Free Web NovelChapter 154: Chapter 154: Third Gate Settlement
The Third Gate settlement appeared in white-gold light.
Unlike previous floors, the Tower did not display the result immediately. The gate behind them remained open for several breaths, as if judging whether their path would collapse after the battle.
Then the panel appeared.
[Floor 30: Third Gate — Path and Burden Trial]
[Phase One: Personal burdens stabilized — Completed.]
[Phase Two: Crimson Eclipse Burden Projection defeated — Completed.]
[Phase Three: Third Gate Guardian defeated — Completed.]
[Team Link Preserved.]
[False Sacrifice Offers Refused.] freёwebnovel.com
[Path Contradiction Resolved.]
[Class Trait Upgraded:
Commander’s Burden → Commander’s Chosen Burden]
[Calculating final evaluation...]
The result flashed.
[Final Evaluation: SSS]
Qin Mo sat down immediately.
"I would like every gate to know that conceptual trials are exhausting."
The reward panel appeared.
[SSS Evaluation Rewards]
EXP +20,000
Tower Coins x300,000
SS Grade Third Gate Treasure Chest x1
SS Grade Path Contradiction Crystal x1
SS Grade Chosen Burden Heart Stone x1
SS Grade Third Gate Authority Trace x1
S Grade Future Mirage Breaking Talisman x3
Special Mark: Third Gate Path Stabilizer
Additional reward:
[Crimson Eclipse Projection Defeated]
SS Grade Eclipse Burden Residue x1
SS Grade Anchor Guilt Severing Crystal x1
Qin Yuheng’s eyes sharpened.
Anchor Guilt Severing Crystal.
That was directly relevant to Qin Zhengyuan’s ritual anchor.
The return to Heavenly Gate Academy caused the strongest reaction since Floor 20.
The platform displayed:
[Floor 30: Third Gate]
[Final Evaluation: SSS]
[Class Trait Development Detected]
[Path Contradiction Resolved]
Yu Qingmei stood completely still for a moment.
Then she ordered the hall cleared.
The debrief lasted two hours.
When Qin Yuheng explained the Crimson Eclipse Burden Projection, Yu Qingmei’s expression became extremely serious.
"The Third Gate manifested Crimson Eclipse?"
"Yes."
"Then the ritual trace is deeply connected to your unresolved burdens."
"Or Blood Sun’s interference history allowed the Gate to form it."
"Both are possible."
She recorded everything.
At the Qin Estate, the Third Gate results carried both relief and concern.
Qin Zhengyuan smiled when he heard the class trait upgrade.
"Chosen Burden. Good."
Mu Qinglan looked at Qin Yuheng’s wrist, where the moon mark had burned away during the trial.
"It protected you?"
"Yes."
"I will make a stronger one next time."
Qin Mo muttered, "I would like one too."
"You will receive one," she said.
He sat straighter.
The Third Gate Treasure Chest was SS grade, higher than previous normal chests. Qin Yuheng considered evolving it.
[SS Grade Third Gate Treasure Chest]
[Eligible for Primordial Origin Evolution.]
[Please select evolution direction.]
He chose Quality Enhancement.
[SS Grade Third Gate Treasure Chest]
↓
[SSS Grade Ancient Third Gate Sovereign Path Chest]
Opening it produced:
[SSS Grade Third Gate Sovereign Authority Crystal x1]
[SSS Grade Chosen Commander Heart Crystal x1]
[SS Grade Skill Book: Third Gate Thunder Path Command Art x1]
[SS Grade False Future Severing Mirror x1]
[SS Grade Path Stabilization Formation Blueprint x1]
The False Future Severing Mirror was immediately useful against possible future-mirage traps.
The Path Stabilization Formation Blueprint could help class development and prevent external path interference.
The Anchor Guilt Severing Crystal was enhanced.
[SS Grade Anchor Guilt Severing Crystal]
↓
[SSS Grade Ritual Anchor Burden Severing Crystal]
Effect:
[Can weaken guilt-based ritual anchor bindings, distinguish emotional burden from ritual burden, and assist in safe analysis of dormant vessel anchors.]
Qin Zhengyuan looked at it for a long time.
"This may help separate what is mine from what they placed in me."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"Yes."
But they did not use it immediately.
The Sunken Star Library record had warned them. Removing surface components without understanding the anchor could awaken the ritual.
Now they had a tool.
Not the complete answer.
Qin Wanshan ordered the creation of a Crimson Eclipse Anchor Map.
Qin Mo would lead the technical mapping.
Mu Qinglan would supervise moon-related reactions.
Qin Zhengyuan would undergo only observation, not treatment, until enough structure was understood.
Qin Yuheng would provide evolved support tools but not rush.
This was the new rule.
At the academy, reaching Floor 30 changed Qin Yuheng’s status again.
He was no longer simply a promising seed.
He was a proven post-Third-Gate climber with an SSS class and repeated impossible evaluations.
That attracted attention beyond Heavenly Gate City.
Letters began arriving from higher academies, guilds, and military offices.
Qin Wanshan refused most before Qin Yuheng even saw them.
But one letter remained.
It bore the seal of the Central Tower Youth Exchange Assembly.
Yu Qingmei sent a note with it:
Do not answer yet.
This may be opportunity or battlefield.
Qin Yuheng looked at the seal.
A wider stage was approaching.
But first, Floors 31 and beyond awaited.
