Chapter Ch214 - The Person in the Coffin
The complexions of the leaders of numerous organizations turned ashen.
Likewise, some geniuses who had already rushed over wanting to seize a decisive opportunity also had solemn expressions. At this moment, their erroneous happiness that their own land of adventure, this Great Tomb, was relatively close at hand had become nonexistent.
— There were no advantages at all!
But there was nothing to be done. Because there were too many entrances to the Great Tomb, if anyone wanted to go in, it needed to be considered, deliberated, and considered again. Otherwise, the losses to the organizations would be too great. Later on, if the inheritance wasn’t obtained, then it wouldn’t have been worth it.
As a result, the members of numerous forces had no other choice but to suspend the allocations. Instead, they anxiously waited outside for the arrival of even more manpower from their own organizations.
Just then, when everyone’s minds were forming their own plots, the sound of miserable shrieking could suddenly be heard from high above.
The people present couldn’t help looking over in haste. They discovered that it turned out to be a few somewhat short-sighted Immortal Realm martial artists, not from any organizations, who had taken the initiative to jump up and dash towards the entrances of the Great Tomb.
The entrances that they selected were different, and they didn’t come into conflict with each other. However, at this moment, the one who dashed the fastest was enveloped from head to toe in a l.u.s.trous green radiance. The martial artist howled in agony as he fell out of the sky!
Because the momentum of the other few Immortal Realm martial artists wasn’t slow, there were two others who got close to an entrance.
This time, everyone saw it clearly. The second and third person who touched an entrance was struck by a ray of green light the instant they approached. Immediately following which, they fell down just as the first person did.
In response, those two people, who were dashing somewhat slower, halted their movements in a flurry. They didn’t dare to approach those tunnel entrances at all. Rather, as if they’d seen a devil, they retreated at great speeds.
Among the people who saw this scene, no one mocked their timidity…
The entire thing had occurred in less than a second…
Five confident and valiant powerhouses, whose strengths had reached the Immortal Realm, weren’t willing to obey the rules of the numerous organizations and had rashly taken action. In a split second, five had dropped to two.
This spectacle was a bitter and wretched one.
Everyone watched those three people who were still howling in anguish. They startlingly discovered that the l.u.s.trous green light was a ball of green flames. It firmly adhered to the three people’s bodies. No matter how they rolled and writhed, they couldn’t diminish the flame’s intensity in the least.
Someone who couldn’t bear to watch this got a barrel of water and poured it. However, it was like the water didn’t exist. After being splashed, the water directly flowed onto the ground. Unexpectedly, it wasn’t able to extinguish a lick of that green flame!
Three to five minutes pa.s.sed. Under the watchful stares of everyone, three Immortal Realm martial artists were completely burned to death by that green flame — No. Not only were they burned to death, they were burned to ashes. The instant that the green flame disappeared, a cool breeze blew past, and nothing on the ground remained!
Indeed, it was too ruthless, too horrifying!
The venue was silent.
Normally, whenever something happened, there’d always be someone discussing it spiritedly. However, that wasn’t the case now. Not only did no one utter a single word, they were all still soaking in what they had just witnessed. For a long time, no one reacted.
A good while later, the leader of the great sect publicly known to be the strongest, the Qingyun Sect, spoke with difficulty: “Five entrances were tested just now. Among them, three had green flame attacks… Right now, I have two conjectures that I’ll put forth to get the discussion started. Everyone, if you have any opinions, for the safety of us all, I hope you won’t keep things to yourself.”
These words were spoken, and everyone else thought deeply.
Fighting each other was one thing. Now that such a bizarre situation had occurred, joining forces was another thing.
Soon, the others responded positively. Qingyun Sect’s member explained their own conjectures: “We’ve already previously acknowledged that, among the eighteen tomb entrances, there are probably fake ones and real ones. The appearance of the green flames is too strange. My Qingyun Sect’s first conjecture is that there are no green flames outside of the true entrances and there are green flames outside of the fake entrances. The second conjecture is that the appearance of the green flames is to prevent martial artists at the Immortal Realm and above from entering.”
The numerous martial artists all listened quietly and attentively.
“I personally believe that the second conjecture is more likely. First of all, none of those martial artists who previously entered had reached the Immortal Realm. Prior to that entrance splitting, no one was obstructed by green flames. Additionally, if it’s the first conjecture, we only need to send a few…Immortal Realm martial artists at the end of their lifespans to sound things out. With the true tomb’s appearance, it would be meaningless for the master of that tomb to set things up this way.
“Moreover, I believe that martial artists at the Immortal Realm and above have, for the most part, already embarked upon their own paths of martial arts. On the contrary, it’ll be easier for those who haven’t achieved the Immortal Realm to switch their cultivation paths. If the tomb has an inheritance, to be able to utilize the inheritance and develop oneself, it would naturally be better to let those below the Immortal Realm to enter and receive the tests. It would be far more appropriate for the person who ultimately pa.s.ses the compet.i.tion and shows the most promise to obtain the inheritance.”
It could be said that this a.n.a.lysis of his was extremely meticulous and reasonable.
The disciples of the many forces present were all convinced.
Following this, an organization selected a Xiantian martial artist who was approaching old age and didn’t have any hope of reaching the Immortal Realm. From the first tomb entrance, he started to approach it. Sure enough, as he cautiously walked into it, he wasn’t hindered at all — He hurriedly left, and entered the second tomb entrance. Likewise, there wasn’t the least bit of obstruction.
This happened again and again as he tested them one by one. At last, the numerous martial artists were sure of this point — Martial artists at the Immortal Realm and above weren’t permitted to enter the Great Tomb!
But there was no need for doubt. Once everything was tested, the people on the scene all breathed sighs of relief.
In any case…at least they now knew what should be done.
Immediately following which, the leaders of numerous forces dispatched people once more. The matter of martial artists at the Immortal Realm and above not being allowed to enter was also conveyed throughout each respective organization — When the time came, this was to avoid bringing reliable geniuses while causing the Immortal Realms among them to go on a wild-goose chase.
They crossed five tomb chambers in a row. The farther Gongyi Tianheng and company travelled, the higher the difficulties and the greater the hardships.
After surpa.s.sing the hall’s boulder illusion for the fifth time, there was no longer a pa.s.sage in the tomb chamber that appeared. However, in the innermost position of the tomb chamber a gigantic carved statue emerged.
This sculpture wore a helmet and armor, and its long hair draped loosely over its shoulders. However, because the body was badly damaged, it prevented anyone from distinguishing the sculpture’s gender. One also wasn’t able to make out its facial features.
But the mighty aura that this sculpture exuded was very severe. Even though it wasn’t a living person, even though it was greatly damaged, it still made people feel a frightening suppression.
It was like one would be crushed to pieces if anyone approached the carved statue!
Gu Zuo stared blankly at the sculpture for three seconds before snapping out from that terrifying aura. Soon after, he looked to the left and right. Sure enough, Tianyang, Dragon One, and the others were still stunned. Only that big brother of his seemed to have snapped out of it earlier than him. Although, at this moment, Tianheng was looking at the sculpture and his gaze faintly flickered. It wasn’t known what he was thinking about.
It didn’t take long for the rest to compose themselves.
Ling Ziqi had never experienced such a mighty aura before. At this time, he couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration: “Who, who could this be… Quietly standing here, could it be that it’s to guard the person entombed?”
The other few saw this, and they all had guesses.
In fact, Gu Zuo also felt it was like this.
Wearing a helmet and armor, and a hand that grasped at nothing like it was holding a weapon — No matter how one looked at it, it was some kind of guardian! In the Great Tomb of the Human King, who else could it be protecting besides the Human King?
Of course, it was also possible that this was the venerable Human King… If it really was like this, then what was the venerable Human King protecting?
For a moment, everyone was thinking.
After that, Gu Zuo revealed a great, big smile: “By the way, big brother, we still haven’t collected the funerary objects in this tomb chamber!”
Tianheng glanced at him, and faintly smiled: “What Ah Zuo says is right.”
Following which, the group customarily began from the first long table, and looked at the funerary objects on top of it.
What first came into view was still four weapons.
Everyone was used to this. The spirituality of each time’s weapons was stronger than that of the ones before. This round also wasn’t any exception — Moreover, it seemed like there was something that wanted to directly pounce over from above this round’s weapons. The spirituality almost made one think that it was alive!
Gu Zuo murmured: “Compared to the ones before, it’s like the spirituality has broken through some kind of shackle…”
It could be said that if the previous weapons were like twinkling stars — Correct, even if the brilliance of a star’s radiance was different, they were all stars — Then, this round’s weapons were like the luminous moon. The two couldn’t be mentioned in the same breath.
Tianyang blurted out: “Golden-Level spirit weapons!”
Ling Ziqi also said with admiration: “I also think that these must be Golden-Level spirit weapons! If they were only Human-Level spirit weapons, they wouldn’t have reached such a degree.”
Everyone used inquiring gazes as they looked at Tianheng.
Tianheng smiled: “I also think this way.”
Gu Zuo earnestly nodded: “If big brother says as such, then it certainly must be right.”
Golden-Level spirit weapons were the superior spirit weapons that suited Atomic Realm martial artists. Even if it were the big shot Elders of Qingyun Sect, every person who could own one wasn’t simple. But here, there was no less than four weapons!
From the moment that they appeared here, they had already belonged to Gongyi Tianheng.
Tianheng raised an eyebrow and extended a hand, wanting to collect them.
However, what was beyond their expectations was that…the weapons couldn’t be collected?
The others reacted instantly. Spirit weapons had spirituality. They weren’t like mundane weapons, which could be simply put away. For Human-Level spirit weapons, that kind of superficial spirituality wasn’t a problem. However, upon reaching the category of Golden-Level spirit weapons, that wasn’t so easy to deal with — Golden-Level spirit weapons would automatically reject inter-spatial tools that were of a lower product grade than their own.
Tianyang and the others furrowed their brows.
If the weapons couldn’t be put away, it would be too conspicuous to just take them out like this… But who would be willing to give this up?!
On the contrary, Tianheng was calm and unhurried: “Ah Zuo, come here and try collecting them.”
Gu Zuo thought about it. He suspended his palm over those Golden-Level spirit weapons, and made a concealing gesture. His inner thoughts moved — In a split second, the Golden-Level spirit weapons obediently flew over and immediately disappeared before everyone’s eyes.
They were successfully collected!
The Ling Clan siblings were extremely curious.
Unexpectedly, the inter-spatial tool in Pharmacist Gu’s possession had a higher grade than the one owned by their benefactor? Only, in the end, this was the two’s secret and it wasn’t good to ask questions about it.
Tianyang quickly recalled Gu Zuo’s fortuitous encounter, and realized it clearly.
As for Dragon One, he just listened to orders. Thus, needless inquires wouldn’t arise.
The few people here didn’t say anything. Then, Tianheng walked in front of the second table.
There were still three sets of inner armor. In addition, this round’s inner armors presented a pure-silver color. When rubbed between the fingers, it was smoother than satin. When the fingers curled up, the entire inner armor could even be crumpled into a small ball, which pressed into the palm of one’s hand. The lightness of its material was clear to see.
The inner armors were very pliable and strong. Even when it was slashed by a Golden-Level spirit weapon released by Gu Zuo, it was still undamaged.
Soon after, Gu Zuo spoke with haste: “Big brother, let one set recognize you as its master!”
The previous ones were nothing special, but these inner armors clearly weren’t things of the same grade as the ones before. They were barely worthy of his big brother’s Tiandu Body.
Tianheng originally wanted to put the inner armors away. Hearing what was said, his eyebrows raised. However, he still forced out some blood to drip onto that inner armor. In the blink of an eye, the inner armor’s surface released silvery light, which wrapped up his entire body. After waiting for the rays of light to scatter, everyone realized that the inner armor was incomparably fitting as it covered all the vital parts of the body!
Tianyang looked at the inner armor, and also felt that his elder brother’s might was extraordinary. He thought it over, and suggested: “Big brother, why don’t you test it again? I feel that the quality of this inner armor has undergone a change. Its functions shouldn’t be that simple.”
Tianheng gave a nod, agreeing with him.
Following that, he used his full strength, aimed at his own belly, and unleashed a ferocious bombardment — After the reddish-gold radiance faded, the silvery-white inner armor didn’t even show that it was smoking black. As if it had been caressed by a gentle breeze, there wasn’t the faintest of ripples.
This was an attack that converged all of Tianheng’s power. Unexpectedly, it didn’t cause the tiniest bit of damage to this inner armor!
Gu Zuo was somewhat eager: “Big brother, how is it?”
Tianheng pondered slightly: “After it recognized a master, I actually came to know a few things.”
Tianyang and the Ling Clan siblings looked over in curiosity.
Tianheng didn’t keep them in suspense, and explained to them: “Strictly speaking, this inner armor is also a type of spirit weapon at the Golden-Level. Thus, it contains spirituality. After recognizing me as its master, the uses of the inner armor were relayed, allowing me to know instantly.”
As he spoke, Tianheng operated his cultivation method.
The next moment, everyone watched as that inner armor clearly transformed into a set of silvery-white, full-body light armor! A silver crown, silver body armor, and a silver mask — All parts of Tianheng’s body were covered up. Not even a hair-thin seam was revealed. No matter what the attack, it was impossible to harm him!
Gu Zuo held his breath.
This light armor…was beautiful!
Each line was perfectly straight, and each contour flowed smoothly and easily.
What kind of a person could’ve manufactured such inner armors?
However, not a few seconds had pa.s.sed before the silver helmet and armor that covered the exterior suddenly retracted like running water. All of it had returned to the inner sections of Tianheng’s body.
Tianheng, who appeared once more, was still wearing the silvery-white inner armor.
At this moment, Tianheng said: “If I want to activate this Golden-Level inner armor, I need to use at least Xiantian true qi. As far as Xiantian martial artists are concerned, the true qi that needs to be spent is too much. If I use it, I can only do so for up to two hours before it returns to its original shape. Additionally, the power of ordinary attacks will be automatically absorbed by the inner armor and won’t cause me any harm. But if a martial artist at the Atomic Realm or above carries out an attack, I’ll need to spend large quant.i.ties of true qi for the inner armor to melt that attack’s power.”
Using good things always came at a high price. These few people had long made mental preparations. Granted that they heard Tianheng speak as such, they also weren’t disappointed.
Moreover, although this thing consumed a lot, it was an effective tool for saving one’s life at critical moments! Even the attack of an Atomic Realm martial artist could be resisted. This wasn’t easy to do at all!
Of course, this definitely didn’t mean that one could escape from beneath the hands of an Atomic Realm martial artist. After all, once a person’s true qi was used up, they’d probably get trampled upon… However, this was still advantageous to Tianheng because Gu Zuo could refine enough top grade medicinal pills for him. When he reached a critical juncture, he could madly consume pills and endure for some time. Once that was done, escape wouldn’t be a complete impossibility!
It could be said that this inner armor really couldn’t have suited Tianheng any better!
At this time, Gu Zuo quietly glanced at the Ling Clan siblings, and discovered that, while there were feelings of envy in their eyes, there wasn’t any greed or malice. He felt somewhat relieved.
It seemed that the moral qualities of these two had pa.s.sed the test.
At the very least, they weren’t those types of people who hatched schemes when they saw treasure.
With three sets of inner armor, one was worn by Tianheng, and two were put away by Gu Zuo. There was nothing to be done. Originally, Gu Zuo was also qualified to obtain one set. Unfortunately, the partners that suited this thing were martial artists. A squishy combatant like a pharmacist could only allow a martial artist to tank the hit in front…
If it was said that the several aforementioned things were just precious enough to make a person red-eyed with jealousy, then the two ancient texts on the following third table would make one’s guts churn with desire!
Yes, this round only had two books. But these two books formed a complete set. Moreover, they were a Profound-Level cultivation method!
Even in Qingyun Sect, there weren’t many Profound-Level cultivation methods. Also, the guarded treasures of the Sect were Profound-Level high ranks. As for these two ancient texts here, they had jumped over the Profound-Level low rank and had directly become a superior cultivation method at the Profound-Level mid rank!
<> and << Heaven Scorching Eighteen Beheadings>>.
Just looking at these t.i.tles would make it hard for a person to breathe!
After Gu Zuo saw this set of a Profound-Level mid rank cultivation method, he was suddenly struck dumb.
Actually, he didn’t feel that it was something that particularly deserved astonishment. After all, his own cultivation method was also very powerful. What left him speechless was from reading the cultivation t.i.tles. Lava, earth, and so on. Weren’t they compatible with Tianyang? He had fire and earth dual-attributes! Eighteen beheadings and such. The obvious weapon was a saber! Yet again, it was an unexpected match!
To put it bluntly, this set of a cultivation method was practically tailor-made for Tianyang. The excessive coincidences would leave a person’s mood a bit complicated.
Once Tianheng saw them, he also felt it was a little interesting.
He walked over, swiftly flipping through that cultivation method and martial skill, and firmly memorized them. Following which, he didn’t put them away, and directly tossed them to that stubborn and serious youth: “Tianyang, from this day forth, you will change to this cultivation method.”
Tianyang received them into his hands, and hurriedly read through a few pages. Then, he only felt the qi emissions in his body rush forth as if urging him to cultivate. It was clear to see that this set of a cultivation method was very compatible with him.
The happiness in his heart was boundless. The corners of his mouth, which were stretched taut, couldn’t help bending up: “Many thanks, big brother!”
After the Ling Clan siblings saw this, they likewise felt happy for him.
Soon after, Tianheng said: “Tianyang, I’ve observed that this tomb chamber isn’t ordinary, and the might of this carved statue appears out of the ordinary. From its posture, it may be responsible for the cultivation method in your hands. Since you’ve obtained this cultivation method, you should kneel before it. Kowtow a few times to show your respects to this senior.”
Tianyang felt that his elder brother’s words were reasonable. He stepped forward with a solemn countenance, deferentially kneeled in front of the sculpture, and properly kowtowed a few times — When all was said and done, this wasn’t becoming an apprentice to a master, so just a few kowtows were enough.
However, something even more amazing happened.
After Tianyang finished kowtowing and stood up, that sculpture suddenly broke apart.
At the same moment, from within that huge, broken sculpture, a small sculpture appeared. Its posture was exactly the same as that of the large sculpture, but because its material was gilded and it was haloed in a black light, it seemed even more mighty.
This was a man whose hand grasped a large saber. He looked handsome and extraordinary. His body wore heavy armor and his head bore a heavy helmet like a city-guarding general. His bearing and appearance both made one’s heart flutter.
At this moment, his saber was in a pointing motion. Wasn’t this the first chop of that book <>? Apparently, this set of a cultivation method really had a lot to do with him!
In response, Tianyang made up for the rest of the kowtows.
Although this man technically wasn’t his master, that man could be venerated as was proper for a master.
After this kowtowing, the small sculpture also moved.
The rear stone wall echoed with clacking sounds, and split open to both sides. Everyone then realized that there was a tomb chamber within this tomb chamber!
This tomb within the tomb was much smaller.
At the same time, placed in the middle of this inner tomb was a gigantic coffin.
It was a transparent coffin that allowed people to clearly see the figure within.
Gu Zuo couldn’t help drawing in a breath.
Wh-why did it look like the person inside was still alive?!
— Naturally, this person definitely wasn’t alive.
Merely, this enormous coffin seemed to have been fashioned with cold ice of an unknown age. The one who reclined within like an imperial consort was a gorgeous woman wearing red clothes. Although her facial features weren’t exquisite beyond compare and she wasn’t even smiling, her magnificence was unmatched. With one look, a person couldn’t help but exclaim that she was a peerless beauty!
Her beautiful eyes were closed and her skin was white as snow. But even if she was quiet and unmoving, it seemed as though one could see her every frown and smile. Moreover, one would be deeply attracted to her, and it would be difficult to free oneself.
This was nothing more than the…attractive power of a corpse!
It was already so astonishing!
Yet, among the people in the tomb chamber, Gu Zuo felt she was very good-looking, but he also thought that this woman was only good-looking. Tianheng’s willpower was firm, and didn’t submit to this charm. In Dragon One’s heart, there was only devotion. He was completely unromantic. On the contrary, Ling Ziqi and Tianyang were young, hot-blooded men. However, the former had just resolved a deep-seated hatred, and only looked on distractedly for a moment. The latter presently had his heart set on someone else, so that charm was ineffective against him… Five men, and not one was infatuated.
But they never expected that it was ultimately Ling Ziwei who was affected the most!
It was only seen that the expression in Ling Ziwei’s eyes had suddenly become somewhat dull. Soon after, she slowly walked ahead, step by step… A burst of qi flow rushed over her whole body. One would only see her appearance and movements suddenly taking on the shadow of that gorgeous woman in the coffin.
At this moment, she seemed to have forgotten everything. She only followed some kind of pull, and moved forward ceaselessly…
T/N: Thanks for the correction, Charysa.
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