Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

"Nine Aspects—you should call me Lord Nine Phases."

The strange man lifted his hand and pointed towards the sky.

A human head suddenly fell down, caught in his grip.

"When I saw clearly it was you, I only dispatched some weaklings to chase after you. Otherwise, take a look at this fellow in my hand."

That head suddenly emitted a strong surge of power, turning into a violent wind that almost blew Shen Ye away.

"Strength of the fourth layer of the Law Realm, Shen Ye, that head in his hand has the strength of the Law Realm's fourth level!"

The great Skeleton spoke solemnly.

Fourth level of the Law Realm?

Doesn't that mean it's already capable of legitimately summoning Technique Spirits for combat?

"But I can summon you too, Fei Lun," Shen Ye said.

"Our cooperation can only be considered as such, summoning a real Technique Spirit is not as simple as you think," the great Skeleton said.

Suddenly.

The corners of Nine Phases' mouth curved up slightly as he formed a hand seal with one hand and called out in a low voice:

"Dharma Embodiment: Womb-Encompassing Mountains."

In a flash.

The Law Realm descended.

Shen Ye found himself standing atop an endless sea of heads, with mountains made of heads rising all around him.

Endless heads, each with at least the strength of the third layer to the fourth layer of the Law Realm.

How could he fight this?

Forget fighting, just the release of their auras might blow him away.

"Here comes the test."

Licking his lips, Nine Phases said proudly, "If you can stand firm and survive in my Dharma Embodiment, I won't kill you, and there will be benefits for you."

Before his words had even finished.

The countless heads opened their eyes and looked towards Shen Ye.

An invisible power began to surge!

Shen Ye immediately sensed extreme danger.

At that moment, the great Skeleton quickly said:

"Only a Dharma Aspect can oppose another—it's time to return to the Main World at once if your Dharma Aspect can't withstand it. That's the only chance you have to save your life!"

"Got it!"

With a thought, Shen Ye conjured two Flying Dragons behind him.

Frost, Moon, Shock, Heaven, Sudden Rain, Godslaught Catalyst—

His most commonly used were the killing moves that combine "Thunder Shock" with the Dharma Aspect.

But in the current situation, even if he summoned a thunder dragon, it wouldn't be possible to kill all these heads!

What to do?

Sudden Rain won't work either.

Flowing Moon is a movement technique, but here in the foe's Dharma Embodiment, faced with endless attacks from heads, how long could he evade?

Frost Bite—

A thought crossed Shen Ye's mind.

The two intertwining dragons immediately responded, circling around the Dragon Ball in their midst.

The Dragon Ball burst forth with cold light, like a bright moon hanging high.

Endless frosty air spread out from the bright moon, turning into a field of moonlight that shrouded Shen Ye.

"That's not enough, certainly not with the first layer of the Law Realm's power behind it. Even if I stood still, I could wear you out," Nine Phases said with a toothy grin.

Among the mountains.

Countless heads spewed a breath of black fog.

The moonlight faded in the face of the encroaching black fog.

Shen Ye's attempt at "Frost Bite" was halted.

—He could certainly feel that among these heads were incredibly formidable masters.

Just as Nine Phases had said, attempting to deal with so many heads all by himself was sheer fantasy.

"Hurry up and leave! His strength is too terrifying; no wonder he can control the entire Hell!" urged the great Skeleton.

"...Not yet," Shen Ye pondered.

This was actually an opportunity.

"Not suitable to make enemies."

This Nine Phases was immensely powerful but had one fatal weakness—

Greed.

Moreover, his mind was too convoluted, making thinking too laborious.

Even facing himself, he didn't strike to kill.

If—

If he could pass his test, maybe there would be an unexpected change with the affairs of Hell.

He needed this change!

So, no need to attack or resist with the Dharma Aspect, which might provoke the other's ferocity.

Friends are wanted.

Not enemies.

So—

Shen Ye grasped the Night Hidden Sword in his hand, activating the power of the longsword:

"Shadow Fingering."

—Heavenly Shadow automatically ascends one rank!

At this moment, Heavenly Shadow had reached the level of the Law Realm's first layer, and relying on the Night Hidden Sword's "Shadow Fingering," it suddenly leaped to the second layer of the Law Realm.

Law Domain Second Layer: Shadow of Heaven:

"Effect: When you verbally acknowledge it, under the illumination of the heavenly light, you become one with all things and avoid undue attention."

"When you provoke, attack, move, or the difference in strength with your opponent reaches fivefold, this effect will be seen through."

That's not enough.

Shen Ye's eyes flashed as he deployed "Moonlight Divine Illumination."

Under the Dharma Eye, all Moonlight Series Inheritance powers tripled!

—Even without the increase, it would require the strength of the Law Realm's seventh layer to see through "Heavenly Shadow."

Now that it has tripled!

What would happen?

Shen Ye expanded his Dharma Aspect again, directly activating "Law Domain Second Layer: Shadow of Heaven"!

For a moment.

Both dragons, along with the Dragon Ball, fell down, entering Shen Ye's body.

He declared aloud:

"Come now, I am just a head!"

Bam.

He really turned into a head!

A huge one at that, roughly the same size as the great Skeleton's skull, and emitting a foul stench!

The moment he became a head, all the surrounding hostility disappeared.

All the heads seemed to accept his new identity.

—Even though they had witnessed his transformation into a head.

"Ah hahaha ha! That's hilarious!"

Lord Nine Phases clutched his belly, laughing uncontrollably.

"What's the use, I'm standing right here? With just one command, you'd still die."

"Still, you managed to fool them, so you've passed the test."

"—You vampire, you really have a knack for this; not bad, you're qualified to work for me!"

The numerous Skeleton Heads on his back also voiced their agreement.

All the fluctuations withdrew.

In a flash.

Dharma Embodiment: Womb-Encompassing Mountains was retracted into the Dharma Realm, vanishing from sight.

The scenery of Hell reappeared all around.

However.

Only the large head that Shen Ye had transformed into remained lying on the ground.

Nine Phases grinned, wiping away the tears of laughter, and said:

"Such a maneuver is really something I've never seen before; it's quite an eye-opener."

"Alright, you have my recognition."

"I'll give you a little something extra."

Something extra?

"You have more goodies to give? You're too kind," Shen Ye said.

Lord Nine Phases excitedly said, "Take this!"

It reached into the skull on its shoulder and pried out a tooth, showing it to Shen Ye.

A tooth?

"My lord, I know you are powerful, but what's the use of a single tooth?"

Shen Ye said.

"Fool!" Nine Phases barked, "This signifies that you are my messenger, and the other lords won't kill you!"

"Who else is there?" Shen Ye asked blankly, "It seems like you're the only one reigning supreme in Hell."

"There is another world—after all these worlds are conquered, as my servant, you could literally strut around!" Nine Phases said nonchalantly.

Shen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

It seems...

He made the right bet.

"Now, aren't you going to find that kind of person for me? I want to eat those delicious people!"

Nine Phases urged loudly.

Shen Ye raised his hand and said, "But you haven't given me the tooth yet."

"Here—recite my name facing the tooth, then smear it with your blood, and I will come."

The tooth was thrown over.

"Alright, I will go find them for you now."

"Remember, you must not be lazy. If you don't find them within three days, I'll take it back and eat you!"

"Yes!" Shen Ye said.

Nine Phases yawned, took flight, and shot up into the sky, disappearing with all the heads.

Shen Ye looked up for a while, then turned to the tooth in his hand.

Rows of faint light appeared in the void next to the tooth:

"Fang of the Nine Aspects."

"Special material, symbol of identity."

"The holder represents Nine Phases and is its emissary."

Shen Ye pondered for a few moments and then said:

"Hey, big skeleton."

"What?"

"I remember you saying... Techniques can't cross worlds."

"That's right."

"So if I take this tooth back to our world, Nine Phases can't revoke the identity it confirms across the realms, right?"

"Absolutely!"

"We've struck gold, let's move."

Just as Shen Ye was about to get moving, streaks of faint light began to emerge all around.

Huh?

Something's not right.

I've already visited the Nightmare World once today.

Why does it seem like another entry is about to pop up?

Lines of small print appeared before Shen Ye:

"Your deeds and reputation in Hell have created a 'legendary' effect."

"Should your brother appear in Hell, he will inherit your glory and naturally form a brand-new sibling-related entry—"

"Vampire Kid."

Shen Ye was taken aback.

Of course, he would still cause trouble in Hell until he found big skeleton's mother.

So—

The entry "Vampire Kid" is inevitable.

I don't want this kind of entry.

—When I get it, I'll sacrifice it for attribute points!

More rows of faint light slowly appeared:

"Saint-like deeds; both brother like a saint, and brother like a saint, can form this entry."

"This entry could potentially be Purple (One in Ten Thousand)."

"Of course, it's not a guarantee."

"Try your best!"

A Purple entry...

That actually could be good.

Upon closer thought, "Vampire Kid" does sound quite cool.

—As long as people on Earth don't find out.

So—

Shall we try?

"Hey, big skeleton, do you have any close-combat professional skills?" Shen Ye asked.

"Your 'Night Roamer' is super tough, good at both close combat and ranged, even with inherent elemental damage. Are you still coveting the few lousy Nightmare Crystals I have?" big skeleton asked in surprise.

"No, it's not that. Zhong Baxter is already dead, and henceforth I can only act as his brother," Shen Ye said.

"I see. A bunch of poverty-stricken vampire brothers certainly can't learn any profound abilities. Hold on, let me check—ah, got it!"

The ring moved.

A Nightmare Crystal appeared in front of Shen Ye.

Shen Ye immediately crushed it.

Indeed, Xu Xingke had said that learning skills from other professions is just a waste of time.

But since he was only playing a part, and not actually dedicating himself to learning those skills, that wasn't a problem.

As soon as the Nightmare Crystal shattered, waves of mist enveloped Shen Ye.

After a moment...

The mist dispersed.

Shen Ye nodded in understanding.

"Cross Slice."

"White Skill (Normal)."

"Thief Skills, Dagger Skill."

"Slash out horizontally, threatening enemies to keep their distance."

This professional skill is so trash that he doesn't even need to use his free attribute points to master it!

"I also have a few vampire attire pieces I picked up from the battlefield you can wear."

"Good!"

Shen Ye changed into the tattered leather armor and equipped a rusty dagger.

All set.

"Do you see any changes in me?" Shen Ye asked.

"You look seedier," the big skeleton remarked.

"Now I am San'er Baxter! My brother Zhong Baxter