My Crazy Upgrade System-Chapter 78 - 77: Got In

When Yi Tianyun and the others stepped down from their carriage, they were greeted by the sight of several figures from various factions.

A quick glance revealed that they were all respectable powers, but only at the Second-Grade Sect level. Third-Grade factions wouldn’t deign to get involved. They looked down on the Celestial Sinking Ruins, considering it too low-level. There were plenty of other ruins that could take its place.

But for any faction at or below the Second-Grade, this place was a juicy prize.

Their arrival immediately drew everyone’s attention, and curious gazes locked onto them. Merak Palace had eradicated three major factions, a display of power that left some shocked, others intrigued, and still others in awe.

Merak Palace was merely a First-Grade faction, yet it possessed such terrifying strength. ’Did one of their old fossils finally come out of seclusion?’

What they didn’t know was that Yi Tianyun alone had been the one to slay the members of the three major factions. This information had been sealed tight on Shi Xueyun’s orders. Very few people had known about it at the time, and all of them were trusted confidants. Consequently, most were unaware of just how powerful Yi Tianyun truly was.

Keeping a low profile was beneficial for everyone, so no one revealed Yi Tianyun’s involvement. The news of Merak Palace’s victory alone was enough to shake the other factions, filling them with a sense of fear and awe.

This was why they remained so calm and composed. They believed that once the news spread, even if the old monsters from the Divine Forging Sect wanted to lay siege, they would have to reconsider their own strength.

’They’re basically all Second-Grade factions here. No First-Grade ones...’ Yi Tianyun’s gaze swept across the crowd. The number of people wasn’t small. The number of entry slots was determined by a sect’s power—the stronger the sect, the more slots they received.

In total, there were at least thirty or forty people, not an insignificant number. However, Merak Palace occupied eight of those slots—an even more terrifying advantage. Among all the factions present, they had the largest contingent by far, making the others burn with envy.

In terms of cultivation, most of them were around the fifth or sixth layer of the Spirit Refining Stage. The stronger ones had reached the seventh or eighth layer, and some were even at the peak of the stage, deliberately suppressing their cultivation and holding back from a breakthrough just to wait for the Celestial Sinking Ruins to open.

Gaining some experience in the Celestial Sinking Ruins before breaking through to the Core Formation Stage was an excellent choice. But for most, it was simply a matter of timing; they just happened to be around when the ruins were opening, so they came to try their luck.

"Yes, our Merak Palace is a bit special. Under normal circumstances, only Second-Grade factions are qualified to enter here."

The Great Elder explained from the side, "Although we’re a First-Grade faction, our comprehensive strength already surpasses that of a typical Second-Grade faction. Our only shortcoming is our small numbers. Otherwise, being recognized as a Second-Grade faction would be no problem at all."

Yi Tianyun nodded. The biggest difference between Merak Palace and other factions was indeed its size, a direct result of its long-standing policy to exclusively accept female Cultivators.

"Has Palace Master Shi not come this time?"

Just then, Sect Master Hua Quan of the Heaven and Earth Sect approached them. The other disciples couldn’t help but marvel internally when they saw him. ’What a refined and elegant man.’ He carried himself with great poise and had a remarkably friendly air about him.

"Ah, Sect Master Hua Quan. Palace Master Shi was occupied with some matters and couldn’t make it. I am in charge here for the time being." Although Yi Tianyun was the one calling the shots internally, the Great Elder was the one officially in charge on the surface.

"I see. I heard that three major factions attempted to invade Merak Palace, only to be annihilated instead. The ancestors of your esteemed palace are truly unfathomably powerful!" Sect Master Hua Quan said, his tone probing.

"Of course. The power of our ancestors is naturally extraordinary."

The Great Elder smiled faintly. "Though Merak Palace is a First-Grade faction, the foundation we’ve built over many years is not to be underestimated."

Her words were half-truth, half-lie—a smokescreen to make them believe that Merak Palace’s foundation was truly astonishing, giving them a deterrent to rely on. She made no attempt to lower her voice, and the factions nearby, who had already been focusing their attention on the group, heard her response clearly.

"I see. How unfortunate for those three factions. They truly overestimated their own strength to have provoked Merak Palace." Sect Master Hua Quan chuckled, his mockery of the defeated sects serving as a veiled attempt to curry favor with Merak Palace.

Just as his probing questions ended, the time for the Celestial Sinking Ruins to open drew near.

RUMBLE!

Suddenly, the entire mountain range began to tremble as if struck by an earthquake, shaking the entire area. Whatever else they might have wanted to say was cut short; there was no more time for discussion.

With a final, violent tremor, the great gate slowly swung open, revealing a sliver of light. A desolate power surged out from within, washing over them and instilling a feeling of profound sorrow.

"The gate is opening!"

Everyone gathered together. The Celestial Sinking Ruins were about to open, and soon they would all be heading inside.

The Celestial Sinking Ruins had a fixed opening schedule: once every three years, always in the seventh month. Missing this window meant waiting another three years, which was why everyone always gathered here in advance.

Watching the scene unfold, Yi Tianyun felt a pang of regret. ’I should have been able to go in too. Who would’ve guessed my cultivation is too high to be allowed entry!’

When the gate opened completely, a curtain of light materialized in the entryway, like an invisible second door barring their path.

"We can go in now!"

Immediately, someone holding a Token rushed forward. As they passed through the invisible gate, the light rippled faintly. Without a Token, entry was impossible. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Soon, everyone began to stream inside, ready to begin their trial. The members of Merak Palace were also prepared to enter.

As Yi Tianyun stared at the curtain of light, an idea suddenly struck him. He turned to the Great Elder and said, "Could you give me a Token? Let me see if I can get in."

Ordinarily, this would be seen as Yi Tianyun just fooling around, but he was an elder of Merak Palace now.

"It seems you just can’t let it go," the Great Elder said. "Fine, go on and try." She signaled for one of the disciples to hand him a Token.

Yi Tianyun took it and smiled. "Thanks, I’ll just give it a try."

He took the Token and walked toward the entrance of the Celestial Sinking Ruins. Just as the Great Elder expected him to be stopped, he stepped right through! He wasn’t blocked at all! He walked in without the slightest bit of resistance, completely unrestricted!

"Th-this... How is this possible?" The Great Elder took a few steps forward in shock, staring dumbfounded at the curtain of light.

Yi Tianyun’s cultivation level was far above the limit. How could he possibly have entered?

The Great Elder immediately reached her hand toward it. Before her arm was even fully extended, it was stopped by the curtain of light. She couldn’t push through even an inch.

"’That’s strange. The restriction is still active...’ the Great Elder murmured with a frown. She then turned to a disciple beside her. ’Give me your Token. Let me try.’"

Without a word, the disciple immediately handed her the Token.

After taking the Token, the Great Elder touched the curtain of light again. She still couldn’t get through!

"’How strange...’ The Great Elder was completely baffled. Yi Tianyun, a Core Formation Stage Cultivator, had just walked right in!"