https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-965-Purifying-Light-Dispels-Impurities/13041492/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-967-Searching-for-the-Hidden-Cache-in-the-Secret-Cellar/13041494/
Chapter 966: The Ancient Shadow's Relic Pearl
Chapter 966: The Ancient Shadow's Relic Pearl
As soon as Chen Chuan stepped into the main hall, he didn't rush towards the lacquer casket on the table but instead surveyed the surroundings.
The moment he entered, he felt a subtle invasion, and his second self immediately showed signs of alienation. Although the invasion was minor, it was still present.
The signs of contamination that Xu Mutang exhibited earlier might have been due to entering this place.
However, it seemed that some of the original arrangements had been weakened, possibly because Xu Mutang had inadvertently damaged something.
Aside from this, the placement of the damaged murals and the eternal flame lamps also seemed deliberate, subtly forming a ritual of sorts.
Chen Chuan had a basic understanding of esoteric rituals, and he could tell that this ritual was not aggressive but rather focused on maintenance. The layout and decorations here were drastically different from the outside, glowing as if new, likely due to the ritual's upkeep and the materials used.
After examining the hall, he finally turned his attention to the casket. According to Xu Mutang's earlier words, the entity that escaped from Yuwen Yuanqi's body might be the deity of the Ying Emperor.
The entity had likely cultivated the divine form, allowing it to occupy Yuwen Yuanqi's body and fight. But after a thousand years, it probably didn't retain much power, or it wouldn't have abandoned its most useful shell earlier.
Instead, it sought refuge here, perhaps because something here could offer it protection.
Chen Chuan approached the casket, his gaze fixed on its contents. He picked up the Snow Lord Saber and used it to pry open the casket, sending the lid flying.
In that instant, an unexpected scene unfolded. A faint, glowing mist rose like a silk scarf, attempting to escape through the ceiling. However, it struggled, seemingly held back by a radiant golden pearl behind it, which seemed to be gradually consuming the mist.
Chen Chuan looked up, his eyebrows slightly raised. He saw a face slowly taking shape within the luminous mist.
This was a typical sign of a fighter cultivating the divine form, as they often had no specific appearance. Their faces represented their fundamental self-awareness.
Without this, they couldn't maintain their true form and would lose their sense of self. Above this face was a faintly visible imperial crown, a clear indicator of the entity's identity.
After struggling for a while, the Ying Emperor's divine form turned to Chen Chuan and sent him a mental message, pleading for him to let go and allow it to reside within him.
Chen Chuan raised an eyebrow. Was this entity too arrogant and forgetful? Had it forgotten its recent predicament? It was audacious to make such a request to the person who had just beaten it, as if it were the most natural thing to do.
But then Chen Chuan reconsidered. Perhaps it was because of the golden seal he carried?
He reached into his pocket, took out the seal, and crushed it in his hand. He tossed the remnants to the ground and calmly stared at the divine form.
The divine form seemed to erupt in rage at this sight and charged towards Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan gripped the Snow Lord Saber hanging at his side. With a thought, the saber glowed with a dazzling light, and a platinum flame danced around it. As the divine form approached, Chen Chuan swung the saber, slicing upwards. A brilliant arc of light flashed across the hall.
With that strike, the face within the mist contorted, revealing a mix of emotions—surprise, anger, despair, resentment, and unwillingness. Then, the mist separated along a smooth cut.
Chen Chuan watched intently. Even the divine form couldn't withstand the spiritual flame and his strike. Instead of fleeing, it charged at him, leaving him no choice but to end its existence.
Just then, a faint glow emanated from the pearl within the casket, illuminating the entire hall.
Chen Chuan raised his hand to shield his eyes and saw the mist being dissolved by the light, absorbed into it.
He then heard a voice of admiration. A hand emerged from the light, taking the pearl. Its owner seemed to examine it for a moment before speaking in a gentle tone, "My pearl is complete. You, a person of fate, have helped me. I leave this to you as a gift."
After speaking, a broom-like object swept away, and the light quickly dimmed. When Chen Chuan looked again, the pearl remained on the table, seemingly untouched. Was what he saw just an illusion?
No, he felt it wasn't an illusion but a manifestation of some sort of spiritual power, presented in a way he didn't yet understand.
Perhaps the 'taking' referred to the essence within the pearl, including the recently vanished remnant of the Ying Emperor's divine form.
He walked over and reached out to pick up the pill. Initially, he thought it might be a pill that the Ying Emperor had refined in his pursuit of immortality. But upon touching it, he realized it wasn't as he expected. It felt like a tangible object, yet it had no weight, as if he were holding a wisp of smoke. However, when he applied force, it was incredibly sturdy. Especially when he probed it with his mind, he felt an emptiness, as if he had sunk into a bottomless pit.
This feedback reminded him of something Mr. Zhuan had mentioned during their conversation—a tale from the ancient era.
Legend had it that the Mystic Sect sought the secret of immortality in the heavens. They collected various heavenly essences and eventually refined them into a body mansion, allowing them to exist eternally in the heavens. This pill-like object was supposedly the result of that process. Could this be it?
It would be a valuable item for a fighter in the Divine Form.
No wonder the Ying Emperor had invested so much here.
However, he wasn't in the Divine Form, so it seemed unnecessary for him. But as this thought crossed his mind, he seemed to recall something else. After a moment of contemplation, he waved his hand, and the object slowly floated up and disappeared into his spirit form.
Like the armor and spear, this object existed between reality and illusion, allowing it to be contained within his spirit form.
He glanced at the grand hall once more. It was the highest building in the area, and the Ying Emperor himself was present, so the true treasures of the secret treasury should be here.
His gaze swept around the hall, finally settling on the spot where Yuwen Yuanqi had been sitting. He could sense a void beneath it.
However, he didn't immediately go to open it. Instead, he walked out and approached Xu Mutang, who was sitting there, half-conscious. He had lost consciousness because, to create an opportunity for Xu, he had squeezed out the last bit of spiritual flame he could summon from outside, which left him without protection. He couldn't withstand the previous impact.
Even so, the alienating organization within his body was still actively resisting the invasion, preventing further corruption.
At this moment, he extended his hand, and a dazzling light shone from his palm. Under this radiant glow, the tiny holes on Xu Mutang's body and the long worms crawling in and out of them all turned into wisps of black smoke and dissipated.
The power of the Grand Radiant Light Technique effectively purified these corruptions, but it only cleared the outer layer. To completely eradicate them, Xu would have to completely open himself up, which wasn't necessary. No fighter would willingly do that, and Xu could handle the rest on his own.
Xu Mutang's chest rose and fell, and he suddenly woke up. When he opened his eyes, he was extremely vigilant, as his mind was still on the moment when Yuwen Yuanqi had screamed in agony.
In the 1619th chapter, the version is correct!
As he saw Chen Chuan standing not far away, he seemed to recall something and immediately turned to look at the site of the recent battle.
The area was filled with large pits, and the most eye-catching sight was a set of armor and a long spear gathered there. He paused, then slowly stood up and asked uncertainly, "Chen Chuan, you... Yuwen Yuanqi...?"
Chen Chuan replied naturally, "It's taken care of."
Although Xu Mutang had already guessed the answer, he couldn't help but glance at Chen Chuan, feeling very unsettled.
He had personally experienced Yuwen Yuanqi's formidable power. Even if Yuwen Yuanqi might not have his original strength, he was still a formidable opponent. Chen Chuan didn't seem injured, and his condition appeared relaxed, as if dealing with Yuwen Yuanqi hadn't taken much effort. This led Xu to reassess Chen Chuan's strength.
It was a pity he hadn't witnessed the rest of the battle.
He exhaled slowly, and his condition improved; Chen Chuan must have used some means.
He looked at Chen Chuan and sincerely said, "You helped alleviate my condition, didn't you, Chen Chuan? Thank you for saving me again."
Chen Chuan said, "There's no need for such formality, Xu Zong Chantou. If you hadn't helped me earlier, things might have turned out differently."
Xu Mutang said, "I feel ashamed, Chen Chuan. My previous actions were out of self-preservation. If not for you, the consequences would have been unpredictable." After a brief pause, he asked, "Did you come in through the main entrance?"
"Yes," Chen Chuan replied.
Xu Mutang fell silent for a moment before saying, "I won't hide it from you, Chen Chuan. We've been keeping an eye on this secret treasury in Longyou Province for a long time. When I received news of the ritual's change, I rushed here immediately.
I originally wanted to get to the treasury before you, Chen Chuan, and claim at least a portion of it, to prevent too much of the treasury from being lost. But I overestimated myself; if you hadn't been here, I might have met my end. I believe only you are qualified to take what's here."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
