Chapter 191: Journey to the Ancient Tomb

Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Journey to the Ancient Tomb

After Yun Mengling departed, Yi Xiaoyao remained rooted to the spot, unwilling to leave for a long, long time.

"You’ll see her again sooner or later. Why be so unwilling to part?"

A bright, clear voice sounded from behind him.

Yi Xiaoyao was slightly startled. He turned and said, "Hall Master, what are you doing here?"

The Black Robe Hall Master looked down at the ruins at his feet and said with a helpless smile, "What else? I was worried you were going to tear down my Seven Kills Star Hall."

Yi Xiaoyao instantly understood and gave an apologetic smile.

"Sigh... I remember when you first joined the Seven Kills Star Hall, you were like an eaglet among chicks. Now, you’ve become a great eagle, ready to spread your wings! This little chicken coop of mine can’t handle the ruckus you cause."

The Black Robe Hall Master’s face was filled with emotion. He looked at Yi Xiaoyao with admiration, feeling proud that a great eagle had been raised in his "chicken coop."

"Are you trying to kick me out, Hall Master?" Yi Xiaoyao asked jokingly.

The Black Robe Hall Master burst out laughing. "Why would I need to? You’ll be flying away from here soon enough, in search of your own sky."

Then, his tone shifted.

"But the sky is vast, and it can be hard to find a place to land. You must remember that the Seven Kills Star Hall will always be your home. You can return to rest here anytime."

The gentleness of his voice brought a sudden warmth to Yi Xiaoyao’s heart, which had grown cold after Yun Mengling’s departure.

"Hall Master, why so sentimental today? Is something big about to happen?" Yi Xiaoyao asked with a faint smile.

"I’m just speaking my mind."

The Black Robe Hall Master shook his head with a faint smile, then added, "By the way, the seven-day period the King of Shang mentioned is up. Do you plan on going?"

Yi Xiaoyao nodded. He had asked Yun Mengling to stay for seven more days precisely so he could head to King Shang’s Palace after the seven days were up to obtain the Creation that would allow him to form Multiple Nascent Souls.

「King Shang’s Palace.」

A slightly portly figure sat upon a high throne in the center. This was the monarch of the Great Shang Dynasty, the King of Shang.

Before him stood five young men and women, Yi Xiaoyao among them.

"I didn’t expect all five of you to show up."

The King of Shang’s gaze swept over each of the five people before him. These five were the strongest geniuses in the Great Shang Dynasty, the top five on the Hidden Dragon List.

’At the same time, these five geniuses weren’t fools. They had to have known that the Creation the King of Shang spoke of would surely be accompanied by great danger. After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.’

’And yet, all five of them had come, which meant they were mentally prepared.’

"Since that’s the case, I won’t keep you in suspense. Let me tell you exactly what this so-called Creation is all about."

The King of Shang rose and began to pace before the five of them.

"A month ago, we in the Great Shang Dynasty discovered a tomb. After extensive confirmation, we’ve verified that its master was a legendary, supreme expert!"

"Historical records state that this expert’s power far surpassed others of the Same Realm. He could kill cultivators of the same rank as easily as lifting a hand, all because he had cultivated Multiple Nascent Souls!"

"The records also state that when this expert was besieged by his enemies, he proclaimed that whoever found his final resting place would be able to obtain his Secret Technique for forming Multiple Nascent Souls."

Hearing this, Yi Xiaoyao and the other four instantly understood.

"Your Majesty wishes for us to enter that supreme expert’s tomb?"

’Why doesn’t the King of Shang get this Creation himself?’ they all wondered. ’Or why not send more powerful Nascent Soul Realm experts into the tomb? Why choose the five of us?’

The King of Shang saw the doubt in their hearts at a glance and continued to explain.

"This tomb is exceedingly strange. It seems to contain some kind of powerful Array. I previously sent a Nascent Soul Realm expert inside, but the moment he entered, he was instantly obliterated—not even his bones were left."

"But that’s not the only oddity. At the same time, another cultivator at the Golden Core Realm who entered with the Nascent Soul Realm expert survived."

"After further investigation, I confirmed it: anyone who possesses a Nascent Soul will be annihilated by the Array in the Ancient Tomb the moment they enter!"

This explanation finally made Yi Xiaoyao and the others nod in understanding. Since no one at or above the Nascent Soul Realm could enter the Ancient Tomb, it made sense that they, the strongest of the Golden Core Realm, were the best candidates.

"In that case, this is indeed a very tempting Creation for us," Su Xiang said, his eyes gleaming.

The King of Shang gave a strange smile. "Not necessarily. First, you have to survive inside the Ancient Tomb and find the true burial chamber. Otherwise, any talk of Creation is meaningless."

The five’s expressions changed. They understood two things from the King of Shang’s statement.

First, the Ancient Tomb is extremely dangerous.

Second, some of the burial chambers within the Ancient Tomb are real, and some are fake.

The King of Shang then elaborated on these two points.

"After sending multiple scouting parties, we’ve discovered that the Ancient Tomb is filled with a large number of Yin Souls. These Yin Souls can possess the corpses of those who enter, and their power is not to be underestimated."

"Furthermore, there are nine burial chambers in the Ancient Tomb Space. One is real, and the other eight are fake. To enter any of these chambers, you must obtain its corresponding key."

"As for the Ancient Tomb Keys, they are held by the most powerful Yin Souls in the tomb—beings whose strength is comparable to the Nascent Soul Realm!"

After he finished speaking, the King of Shang looked at the five of them, as if trying to gauge whether they had any intention of backing down.

However, while they were all astonished, not one of them wanted to give up this chance at the Creation.

"So, you’re saying the five of us just have to enter the Ancient Tomb and fight those Yin Souls?" Yi Xiaoyao asked.

But to his surprise, the King of Shang shook his head again.

"This Ancient Tomb was discovered on the central border between our Great Shang Dynasty and three other dynasties. The other three quickly caught wind of this secret, so after negotiations, our four dynasties decided that each would send five Golden Core Realm cultivators inside."

"Our Great Shang Dynasty is allied with one of them, but we are enemies with the other two."

"So this time, not only will you five have to deal with Yin Souls, you will also have to work with our ally to guard against those two enemy dynasties!"

At this point, the King of Shang had relayed all the necessary information.

He then said to Yi Xiaoyao and the others, "Given all this, the quest for the Creation in the Ancient Tomb will be exceptionally dangerous. If any of you do not wish to participate, I will not force you."

Yi Xiaoyao’s expression remained calm and composed throughout. He was determined to obtain the Secret Technique for forming Multiple Nascent Souls, so he would naturally not give up.

As for the others, Sword Wind Breaker merely furrowed his brow slightly, while the remaining three exchanged glances. None of them chose to back out.

"A little risk is nothing if it means a chance at this Creation."

"That’s right, Your Majesty. All of us are willing to take part in this expedition to the Ancient Tomb."

The group said to the King of Shang with smiles.

The King of Shang beamed with delight and appreciation, laughing heartily. "Excellent! As expected, the Great Shang Dynasty has no cowards! In that case, follow me to the Ancient Tomb!"