Lu Chen stepped through the massive gate, and his eyes widened at the sight before him. A vast, ancient hall stretched out, its walls lined with countless treasures. Swords of exquisite craftsmanship, spears that shimmered with a faint glow, armor radiating powerful auras, and shelves filled with radiant elixirs—some of them reaching the formidable tenth level. Scrolls floated gently along the walls, each one a complete cultivation technique, with some even at the Grandmaster level.
"What a fortune..." Lu Chen whispered, his gaze sweeping over the treasure trove.
Without hesitation, he waved his hand, and a ripple of energy pulled all the treasures into his storage ring. Weapons, elixirs, and scrolls vanished like mist, but Lu Chen's expression remained calm. "Most of these are of little use to me, but they will be excellent gifts for my followers."
But just as he finished collecting the treasures, his eyes locked onto the center of the room.
A grand, ancient coffin stood there—ornate, with golden inscriptions glowing faintly. Something about it drew Lu Chen's attention like a magnet.
"A coffin… here?" he muttered, curiosity burning in his chest.
He approached cautiously, and just as his hand brushed against the lid, a blinding ray of light erupted from the coffin, forcing him to take a step back. The light condensed into the form of a stern-looking elder, his translucent figure hovering above the coffin.
"A mere child dares touch this sacred resting place?" the spectral figure intoned, his voice echoing with ancient power. "With your Chaos Body, you have potential… but your heart is shrouded in darkness."
Lu Chen's lips curled into a fearless smile. "Light or dark, it doesn't matter. Talent and strength are all that count. I am worthy of whatever lies within."
The elder's expression didn't change, but the pressure in the room intensified. An invisible force bore down on Lu Chen, like a mountain pressing against his shoulders. The ground beneath him cracked, but his stance didn't waver.
Step by step, he moved forward, the crushing weight trying to force him down.
"Only those with an unyielding heart may inherit my legacy!" the elder's voice boomed, the pressure growing with every word.
But Lu Chen's eyes remained sharp. Even as blood seeped from his lips, even as his bones groaned under the strain, he kept walking. His Chaos Body shone faintly, resisting the crushing force.
Step.
Step.
And finally, his hand touched the coffin's surface.
The elder's fierce gaze softened. "Such tenacity… very well. Prove yourself in the face of suffering."
The oppressive aura vanished. The elder's figure dissipated, and in its place, a golden light erupted from the coffin. The lid slid open, and a radiant, golden spear rose from within—a Saint-Level weapon, its brilliance like the dawn sun.
Without hesitation, Lu Chen reached out, his hand wrapping around the spear's shaft. The moment he did, a surge of energy exploded from it, coursing into his body like a roaring tide.
"A Saint-Level weapon… it's mine!" Lu Chen's eyes burned with excitement.
But his joy didn't end there. That energy didn't just flood his body—it began to merge with him, purifying his spiritual energy, tempering his body, and pushing his cultivation to new heights.
His aura flared, rising steadily.