Chapter 43: The Choice

"I want to try!" Lin Fan's voice was resolute, a fierce determination flashing in his eyes.

Lin Fan!

Gu Ningyun and the others exchanged glances, all feeling that Lin Fan's decision was somewhat reckless.

However, seeing the unwavering resolve in his eyes, they found themselves unable to persuade him to leave.

Hearing Lin Fan's reply, the phantom of the deceased flickered with gloomy green light, as if peering into the depths of his soul.

A moment later, the deceased spoke slowly, "Very well, you have grit."

As the words fell, the deceased began to cast a spell. A wisp of green smoke drifted from his palm, floating slowly toward Lin Fan.

The moment the smoke entered his body, Lin Fan was immediately struck by an overwhelming wave of agony that swept through his entire being, making him feel as though his life force were rapidly draining away.

Witnessing this, the expressions of the onlookers suddenly froze. Was he actually going to die?

Lin Fan's breathing grew rapid, beads of sweat broke out densely across his forehead, and his face turned as pale as paper.

He could feel his vitality being pulled away by an invisible force. The pain, radiating from the inside out, threatened to tear apart every inch of his skin and every single cell in his body.

Yet, amidst this excruciating torment, Lin Fan's mind remained remarkably calm, almost detached.

He believed that the deceased would not have specifically built a tomb just to play a cruel joke on latecomers.

Why had Zhao Wuyuan refused to try? It was because he could not afford to lose; he cherished his life too much.

The others were the same, even though they had guessed that this might be a test bestowed by the deceased.

Faced with the threat of death, they were equally incapable of maintaining their composure.

Lin Fan, however, was different.

Ever since he was a child, he possessed a cool head and rarely panicked in the face of adversity.

Just as Lin Fan was reaching his limit and about to give out, a sudden surge of warmth welled up from deep within his heart.

This warmth felt like the fountain of life; it flowed gently, warming his body and easing his agony.

Lin Fan was astonished, unable to comprehend the origin of this warmth.

Yet, he had no time to ponder, knowing full well that he had to endure.

As time ticked away, the pain gradually subsided, and color began to return to his face.

He gazed at the deceased, a steadfast radiance shining in his eyes.

The deceased looked back at him, the ghostly light in his eyes flickering as he appraised the youth's inner resolve. After a brief pause, the deceased spoke slowly, "Little fellow, not bad!

As the first to pass the test, you may freely choose any single item from my tomb to take away with you.

This includes my Spiritual Essence."

Upon hearing this...

Lin Fan felt a surge of joy; his gamble had paid off.

Although he remained clueless about the origin of that warm current during the critical moment, he no longer had the luxury of dwelling on it.

From this excursion into the tomb, he would emerge as the ultimate victor.

As for the others, they looked at Lin Fan with intense envy. If only they had been a bit braver, if only they had dared to be the first to partake in the trial of the deceased, perhaps that Spiritual Essence would have belonged to them.

"Senior, I desire that scroll."

After a long silence, Lin Fan finally made his choice.

Yet, his choice stunned everyone present, causing those who had lost the right to compete for the Spiritual Essence to first freeze in astonishment, and then erupt with excitement.

The fact that Lin Fan did not choose the Spiritual Essence meant that they now had a chance to contend for it.

"Lin Fan, what are you..."

Gu Ningyun looked at the youth in bewilderment, asking softly.

Within this tomb, the Spiritual Essence was clearly the most precious treasure. If one could refine it, it would provide immense aid for advancing one's cultivation realm or breaking through to the Divine Soul Realm in the future.

Yet Lin Fan had forsaken such a monumental stroke of fortune in favor of what appeared to be a mere martial art scroll?

"If you lack martial techniques, I can give you some later.

Such Spiritual Essence is something met with by chance and never by seeking; you mustn't..."

Even the black-robed woman at the side cast a look of utter amazement toward Lin Fan.

The Spiritual Essence was right in front of him, yet the youth simply ignored it.

Was this fellow an absolute fool?

"Little fellow, are you certain you do not want my Spiritual Essence?

Do you have any idea of the benefits it brings?"

The deceased seemed equally surprised by Lin Fan's choice and asked calmly.

Lin Fan nodded and replied, "Naturally, I am aware. However, I have fancied this scroll from the very first glance.

As for the Spiritual Essence, it is better left to the others."

He already understood the importance of the Spiritual Essence.

However, to him, this item actually held very little practical use.

Having practiced the Burning Heavens Refining Qi Art and with the protection of the Pure Yang Body, he possessed ten-tenths confidence in reaching the Divine Soul Realm.

At present, his cultivation had reached the peak of the Divine Pill Realm. Perhaps refining the Spiritual Essence could elevate his cultivation to the Origin Mansion Realm.

Even so, without a supreme martial technique to rely upon, he would still find himself constrained and clumsy even when facing opponents of the same realm.

Rather than that, it was far better to secure a supreme martial technique first.

Lin Fan believed that with his innate talent for martial arts, it would not be long before he mastered the technique bestowed by the deceased to the grand completion, or even perfection.

Furthermore, having only recently reached the peak of the Divine Pill Realm, he still needed to spend more time polishing his foundation and accumulating deep reserves so that he could travel further on his future path of cultivation.

Once armed with a supreme martial technique, his combat prowess would undoubtedly skyrocket.

Even if he encountered formidable enemies, he would have sufficient confidence to deal with them.

Therefore, he had chosen that scroll.

"Since that is your wish, then this object belongs to you."

The deceased nodded, then extended a skeletal palm and pointed a single finger. A streak of dazzling light shot forth, shattering precisely the sphere of light suspended high above.

The light orb instantly fractured, and a scroll steadily descended from the air, landing gently in the youth's palm.

Lin Fan did not open the scroll immediately; instead, he tucked it into his robe, bowed deeply to the deceased, and said, "Thank you, Senior."

"Very well. You have obtained your treasure; if you wish to leave, you may step through this gate."

"I wish to wait for my companions."

To Lin Fan's reply, the deceased raised no objections. His gaze swept across the crowd as he asked, "Are there any others who wish to try?"

Since the Spiritual Essence remained unclaimed, and there were still nine other spiritual treasures floating above, coupled with Lin Fan's successful precedent, how could the others let slip such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

The moment the deceased finished speaking, a dozen people scrambled eagerly to sign up.

Even Gu Ningyun felt a slight stirring of temptation.

In the face of the Spiritual Essence, very few could maintain their usual composure.

"Ah..."

Scarcely three breaths later, a warrior participating in the trial was suddenly engulfed in ghostly green flames that incinerated him instantly. Amidst blood-curdling shrieks, he was reduced to ashes.

This...

Witnessing the scene, the crowd trembled inwardly. When they looked back at the deceased, the excitement in their eyes had completely faded.

They looked at Lin Fan in puzzlement. Although the youth was strong, his cultivation level was similar to theirs, and perhaps even inferior to a few of the Origin Mansion Realm experts present. Why had he been able to survive the trial?

"Is there anyone else?"

As if he had not seen a living person in ages, the deceased exhibited extraordinary patience, quietly waiting for others to participate.