Chapter 172: Want the Ancient Secret Key? Then Come and Get It!
Boom!
As countless gazes lingered on the ancient bronze gates, someone finally lost their patience.
With a step forward, surging yuan power burst from his body as he launched a fierce martial attack, smashing a punch toward one of the bronze doors.
A low, muffled sound echoed across the plaza. Ripples spread out, shaking away the dust that had accumulated on the ground for countless years.
Pfft!
But right after the impact, the attacker's face turned deathly pale. Blood spurted from his mouth as he was sent flying.
He was hurled clear of the plaza and slammed into the twisted spatial barrier, where a space rift sliced him in half. His pained scream echoed across the land.
The crowd instantly sobered up.
Those who had been preparing to attack the gates now broke out in cold sweat, their eyes filled with fear as they stared at the sealed bronze doors.
Everyone's expression turned grim.
"What's going on? Are these gates unopenable?"
"We came all this way, and now this? Are we just supposed to turn back?"
"No way those gates can't be opened. There must be a method—we just haven't figured it out yet."
"Don't forget, we needed four Ancient Secret Keys to open the Ancient Treasury. These gates—there just happen to be four. Could the keys be the answer?"
…
Anyone who had reached the Nirvana Realm at such a young age wasn't a fool.
It didn't take long for everyone to turn their attention to Lin Fan.
By now, practically everyone knew—he had taken the Ancient Secret Keys from the Mo Rock Dynasty, the Desolate Dynasty, and the Nether Spring Dynasty.
Combined with the one he had originally possessed, all four keys were now in Lin Fan's hands.
However, when they thought of Lin Fan's terrifying feats in the Ancient Treasury, no one dared to approach and demand the keys.
Still, nothing stirs greed like opportunity.
As the temptation of the Four Profound Sect legacies grew, someone finally broke the silence.
Two of the Northwest Region's Four Overlords stepped forward—Mountainbreaker Axe Jiang Shan, and Beast Fist Mu Shou.
"Lin Fan, keeping all four keys to yourself… don't you think that's a little too greedy?"
Jiang Shan said, gripping the massive axe on his shoulder.
Mu Shou stood calmly beside him, exuding pressure without saying a word.
The crowd watched anxiously, eager to see how Lin Fan would respond.
Liu Bai, Yan Sen, and others also kept silent, observing quietly.
Lin Fan smiled faintly. "So? What are you going to do?"
"Hand over one of the keys. That's all I ask. I won't make trouble for you," Mu Shou said coolly, his beast-hide robe fluttering slightly.
"I'm asking the same," Jiang Shan added. "Just one key."
"You're overthinking it," Lin Fan replied casually. "I took those keys with my own strength—why should I give them to you?"
The two men's faces darkened.
"Brother Jiang, looks like he's not going to cooperate. Let's stop wasting time and take them by force!"
Mu Shou growled, a cold glint flashing across his face.
Though there were rumors Lin Fan had killed Tian Zhen, Mu Shou wasn't entirely convinced.
Still, to be cautious, he wanted to join forces with Jiang Shan.
Even if Lin Fan had that kind of power, they were both top-tier experts capable of challenging the third Nirvana Tribulation. Together, they believed they had a real shot.
"Don't get too full of yourself, Lin Fan. Greed leads to ruin."
Jiang Shan's grip tightened on his axe, eyes cold.
Lin Fan remained expressionless. "Go ahead. Make your move."
"In that case… we'll take the keys ourselves!"
Boom!
Jiang Shan's yuan power surged as his axe vibrated, sending a violent energy wave slashing deep into the ground.
At the same time, Mu Shou stomped forward, his own overwhelming aura rushing out like a tidal wave, bearing down on Lin Fan.
These two weren't ordinary Nirvana Realm cultivators—they were monsters just shy of the third tribulation.
Their combined pressure forced many onlookers to retreat in shock.
Even Liu Bai and Yan Sen grew serious as they witnessed the mounting pressure.
"Mountainbreaker Axe!"
"Rampaging Lion Fist!"
Jiang Shan and Mu Shou both shouted, unleashing powerful martial techniques.
A massive energy axe descended from the sky, aimed at Lin Fan's head.
At the same time, a roaring lion made of energy materialized in the air and lunged toward Lin Fan's chest.
Behind Lin Fan, Lin Dong and Xiao Yan tensed and stepped forward, ready to assist.
"No need," Lin Fan said, shaking his head as yuan power surged around him.
Then, he reached forward—
A pitch-black giant hand suddenly appeared in the sky!
Thousands of meters in every direction dimmed into absolute darkness!
One hand shrouded the heavens—light itself vanished!
The giant hand swung down, triggering a storm of yuan power that made the entire island tremble.
Even before it landed, deep cracks spread from beneath, splitting the ground in every direction!
As the hand continued its descent, it felt like the entire sky was crashing down!
Everyone could barely breathe under the immense pressure.
The crowd on the plaza paled in terror and scrambled even further back, trying to stay as far from Lin Fan as possible.
Not even Liu Bai or Yan Sen were exceptions.
"So strong! That pressure… it's far beyond Two Yuan Nirvana. Maybe even Three Yuan isn't his limit!"
Liu Bai's eyes widened in shock, speaking to Mu Hongling and the others.
None of them argued.
Only now did they truly understand how terrifying Lin Fan had become.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shan and Mu Shou's eyes finally betrayed their fear.
BOOM! BOOM!
In the blink of an eye, the giant energy axe and the charging lion were both obliterated by the massive black hand.
And in the next instant, the hand reached the two men.
They frantically tried to flee, pouring all their yuan power into escaping—
But it was too late.
The hand had locked onto them.
"I su—"
BOOM!
Before the words could even leave their mouths, the giant hand smashed them both into pulp!
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