Translator: Silavin
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the black energy rapidly proliferated. In moments, the entire palm of that Mid Stage Martial Emperor transformed into a mass of darkness.
What followed was an action that left onlookers utterly dumbfounded…
*Swish!* He drew a short sword and, with a single strike, severed his own blackened palm.
The severed hand hit the ground and was swiftly corroded by the black energy. Within mere seconds, that palm had withered into skeletal remains.
Without uttering a single word, he turned toward the staircase, his form vanishing from sight.
Clearly, he had chosen to surrender.
Having lost his arm, he no longer possessed the qualification to continue competing. Should he stubbornly remain here, death would be his only outcome.
*Siiii!* Witnessing this scene, gasps of shock rippled through the surroundings.
They finally understood why Gu Feitian had reacted in such a manner.
At this moment, Gu Feitian’s expression was equally grim.
Obviously, had he been slightly weaker, his fate would have mirrored that of the Mid Stage Martial Emperor.
“Anyone else interested? Feel free to let me know at any time, really.” Qin Yichen tossed the arm guards in his hand, the corners of his mouth curving into a subtle arc.
With Gu Feitian and that Mid Stage Martial Emperor serving as cautionary examples, no one dared attempt it.
Though they all prided themselves as prodigies, none believed themselves superior to Gu Feitian.
While unclear about what had transpired, Gu Feitian’s obvious wariness of those arm guards spoke volumes.
They seemed to comprehend why Qin Yichen had been so generous, casually offering the arm guards as a gift.
In an instant, everyone’s expressions darkened. This seemingly harmless youth was far more complex than his appearance suggested!
“Hehe, such liveliness. Seems like I haven’t arrived too late.”
At that moment, a melodious voice suddenly emanated from behind. The voice possessed extraordinary elegance, as though imbued with peculiar enchantment. Immediately, numerous gazes clouded with infatuation before turning toward the source of the sound.
Not far behind them, a graceful silhouette approached with measured steps. When the crowd beheld this figure, their breathing collectively seized!
The woman wore a yellow dress, a pale blue sash accentuating her slender waist. Her skin resembled white jade, her eyebrows like emerald feathers. A pair of crystalline eyes seemed to instantly dim the surroundings.
Upon her delicate face, exquisite features commanded unwavering attention. Despite facing over a dozen scrutinizing gazes, this fairy-like beauty showed no discomfort. As she moved, an exceptional temperament radiated irrepressibly outward.
[What a beautiful woman!] Even Qin Yichen’s eyes flashed with admiration. This woman’s temperament and beauty rivaled those of his intimate companions!
However, though the woman wore a gentle smile, Qin Yichen detected coldness within those crystalline eyes.
This woman was definitely not as warm and gentle as her appearance suggested!
Among those present, perhaps only Li Yuanba remained unaffected. Though his tiger-like eyes observed the exquisitely beautiful woman, they contained no amazement at her beauty. There was only bewilderment, as if questioning how someone who appeared smaller than half his fist could evoke such a sense of danger!
Upon seeing this woman, both Gu Feitian and Yao Yue’s expressions transformed dramatically. Previously composed and untroubled, their faces now bore profound gravity, as though confronting a formidable enemy.
[Who is this woman? She seems really important…] Qin Yichen’s brow furrowed as he thought. For this woman to command such wariness from those two, she was certainly no ordinary individual!
“So it’s Miss Mu Yanzhen. We would have never expected that even you would be interested in this ancient battlefield.” As the woman approached, Yao Yue offered a slight smile, his manner suggesting familiarity with her identity.
Gu Feitian beside him also nodded slightly toward her, undisguised fervour burning in his eyes.
Such an exquisitely beautiful woman would stir any man’s heart. Naturally, Li Yuanba being the exception.
“Merely a coincidence.” Mu Yanzhen smiled faintly, seemingly unimpressed by either man. Her gaze swept the area, meeting numerous reddened eyes. The coldness in her own eyes quietly intensified.
However, when she finally noticed Qin Yichen and Li Yuanba, two pairs of eyes devoid of desires, surprise flickered across her face. Yet upon sensing both were merely Early Stage Martial Emperors, she withdrew her gaze with disinterest.
“With so many present already, why don’t we all combine our strength to open the door?”
After surveying the assembly, Mu Yanzhen directed her inquiry toward Yao Yue and Gu Feitian, her voice extraordinarily gentle, stirring heated blood yet carrying an undertone of irresistible compulsion.
“Hehe, precisely my intention. With Miss Yanzhen’s aid, opening this door would no longer be difficult.” Gu Feitian responded with a smile, his tone full of flattery.
However, his words elicited no favourable response from Mu Yanzhen. If anything, his familiar mode of address seemed to evoke faint disgust.
“The seal on this stone door has endured countless years. Its power should have diminished. If we focus our attacks on a single point, it should indeed not be too difficult.” Yao Yue also spoke with a smile.
“En.” Mu Yanzhen nodded slightly, her expression gentle.
Hearing Yao Yue’s assessment, the crowd reluctantly shifted their attention from Mu Yanzhen to the stone door.
Though Mu Yanzhen’s appearance amazed and captivated them, the immediate priority remained opening this stone door. With good fortune, obtaining the inheritance would launch them to meteoric heights. Then, what woman couldn’t they have!?
“Everyone, let’s not delay. Begin.” Gu Feitian spoke again. As his words fell, his palms flipped, rapidly forming intricate hand seals.
Golden light coalesced between his palms, a domineering fluctuation rippling outward before transforming into a massive golden beam that shot forth.
*Whoosh!*
The golden radiance streaked forward, trailing fearsome sonic booms. Such momentum caused numerous Mid Stage Martial Emperors to turn white!
This casual assault far exceeded their capacity to withstand!