After returning to the Mortal Domain of the Sun and Moon Sword Union, Ace didn't waste time and continued towards the Sun and Moon Ascension Gates.
But the thing he noticed while heading there gave him a strange feeling. The first was there weren't any traces of the slits within the union, but they were pretty clear from the outside.
The second thing was the Qi density of this place had greatly plummeted, and the greatest proof of that was the greenery here was somewhat waned, and many herbs that grow in high-density Qi environment were now slowly withering away.
The third thing was the Sun and Moon Ascension Gates. As he grew closer, he noticed that the once-crowded place was no longer crowded and was empty as a graveyard.
It was very strange because he knew what this place meant for the mortal domain's union natives. They always guard and even pray at this place for their descendants. So, this place can't be empty no matter what, yet today, there wasn't a single soul present.
Last but not least, the thing he noticed after almost reaching the Sun and Moon Ascension Gate was he didn't spot any living thing!
This discovery was quite alarming and spooky at the same time. Ace's heart grew tense, and he decided to check the Official Union City closest to the SAMA Gates.
He was hoping that this was all but his imagination and there might be something going on in the Mortal Domain. However, he left baffled when he reached the Official Union City.
He found that the entire place was completely empty, like a ghost city. The city stalls, shops, house, and even city treasure was left open. No one had taken anything, as everyone had just vanished into thin air.
The place was riddled with dust, so it was empty for quite some while.
'The mortal domain might've been evacuated within the two domains…' Ace thought with an unconvinced expression.
Although he thought like this, he couldn't be sure since there wasn't anyone there left to confirm his conjecture.
But whatever the case was, he was sure of one thing, the Union had undergone a massive change after he destroyed the Sun Secret Realm, and he had to tread very carefully.
Right now, Ace was using his mask's ability, the Heavenly Formation Coins, and the Windfall of Space Formation to hide his traces from being discovered, and it was working since the Fate Map was still gray without any danger.
However, the first two things required a large supply of Qi, and even with his newly enlarged reserves, it won't last forever. Although Heavenly Formation Coins were a magnificent treasure, the problem with them was they couldn't be used with other Qi or Qi stones and Soul Crystals. They needed either Heavenly Martial Qi or Heavenly Soul Qi.
Ace, at this rate, will have to keep all these things running, and he had no idea what was going on in the first place. But he needed to find out and move forward.
So, he decided to find a place to rest and replenish his Qi and mental energy. He might not get another chance once he starts moving again. But this wasn't resting as well since he was still using one type of Qi to keep the treasures active while replenishing the other.
Nonetheless, it was far better than taking the risk of exposing himself.
Three days later, Ace appeared outside the barren yet imposing Sun and Moon Ascension Gates, which were tightly shut. Looking at the fate map, he found the area behind those gates was dyed in light red color.
'Since no one is left in the mortal domain, then it means they no longer care about this place and probably locked these gates for good. So, they won't be paying attention to an unexpected returnee like myself. At least, I hope so…' Ace thought gravelly.
Although he was still not sure what was happening, he had no other choice as he activated the small teleportation of the Windfall of Space formation!
The next moment, Ace again blinked from his initial location and reappeared on the other side of the sealed gates!
At this point, this teleportation function was working just fine, which could only mean the union had no protection against space-related abilities.
With his flying sword, Ace started to fly upward, and there was no pressure or anything. The Ascension Stairways were also not working, which was plus for him.
Furthermore, the red area suddenly turned gray again when he got closer to the thick mist, which made Ace astounded, and no one was there to guard the place either.
So, without any danger, Ace continued to move forward. He clearly remembered he was teleported into a massive hall last time, so it was his first time taking this route. So, he was quite vigilant.
In the end, Ace easily passed the white clouds with the fate map's help, and he appeared outside a mountain pass that was closed with the same kind of gates at the entrance of Ascension Stairways.
The area turned red again, and Ace used the small teleportation. It succeeded again, and this time, he appeared in a familiar grand hall which was the same place he first appeared when he passed the Ascension Gates.
This time, Ace was on full-time high alert because of the Union Guardian. That ethereal voice seemed to be everywhere, but it has yet to reappear. However, to his surprise, the area turned gray again.
'Don't tell me the other hurdle in my way is those sealed gates, and once I cross them, nothing can stop me?' Ace wondered with a little bit of ecstasy since it was nothing but good news.
Nonetheless, he wasn't too sure since he knew just how unlucky he could be at some times.
Ace met with another closed door of the hall, which he crossed like the previous gates and finally appeared in the Sun and Moon Mountains' periphery!
However, a massive surprise was waiting for him the moment he appeared, which left him gobsmacked and horrified.
Right in front of him, where once two magnificent Golden and Silver Mountains with could rings were used to, now only the Silver Mountain remained, for the Golden Mountain had completely vanished without any trace!
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