Chapter 1052: Xi Haizi
“Congratulations on pa.s.sing the trial of the white ball of light, fated persons. I hope that you can use the treasure to strengthen your tribe!” the statue of Xi Haizi was all smiles as it spoke.
That’s right, the statue was able to show emotions now!
An Lin was astonished. “The statue has finally become a statue spirit?”
Statue of Xi Haizi: “…”
Lan Xiaoni’s dainty mouth was also slightly agape. “Are you really Senior Xi Haizi?”
A warm yet stiff smile stretched across Xi Haizi’s face as he looked up. “Indeed, it’s me. My remnant divine intent has awoken because there’s only one ball remaining. By reaching this stage, you two are qualified enough to activate this wisp of remnant divine intent.”
An Lin’s eyes lit up. This tempo… Was it time for a story, or was it time to receive rewards?
Excitement also washed over Lan Xiaoni. She was no match for An Lin when fighting for treasures. However, this was her own ancestor! If he bestowed rewards, then she would probably receive something too, right?
If that was the case, then she wouldn’t appear so disgraceful and useless when she left this realm!
A look of disappointment suddenly fell over the statue’s face. “Who would’ve thought…” it said and sighed. “The two of you actually chose to take my treasures rather than choosing to learn of the two tribes’ secrets. Are our descendants all this materialistic now?”
Lan Xiaoni felt extremely aggrieved. She did plan to choose the two tribes’ secrets! However, An Lin’s power was far too overwhelming. If he wanted to obtain the treasure, what could she do?
She gazed at Xi Haizi and was just about to spill the beans. However, after shooting a quick glance at An Lin, she forcefully suppressed her urge to speak.
Meanwhile, An Lin was already unable to contain himself. “You have the face to say this? If you genuinely want to give your descendants something, then don’t set up so many annoying trials! What’s wrong with giving us the treasures and secrets at the same time? Yet you had to set up an either-or scenario.”
Xi Haizi was choked for words. He opened his mouth, yet he didn’t know what to say.
He fell deep into thought. It appeared as though he was pondering over why he made such a decision.
An Lin: “…”
Lan Xiaoni: “…”
As if he had thought of something, Xi Haizi’s eyes suddenly lit up. “It was because my dao partner and I planned on determining the destiny that existed between the trial-takers and us! Since your destinies lie here, the secrets of our two tribes shall be buried under the sea forever! This is destiny’s choice!”
An Lin grimaced. This explanation sounded like a load of tosh.
“This is destiny?” Lan Xiaoni had a look of shock. “Isn’t this far too irresponsible toward the two tribes?”
An Lin silently gave her a thumbs up. Well said!
However… she actually dared to speak to her ancient ancestor like that? So brave!
Sure enough, the statue’s face darkened. Its pure white head suddenly turned black. It looked like it was a bit angry.
Lan Xiaoni realized that she had spoken out of place. The color drained from her face, and she was just about to apologize. However, Xi Haizi opened his mouth again at this moment. The tone of his voice became especially apathetic, and there was no hint of emotion.
“How completely unexpected. A human has actually managed to sneak in.” Xi Haizi looked toward An Lin.
An Lin puffed his chest out. “What’s wrong with humans? Are you looking down upon humans?”
The corners of Xi Haizi’s mouth curled up. He unclasped a hand and said, “Black ball realm, activate!”
Boom!
A powerful burst of spatial energy instantly enveloped An Lin and Lan Xiaoni.
An Lin felt a nauseating wave of dizziness overcome him. Then, he arrived in a vast and s.p.a.cious cave. The interior of the cave was filled with steep and jagged rocks, and there were also numerous peculiar carvings resting along the outer edges.
“What’s with teleporting us into this realm all of a sudden? I still haven’t decided whether or not to continue partic.i.p.ating in the trials!” An Lin grumbled in dissatisfaction as he slapped his dizzy head.
“Big Boss An Lin, since we’re here, we may as well take the treasures of this realm as well. With your strength, no enemy can stop you!” Lan Xiaoni walked over and pumped him up.
An Lin couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the mermaid princess. She was becoming more and more like an underling now. “When this trial is over, I’ll reward you richly.”
“M-hm!” A pretty smile stretched across Lan Xiaoni’s face.
At any rate, she had given up on the trials already. It would be better to just follow after An Lin and take some of the rewards that he gave her home.
That way, it would also be easier to explain herself to her seniors.
Anyhow, this was all because An Lin was too powerful. She had tried her best in six different ball realms, yet her hard work still reaped her no rewards. This wasn’t her fault.
An Lin started focusing on the last trial.
The cave was extremely s.p.a.cious, and the outer edges were composed of slabs of solid, pitch-black rock walls. This was probably an underground world.
There was also a blazing flame river that flowed through the cave slowly. The light that it emitted lit up the dim s.p.a.ce.
Located on the other side of the flame river was a strange sacrificial altar. It stretched for thousands of meters in length, and it was shrouded in flames and poisonous mist.
There was a glowing blue rock resting in the center of the sacrificial altar.
“Big Boss An Lin, is that rock the treasure of this trial?” Lan Xiaoni asked excitedly.
An Lin stroked his chin and glanced at the blazing flame river. Then, he s.h.i.+fted his gaze toward the frightening flames and corrosive mist. “Could it be that there are no monsters in this trial? Is the aim to travel from one point to another?”
“Travel from one point to another?” Lan Xiaoni’s face turned pale with fright. “T-then those obstacles must be extremely terrifying, right?”
The Ancient Heavenly Fiendcelestial of the white ball realm was already insanely terrifying.
Now, the black ball realm presented them with flames and poisonous mist. Judging by the trend of increasing difficulty, wouldn’t these obstacles be especially nightmarish?
“Stay here and don’t move. I’ll go over by myself.”
Lan Xiaoni nodded obediently as she gazed at An Lin’s dependable figure. “M-hm, I’ll wait for you.”
An Lin started to cross the zigzagging flame river.
Boom!
The flame river suddenly started churning. Countless flame dragons shot into the sky and started lunging toward An Lin with startling speed.
An Lin breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. Having some movement and activity was always good. The scariest thing was if the world remained completely silent and still. That kind of scenario was the most bothersome.
“Shatter!”
He pressed a hand down.
The vital energy swarmed and formed into a gigantic palm that was one thousand meters in radius. Then, it crushed down toward the lunging flame dragons.
The might of An Lin’s casual attack was as powerful as a Soul Formation Pinnacle Stage cultivator’s full-power attack.
Rumble…
Several flame dragons were obliterated by the imposing might of the vital energy palm.
An Lin also took advantage of the momentum and landed on the ground. He had successfully crossed the flame river.
The flame river became silent again. It was as though nothing had happened just then.
An Lin smiled calmly. Perhaps these obstacles were challenging for ordinary cultivators of the Soul Formation Stage. However, to a slightly unique cultivator such as himself, it was d.a.m.n easy.
He started walking toward the sacrificial altar. The sacrificial altar was enveloped in a barrier of scorching flames, which caused the air around it to distort. Any matter that neared it was obliterated.
This was an extremely pure and powerful flame power.
An Lin walked toward it head-on, and his four divine flames transformed into a suit of invincible flame armor. He was like the lord of all flames, and every lick of the flames bowed down toward him as he walked past. Nothing impeded his advance.
The flames were indeed powerful; they would be able to incinerate all cultivators of the Soul Formation Stage into pools of blood. However, An Lin was even more powerful. His strength had exceeded the realm of the Soul Formation Stage long ago.
The same could be said about the poisonous mist. Although it was fearsome, that was merely toward beings of the Soul Formation Stage. It was unable to cause An Lin any difficulty.
“Heh, isn’t this far too easy?” An Lin crossed through the poisonous mist and walked toward the sacrificial altar. In no time, he had arrived before the slab of rectangular blue stone.
The stone slab was over ten meters tall, and it exuded a powerful aura.
It was this exact aura that led An Lin to believe that this was the treasure of this black ball realm.
“So, is it you?” An Lin reached over and touched the icy-cold stone slab.
Suddenly, a hair-raising sense of danger appeared from behind him.
An Lin immediately turned around. Then, his pupils constricted.
Before he could react, an undetectable blue shadow had already pierced into his chest.
The sharp object possessed a boundless divine might, and it instantly shattered the divine body that he was so proud of. It penetrated through his heart and nailed him onto the gigantic blue stone slab!