Chapter 150: Treasure Hunt in the Stone Hall, The True and False Ancient Key!
Not long after the last figure vanished into the misty Thunder Rock Valley, a graceful silhouette suddenly appeared in midair.
She gazed curiously at the fractured earth, still bearing the scars of Lin Fan's clash with Hua Yun and Wu Mo, a trace of surprise flickering in her beautiful eyes.
"To think such a powerful figure exists in a remote region like the northwest. That last glance… did he notice me?"
Stretching lazily, the woman gave a charming smile. Her eyes flashed, then glanced subtly at a distant peak. With a shift of her figure, she too darted into Thunder Rock Valley.
Just minutes after she entered, the air outside the valley rippled once again—several black-clad figures emerged like ghosts.
"That woman… might've sensed us?" one hissed in a raspy voice.
After some low muttering, they too slipped into the valley shadows.
…
Thunder Rock Valley was a unique zone within the mountain range.
Deep in these rugged mountains, crisscrossed peaks formed a chaotic terrain. According to legend, bolts of divine lightning had once cleaved through the stone, forming the valley.
Perhaps for that reason, the entire area crackled with lightning energy.
Even the beasts here had mutated. Not only did they move like wind, but they could spit lightning from their mouths—making them more dangerous than their counterparts outside.
As wave after wave of people entered, the quiet valley quickly descended into chaos.
Low growls echoed from every direction. Clashes between beast and man erupted all around.
Lin Fan's group moved forward quickly, with many from Sun City trailing behind, hoping to benefit from their presence.
Lin Fan didn't care to drive them off, but he had no interest in playing babysitter either.
After ten minutes of fast travel, a dense lightning barrier appeared ahead. Arcs of lightning danced constantly across it, crackling against the earth with fierce pops.
"Brother Lin Fan," Liu Yuan explained with a smile, "this is the Lightning Veil formed by thunderstones within the valley. Only half-step Nirvana cultivators and above can pass through it."
"Every month, the lightning clouds scatter for a few days—that's the window we're using now."
Lin Dong and the others exchanged understanding glances. No wonder everyone chose this same moment to enter.
Lin Fan wasn't surprised and simply nodded.
Mo Tie added, "Only those with half-step Nirvana strength or higher can pass. The rest will have to wait outside."
"No problem," Lin Fan replied.
He and Lin Dong could easily carry the others through.
"Brother Lin Fan, we'll head in first," said Liu Yuan and Ling Zhi, cupping their fists before dashing through the veil with their people.
"Lin Dong, take the three of them with you," Lin Fan instructed calmly.
Lin Dong nodded, used Devouring Power to protect Mo Ling, Man Shan, and Du Yun, and easily passed through the barrier.
Lin Fan followed effortlessly, along with Mo Tie, Tang Xuan, and Liu Xuan.
Their subordinates, however, had no choice but to remain outside.
…
Beyond the veil was a massive inner valley. At its center stood a colossal stone hall, ancient and crumbling with age.
The heavy gates were already open—Liu Yuan and Ling Zhi's group had gone in first.
Lin Fan's group wasted no time and followed them in.
The interior was vast, lined with corridors that led to unknown destinations.
"Lin Dong, take that path," Lin Fan said after sensing something.
"You sensed it too?" Lin Dong's eyes lit up.
"Yes. It's not useful to me, but it suits you."
Without hesitation, Lin Dong nodded and disappeared into the corridor.
"Let's see what we can find," Lin Fan said, leading the rest into another corridor.
Mo Ling's group followed close behind. Mo Tie's trio hesitated briefly, then joined them as well.
The stone hall had countless chambers filled with relics and ancient energy.
Thanks to Lin Fan, they encountered no danger.
Along the way, they collected many spiritual herbs and nearly 100,000 Nirvana Pills.
It wasn't much to Lin Fan, but the others were overjoyed.
More people began pouring into the hall—they hadn't cleared even a fraction of it.
Eventually, the group turned a corner and came to a grand central hall.
Lin Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This is where the real battle begins," he said to Mo Tie and the others.
"If you don't want to get involved in the fight over the Ancient Key, now's the time to stay back or retreat."
After a moment's hesitation, Mo Tie and his companions nodded.
"We'll wait outside for you, Brother Lin Fan."
With a simple nod, Lin Fan left them and entered the main hall alone.
…
The grand hall was enormous—like an open arena.
Inside were several groups:
Liu Yuan and Ling Zhi were present.So were the Mystic Ice and Great Raven dynasties.
In one corner, five cloaked figures huddled together. Though few in number, their auras were stronger than even Hua Yun and Wu Mo's.
Lin Fan's arrival drew everyone's attention.
Liu Yuan and Ling Zhi nodded to him politely.
The Mystic Ice and Great Raven warriors tensed up, eyes filled with guarded fear.
Lin Fan ignored them all. His gaze swept to the deepest part of the hall, where a glowing orb floated mid-air.
Inside the orb, a strange key-shaped item flickered with radiant light.
Everyone stared at it—eyes blazing with desire.
But Lin Fan knew: that wasn't the real Ancient Key.
His gaze shifted to a stone statue embedded in the wall at the center of the hall.
Of all the statues present, only this one faced the others.
With an impassive expression, Lin Fan strolled past the glowing orb and approached the statue.
Seeing this, many in the hall relaxed slightly, though they watched him with confusion.
Without warning—
BOOM!
Lin Fan's fist smashed into the statue, shattering it to pieces.
From within, a radiant orb of light shot out!
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