Chapter 53: Celestial Tome Trial Pass?

After listening to Yuechan’s words, Ye Qiu fell silent for a long time, his mind filled with deep confusion as he asked, “So, this is what they call… the world beyond the Circle?”

The world beyond the Circle referred to the realm outside the Wildlands. Protected by the order of the Heavenly Dao, a seal existed at the borders of the world, shielding the Wildlands from all else. This seal acted as a protective barrier, but in name, it was simply a “circle”—someone had drawn a boundary, separating the Wildlands from everything without.

And so, the world outside the Wildlands came to be called the Outer Circle…

Very few knew of these rumors; Ye Qiu himself had only heard passing mention from travelers, never having learned much about the world beyond. Yuechan nodded in response, remaining silent, her gaze earnest as she looked at Ye Qiu. From his eyes, she seemed to sense a dangerous thought.

He wanted to go beyond the Circle?

Such a notion was hardly a wise one. The world beyond was far more terrifying than the Wildlands, and the beings there were incomparably powerful. If that were not the case, the seal at the border would never have existed…

Ye Qiu pondered for a while, then suddenly smiled. “I truly am curious—what kind of world lies outside the Circle?”

The thought had taken root in his mind. Over the years, he had traveled the length and breadth of the Wildlands, seen all there was to see. Naturally, he wondered what made the Outer Circle unique.

Beyond that, another thought gnawed at him. During the calamity at Refusal North City, the mysterious force that took Ye Dong away—could it have originated from beyond the Circle?

Ye Qiu’s curiosity was genuine. All his years wandering the Wildlands, he had never encountered a force quite like that. He had never cultivated immortal arts; he could not determine whether the power belonged to the Wildlands at all.

“Hm… On second thought, maybe not! With my frail little body, I probably couldn’t even make it across the Border River, let alone go gallivanting outside the Circle.

No, no—I’d better cling to life. If I’m going to take risks, I should at least wait until I’ve grown stronger.”

After weighing his options, Ye Qiu dismissed the idea of venturing beyond the Circle. It was safer to preserve his own life first, rather than risk everything on a search.

Otherwise, he’d be dead before he even found anyone…

“Hmm… Little Dong’s innate Dao body must be of great importance to those people, so… he should be safe. Who knows, maybe he’s doing even better than I am.

I’ll just keep my head down and stay alive. Who knows—maybe one day he’ll return, bring honor to our family, and take me soaring with him?”

At the thought, Ye Qiu grew more and more excited…

“Wait… how did I not realize it before? Little Dong’s fate is a protagonist’s script through and through!

Both parents gone at the start, born with a Dao body, a talent unseen in ten thousand ages, whisked away by darkness, enduring countless trials, finally attaining invincibility and vengeance!

My goodness, he’s definitely the protagonist—there’s no doubt! Which means… I’m the protagonist’s brother?”

The revelation nearly made Ye Qiu jump with excitement. The fabled protagonist had been by his side all along?

And to think, he’d spent so many years searching…

Once Ye Qiu figured it out, his heart was at ease. With such a protagonist, there was no way he’d die—no need to worry so much.

Better to worry about himself instead!

For now, the seal was temporarily holding. Though only for the moment, the crisis was not yet over.

Ye Qiu had wanted to sow some wild oats beyond the Circle, but realizing his own weakness, he gave up.

Listen to him bragging…

If anyone else knew what he was thinking, they’d probably die of anger.

You call this weak?

Good heavens, that’s not just a mild jab—it’s a savage insult…

You’re already invincible, and you call yourself weak? Then what are we?

“Master, look across the Border River—there’s a surge of energy. It seems something enormous has awakened…”

Just as Ye Qiu was pondering his next move, the Devouring Sky Sparrow suddenly spoke.

Ye Qiu looked in the direction indicated and saw a vortex churning beneath the turbid, shadowy waters of the river.

The moment the vortex appeared, everyone present was shocked.

“Is that… the legendary Lord of Darkness?”

Exclamations rang out as a skull emerged from the black, muddy water.

Suddenly, a crimson ray of light shot toward Ye Qiu at incredible speed.

Yuechan’s expression changed. In a cold voice, she warned, “Be careful!”

Even as she spoke, she transformed into a blue lotus, trying to shield Ye Qiu from the beam. Unfortunately, her strength was too feeble; in an instant, the blue lotus began to collapse.

Ye Qiu’s heart pounded with anxiety, but seeing Yuechan wounded, he couldn’t help but shout, “How dare you!”

No sooner had the words left his lips than a surge of azure light burst forth. In that instant, scripture encircled Ye Qiu, and a book appeared in his hands.

As the light flared, a terrifying power erupted, scattering the crimson beam and rebounding it in full force…

Boom!

A deafening explosion shook the heavens, tearing a gap through the dark domain itself and sending the void into chaos.

“What a terrifying shockwave—is this the wrath of an immortal?”

In that moment, no one could remain calm. All eyes were on Ye Qiu and the book in his hands, their hearts filled with awe.

“So this is his true power? As expected… The might of heaven is irresistible. In the span of a second, three thousand arts were manifested, dispelling the darkness…”

Even the skull-headed figure across the border now gazed at Ye Qiu in astonishment, disbelief plain in his eyes.

In a flash, a pale-faced, handsome young man appeared on the far side of the river—the very skeleton who had attacked moments before. That earlier strike had merely been a casual probe; he had never expected to draw out such a formidable presence.

“Interesting, very interesting indeed! No wonder I sensed such overwhelming pressure in the air—it was him…”

Smiling faintly, the pale young man stood at the river’s edge, studying Ye Qiu, while Ye Qiu himself looked utterly lost.

“Huh… What just happened?”

Ye Qiu stared blankly at the book in his hands, then at the newly reconstituted Yuechan, confusion written all over his face.

A moment ago, at the very brink of disaster, Ye Qiu had shouted almost unconsciously—and somehow, a book had appeared in his grasp…

Then, something miraculous occurred: the book emitted a blue light, dispelling the darkness and saving Yuechan.

“Heavens, a divine book?”

Ye Qiu was stunned. Examining the book closely, he saw the words “Heavenly Tome” emblazoned on the cover.

“Heavenly Tome? Could this be some kind of ultimate cheat? Damn, am I finally getting a cheat code?”

Overflowing with delight, Ye Qiu’s lips curled into a grin. He was ready to transform into the cocky champion of the battlefield…

But just as Ye Qiu tried to open the Heavenly Tome to see what secrets it held, it suddenly turned to dust and vanished!

“Huh? It’s gone?”

Ye Qiu cried out in frustration. Just when he finally got a cheat, it turned out to be single-use?

What kind of scam was this? Where was his cocky war god persona? And all he got was a trial version?