Chương 47: Inheritance Gate

"Still no word?" Song asked.

"Nothing. She's off-grid," the smartly dressed man replied. Song Weilong sighed and dismissed him. It had been almost two months since anyone had seen Gao YuanYuan. The woman had truly vanished. While she often disappeared without warning, she had always returned within a couple of weeks, usually stronger or with some new insight or technique. But this time was different.

Song Weilong accessed his status screen and pulled up the World 43 leaderboard: World 43 Leaderboard: 10 - Ryuhei Matsuda, level 71 9 - Zhang Zhehan, level 71 8 - Hu Yitian, level 71 7 - Luo Yinxi, level 72 6 - Song Weilong, level 72 5 - Gao YuanYuan, level 73 4 - Kairos Athanasiou (Progenitor), level 74 3 - Divine Sword Malcolm, level 74 2 - Esha Bakshi, level 75 1 - Hakeem King(Progenitor), level 79 The leaderboard had shifted dramatically since the Resource Grab almost three months ago.

Gao YuanYuan's once massive level lead had slowly slipped away during her absence. Her disappearance was all anyone could discuss in Kunlun, China's most prominent new city. China now boasted two City Pillars, more than any other nation, and had surged ahead in fighting strength and numbers. With nearly three hundred of the top five hundred ranked individuals coming from China, the country's prestige had skyrocketed. People flocked to their cities, further consolidating China's dominance on World 43.

They were thriving until Gao vanished. Now, her drop in the rankings was beginning to rattle that sense of invincibility. Song cursed aloud. Where had she gone? And why? They had dispatched scouting teams in every direction, equipped with newly available sky vessels purchased from the pillar stores. Yet, after two months of searching, not a single trace had turned up. Some even believed she had found something incredible and chosen to disappear into hiding.

The pressure on Song to step forward and claim leadership of the Pillar was mounting, but he had refused. He still believed Gao would return. And deep down, he feared what it might mean if she didn't. Thankfully, they still had the City Lord, so the city's expansion hadn't stalled and continued steadily. This was the only thing holding back the elders from forcing Song to claim the pillar himself.

A month after Gao had vanished, Song and everyone above level sixty-eight had received a system notification informing them that the city owner had been absent for over thirty days. The pillar was now open to be claimed. That first day had been bloody. Song had been forced to kill ten of the city's elites who tried to seize the pillar for themselves. Since then, no one else had dared to try, but he remained on constant guard. He could see the hunger for power in their eyes, the barely restrained ambition.

If too many of them grew strong enough to stop fearing him, he'd be left with no choice but to claim the pillar himself.

"Please return soon," Song whispered to himself.

"Before this city turns into a bloodbath." __ Gao YuanYuan sat alone in a cave, staring at her last bottle of water. She looked at the blinking notification in her vision. 1 of 2 spots filled, waiting for the next entrant. She cursed her own stupidity. Three months ago, she had followed a map awarded by the system, leading her to this place, the Inheritance Gate. Excitedly, she had rushed inside before correctly reading the Gate description.

She hadn't noticed the requirement: two people needed to enter the Gate for it to activate. And now, she was trapped. She couldn't leave. She couldn't proceed. She had been stuck here for so long, waiting for anyone to find the gate and enter. Her food had run out long ago, and her water was almost gone. Her skin was drawn tight across her face, and her limbs trembled from weakness. She had barely moved in the past few days, and without water, she knew she had only a few days left.

She closed her eyes, feeling the slow numbness creeping into her body. How foolish she had been. If only she had read the full description before stepping inside. __ Joe exited the town of Gailong in southern Tibet, heading southwest. He was close now, nearing the location of the gate. During his brief time in the town, he'd picked up some shocking news. Gao YuanYuan had gone missing. She hadn't gained a single level in the past two months, and her sudden absence had left everyone in China worried.

Once hailed as the strongest woman in the world, she had now been overtaken by Esha. Joe had also discovered he could still access the World 43 leaderboard through his status screen. He checked it and saw that Hakeem had climbed to the top, now the highest-levelled person on their world.

"Any idea what could have happened to her?" He asked, sitting comfortably on his boat as it skimmed just above the ground.

"My first guess was that she had entered a gate," Veda replied.

"But her lack of progress and the time frame of her disappearance make me unsure." If even Veda couldn't be certain, that was troubling. Whatever had happened to Gao, it had to be serious. The only thing they could say for sure was that she was still alive, and her name remained on the leaderboard. If she had died, it would have vanished.

"Keep your eyes open; we can worry about her another time," Veda added.

"We don't want to miss the location of the gate; it will be hidden." Joe nodded. She was right. There was nothing he could do for Gao right now. He needed to focus on finding the gate. As they neared the location marked on the map, Joe returned the boat to his storage ring and began searching the base of a nearby mountain on foot. He activated both his Dao Sight and Mana Sight skills, sweeping the terrain for anything unusual.

After hours of careful searching, he finally spotted it, a small cave halfway up the mountain, shimmering faintly behind a mana shield. It was extremely subtle. He'd almost missed it entirely, and to his surprise, Veda hadn't sensed it either.

"Maybe I can see it because I have the map?" he said, trying to console the sulking salamander. She huffed in frustration, visibly annoyed that even when staring directly at it, she still couldn't see anything. Joe approached the mana veil, and as he reached out, a system notification blinked into view. System Message Inheritance of the Monkey King Gate found.

Here lies the legendary figure Sun Wukong, who ascended to the heavens, only to have his candle snuffed out by the envious celestial warrior Erlang Shen and the four Heavenly Kings. Though he died bravely, he was able to leave behind an inheritance to those worthy to claim it. Embark on this perilous journey at your own risk. This is one of four legendary-tier Inheritance Gates on World 43. Only those who hold a map of this location may enter the gate.

At least two entrants must go inside before the gate interior can be accessed. Currently, one of two entrants inside. Joe read the notification aloud to Veda.

"This is a big find, a legendary inheritance. What do you want to do?" she asked, observing his reaction. He skimmed the notification again.

"Inheritance of the Monkey King… I think I've heard about this before. It was a book, I think, Journey to the West. About Sun Wukong." His eyes lit up as a memory surfaced. He hadn't read the book, but he remembered a TV show he watched about it. The most important part to him, though, was the weapon Sun Wukong wielded, a staff that could extend at will.

"Yes, I have to enter this," he said with growing excitement.

"If it is the Monkey King's inheritance, then I wonder if his staff is inside." He explained what he remembered of the story to Veda, focusing on the extending quarterstaff. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"Let's go, then. There are two of us, so we should be able to… wait…" Veda suddenly paused, frowning.

"Did you say there was someone else already inside?"

"Yeah, you think it's a bug? Or is someone actually inside?" Joe asked, puzzled. He shrugged, deciding there was only one way to find out. With a quick step, he jumped into the Gate. __ Gao YuanYuan gasped as water touched her cracked lips. She barely registered the voice of a man speaking softly beside her, and a wave of warmth spread through her frail body. She tried to smile, believing this must be it, she was finally passing on to the afterlife. It was over.

__ Joe knelt beside Gao, stunned by the woman's condition, as he poured healing energy into her trembling form. She was a shadow of herself, nothing like the imposing figure of strength he remembered. Her skin was drawn tight over her bones, sickly and slick to the touch. She hadn't eaten in weeks, maybe longer. But when she opened her eyes and looked up at him, he saw the flicker of life still burning within. Her mind was intact, even if her body was nearly gone.

He raised his hand and let a few drops of water fall gently into her mouth. He knew the danger of giving too much too soon to someone severely dehydrated. Small sips, just enough to ease the immediate danger. Then he focused, pouring healing energy into her again. Slowly, bit by bit, colour began to return to her skin. Her breathing evened out. And the woman once considered the strongest in the world began to recover.

"She seems strong; I don't think she has given up yet," Veda said, perched on Joe's shoulder as she gently placed her tail on Gao.

"You're safe now. Close your eyes and rest. Joe will heal you," she added softly, speaking to them both. Gao slowly nodded, her eyes fluttering shut once more. She relaxed, and the tension in her body seemed to fade as she rested. It took a couple of hours before she had enough strength to sit up and speak. Once she could hold her own weight, Joe stopped the healing and gave her food and water to help restore her energy.

Unfortunately, the room they were in counted as an enclosed space, so he couldn't use his Nature skills to improve the environment or warm the area. Still, the food and quiet recovery did their job.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, watching her carefully as she finished chewing a mouthful.

"Better, thank you," she replied stoically. Veda had taken up residence in the woman's lap, letting herself be unconsciously petted as they spoke. Joe couldn't hear their conversation without physical contact with Veda, so he took the hint and moved a short distance away. He resumed practicing his footwork, flowing through the steps while keeping an eye on their condition. A few hours passed before Gao slowly approached him. She looked far healthier now, though still not quite her former self.

"You're looking better," Joe said, stopping mid-step and turning to greet her.

"Again, thank you, Joe. If not for you, I would have died today," she gave a slight bow, and her unexpected politeness took him off guard. He had not expected her to act with such humility.

"Just doing what anyone would have done in my shoes," he replied with a modest smile.

"I'm guessing you were stuck in here a while. So, do you want to continue inside with us? Or would you rather go back? People outside have been searching for you for the past two months."

"Veda told me it's been that long... It's all a blur," Gao said, rubbing her temple.

"I would like to go in with you. But may I ask, why were you also given a map of this place? Do you have Chinese ancestors?" Joe pulled out his quarterstaff before answering.

"I think it's tied to my class. The quarterstaff is my main weapon, and the Monkey King used a quarterstaff," he said.

"Ruyi Jingu Bang," Gao replied with a nod.

"The Monkey King's staff is well known, I see." She paused, seeming uncertain about what she wanted to say next. Her eyes drifted down to Veda, still nestled in her arms, before she spoke again.

"Veda makes a good point. Before we enter, we should discuss what to do with the inheritance, so there is no confusion about who gets what." Ah, Joe understood now. She was worried about what he might want to claim from the inheritance. He nodded thoughtfully and took a moment to consider his response. Veda leapt back onto his shoulders to speak with him privately.

"So what are you thinking?" she asked. Joe pondered a moment longer, then answered.

"Honestly, I don't want anything besides the staff. I have footwork I'm happy with, a staff skill I like. I doubt there would be anything else in there that I would need. So I'm fine giving Gao the rest if she is okay with me taking the staff… assuming I can even take it. What do you think? Is there a rule to this we should follow?"

"From my knowledge of inheritances," Veda said.

"And what you and Gao have both mentioned about this Monkey King. I would be surprised if the staff isn't at the centre of the inheritance. I agree, let Gao have the rest. Stick with what you know. But if something special sticks out, you should take it." Joe nodded and turned back to Gao while Veda returned to the woman's arms.

"How about this, Gao," he said.

"All I want is the staff. Everything else is yours. Provided we even get anything and don't fail." Gao studied him for a long moment. He noticed her eyes flick to Veda; perhaps she was getting reassurance from the salamander. For a brief second, he wondered if they were plotting something, but he quickly shook the thought away. No… Veda wouldn't do that.

"I agree," Gao said at last, offering him a polite bow.

"I owe you greatly, and I would not even be able to enter without you." That made sense. She likely assumed that if she refused, he could just enter with Veda alone and take everything before she returned with someone else.

"Great. Are you sure you want to enter now?" Joe asked, his tone genuinely concerned.

"Have you recovered enough? We have no idea what awaits us inside."

"There's nothing more healing can do," Gao replied.

"I simply need to eat and regain my strength. You've already given me enough supplies to last a month. Thank you."

"Well then," Joe said, glancing at both her and Veda.

"Let us proceed." With that, the three of them, Joe, Veda, and Gao, stepped forward and vanished into the inheritance gate. __ Drok leapt through the dense jungle of southern Venezuela, a small wooden bucket filled with water clenched tightly in its clawed hand. It came to a halt at the edge of a circular clearing nestled deep within the tightly packed forest. As it stepped forward, a wave of immense mana washed over it, forcing the Beast to slow its pace.

The overwhelming pressure within the clearing suppressed nearly all of its strength. No other Beast dared to come within a mile of this place, let alone cross into the sacred centre. But Drok was not like the others. Drok carried a bloodline, Primal Alpha Corrigaous Veil, a bloodline it considered divine. In its eyes, this elevated it far above the rest of the pitiful creatures that roamed this world. Drok saw itself as a supreme being, the strongest lifeform on the insignificant planet. Nothing could challenge it.

That was why it had been blessed to find the World Tree Seed, a treasure of untold rarity. For over a year, it had guarded the seed and watered it with painstaking care. Now, the seed had begun to sprout. Drok moved slowly to the centre of the clearing, where the tiny World Tree had taken root. It crouched and gently poured water around the young sprout before backing away. As it exited the clearing, the suffocating pressure slowly lifted from its body. Soon, the World Tree would grow.

And once it did, Drok would gain its strength, ascending beyond this backwater world to reach higher realms, a grander stage where true strength could be proven. A grin twisted across its beastly face. The future was coming, and it belonged to Drok. __ Two days later. Global System Message World 43, a World Tree, has been born. A growing World Tree blooms in the jungles of Venezuela, in the centre of Drok's territory.

Once fully mature, the World Tree will begin the next succession of a future God of the Multiverse. The tree will begin its journey in one year, heralding a new blossoming of mana worldwide. Whoever touches the tree at this time will gain the title Ascended One; this title offers the following benefits: 20% increase to all stats. Class or Beast Body tier upgrade. Profession or Beast Mind tier upgrade. A Bloodline. The skill Traversal. The countdown begins now.

For the next few days on World 43, all anyone could talk about was the World Tree and what it meant for the future. Most people didn't truly grasp how extraordinary this event was. Few worlds in the entire Multiverse had genuine World Trees growing on them. Those that did were soon visited by A-grade powerhouses and Gods alike, making such trees one of the most coveted treasures in existence.

In northern Argentina, in the city now known as Iguazu Falls, a man named Adriano sat calmly within a towering chamber at the heart of the City Pillar, the only one in all of South America. As far as he could tell, the ten men seated before him represented the strongest powers on the continent. Naturally, they were discussing the appearance of the World Tree.

"We should set out right now and claim the land around the tree, " Davi said heatedly, fists flexing.

"No," Rodrigo replied, trying to steady the rising tension in the room.

"We've received messages from both New Eden and Kunlun advising us not to act hastily. They said not to forget the warnings of the Progenitor about the Beast named Drok that resides there. The system even mentioned it. We shouldn't underestimate something like that."

"You want us to sit and wait until the Americans or Chinese arrive and claim it for themselves? Are you crazy?" Davi snapped.

"We're the closest pillar; we need to claim it now before they arrive." Voices rose as the others joined in, the chamber echoing with shouts of disagreement. Most sided with Davi, demanding immediate action. Rodrigo remained quiet, frustration and worry etched across his face. Adriano raised his hand. The room fell silent at once.

"Prepare for departure. We leave for the tree tomorrow," he said simply, rising from his seat and walking out without another word. Rodrigo sighed, rubbing his temple. He didn't like this. Everything about that tree felt like a trap. Still, there was no stopping what had already begun. He quietly prayed they would survive the decision. __ The Divine Sword Malcolm stormed out of the meeting room, anger simmering beneath the surface.

It had been two days since the Pillar at Iguazu Falls had gone silent, ceasing all communication despite repeated warnings to stay put and avoid doing anything reckless. The lack of response only stoked his frustration. He needed to vent. He went outside to the training yard and threw himself into drills, slashing and striking with practiced fury. It didn't take long before Felicia joined him, arms crossed as she leaned against a post.

"Calmed down yet, Malc?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

"Yes," Malcolm replied tersely. He sheathed his sword, slung his shield over his back, and walked over to her.

"What do you think? Do you think they will stand down?" he asked, though he already knew the answer. Felicia didn't sugar-coat it.

"No, I'm sure they are on their way to it right now. We'd do the same." She was right. If the World Tree had emerged in North America, they'd have done everything possible to secure it first. The Ascended One title alone would be enough to drop everything. But even with the allure of the tree, something gnawed at the back of his mind. That Beast. The system had mentioned it in the global message, and the Progenitor had warned them himself. Drok, it was called.

They had dismissed the threat at first, sending a small, elite team to assess it. None of them had returned.

"What do you want to do?" Felicia asked.

"Stick to the plan. We wait. We still have one year," Malcolm said, his voice resolute.

"But we need to get in contact with the Progenitor. He's the only person who has survived encountering that… thing." Felicia gave a sharp nod and turned back toward the meeting room. Why was that damn man so hard to track down? Malcolm cursed. No one had seen him for months. Some Progenitor he was.