Chapter 82: The Entrance to the Demon Realm

“We must establish friendship and diplomatic ties with Ultraman; this will be our most important task for the foreseeable future.”

Having received Zhang Kai’s gift, the senior officials of Celestial Dynasty felt assured and delighted, and immediately seized the moment, convening a top-secret meeting. Initially, they had only been observing, much like any other nation, playing a minor role behind the scenes. But now, they suddenly held the advantage.

First, they offered a gift—and it turned out Ultraman could write the Celestial script, and even left a phone number! Truly, the fortune of Celestial Dynasty was flourishing; perhaps their time had finally come, heralding an era of destiny-defying change.

The Elder’s proposal was unanimously supported by all high-level officials. This was the key to national revival. If they succeeded, no other country on Earth could hope to match Celestial Dynasty’s pace of development.

In a frenzy, countries across the globe began submitting meeting requests to Celestial Dynasty. Especially one nation, crying and pleading, admitting fault, hoping to apologize and resume trade, willing to pay any price for a chance to save face. Celestial Dynasty responded calmly: “No rush, we’ll see you all one by one. That particular country, you’re scheduled for a year from now.”

After presenting his gift, Zhang Kai returned to the moon, once more arriving at the location of the celestial pit. The anomalies of the moon must be taken seriously—after all, his Elysium Space was nearby. If this truly was the entrance to the demon realm, and something emerged from it, there would be trouble.

Inspecting the pit’s interior, Zhang Kai quickly locked onto a certain spot. Like the rest, it was mere soil and stone, devoid of any vegetation, but here the demon aura was thickest, and he vaguely sensed traces of a restriction. Clearly, this entrance required a special technique.

Deep in thought, Zhang Kai released Lady Willow.

“Take a look—anything unusual?” Zhang Kai asked.

Lady Willow replied without hesitation, “I see it at once: this is a restriction, quite profound, likely a high-level one.”

“Can you break it?”

“You overestimate me. I fear this restriction exceeds the level of Immortal Spirit; it’s beyond the capabilities of a mere little demon like myself. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be broken.” Lady Willow curiously stepped forward, extended her hand, and demon aura appeared. In the next instant, a miraculous scene unfolded.

Streams of light emerged and swiftly converged into a complex pattern. At the center of this pattern, a bronze gate appeared—ancient and mysterious.

“It really opened—astonishing! This restriction requires demon aura to activate!” Lady Willow exclaimed.

Zhang Kai’s eyes gleamed. “Can you open it?”

Lady Willow approached the bronze gate, pushed it, but it didn’t budge. She infused it with demon aura, yet still nothing happened. She chuckled awkwardly, “It seems it’s ignoring me.”

“Then let’s open it by force,” Zhang Kai said, stepping forward. He summoned his thousand years of cultivation, condensed the Divine Palm of Tathagata, and struck the bronze gate with a golden palm print.

With a bang, the restriction trembled and the bronze gate shook violently. Yet, it remained closed.

At that moment, the bronze gate seemed to come alive, wriggling twice, and revealing a pair of eyes and a mouth. It glared furiously at Zhang Kai, emitting urgent, bizarre sounds.

Zhang Kai was taken aback. Was this gate alive? He had truly broadened his horizons.

“It’s cursing you,” Lady Willow explained.

“You understand it?” Zhang Kai asked.

“Yes, it’s speaking ancient demon dialect. It says we disturbed its sleep, and that your strike hurt it. It called us lunatics and demanded compensation, threatening to curse us otherwise,” Lady Willow replied.

Zhang Kai laughed. “What a peculiar creature. Ask it: if I give it something, will it open the gate for us?”

Before Lady Willow could speak, the gate creature uttered in Celestial language, “You’re actually human?”

Zhang Kai: ???

Do you realize those words might get you punched?

“Hey, interesting! You don’t quite count as human, do you?” the gate creature continued.

Zhang Kai smiled. “Are you looking for trouble?”

The gate creature pouted. “Don’t take it the wrong way, but with your cultivation—even if you trained for ten thousand more years—you wouldn’t harm me in the slightest.”

Zhang Kai smiled calmly. “Just a few hours ago, Empyrean Emperor of Luofu thought the same.”

The gate creature paused, then closed its eyes as if probing something. Suddenly, it opened them wide in shock. “Oh heavens! The one who was just forbidden entry by the Netherworld—turns out it’s you!”

Now it was Zhang Kai’s turn to be stunned. “Forbidden entry?”

“That’s right! Goodness, brother, you’re something else. Lady Earth herself announced it: if you dare to enter, she’ll send you to reincarnation. It’s the first time I’ve seen her so furious. What on earth did you do to her?” the gate creature asked curiously.

Zhang Kai replied calmly, “Nothing much. I just set off a firework in the Netherworld. I didn’t expect her to dislike it. So—are you still stopping me from entering?”

The gate creature chuckled awkwardly. “Brother, don’t mess around. If the Netherworld can’t tolerate you, the demon realm is small and fragile, I can’t take responsibility.”

“Then I’ll set off a firework right here on you, and see if you like it,” Zhang Kai threatened.

The gate creature was close to tears. “Brother, I’ll call you brother, okay? Don’t bully an old man. I’m of such advanced age, finally landed a retirement job—please don’t do this to me.”

Zhang Kai said, “Can’t you show some discernment? I’m simply curious, just want to look around. I promise not to cause any trouble.”

“Do you think I can trust you?” the gate creature asked pitifully.

“You have no choice: agree or disagree,” Zhang Kai replied with a chilling smile.

The gate creature fell silent. After a long pause, it said, “I can let you in, but let’s be clear: you can only stay for one hour. When time’s up, you must leave. And you mustn’t cause trouble—otherwise, I’ll risk everything to trap you here in the demon realm forever.”

Zhang Kai laughed. “Come now, as long as the demon spirits don’t provoke me, do you think I’m bored enough to stir up hatred everywhere?”

The gate creature chuckled awkwardly. “Just afraid of misunderstandings.”

Zhang Kai said, “Alright, can you open the door now?”

“Of course, brother, right this way.” The gate creature forced a smile.

To offend Lady Earth and escape unscathed—and even have Lady Earth issue a ban—this guy didn’t look powerful, but surely had a deadly weapon at hand. As the saying goes, the bronze gate doesn’t stand beneath a dangerous wall; it was very cautious.

With the gate creature’s words, the bronze gate opened, revealing within a whirlpool of demon aura.

Zhang Kai said, “Thank you, elder brother.”

With that, Zhang Kai decisively stepped through the bronze gate, disappeared into the whirlpool.

The gate creature turned to Lady Willow. “Aren’t you going?”

Lady Willow shook her head. “I’ll pass. I’m a bit scared.”

The gate creature: ???

Don’t joke; the way you said that, even I’m scared now.

Passing through the demon aura whirlpool, the view opened up before him: birds singing, flowers blooming, clear skies, harmony everywhere, fresh air.

What a demon realm this was.

Compared to the Netherworld, this was truly paradise.

“Hey! What demon fiend dares trespass upon my domain? Are you tired of living?”

Just then, a voice thundered.

Zhang Kai: ???

Do I have a face that invites mockery?