Duan Zhengchun transmigrates to Yin Zhiping

Chapter 256 Heavenly Domain Pass

The westward-bound party traversed the heart of the Western Regions, heading westward and crossing boundless deserts and Gobi, but they could not find the towering pass that the Fire Attack Monk had described.

For dozens of days in a row, they found nothing, yet the road westward seemed endless, as if it had no end.

That night, the westward-bound team arrived deep in the Gobi Desert and found a sheltered place to rest temporarily, lest they lose their way in the boundless darkness.

Soon, tents were set up, and the Qingyi Guards in charge of food lit campfires and began preparing dinner.

After traveling for dozens of days, they had almost exhausted all the food they carried, leaving only wild vegetables and even wild grasses they had found along the way, as well as some wild game.

If they can't find the Heavenly Realm, they'll have no choice but to return the way they came; otherwise, they'll be dragged to their deaths in this boundless desert sooner or later.

Duan Zhengchun sat behind a huge rock, holding a wine gourd in his hand. He used the wine to warm himself while gazing at the starry yet still pitch-black night sky above him, frowning in deep thought.

The nights in the Gobi Desert are so cold that your teeth chatter uncontrollably, and you can't help but feel cold.

Apart from the Qingyi Guards who were preparing dinner and standing guard nearby, almost everyone else was hiding in the carriage. Even those with considerable skill, like Lu Wushuang and her companions, found it difficult to overcome the harsh weather.

Qin Mohan had disappeared again, probably out alone to scout the area to avoid any unnecessary danger at night.

During the days that Qin Mohan followed the team westward, he spoke very little, but he always kept his promise and wholeheartedly ensured the safety of the westward-bound team.

Duan Zhengchun had always noticed this and greatly admired it.

After a long while, dinner was finally prepared and served to each of the carriages.

Xiaolongnu carried a bowl of food and slowly approached Duan Zhengchun, sitting down next to him.

"Are you hungry? Go and eat something."

As Xiaolongnu spoke, she handed the bowl and chopsticks to Duan Zhengchun.

"I'm not hungry, you eat first."

Duan Zhengchun smiled, turned his head to look, and slowly said.

With his skill level, he could easily go ten days without food or water, and given the current shortage of supplies, missing a meal wouldn't be a big deal.

"I've already eaten, this is your portion."

Little Dragon Girl smiled and still insisted on pushing the bowl and chopsticks forward.

Do you think I don't know whether you've eaten or not?

"Don't worry about saving money for me, eat quickly. What will happen to Ying'er if you collapse from exhaustion?"

Duan Zhengchun pushed the bowl and chopsticks towards Xiaolongnu and said seriously.

Little Dragon Girl was speechless for a moment, so she could only nod silently and pick up her chopsticks to eat.

Duan Zhengchun tilted his head back, took a sip of wine, and slowly leaned against the boulder, lost in thought.

He didn't want everyone to take the risk with him, even though he was eager to see what this so-called Heavenly Realm was like. But if there was no further progress, he would have no choice but to order a return trip.

At worst, I can do it again by myself someday.

Does the Celestial Realm truly exist?

At this moment, Little Dragon Girl, who was eating, suddenly couldn't help but ask a question.

Duan Zhengchun frowned, instantly pulling himself out of his thoughts, and calmly said, "I don't know..."

He was truly uncertain now, and his confidence dwindled as the group headed further west.

Although Xiaolongnu didn't say anything more, he understood what she meant. After all, many people were following them on this journey to the west, and everyone's lives were in his hands.

At this moment, Qin Mohan, who had gone to investigate the area, slowly appeared. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Duan Zhengchun and bowed, saying, "Young Master Duan, I have already investigated and there is no danger nearby."

Duan Zhengchun nodded, pointed to the campfire not far away, and said slowly, "I understand. Go get something to eat."

Qin Mohan agreed and silently turned to walk towards the campfire.

After dinner, everyone returned to their carriages to rest, but Duan Zhengchun, unable to sleep, remained outside, sitting by the campfire pondering his next move.

Although his longing for the heavens made it hard for him to give up this journey to the west, he decided to return home after considering the lives of others.

Qin Mohan did not rest either, but stood silently not far away, deliberately maintaining a protective distance from Duan Zhengchun so that she could rush to his side at any time.

He did this all the way, which is why Duan Zhengchun trusted him more and more.

...

"Look! What is that?!"

The next morning, while Duan Zhengchun was still asleep, he suddenly heard a shout, followed by a cacophony of voices.

When she suddenly opened her eyes, she found that Xiaolongnu was holding the baby in her arms, worried that the baby would be frightened by the noise outside.

After giving Xiaolongnu a comforting look, Duan Zhengchun immediately got up and rushed out of the carriage. However, when he arrived outside the carriage, he froze on the carriage shaft for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise, and dozens of expressions flashed across his face in an instant.

"Duan Lang, look over there!"

"Young Master Duan, it seems we've finally found him!"

Lu Wushuang and Qin Mohan, who were gazing into the distance, turned to look at Duan Zhengchun almost simultaneously and shouted loudly in the direction of the west.

Duan Zhengchun looked around and saw a towering pass stretching from north to south, reaching into the clouds, in the far west!

At that moment, an uncontrollable excitement welled up in his heart!

He had originally planned to return today, but unexpectedly, the pass he had been searching for appeared before his eyes without any warning.

At this moment, Xiaolongnu seemed to understand something and immediately followed. When she saw the pass that was far away yet so close, she was so excited that she couldn't speak.

The Celestial Realm seems to truly exist, for the sheer height of the pass, reaching into the clouds and stretching to the horizon, is already an incredible spectacle!

"Prepare breakfast immediately, we'll depart in half an hour!"

Duan Zhengchun waved his hand and immediately gave the order, and everyone immediately got to work.

Unlike in the past, everyone became unusually positive because they finally saw hope.

Half an hour later, the westward-bound team was assembled and set off again, heading towards the distant pass on the horizon.

Although everyone in the encampment could see the pass, they had walked for three hours without reaching it, which shows how enormous the pass was.

Duan Zhengchun stood with his hands behind his back on the carriage shaft, looking at the pass that was about to be reached, his brows slightly furrowed, trying his best to hide the excitement in his heart.

Above the pass, three huge and imposing characters gradually appeared.

Tianyu Pass!

This is the name of this pass!

This shows that the Celestial Realm truly exists!

Moreover, the closer Duan Zhengchun got to Tianyu Pass, the more clearly he could sense that behind that pass, there seemed to be an incomparably powerful and sacred aura.

With Tianyu Pass in sight, Duan Zhengchun ordered them to speed up and quickly arrived at the foot of the pass.

Two enormous stone gates stood atop the pass, as majestic as two mountains!

"Who dares to invade?! Retreat at once!"

Just then, a loud voice suddenly rang in everyone's ears, startling even the galloping horses, which suddenly began to stumble.

Duan Zhengchun immediately ordered all the carriages to stop, glanced around, and then looked up at the towering pass.

That loud and authoritative voice seemed to come from up there!

"I come from the Central Plains martial arts world, known as the Sword Demon of Lingxiao. I have traveled thousands of miles to this place because of my reputation, hoping to enter the Heavenly Realm. I hope that Your Excellency will open the stone gate and let me pass."

Duan Zhengchun raised his hands and bowed respectfully towards the top of the pass, then spoke loudly.

"No matter where you're from, turn back immediately, or you'll face the consequences!"

The voice rang out again, showing no regard for Duan Zhengchun, its tone filled with authority and disdain.

This condescending contempt made Duan Zhengchun very unhappy, but since he wanted to use this stone gate to enter the Heavenly Realm, he couldn't afford to turn against the other party. He could only suppress his dissatisfaction and clasp his hands in greeting again.

"I am determined to enter the Heavenly Realm today, no matter what. I hope Your Excellency will be accommodating. Moreover, I have no ill intentions."

As the words fell, Duan Zhengchun stared intently upwards at the pass, trying to pinpoint the exact location from which the sound had come...