Chapter 453 - 180: The Ancient Secret Collection Opens

He passed the assessment for the Second Heaven and was about to ascend to the Third Layer.

’Since he’s heading to the Third Heaven, I should also get ready to go,’ Xu Lei thought to himself.

After Jue Xuan ascended, the other Cultivators on the Second Heaven were abuzz with discussion, their words filled with envy and jealousy. After all, many wanted to ascend but were never able to.

After Jue Xuan ascended, Xu Lei immediately went to take the assessment as well.

He once again entered the Ice and Snow Secret Realm.

He spent another month there.

This time, however, there were no conflicts or personal grievances.

No one as obtuse as Jue Gen came looking for trouble.

Xu Lei quietly weathered the trial.

When the month was up, the Celestial Palace’s Artifact Spirit informed Xu Lei that he had passed. He was rewarded with an Elixir and a small vial of Jade Liquid before ascending to the Third Heaven.

To Xu Lei’s surprise, however, Jue Xuan happened to see him right as he ascended.

"Junior Brother Liao Qing, you’ve ascended as well?"

Jue Xuan was stunned. "And so quickly, too? You’ve already reached the Third Heaven?"

Then his gaze grew profound. "It seems you have your secrets."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Jue Xuan."

Hearing Jue Xuan’s words, Xu Lei replied, "And you, Senior Brother? Do you not have secrets of your own?"

Their eyes met, and by a tacit understanding, neither pried into the other’s secrets.

They then parted ways, each returning to their own residence to focus on their Cultivation.

Xu Lei didn’t attempt the assessment for the Third Heaven either.

Instead, he chose a residence, settled in, and immediately began cultivating to absorb the rewards he had just obtained.

In the blink of an eye, another twenty years went by.

On this day, twenty years later, Xu Lei had finally finished absorbing the Spiritual Liquid and Elixirs.

However, Xu Lei had not broken through to the next Realm.

’I can finally take the assessment to reach the Fourth Heaven!’

Xu Lei sighed and stepped outside. ’My talent for Cultivation really isn’t the best. After all, Jue Xuan left the Third Heaven six years ago.’

That’s right, Jue Xuan was far more of a Demon than Xu Lei.

Six years ago, he had already passed the assessment and ascended to the Fourth Heaven.

There was nothing Xu Lei could do; this was the extent of his abilities.

’Does Jue Xuan have some secret, or is he truly just that much of a genius?’ Xu Lei couldn’t figure it out. In any case, Jue Xuan had succeeded.

’However, if I go pass the assessment now and get more resources,’ Xu Lei thought, ’I should be able to break through to the next Realm in about ten years. I could reach the Third Tier of the Bodhisattva Realm.’

Yet, at that very moment, a bell suddenly tolled from high above the Celestial Palace.

The sound drew the attention of every Cultivator throughout the Nine Heavens.

Then, a figure Xu Lei found vaguely familiar flew out—it was the so-called Saint Master.

Moments later, the figure of Bodhisattva Guan Yun also flew up to stand beside the Saint Master.

Bodhisattva Guan Yun remained silent.

The Saint Master, however, announced that all assessments in the Celestial Palace were to be suspended.

In other words, Xu Lei could no longer take the assessment or receive its rewards.

The reason given was that a sufficient number of people had already passed the trials of the Nine Heavens!

"The quota has been met! The Celestial Palace’s Secret Collection can now be opened!"

The Saint Master’s voice then boomed, "To all Cultivators within the Celestial Palace, every one of you is entitled to a share! You may all proceed to the depths of the Celestial Palace. Together, we will witness the opening of the Secret Collection, obtain the legacy of the truly glorious Ancient Immortals and Buddhas of old, and set foot upon the great path to true immortality!"

"What?"

Hearing this, Xu Lei was stunned. ’The Celestial Palace Secret Collection... it’s opening now?’

’I thought it would be many years from now.’

’I thought I’d have to spend another lifetime or two passing all the assessments of the Nine Heavens before I could help the Saint Master open the Secret Collection.’

’But now, it seems none of that is necessary!’

’I haven’t even reached the Fourth Heaven, yet the Secret Collection can already be opened!’

The prospect of a true path to immortality set the hearts of all Cultivators in the Nine Heavens ablaze. At this moment, no one could remain calm.