The arrangement by Prince Yi made it clear to the onlookers on the shore that he hadn’t caught his target.
Observing from a distance, Elder Yan let out a tentative sigh of relief. He knew that if Lin Yun had died in the lake, Prince Yi wouldn’t have stationed men to guard the shore.
…
Lake bottom.
“This is the place.”
Lin Yun flipped his hand to reveal the token, which emitted a faint glow and pulsed with energy.
At first glance, there was nothing special about the spot.
Lin Yun stared at a massive boulder on the lake bed, the final destination indicated by the token.
He tried placing the token against the boulder.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The boulder reacted, slowly shifting aside.
As it moved, a bronze gate appeared before Lin Yun.
The gate had a notch that perfectly matched the token.
“This token must be the key to open the gate.”
As he spoke, Lin Yun placed the token into the notch.
Rumble!
The bronze gate opened.
“This must be the greatest treasure of the spiritual repository!” Lin Yun’s eyes blazed with anticipation, his blood surging, heart pounding with excitement.
He retrieved the token from the gate and rushed inside.
After Lin Yun entered, the bronze gate closed, and the boulder slid back, concealing it once more.
…
Inside.
Lin Yun’s eyes adjusted, revealing a vast corridor.
He proceeded cautiously along the corridor, each step measured.
Every move was careful, as everything here was unknown. Who could guarantee there was no danger?
Caution prevents disaster—this was a lesson Lin Yun had learned from years of wandering the martial world.
The corridor was about five hundred meters long, and Lin Yun reached the end quickly without encountering any threats.
At the end was an immensely grand hall.
Buzz!
A black mist suddenly materialized ahead, coalescing into a spectral figure.
“Who are you!”
Startled, Lin Yun instantly assumed a combat stance, gripping his sword tightly, ready to strike.
What shocked Lin Yun was that he couldn’t discern what this entity was.
Human? Demon beast? Clearly not!
Lin Yun couldn’t sense the slightest trace of life force.
A metal creature or stone guardian? Also not! It wasn’t a tangible object.
A remnant soul left by a human powerhouse? Not that either!
Lin Yun had seen remnant souls of human experts, and they weren’t like this.
So what was this thing before him?
Even with Lin Yun’s experience, he couldn’t tell, which sent a chill down his spine.
The unknown was the most terrifying.
“Little one, you’re the outsider here. Shouldn’t I be asking who you are?” the black mist specter said.
“I’m a human cultivator, exploring this micro-world for treasures. I obtained the token, which led me here,” Lin Yun replied.
“Since the token recognized you, it means you’re a destined one. Congratulations,” the specter said.
“Recognized by the token?” Lin Yun was taken aback.
“When you obtained the token, it probed your memories to assess your identity, strength, talent, and resolve. Only by passing all checks could you refine it,” the specter explained.
“So, the token probing my memories was itself a test. What if I hadn’t passed?” Lin Yun asked curiously.
“If you failed, your consciousness would be erased. You’d become a puppet controlled by the token, forced to return it, then linger in the hall as a mindless guardian,” the specter said.
“What?”
Lin Yun broke into a cold sweat at the revelation.
Thankfully, he had been recognized by the token, or he’d be dead.
“That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?” Lin Yun couldn’t help but say.
“For my sake, and for the sake of the entire human race, my old master had no choice. If I fell into the hands of the demon race or an unworthy person, the consequences would be unthinkable!” the specter said.
“May I ask, Senior, what is your identity? Forgive my ignorance, but I truly can’t discern it,” Lin Yun asked politely.
“I am a weapon spirit,” the black mist replied.
“A weapon spirit?” Lin Yun was stunned.
Lin Yun knew that weapon spirits were the sentient essences of certain supreme treasures.
For example, Origin-level weapons, above Heaven-level, could develop spirits with consciousness and intelligence.
Lin Yun’s heart raced.
He knew that whatever this spirit belonged to, it was undoubtedly a treasure of immense power!
“Senior, what kind of weapon spirit are you? Could it be the spirit of an Origin-level weapon?” Lin Yun asked, astonished.
“No. I’m sure you have many questions. Pass the final test, and all will be revealed. You’ll also receive a bountiful treasure,” the black mist specter said.
“Another test? Senior, didn’t you say the token’s probing of my consciousness was a test?” Lin Yun said helplessly.
“That’s why I said this is the final test,” the specter replied.
“What is this final test, then? Please enlighten me, Senior,” Lin Yun said, somewhat eager.
“The test is to earn my approval. Only then can you refine me,” the specter said.
“How do I earn your approval, Senior?” Lin Yun asked.
“Survive its attack for the duration of one incense stick,” the specter said, pointing to a bear statue nearby.
The statue suddenly came to life.
“It’s a metal creature!” Lin Yun exclaimed.
The metal bear, standing six or seven meters tall, exuded an intimidating presence.
“Alright, let the test begin,” Lin Yun said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
After all, he was quite confident in his defensive capabilities!
“You’re still smiling? You’ll be crying soon enough!” the metal bear growled in a hoarse, icy voice.
With that, the metal bear stomped forward, ‘thud, thud, thud,’ positioning itself directly in front of Lin Yun.
“Take this!”
The bear’s massive gray paw swung at Lin Yun with terrifying force. The attack was simple yet so fast that Lin Yun couldn’t dodge, and the power within it sent a jolt of fear through him.
Lin Yun could only swing his sword with all his might, unleashing his full strength to meet the attack!
Bang!
A terrifying collision erupted, and Lin Yun was sent flying, crashing a hundred meters away, kicking up clouds of dust.
“What terrifying power!”
Lin Yun’s sword-wielding arm was completely numb and aching from the shock.
