Chapter 179: The Forbidden Grounds Open, Ten Enter the Ancient Coffin!
Bai Jiuli never imagined she would one day suffer such a setback at the hands of a mortal man from the lower realms. This guy actually prefer young ones—what a pure and undeniable pervert!
Lin Qi’an sat leisurely at the table, pouring himself a cup of tea. With an air of calm, he said,
“Alright, let’s skip the pretense.”
“You’ve already admitted that only I can help you enter the Forbidden Grounds, and your enchantment techniques are useless against me. So, things are simple. If you want my help, you must do as I say.”
He tapped the table lightly and added, “Don’t think your so-called beauty can sway me. I’m not short of women around me. You have thirty breaths to decide. If you don’t speak, I’ll show you out.”
Bai Jiuli was left speechless. The Forbidden Grounds were about to open. For tonight’s plan, she had even debased herself by performing the “Celestial Moon Dance” for these mortal fools. Yet, this man was so difficult to deal with!
“I can tell you, but this is an earth-shattering secret. Why should I trust you?” Bai Jiuli asked.
“If you don’t trust me, why ask for my help? Just because you’re pretty doesn’t mean I’ll indulge you. You have twenty breaths left.”
Beauty was a curse, Lin Qi’an thought to himself. With her looks, this woman could easily stir up a storm. Without careful consideration, helping her would only bring unnecessary trouble.
“…Fine, I’ll tell you. I’m searching for my parents. There’s information about them in the Forbidden Grounds.”
Lin Qi’an chuckled. “Keep lying. You’ve got ten breaths left.”
“…Knowing this could bring you trouble. Be prepared,” Bai Jiuli said after taking a deep breath, “I’m a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, not human.”
Hearing this, Lin Qi’an was certain she was telling the truth. She had even revealed her identity.
“Oh? Go on.”
Seeing his calm demeanor, Bai Jiuli looked puzzled. “What? You don’t think I’m lying this time?”
“I believe you,” Lin Qi’an replied casually.
“You…you’re not shocked?”
“Not really. It’s acceptable.”
‘He knows my true identity, yet he remains so calm? What kind of freak is this guy?, she thought.
Lin Qi’an smiled faintly. “May I ask your age?”
“Ha, a few thousand years, give or take. Not too much.”
‘What the… She’s a legal loli!’ Hearing this, Lin Qi’an instantly felt more energized.
Bai Jiuli clicked her tongue in disbelief. This guy was a true pervert. If she had known he liked this type, why did she even bother with illusions?
“I was ambushed by a traitor. My Dao Source was shattered, and my nine tails were scattered across the world. Only by recovering them can I restore my cultivation and return to my original form.”
“I’ve already found three tails, but six are still missing. Based on my connection to these fragments, the fourth tail should be within the so-called Ancient Coffin Forbidden Grounds. My goal is to retrieve it, and that’s why I need to go with you. That’s all.”
Lin Qi’an frowned slightly. “That’s it?”
“Necessary secrecy is for your protection. You don’t need to know too much. If trouble comes knocking, even the forces behind you won’t be able to protect you.”
After some thought, Lin Qi’an said, “I don’t do things that don’t benefit me. What’s in it for me?”
“There are benefits, of course, but they won’t be of much help to you now. When you ascend to the Great Emperor Realm and uncover certain secrets, I’ll provide immense assistance. With me around, I’ll be your greatest support.”
Her help would only matter after he became a Great Emperor? That sounded absurd, but the more absurd it seemed, the more believable it became. Lin Qi’an found himself trusting her. After all, bringing her into the Forbidden Grounds was a simple task.
“Fine, I’ll take you in.”
“Great, it’s a deal. Bai Jiuli never breaks her promises!” If she had known this guy was open to negotiation, she wouldn’t have bothered with all those useless tricks.
“Let’s go.” Lin Qi’an activated the Lotus Realm.
As the space around them rippled, the two were drawn into the realm.
‘An independent small world… This is a treasure from the upper realms? How did this brat get so lucky?’ Bai Jiuli couldn’t help but marvel as she entered.
“Find a place to stay for now. I’ll let you out once we’re in the Forbidden Grounds,” Lin Qi’an instructed before leaving without much ceremony.
“Strange, why are there so many courtyards here? And each one has a different name.” Bai Jiuli looked around and quickly understood. These were the residences of Lin Qi’an’s women.
An utterly depraved man! He pretends to be righteous, but who would believe he’s not a lecher?
The final segment of the grand ceremony was about to begin.
Under the escort of the Tai’an Imperial Army, Lin Qi’an and the others passed through layer upon layer of guards until they arrived at the underground treasury of the Tai’an Imperial City.
Inside a stone chamber stood an ancient coffin. Its weathered carvings and indistinct patterns bore the weight of countless years.
Today, there were no spectators present, as the interior of the coffin was impossible to observe. Only the participants were allowed to enter. According to the rules, the top ten scorers from the first three rounds were eligible to enter the Forbidden Grounds.
Even the Tai’an Emperor personally arrived to address the group, saying, “This ancient coffin was unearthed two hundred years ago. Inside, it connects to a Forbidden Ground. To enter, one simply lies in the coffin and closes the lid.”
“However, cultivators at the Dao Transformation Realm or above cannot trigger the coffin’s effect. Additionally, once ten individuals have entered, the coffin can no longer transport anyone.” The Tai’an Emperor began to explain the rules.
When the coffin was first discovered, he had sent a team of ten elite warriors into it. The result? For three whole days, there was no sign of them.
On the third day, the coffin could once again accept new entrants, which led to the grim conclusion that the previous group had perished.
Through trial and error, they deduced that the coffin could accommodate a maximum of ten living individuals at a time.
Over the years, many had been sent into the coffin to explore the Forbidden Grounds, but none had ever returned. Thus, the location became known as the Forbidden Grounds, and no one dared to enter again.
Until now.
This year, the Tai’an Emperor had decided to reopen the coffin, but instead of sending ordinary elites, he chose top-tier geniuses within the required cultivation range.
“I’ve made everything clear,” the Emperor concluded, “The Forbidden Grounds are exceedingly dangerous. Whether or not you choose to enter is entirely up to you.”
“If you wish to withdraw, now is your last chance. Naturally, I also promise that any treasures you obtain within the Forbidden Grounds will belong to you and not Tai’an City.”
The Emperor’s goal was simple—he hoped someone would uncover the secrets of the Forbidden Grounds. For the participants, the allure lay in the potential fortunes and opportunities awaiting them.
After the explanation, apprehension flickered across many faces. The fact that no one had ever returned alive was undeniably terrifying.
“Qi’an, Liuli, perhaps you two should sit this one out. Mother is worried about you,” Mu Qingzhu urged, concerned for their safety.
Lin Qi’an smiled calmly. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll take care of myself. But you’re right, Sister shouldn’t go.”
“Nonsense! What, do you look down on me? I’m going too!” Lin Liuli protested.
Elsewhere, Zhao Yunji was also among the top ten. Even the Tai’an Emperor didn’t want his daughter to enter the coffin, knowing full well how dangerous it was.
But those who knew Zhao Yunji understood her unyielding nature. Her determination to grow stronger was unmatched, and with the ancient coffin being a treasure of her own family, she felt compelled to seize the opportunity.
As for Li Xuan and the Destined Child of Xiling, dangerous places like this were paradises for protagonists. They understood this truth all too well. For them, avoiding the coffin would mean forever trailing behind Lin Qi’an in strength.
Among the participants were also a few divine heirs from the Canglan Dao Domain. These opportunists saw the Forbidden Grounds as another chance to gain power while causing pain to the Tai’an Emperor.
Finally, the ten participants were confirmed: Lin Qi’an, Lin Liuli, Zhao Yunji, three divine heirs from the Canglan Dao Domain, two Destined Children, and two saintly figures from other regions.
A roster of mostly familiar faces.
“Remember this!” the Emperor warned, “Once you enter, you must stay for at least three days before the coffin can open again. Surviving those three days is the minimum requirement! Who will go first?”
“I will!” Li Xuan stepped forward without hesitation. With the boldness of a country bumpkin, he lay directly in the ancient coffin.
As soon as the lid was closed, the coffin was reopened, revealing that Li Xuan had disappeared.
“Next!”
One by one, the participants entered the coffin and vanished into the Forbidden Grounds. Zhao Yunji was among them, leaving only Lin Qi’an and Lin Liuli behind.
“Sister, let me go first. I’ll clear the way for you,” Lin Qi’an offered.
He lay down in the coffin, exuding a newfound protectiveness that gave Lin Liuli an unexpected sense of comfort.
Finally, all ten participants entered the Forbidden Grounds, and the ancient coffin sealed itself shut.
“In the past, we sent Tai’an’s elite warriors, but none were nearly as powerful as these ten,” the Tai’an Emperor remarked. Let’s hope this open exploration yields some results. At the very least, may they survive the next three days.”
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