Chapter 141 - Relic Appears

Since he needed to wait three days, Chen Fan decided to stay at Sunset Inn.

Given his strength, he could sneak into the Zhu Clan to assess the situation undetected.

Uncertain about the Thousand Year Corpse King’s strength, he decided against rash actions that might lead to trouble.

Rather than risking an encounter with a formidable opponent, he opted to wait until everyone went together to investigate and find out what was happening.

In any case, he believed the Buddhist Bone Relic was already essentially his.

If there weren’t any danger, it wouldn’t be too late for him to seize it then.

......

“It's surprising. The Zhu Clan is opening its doors wide, inviting everyone into the forbidden land to seize the treasure.”

Wang Xiong’s group of friends had gathered in Sunset Inn again today to have a drink and enjoy themselves.

The news from the Zhu Clan was now known to everyone in Zhuxian Town—no exceptions.

Wang Xiong stuffed some greens into his mouth, glanced at his buddies, and said, “What else could they do? The matter has already spread, and quite a few Qi Grandmasters have come to our town. Could the Zhu Clan stop these people even if they wanted to?”

“But what if the news is just a front? They might be stalling these people for three days while the Zhu Clan's three Qi Grandmasters seize the treasure,” said the black-robed youth.

Wang Xiong glanced at him and shook his head, dismissing the idea. “Impossible. Those outsiders aren't idiots. At least five Qi Grandmaster powerhouses are keeping watch on the Zhu Clan residence. Could the Zhu Clan really hide it if they made a move?”

His statement earned nods of agreement from the others. “As expected of Brother Wang. You see far ahead indeed. We’re far from reaching your level.”

Wang Xiong raised his nose high, enjoying the flattery, and added, “If the Zhu Clan wanted the treasure, they would have acted already. The fact that they haven't suggests they can't break the restriction with their own strength.

“Think about it. A Yuanfu realm powerhouse left that seal to suppress the Thousand Year Corpse King at the cost of his life. A hundred years have passed, but I’m afraid breaking it isn’t easy. They need more people to gather enough strength.

“Besides, the Zhu Clan must be testing the waters. If it's a trap set by the Thousand Year Corpse King, they won't be the ones suffering.”

Chen Fan chuckled inwardly at Wang Xiong's insight, surprised by his astuteness.

......

Three days went by in the blink of an eye.

The Zhu Clan's residence doors swung wide open.

Zhu Yuanqing and his two sons, the Qi Grandmasters of the Zhu Clan, looked at the crowd before them with narrowed eyes.

Over a dozen Qi Grandmasters stood among the crowd, two even at the peak stage. Among them were also many eight-level Qigong martial artists.

“Everyone, please come with me.”

Zhu Yuanqing didn’t bother with any unnecessary talk.

These people wanted the Buddhist Bone Relic, eyeing it covetously. He led them straightforwardly toward the forbidden land in the rear mountain, as words would do nothing at this stage.

Zhu Yuanqing and the crowd arrived at the forbidden area, which, despite being called the rear mountains, turned out to be a barren valley.

Upon entering, they witnessed the golden light pulses deep inside the valley, indicating a treasure's birth—an unmistakable phenomenon.

The breathing of the Qi Grandmasters quickened.

Having thoroughly investigated the events a century ago in Zhuxian Town, everyone was aware of the blood calamity and the Thousand Year Corpse King's suppression by the Zhu Clan's ancestor at the cost of his life. It was an act of great virtue.

There was an eighty percent chance of condensing a Buddhist Bone Relic if a Buddhist martial artist achieved such great merit.

Noticing the golden light accompanied by Sanskrit hymns in the valley, the crowd grew more convinced that it was indeed a Buddhist Bone Relic.

Using the relic, they could rise through the clouds, forging their primeval vessel and advancing to the Yuanfu realm.

Among the spectators was Chen Fan, concealing his true cultivation within the Heaven Seizing Furnace.

He was just an eighth-level martial artist to the people, blending seamlessly into the crowd and attracting no attention.

“Everyone, this is the place. Please help yourselves.”

Zhu Yuanqing pointed at the valley ahead. “Our Zhu Clan only has one request. When you are fighting for the treasure, please do not implicate our Zhu Clan’s descendants.”

A stern look flashed in a peak-stage Qi Grandmaster middle-aged man’s eyes. “Patriarch Zhu, are you not going to come with us?”

“Our Zhu Clan is aware of our weakness. We don’t have the ability to obtain this treasure, so we’re not participating in it,” Zhu Yuanqing said indifferently.

Another peak-stage Qi Grandmaster, a man dressed in black robes, smiled coldly and said, “Patriarch Zhu, I believe you should accompany us. Your Zhu Clan's ancestor is buried below, so you should be more knowledgeable about the methods left behind.”

“That’s right, Patriarch Zhu. Let’s go together.”

Echoing the sentiment, the other Qi Grandmasters joined in, their voices carrying a threatening undertone.

How could they be unaware of the dangers involved?

Zhu Clan’s old ancestor had to sacrifice himself just to suppress the Thousand Year Corpse King.

So, they also suspected the strange phenomenon to be a trap set by the Thousand Year Corpse King.

Zhu Yuanqing's expression soured as he retorted angrily, “What are your intentions? We offered the treasure willingly, and now you're pressuring us, forcing our Zhu Clan to participate. Are you bullying us for not having enough experts?”

A powerful aura erupted from Zhu Yuanqing, making the eighth-level martial artists take a step back with darkened expressions.

“Patriarch Zhu, let's not beat around the bush. We're not fools. You think we don’t know what you're scheming? If your Zhu Clan doesn’t come with us, then fine, we’re bullying your Zhu Clan for your lack of people!”

The black-robed Qi Grandmaster’s voice suddenly turned cold. His killing intent surged, making the temperature in the area drop.

The other peak-stage Qi Grandmaster and the other Qi Grandmasters’ cold gazes also all fell onto Zhu Yuanqing, signaling their readiness to destroy the Zhu Clan if necessary.

Zhu Yuanqing and his sons’ expressions sank. After a brief pause, he said coldly, “Fine, we’ll go together!”

The group proceeded toward the source of the golden light.

“Everyone, let’s do it together! Although it’s a suppression method left behind by our old ancestor, a hundred years have passed since. More than half of its power has dissipated. With so many Qi Grandmasters joining forces, breaking it will be easy," Zhu Yuanqing said.

“Alright.”

The others nodded.

“And you people, since you’re here, I'm sure you're seeking benefits. You're going to work for it,” Zhu Yuanqing said, looking at the group of eighth-level martial artists.

Powerful auras emanated from over a dozen Qi Grandmasters, their primeval qi enveloping them. Hidden among the eighth-level martial artists, Chen Fan also gathered his primeval qi.

“Strike now!” Zhu Yuanqing shouted.

Simultaneously, everyone's cultivation darted toward the surging golden light.

Rumble...

Explosions reverberated instantly, shaking the ground like an earthquake.

The onslaught of qi from the crowd bombarded the area, making the golden light waver. A noise reminiscent of cracking glass followed.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Boomtch!

The ground erupted, and within the resulting crater lay an ancient corpse.

A golden relic hovered above the corpse's brow, portraying a seated Buddha chanting sutras.

“It’s indeed a Buddhist Bone Relic!”

The crowd’s gazes immediately burned with greed when they saw the Buddhist Bone Relic.