into contact with the seal, the people on the island had left one after another to explore the celestial realm.
However, many people, having grown accustomed to living there, still held their ground.
"Ye Yun, is that the Gate of the Divine City you mentioned?"
As they approached Moon Island, Xing Wu noticed the grand gate standing on the island.
Ye Yun nodded, "Yes, that's it."
Looking up, the colossal celestial gate was slightly different from when he had left.
There were clearly more golden patterns on it, and the surface, which had been weathered by the wind, was gradually regaining its pristine appearance...
Even from a distance, it exuded a greater sense of divinity!
Just as he had anticipated, with the appearance of the Divine City, the entrance to it here had undergone subtle changes.
Just then, a familiar female voice rang out from not too far away.
"Young Master Ye Yun, you've arrived quite quickly."
"Miss Ning?"
Ye Yun followed the sound and indeed saw Ning Qianqin from before, smiling at them from a short distance.
She had actually come out to greet them. Had she spotted them, or had she anticipated their return?
"It's been a while, how have you been?"
Ning Qianqin stepped forward, scrutinizing Ye Yun.
Ye Yun nodded and smiled, "Not bad, everything has been going smoothly."
"It's good that it's going smoothly..."
Ning Qianqin smiled in satisfaction.
After speaking, she seemed to notice something and her gaze lingered on Xing Wu.
"This lady, is she the immortal companion Ye Yun mentioned before?"
Upon hearing this, Xing Wu glanced at her. Although she was surprised by the other woman's demeanor, she still nodded slightly.
"That's right, I am his current immortal companion. And you? Who are you?"
"As for me..."
Ning Qianqin paused, then finally said with a gentle smile.
"I suppose I'm an old acquaintance of his."
Despite her words, Xing Wu, being a woman herself, clearly sensed a hint of sadness in her demeanor and speech.
Judging by her intuition, there must be some unresolved connection between Ning Qianqin and Ye Yun...
However, Ye Yun, oblivious to these unspoken sentiments, chuckled softly.
"Let's skip the pleasantries for now. The reason I came this time..."
"Is for that gate, isn't it?"
Before Ye Yun could finish speaking, Ning Qianqin interrupted with a smile, having guessed his intentions.
Ye Yun was slightly taken aback, then nodded gently.
"That's right. There are many things I wish to explore within."
"It seems you've learned quite a bit during this time, haven't you?"
Ning Qianqin looked at him, as if able to see through his soul.
Ye Yun didn't hide anything and sighed, "Yes, I met the Goddess of Xuan Hai and received some information from her..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Xiao Meng beside him, his expression complex.
In fact, he still hadn't mentioned any of this to Xiao Meng.
The truth was, he had too little information and didn't know how to explain it to her.
Upon hearing the name Goddess of Xuan Hai, Ning Qianqin finally seemed to understand and nodded.
"So it was her. That explains it..."
She was silent for a moment, then looked up at the Divine City Gate in the distance.
"In that case, I won't say much more. You should go in and take a look."
Ye Yun nodded, but then remembered something.
"Oh, right, do you know how I'm supposed to get in?"
Although he knew he had to enter through the Gate of the Divine City, he saw no teleportation array or spatial rift.
It was just a seemingly decorative, empty celestial gate, and he had no idea how to enter.
Ning Qianqin smiled, "From the moment the Divine City appeared, you could enter at any time."
"Uh, what do you mean?"
Ye Yun was stunned by her words.
Then, Ning Qianqin pointed to his chest.
"Don't you already have the key?"
"Ah?"
Ye Yun was about to ask what key.
But in the next moment, he felt a mystical power surge from within him.
A dark golden key slowly floated out of his body. It was the strange key that the mysterious woman had placed within him when they first met.
All this time, Ye Yun had been unable to move the key no matter how he tried, as if it were sealed within him.
Only when he was suppressed by Feng Chi in the Void Abyss did this key erupt with power and save his life.
So this thing was actually the key to opening the Gate of the Divine City?
Ning Qianqin smiled and extended her hand, pushing the key towards him.
"Take this key and open that gate. Within, you will find everything you seek, and the destiny you are fated to face."
Ye Yun looked at the key, took it, and clenched it in his hand, responding.
"Thank you, I understand."
With that, he was about to fly towards the Gate of the Divine City, and Xing Wu and Xiao Meng intended to follow.
But then Ning Qianqin spoke, "The two of you, please stay behind. Only he can enter that place now."
"There are rules too?"
Xing Wu frowned, worried about Ye Yun going to the gathering place of gods alone.
Hearing this, Ye Yun said nothing and smiled reassuringly at her.
"Then please wait here with peace of mind. I'll be back soon, and nothing will happen!"
"This..."
"Have you forgotten? I seemed to have held a high position in the Divine City."
"Alright, be careful on your own."
"En!"
Ye Yun nodded with a smile, then instructed Xiao Meng.
"You too, be good and listen to your Shiniang."
"I understand."
Xiao Meng nodded obediently.
Ye Yun smiled and gently ruffled her head, then took a deep breath, grabbed the key, and headed towards the Gate of the Divine City.
Xing Wu, standing in her spot, quietly watched his retreating figure.
Before Ye Yun reached the Gate of the Divine City, the key in his hand flew out uncontrollably and landed directly into a slot above the gate.
Suddenly, the entire Gate of the Divine City lit up with dazzling golden light, the intense golden rays shooting up into the sky, as if piercing the very heavens.
A sacred and majestic aura emanated from the Gate of the Divine City, inspiring an urge to worship.
The previously empty space within the gate transformed into a colossal screen of light, standing between heaven and earth.
Ye Yun stood before it, his figure as tiny as an ant.
Gazing at the opened golden gate before him, he took another deep breath.
"What is all of this..."
Finally, he cast aside the myriad of doubts in his mind and rushed in with an unburdened heart.
The three of them, standing far away, silently watched the scene unfold.
The surging anomalies subsided as he completely disappeared into the gate.
Xing Wu turned to Ning Qianqin and asked with narrowed eyes.
"What exactly is your relationship with him? In what was known as your 'previous life,' your connection with him couldn't have been this simple, right?"
Perhaps Ning Qianqin had come to terms with things, or perhaps it was because Ye Yun was no longer present, or perhaps the time for secrecy had passed.
She smiled and replied to Xing Wu's question.
"Now that it's come to this, there's no harm in telling you some things."
"Oh?"
"The story is a bit long. Let's go sit down below and talk."
Ning Qianqin gestured for them to follow and said with a light laugh.
"I will tell you everything that happened between him and the ancient gods..."