"Are you here for treasure hunting, my young friends? If so, why not come inside for a chat?"

In the deep underground cave, this voice was like a stone thrown into a still lake, stirring layers of ripples.

Qin An's gaze sharpened, his keen eyes scanning the cave entrance as he coldly asked, "Who are you?"

Zhao Quan and Zhao Xue immediately gripped their weapons, standing alertly beside Qin An.

This cave was extremely eerie, littered with the skeletal remains of humans and pseudo-gods, and now a sudden voice echoed out, making them wary.

The cave fell into a sudden silence, as if even the air had frozen.

After a moment, a long sigh echoed gently, lingering in the cave.

"Just a pitiful person attempting to seal a pseudo-god. If you don't mind, come inside and let's discuss. I shall offer up the treasure."

Qin An narrowed his eyes, "Why not leave the treasure where it is? Taking it only to return it seems unnecessary, doesn't it?"

The voice from the cave resounded again, "You are indeed cautious, young friend. This is a rare treasure. If left outside, it would surely lead to endless slaughter. The piles of bones you see are because of it."

"Then why not take the wooden box away too?" Qin An asked again.

The voice from the cave replied, "Showing an empty box, treasure seekers will see it and assume the treasure is gone, and they will leave on their own."

The two exchanged questions and answers.

Zhao Quan and Zhao Xue listened beside them, realizing that the person inside the cave hadn't any apparent loopholes in their words.

Qin An slightly raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingers on the Cold Star Saber, "Then why reveal yourself today?"

The voice from the cave was silent for a few seconds before a weakened voice came through, "I'm barely able to suppress the pseudo-god any longer. If I perish, this item will fall into the hands of the pseudo-god, staining the Ancient Battlefield with blood. It's better to give it to you, young friend."

"No more questions, young friend. I am using all my strength to suppress the pseudo-god, and cannot move an inch."

Qin An asked no further, holding the Cold Star Saber, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt.

Zhao Quan hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, "Mr. Qin, what do you think?"

Qin An glanced back coldly, "Since we've been invited, why not explore it thoroughly?"

Zhao Quan hesitated, "But the person inside the cave is difficult to judge as good or evil, how can we determine whether it's dangerous based on just a few words?"

"At this point," Qin An shook his head, "whether it's dangerous or not is no longer important, obtaining the treasure is the urgent task."

Zhao Quan felt a trace of doubt in his heart.

This approach was quite different from Qin An's usual cautious demeanor.

But Qin An had already made his decision, so Zhao Quan said no more.

Zhao Xue lightly tugged at her brother's sleeve, "Brother, without Mr. Qin's help, we would have already perished by the lakeside. Our lives were saved, so what fear is there in following him?"

Zhao Quan couldn't help but laugh, "I was overthinking it, Mr. Qin, let's go."

Qin An nodded slightly, saying no more, began to step into the dark passage ahead.

As he stepped forward, the two Divine Senses in his mind trembled continuously, as if guiding him onward.

This was his true reason.

If the inside only contained the Zhao family's treasure, in such a precarious environment, Qin An would absolutely not enter.

After all, he was someone who valued his life greatly.

However, the trembling of the two Divine Senses proved that there was another true purpose inside the Ancient Battlefield relic—the Wood Element Divine Sense.

The Wood Element Divine Sense was something he had to obtain, for it concerned the ultimate foundation of the Inner God Realm.

Missing this opportunity would leave Qin An unwilling.

As for what was inside, entering to explore would reveal.

...

The cave was extremely dark, the ground covered with slippery puddles, and in this damp environment, even the air felt slightly uncomfortable.

Fortunately, the cave passage wasn't long, and nothing unusual occurred midway.

When Qin An and the Zhao siblings stepped out of the cave, they found themselves in another massive cave.

The inside of the cave was empty, without the tragic scenes outside.

In the center of the cave, an elderly man with white hair and a gaunt figure sat in splendid attire, holding a glowing spherical pearl.

This pearl was about the size of a fist, emitting a flickering green light in the old man's arms.

Although the elder was dressed in finery, it was stained with dust.

Clearly, the elder had been there for many years.

Seeing Qin An and others enter, the old man moved his cracked lips, "Young friend, you are finally here. This is the treasure you seek, take it."

In front lay a diamond-shaped crystal, shimmering with a faint glow in the darkness.

Zhao Quan's face lit up with excitement, "This is father's aura, this crystal is the Inheritance Crystal!"

Qin An frowned, "What is the Inheritance Crystal?"

Zhao Quan came to his senses, explaining, "I guess Father, when he came here, instilled his life's power into the crystal. If we obtain the crystal, we can slowly absorb Father's power until we restore his peak strength."

Qin An showed a look of realization, "I see."

Such an artifact, he had never seen.

Yet with the world's myriad wonders, having such an Inheritance Crystal seemed plausible.

Zhao Quan prepared to step forward to take the Inheritance Crystal, but Qin An held Zhao Quan's shoulder.

Zhao Quan's face was full of confusion, not understanding what Qin An meant.

Qin An looked directly at the old man, "Elder, is the item in your hands the Wood Element Divine Sense?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Quan and Zhao Xue both showed expressions of shock.

The name Wooden God Sense is known even to the most ordinary cultivator.

This item is a supreme treasure, far more precious than anything else in the world.

The elder was slightly stunned, nodded and said, "What you said is correct, young friend. This Wooden God Sense is about to transform into a Pseudo-God, so I am here to suppress it. Do not say anymore, quickly take your things and leave, or else I won't be able to suppress it and it will transform into a Pseudo-God, endangering your lives."

Qin An nodded and said, "Let's go, we'll leave now."

With that, he turned and began walking outside.

Zhao Quan was puzzled in his heart, unsure why Qin An didn't take the inheritance crystal stone.

However, the many powers that Qin An displayed previously had already etched an indelible impression in Zhao Quan's mind.

Because of this, he said no more, knowing that Qin An must have other plans, and followed Qin An with Zhao Xue.

The elder came to his senses, quickly saying, "Young friend, you haven't taken the item."

Qin An responded without turning his head, "No need, the senior's hard work in suppressing the Pseudo-God is praiseworthy. Leave the inheritance crystal stone to the senior to enhance his power."

These words were spoken with great righteousness, making Zhao Quan almost suspect that Qin An might truly be such a just person.

Regrettably, he knew very well that Qin An was not.

The elder's expression darkened.

At this moment, a loud rumbling suddenly sounded from the entrance of the stone cave ahead.

Immediately, the stone cave was heavily blocked by a fallen rock.

Qin An casually said, "Senior, what is the meaning of this? Are we not allowed to leave?"

"None of you will leave!" The elder said with a sinister tone, "Pick up the inheritance crystal stone!"

Zhao Quan's face showed an astonished expression, realizing that the elder was actually referring to him.

"Senior, why do you want me to pick up the inheritance crystal stone?" Zhao Quan asked with caution.

The elder shouted sternly, "I told you to take it, so take it. Not taking it is disrespecting me!"

The elder's expression was now completely different from before.

He had previously seemed kind and reliable like a great elder, but now he had a sinister appearance, like a dark vortex from the shadows.

Zhao Quan looked at Qin An: "Sir, he has a problem."

Qin An nodded and said, "Whoever picks up the inheritance crystal stone will fall into his trap. Let me guess what you are planning."

The elder said nothing, only stared coldly at Qin An.

Qin An continued, "If I'm correct, those bones outside were not caused by mutual slaughter, but rather you killed them yourself, perhaps even consumed them."

The elder said chillingly, "You guessed right, I've been here too long, and my hunger was awakened. Since they were lured by treasure, they were meant to be slain by me."

Qin An continued, "Your activities are not limited to here; you could go outside, because I did not find traces of moving bones along the way, yet you didn't harm us, presumably because of the inheritance crystal stone."

The elder's eyes showed more killing intent: "You guessed right, I do admire you, but unfortunately, you must die today. Go on, let me see how much you can guess."

Qin An tapped the Cold Star Saber hilt with his fingertips, his gaze turned cold: "Why did the Patriarch of the Zhao family come to the Cangcui Forest so specifically, proving there must be something here he wanted? I suspect he came for you."

"As for what role the inheritance crystal stone plays? It is perhaps the key for you to escape this place."

The elder frowned, "Why do you see that I was trapped here?"

Qin An chuckled, "Isn't it obvious? You might have come for the Wooden God Sense, but eventually found it was about to transform into a Pseudo-God. With no solution, you suppressed it and have been unable to escape."

At this point, everything was already explained.

The admiration in the elder's eyes grew stronger, but alongside the admiration was the deeper killing intent.

"Zhao family boy, quickly pick up the inheritance crystal stone," the elder roared, "if you wish for the Zhao family to return to its former glory, take it up. I am the Old Ancestor of the Zhao family; once I seize your body, the Zhao family will regain its former prosperity!"

"Zhao family Old Ancestor?" Zhao Quan's eyes widened in disbelief, as if struck by lightning.

Qin An suddenly understood, "So that's it. If that's the case, there's a reason the Patriarch Zhao ran to the Cangcui Forest back then. Unexpectedly, he trusted you this much, yet you used him to create the inheritance crystal stone, waiting for Zhao family descendants to enter and perform possession."

"Both correct and incorrect," Zhao family Old Ancestor sneered, "Possessing doesn't necessarily require the bloodline of Zhao family descendants; anyone can do it. But I use the inheritance crystal stone as bait to attract those with mediocre aptitudes."

"Now, there are two choices in front of me. The bloodline of Zhao family descendants is extremely pure, merging well with myself; while you possess exceptionally high talent."

Qin An asked with interest, "Then I want to know who you choose."

Zhao family Old Ancestor smirked, "Naturally, I want them all. Zhao family boy, today is the day for you to sacrifice for the Zhao family, quickly pick up the inheritance crystal stone, and I'll bring the Zhao family back to its former peak!"

"And the woman next to you, I'll also take her as a concubine, letting her propagate for the Zhao family."

Zhao Quan clenched his fists, standing still without making a move.

Zhao Xue's face was full of shame and anger, she couldn't have imagined she'd be treated as a tool for propagation by this Zhao family Old Ancestor.

Seeing Zhao Quan not move forward, Zhao family Old Ancestor sneered, "Indeed, today's youths lack the courage to sacrifice for their family."

Zhao Quan suddenly raised his head, glaring angrily at Zhao family Old Ancestor: "Courage to sacrifice? What is courage? Old Ancestor, if it's fighting for the family until death, I'd die a thousand times without regret! But today, I'll risk my life to take your head!"

Zhao family Old Ancestor sneered mockingly: "Just you?"

Zhao Quan's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

He knew he didn't have the ability.

At this moment, Qin An spoke with relish.

"Truly quite a show, but unfortunately, it won't last long. I've seen enough now, old thing, hand over the Wooden God Sense, perhaps I can give you a swift end."

Though the Wooden God Sense was transforming into a Pseudo-God, under Zhao family Old Ancestor's suppression for many years, the awareness of the Pseudo-God within the God Stone had become extremely weak, capable of being absorbed into the body.

Upon hearing this, Zhao family Old Ancestor suddenly gripped a round bead single-handedly, his entire body emitting an icy cold aura: "Arrogant brat, today I'll end your life here!"

"Once I've possessed your flesh, let's see how sharp-tongued you are!"

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