The Wordless Heavenly Tome was truly extraordinary.
Its ability to perceive the origin of all things was only its most basic function—one might even call it unimpressive.Its true power lay in deduction.
Yes, deduction.
Given a target and basic data, it could rapidly deduce results.
A fragmented cultivation technique? Once recorded in the tome, it could be deduced into a complete version.Sometimes, the grade would even evolve, and the technique would advance to a higher realm.It could even reconstruct broken divine powers, or trace bloodline abilities back to their source and reverse-engineer the methods to awaken them.
It could deduce:
Divine power development paths
Core-condensation techniques
Formulas based on rare materials
Alchemy recipes from pills
This ability was nothing short of heaven-defying.
As long as one had the will, the tome could reveal countless secrets of heaven and earth, providing endless resources and divine techniques. The foundation it could build was incomparably powerful.
Swish!
Light shimmered on the tome's surface—and suddenly, a tiny childlike spirit leapt out, no larger than a palm.
"Greetings, Master! I'm your little guide through the maze. Thank you for giving me life!"
The little spirit bowed respectfully, smiling brightly.
"A spirit…"
Yi Tianxing murmured.
Innate spirit treasures could naturally birth artifact spirits—manifestations of their own spirituality.Many spirits never took form, remaining merged as a formless light. But others chose to manifest, as this one did.
The Wordless Tome's spirit was strong—so naturally, it developed its own personality and form.
"Since you're the tome's spirit, you'll be called Little Maze."
Yi Tianxing nodded casually.
Then, without wasting time:
"Little Maze, immediately identify the origin of that skull. Why does it radiate such danger?"
"Yes, Master!"
Now upgraded to a True Innate Spirit Treasure, the tome's perception powers had skyrocketed.A mere breath later, Yi Tianxing received a stream of information in his mind.
Nightmare Gate: Crafted using the skull of a Mo, fused with rare treasures to create a Primeval Demonic Treasure.Any who enter are dragged into an endless nightmare realm, where the soul is deceived and trapped forever.Without a method of escape, one will be eternally lost in illusion.
Yi Tianxing's expression turned grim.
"It's a Mo…"
From ancient texts, he knew the name.
The Mo (貘)—a divine beast from antiquity, nourished by dreams. Incredibly powerful.
According to Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi in Ode to the Mo Screen:
"The mo has an elephant's trunk, rhino eyes, ox tail, tiger feet. It dwells in southern mountain valleys. Sleeping on its hide wards off plague; painting its form repels evil."
Legends describe it as a dream guardian—appearing under moonlight to absorb nightmares, allowing humans to sleep in peace. Its cry was soft and comforting, lulling people into dreams before silently consuming their bad dreams.
But that was myth.
In reality, the Mo was far more terrifying.
If it merely consumed nightmares, one might survive with a bout of illness.But if one's soul was trapped inside its dream, death in the dream meant true death.
This wasn't merely a Mo—it was a Primeval Demonic Treasureforged from the Mo's corpse.It had become the Nightmare Gate.
A trap of terrifying magnitude.Those dragged in would fall into illusion, unable to wake, assaulted endlessly by nightmares until they died.
All of this had passed in just seconds.
In that time, not only had the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda gained its thirty-fifth floor, but the Wordless Heavenly Tome had ascended and revealed the skull's secret.
"Brother, something's wrong up ahead. I feel danger hiding there. If we enter, we may not return."
Nannan sensed it too.
Her instincts told her this gate was a trap laid for Yi Tianxing—perhaps one hastily constructed after learning of his connection to Chen Xuerou.
In dreams, anything can happen.
An ant could become a titan.The sky could turn from clear to apocalyptic in a moment.That was the terror of dreams—the infinite uncertainty.
Once inside, who could say what would happen?
"Heh, Emperor Yi—if you're afraid, then leave. Chen Xuerou's a rare beauty."
"I hear that guy from Bliss is collecting women for his dual cultivation. This one would make a fine furnace. I could fetch a high price for her."
The Faceless Saint Son's voice echoed mockingly from within the gate.
"Faceless…"
"Your little provocation did manage to anger me."
Yi Tianxing's gaze turned ice-cold.
"You think this Nightmare Gate will make you invincible?"
"Fine. Since you want me inside so badly, I'll oblige you."
"If you can't kill me—I'll be the one who kills you."
He couldn't stand by and watch Chen Xuerou die.His conscience wouldn't allow it.
"Brother, I'm coming too."
Nannan looked up, determined.
"Alright. Let's go together. Let's see what kind of nightmare awaits."
Yi Tianxing smiled calmly and nodded.
He wouldn't leave her behind.With her current strength, some hardship would only sharpen her Dao heart.
With that, he stepped to the Nightmare Gate.
He took Nannan's hand, and together they stepped through.
Swish!
The moment they entered, the gate flared with divine light.
Countless eerie whispers echoed—like devilish murmurs crawling into their ears.
Invisible forces surged toward their souls, trying to cloud their minds, shroud their divine light, erase their memories, their identity, and even their cultivation.
This was not a sealing.
It was forgetting.
Even their five senses began to fade.
In this world, they wouldn't remember who they were.They'd receive false memories, dying again and again, lost in an eternal cycle of illusion and despair.
But as those forces entered Yi Tianxing's body…
A pure, melodic sound rang through his soul,Followed by the tolling of a mighty bell.
His consciousness cleared instantly.
Innocent Divine Sound Treasure Tree
Soul-Awakening Bell
Both were Innate Spirit Treasures that suppressed spiritual disturbance.
Such external evils couldn't break through their defense.
"Nannan!"
He turned.
Her eyes were already fogged with confusion, her mind beginning to fracture.
Yi Tianxing raised his hand, and the Soul-Awakening Bell appeared above her.
It chimed—
Dong—dong—dong...
The sound enveloped her in protective light.
"This place is sinister. I could feel my memories slipping… if not for you, I might've fallen."
Nannan clung to his arm, shaken.
She glanced up at the bell in wonder.
"That's the Soul-Awakening Bell. An Innate Spirit Treasure."
"It dispels illusions, stabilizes the soul, and wards off evil. With it, you'll stay clear-headed."
"Keep it with you—for now, it's your shield against the nightmare."
"But what about you?"
She asked, worried.
"Don't worry. I have other soul treasures protecting me."
Yi Tianxing smiled, his focus already scanning their surroundings.
Around them lay only emptiness—but all the while, massive nightmare energy swirled toward them, like ink soaking into paper.
It was clear:
The Nightmare World was forming.