Chen Tian's body lost control, his entire form constantly losing balance. The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's strength had increased terrifyingly; Chen Tian was no match for it, though he could resist for a while. Chen Tian could hold out for a period against the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper. His body's energy formed a protective shield, enveloping him. This shield was constructed from Chen Tian's energy control and all his inherent power. Facing the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's attacks, Chen Tian could definitely endure for some time. The moment the barrier activated, Chen Tian's body stabilized. He closed his eyes.
Chen Tian stood steady, his figure unmoving. This time, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's assault was ineffective against Chen Tian; it couldn't break through his defenses no matter what. Chen Tian waited patiently. According to the system, once the time was up, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper would enter a weakened state. In this state, Chen Tian would have a chance to enter the Heavenly Dao Ruins. Chen Tian would not miss this opportunity, provided he could hold out until the opponent's amplification ended. Chen Tian's figure remained still.
After a long period of waiting, sounds emanated from Chen Tian's barrier. Chen Tian's eyes subtly perceived a figure. It seemed time was nearing its end. Chen Tian could now see much of the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's speed. Chen Tian's eyes fixed on the vicinity of the barrier. The longer time passed, the weaker the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's amplification became, and the slower its movements, which Chen Tian could clearly observe. The opponent's figure was easy to defend against, as this was completely different from before. Chen Tian stood within the barrier. Cracks appeared on the barrier, and Chen Tian now considered whether the barrier's strength could hold out until then. This moment was summed up by one word: gamble!
He gambled that Chen Tian's barrier would shatter first, and he gambled that the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper would enter a weakened state first. Both sides were gambling, with each having a fifty-fifty chance. Who would win the gamble remained to be seen.
Under the impact, Chen Tian's barrier emitted a sound. Cracks spread little by little. When the entire barrier was covered in cracks, it did not shatter. Chen Tian forcefully maintained the barrier; it continued to defend with Chen Tian's support. The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper saw Chen Tian still holding on and thought, "One final blow." This was the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's intention. It had only one strike left. If it failed, Chen Tian would enter the Heavenly Dao Ruins. The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper flickered and appeared before Chen Tian's barrier, throwing a punch. The fist, carrying terrifying power, attacked the barrier. It struck the barrier, which instantly shattered. Chen Tian's figure was struck by the fist.
Chen Tian had used all his energy to create the protective shield. This punch dealt immense damage to Chen Tian. Chen Tian opened his mouth and coughed up a mouthful of golden blood. As this golden blood appeared, it landed on the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's fist. Upon seeing the golden blood, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's expression changed drastically. Then, the power of the fist retracted, and it was eroded by backlash. Chen Tian had initially thought he would need to use the World Tree Sapling's resurrection ability.
The sudden retraction of the attack made Chen Tian feel strange. After all, Chen Tian could tell that with that punch, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper could have killed him. Yet, at the last moment, it reversed the power, suffering backlash itself. The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper stumbled back several steps, the effects of the backlash significant. The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper looked at Chen Tian with determined eyes and said, "So that's how it is. You are he. No wonder, no wonder you are a forbidden person."
"Kid, I allow you to enter the Heavenly Dao Ruins, but you must help me with one thing."
The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper, pale-faced, spoke. Chen Tian asked, "What is it?"
"Go... help... save..."
The voice faded at a crucial moment, leaving Chen Tian completely unable to understand. "Go, help, save"—what did it mean? The system suddenly chimed in: "Ding, congratulations to the host for triggering the final mission. As long as the host completes this mission, all your journeys will end."
"Warning, warning, the requirements for this mission are too high. This system is now sealed and cannot accept the mission at present."
"Please host, become stronger. This mission concerns not only this system but also your own survival."
The system's successive alerts greatly shocked Chen Tian. Was this mission truly that difficult? It even concerned Chen Tian's life and death.
Seeing Chen Tian's hesitant expression, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper spoke again, "What do you say? With your strength, completing this mission would be simple, but not for the current you. The current you is too weak, weak as an ant."
Chen Tian bristled at this. Weak? One day, he, Chen Tian, would stand at the pinnacle of the world and the universe, becoming an existence beyond the cosmos. He would become even stronger.
"Alright, I agree."
At this point, there was no other option. It was a system mission anyway; refusing would not be good. It was all for one goal. Seeing Chen Tian agree, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper said generously, "Then I look forward to your tenth reincarnation. As for the keywords, when you enter your tenth life, the memories from the other nine lives will automatically appear in your mind. The weak do not need to know the details."
"You know about my reincarnation body!"
The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper directly stated Chen Tian's identity as a reincarnated individual. It seemed his reincarnation had been guessed by the other party.
"Of course. After all, you are that one's..."
Before he could finish, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's voice was muted. Chen Tian felt the world spin, and when he reappeared, a ball of light spoke to him, "Chen Tian, you have overstepped. Those things are not for you to know. I hope you will be careful next time, otherwise, I will not assist you in completing the ten reincarnations."
"I understand, Cosmic Consciousness. I will be careful next time. However, I also hope you will not hide anything from me."
A smile played on Chen Tian's lips, a smile that made the Cosmic Consciousness tremble slightly. Chen Tian seemed to know something, but the Cosmic Consciousness dared not act rashly.
When Chen Tian's figure returned to his senses, the Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper's body was transforming into the shape of a gate. Soon, the long sword before the gate automatically drew itself out, and the gate opened. The Heavenly Dao Gatekeeper said, "Go in. This battle has consumed a lot of my origin, and I need to slumber for a while."
"Alright, thank you."
This was for the best. Chen Tian could leave behind a means of survival. The World Tree Sapling was Chen Tian's most powerful trump card, and he would keep it as much as possible.
Chen Tian entered the Heavenly Dao Gate and proceeded to the Heavenly Dao Ruins. Chen Tian still did not know how astonishing the matter he had agreed to was—it would shock not just this universe, but all universes.
Of course, that was something for Chen Tian to deal with after his reincarnation.
Heavenly Dao Ruins. Chen Tian walked through the gate and arrived here. This was a vast space, filled with Heavenly Dao power in the sky. The Heavenly Dao power formed clouds, sun, moon, and an environment. Here, every trace of energy was Heavenly Dao power.
Chen Tian was not a Heavenly Dao spokesperson, so he would not be able to withstand this Heavenly Dao power. His body would swell and explode. This was also why only Heavenly Dao spokespersons could enter the Heavenly Dao Ruins; the Heavenly Dao would counter the Heavenly Dao.
Chen Tian looked at the drifting Heavenly Dao power in the sky. With such an immense quantity, like clouds, it would be incredibly difficult for him to find one specific Heavenly Dao among them!