Chapter 723 - 723: The Floating Crystal Coffin

They were hit by two more massive waves of insects.

Among the Sect Disciples, the calls to retreat grew louder and louder.

However, just then, a turning point emerged.

A hazy, faint red dot appeared in the seemingly endless darkness ahead.

"Look, there's something ahead!"

"A speck of red light? Could it be… we're almost there! Is that the Venerable's corpse!?"

"The corpse of a Venerable… I wonder what's there…"

The red dot in the darkness was like a shot in the arm for everyone.

Even the few team leaders who had been ready to retreat were re-energized. Their hearts once again filled with fighting spirit.

Chu Qingyun's spirits lifted as well.

The endless darkness and constant insect attacks had made even him consider retreating.

With their destination in sight, no one mentioned retreating anymore. Instead, a fiery excitement ignited in everyone's hearts.

Within the sect contingents, the teams from the Saint Extreme Sect, Celestial Sword Sect, Tianya Sect, and Purple Cloud Sect—all Four Sects—began to tacitly put some distance between one another. Even the three teams within the Saint Extreme Sect started to separate.

When there was only danger and no reward in sight, they had been able to work together to fend off the massive insects.

But now that the Venerable's corpse had appeared, everyone's minds started churning. Former allies had now become rivals, all vying for the prize.

Chu Qingyun, of course, stayed with Qi Hao and his group.

"Chu, you shouldn't seek to harm others, but you must always be on guard."

"Even though they all took a Martial Arts Oath not to move against you, the situation here is complicated and the path ahead is uncertain. There's no guarantee they won't try some dirty tricks."

"So, it would be best for you to stick with us."

Qi Hao said in a low voice, walking beside Chu Qingyun.

"Heh, don't worry, Qi. I can protect myself. When the time comes, you guys don't need to mind me. Just go and fight for whatever treasures you can."

Chu Qingyun replied with a light laugh.

Chu Qingyun hadn't had time to learn the Secret Transmission technique, so when he spoke with Qi Hao and the others, he used his Primordial Power to create a soundproof barrier around them.

This method had its pros and cons. The upside was that the seven of them could speak freely without being overheard. The downside was that they couldn't hear anything from the outside, either.

The teams from the other sects were all using similar methods to discuss their own plans in secret.

The alliance between the sects was fracturing. No one trusted anyone outside of their own small groups anymore.

The six remaining members of the Martial Soul Hall merely sneered at this development.

This was, of course, exactly what they wanted to see. Their greatest fear was the Sect Disciples uniting against them.

The red glow grew brighter and more distinct.

As they ventured deeper, Chu Qingyun and the others began to feel a faint, oppressive aura. It wasn't powerful, but it was enough to make one's heart pound with unease.

Someone muttered in awe, "Worthy of a Venerable… to still have such an oppressive aura after being dead for two thousand years…"

After fighting off three more waves of massive insects, the group finally reached the source of the red light, the end of the Underground Space, and the origin of the oppressive aura.

It was a transparent crystal coffin, about three meters tall, floating in midair.

It was impossible to see what was inside the crystal coffin.

The entire coffin was filled with a blood-red light that cast an eerie, crimson glow over the vast, dark Underground Space, making the scene feel sinister and bizarre.

Using the light from their Primordial Power, Chu Qingyun and his group spotted some weapons, Crystal Stones, and other items scattered around—likely grave goods left behind.

However, after two thousand years, time had eroded them completely. All of their power had long since dissipated, turning them into worthless junk.

A quick search of the area yielded nothing. Everyone's gazes once again focused on the crystal coffin floating in midair.

Clearly, if there was any Treasure left, it had to be inside that coffin.

"Quick, look! I think there's a Crystal Stone at the bottom of the coffin!"

Someone with sharp eyes suddenly spotted what looked like a Crystal Stone sinking toward the bottom of the coffin. But as soon as it touched the base, it floated back up and out of sight.

"There's something at the front, too! It looks like… a dagger!"

"Over here, too! Is that… a Compass? Or a Crystal Stone?"

The blood-red light inside the coffin behaved like a liquid, causing the objects within to float. Whenever something drifted close to the transparent walls, the people outside would catch a fleeting glimpse.

The items inside sent a jolt of excitement through everyone.

Anything buried in the same coffin as a Venerable couldn't possibly be ordinary. A Royal-grade, or even a Sect Level Divine Weapon? A heaven-defying Crystal Stone Essence? Or perhaps a Tier Five, or even Tier Six Demon Core?

At these thoughts, a burning fervor appeared in the eyes of all the Sect Disciples. They looked as if they wanted to break open the crystal coffin that very second.

But they retained enough sense not to act rashly.

Meanwhile, the envoy from the Martial Soul Hall raised his head and stared intently at the crystal coffin. The multicolored light flashing in his eyes betrayed his intense excitement.

'A Venerable's corpse, preserved by a mutated Blood Origin… It's highly likely to contain a remnant Martial Soul!'

'Finally… I've found it!'

The Martial Soul Hall envoy clenched his fists, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.

With the remnant Martial Soul from the Venerable's corpse, he was confident he could use the techniques developed by the Martial Soul Hall to create a Venerable Level combatant!

"Your Excellency, congratulations! Once we have the Venerable's remnant Martial Soul, we can finally turn the tables and hold our heads high!"

"Then we can use the vast number of members and resources from the Northern Domain's Martial Soul Hall and Black Demon Tower to create a Venerable Level combatant for ourselves. And they won't be able to refuse! It's thrilling just to think about it!"

"Those idiots from the sects have no idea how terrifying the mutated Power of Origin is. They're still fantasizing about getting some kind of Treasure. It's ridiculous!"

The six members of the Martial Soul Hall were also using their Primordial Power to shield their conversation, plotting amongst themselves.

Just then, from the sects' side, Wan Jianxin of the Celestial Sword Sect suddenly stepped forward. With a wave of his hand, he sent out a sword-shaped burst of Primordial Power, shattering the sound-dampening barrier the Martial Soul Hall had created.

"Brothers, I propose we deal with the people from the Martial Soul Hall first, and only then consider what to do about this crystal coffin. What do you all say?"

Wan Jianxin announced loudly, taking a clear stand against the Martial Soul Hall.

The other three from the Celestial Sword Sect immediately voiced their agreement.

The other Sect Disciples nodded in assent as well.