Meanwhile, Mu Chen's consciousness was still stuck in some unknown space. He had basically seen every major event that had happened in the course of his life, up till his death at the Nine Dragon Mountain Range.

Friendships, betrayals, deaths and sacrifices, he was forced to watch it all over again. To relive those moments of his life once again from a spectator’s perspective, was a truly unique experience.

After that, the black robed Mu Chen had transported both of them to a white space. The entirety of the place was the purest white in color, without any visible borders. The white area stretched as far as the eye could see. Even with his vast experience, Mu Chen still had no clue where they were.

There was only one single thing standing in this space. A massive, ancient looking pitch black gate that was engraved with mysterious symbols, same as the ones of the stone tablet. As expected, Mu Chen was unable to read them. At the very center of this gate, the giant image of an eclipsed sun was carved. The gate was currently shut tight. The two Mu Chens stood right in front of this giant gate.

“Why did you bring me here? This isn’t part of my memories.” Mu Chen glanced at his black robed doppelganger.

“There is no more need for that. Your answers have already satisfied me. Even being reborn into a new body has not changed you. You are strong in will. Even at the end of your first life, you never gave up and refused to accept death. You are merciless, cold blooded and intelligent. You are the most suitable candidate thus far!” The black robed Mu Chen praised.

“I appreciate the compliments. What am I a candidate for?” Mu Chen asked.

“To inherit my master’s will.”

“Your master? Who is your master?” Mu Chen asked with a curious expression. He was trying to figure out what this massive gate was, but there were too many possibilities. The world was vast and endless, even in his thousands of years of life, he had not fully explored every inch of this world. There were still many mysterious things out there, such as the stone tablet.

“It is still too early for you to know. When you get stronger, I will tell you everything.”

“Fine.” Mu Chen nodded. Since this doppelganger told him he would find out when he got stronger, then so be it. He would reach the peak of this world sooner or later, and by then, he would know about everything he wanted to.

“So where does this gate lead to?” Mu Chen asked as he glanced up at the humongous gate.

“The Eclipse Palace.” The black robed Mu Chen replied.

“Eclipse Palace?”

“The inheritance and the home of my master.” Doppelganger Mu Chen replied with a trace of pride in his eyes.

“I assume I can’t go into the Eclipse Palace until I become stronger?”

“Correct.”

“Since I’ve nothing to do here, and have already gotten your approval, then kindly send me back to the real world.” Mu Chen cupped his hands toward his doppelganger.

“Before I send you back, I have one final question. Why do you wish to become strong?” Doppelganger Mu Chen asked.

“Because he who is the strongest is the ruler of all.” Mu Chen replied simply.

The black robed Mu Chen nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. He flicked his sleeve, and Mu Chen’s vision turned black.

......

Zhao Feng flew through the air and crashed heavily onto the ground, spitting out another mouthful of blood. Using his spear to support him, he struggled to his feet with his entire body trembling in pain, but he remained standing.

“Give up yet?” Feng Yinhai asked mockingly.

“I propose a bet.” Zhao Feng said with a light smile on his face.

“Oh? Do tell.” Feng Yinhai seemed interested in what Zhao Feng had to say. Everything was in the palm of his hands, so he did not feel the need to rush. In fact, he was enjoying himself fighting against Zhao Feng.

“Strike me with your full power! If I survive, you let me live. If I die, then I die!” Zhao Feng proposed.

“Interesting…” Feng Yinhai rubbed his chin. “Fine, I accept!” He grinned.

“Alright, come on!” Zhao Feng beckoned.

“Heheheh. Brat, this is where you die.” Feng Yinhai no longer held back and fully released his power. The dense spiritual qi of a Sea Forming realm cultivator flooded out from his body, causing the air to vibrate and small cracks to appear on the ground.

Whoosh! All the spiritual qi he released suddenly condensed into his right hand, which emitted an overwhelming demonic aura. A dreadful pressure descended onto Zhao Feng, causing goosebumps to appear all over his skin.

“You can die now!” Feng Yinhai’s figure suddenly vanished and reappeared above Zhao Feng.

”This is my most powerful technique, the Heavenly Demonic Palm! Die!” Feng Yinhai laughed maniacally.

A massive dark red demonic hand formed from dense spiritual qi appeared. From Zhao Feng’s perspective, it was like this hand covered the sky. The giant hand then descended downward, straight toward Zhao Feng. At this moment, Zhao Feng’s entire body seemed to be frozen as an overwhelming pressure landed on him to the point where could not even move a single muscle.

Just as it seemed like Zhao Feng was about to be overwhelmed and crushed to paste, he remembered the day where Mu Chen had shown him his spear intent using a branch. That oppressive and dreadful feeling of facing death, it was nothing compared to this! Overcoming the pressure, he could move once again!

Zhao Feng’s eyes burned with determination as a golden talisman suddenly appeared in his hand.

“Golden Palace Talisman!” Zhao Feng shouted as he inserted his spiritual qi into the talisman and threw it out. A golden barrier that was shaped like an imperial palace instantly sprang up around him. This was a lifesaving talisman his grandfather had given him. It was extremely valuable and could block a single full power attack from a Sea Forming realm cultivator. Zhao Feng had waited until now, when Feng Yinhai had lowered his guard, to use it.

Boom! The Heavenly Demonic Palm crashed directly onto the golden imperial palace, causing it to vibrate intensely as small cracks appeared on the surface of the barrier. A wave of remnant energy flooded over the surrounding area, turning most of the terrain, even the blades of grass, to fine dust.

“What?!” Feng Yinhai’s eyes widened in shock. His attack had actually been blocked?

“This is it!” Zhao Feng roared as he mustered up every remaining shred of his qi and his strength as he raised his spear and pointed it toward Feng Yinhai, who was defenseless as he was still suspended in midair while falling to the ground.

“Overlord Spear Art: Piercing Heaven!” He roared and thrust his spear forward with all of his might. Gritting his teeth, Zhao Feng squeezed out every drop of qi and strength he had until his muscles and meridians were screaming in pain and had started to crack and tear from stress. He sent all of it into the weapon, causing it to let out an ear piercing screeching sound. A thick crimson energy coursed through the spear shaft into the spearhead, which began to tremble violently. Channeling his spear intent, a formless aura also appeared around the spearhead and its speed increased significantly.

The air around the spear parted like soldiers making way for their king. Feng Yinhai was defenseless as he watched the spear tip coming straight toward him. His most powerful attack had been blocked, and his position was disadvantageous. He now realized that he had been tricked by this brat!

Zhao Feng’s spear hit him with great force in the center of his chest and sent him flying up through the air like a meteor. He made an arc in the air and then crashed heavily onto the ground, forming a crater below him. Feng Yinhai spat out two mouthfuls of blood from the two consecutive impacts and lay motionless in the middle of the crater.

A series of crackling sounds rang out as cracks started to appear on the spear, and it promptly shattered into many pieces. The metal it was crafted from was unable to handle the stress from the Overlord Spear Art and had been destroyed. Zhao Feng's heart hurt at the sight but he was happy. The sacrifice was worth it!

After using up all his strength, Zhao Feng was truly exhausted to the point where he could not even move his body. He promptly collapsed on the ground and lay there with a smile on his face.

“I-I did it. I managed to stop him…” Zhao Feng whispered.

Suddenly, a rustling sound could be heard coming from where Feng Yinhai had landed. Zhao Feng raised his head a little to see what it was. To his horror, Feng Yinhai was slowly rising to his feet. He actually wasn’t dead! Using the back of his sleeve, Feng Yinhai wiped off the trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.

“Brat…you’re not bad. If you grew up, you would definitely become someone who could command the wind and rain. It's truly a pity that I have to end you here.” Feng Yinhai shook his head in mock pity as he slowly walked over to where Zhao Feng was lying.

“H-how is this possible?” Zhao Feng’s face was full of disbelief. Without a qi barrier, that attack of his should definitely have killed Feng Yinhai!

Feng Yinhai grinned and pulled off his robe, showing that he was wearing a set of intricate bronze inner armor on his body. The armor had a large crack in the middle from where Zhao Feng’s attack had struck it.

“Earth grade armor…” Zhao Feng’s eyes were filled with despair when he saw the armor. All of his efforts had been futile. He never had a chance in the first place.

Armaments were also divided into several ranks. Mortal, Earth, Heaven, Saint and Divine. Each rank was divided into low, middle and high.

An Earth grade armor, even a low quality one, would increase the wearer’s defense significantly. Even if Zhao Feng landed a direct hit, most of the damage would be blocked by the armor. Such an armor was extremely valuable as it could save one’s life, as demonstrated firsthand by Feng Yinhai.

“I was lucky to have found this armor during my explorations outside. It has truly saved my life this time.” Feng Yinhai smiled as he caressed the surface of the armor.

“Alright, it’s time for you to die.” He grinned viciously.

“Wait, what about the bet? I survived your attack, so you have to let me live!” Zhao Feng shouted.

“Hahahahahahah!” Feng Yinhai laughed until his tears came out. “Kid, you are still too naive. Let me tell you, promises are worthless in this world! Now die!”

Feng Yinhai raised his palm and slammed it down toward Zhao Feng’s head. He was going to end him in one hit! Zhao Feng could do nothing except watch as his impending death approached him. However there was not a trace of fear in his eyes, just sadness and regret.