"It seems this Youming Mountain once witnessed a fierce battle, with countless casualties," he murmured, his gaze solemn.
They had now descended deep into the mountain's base. Ahead, a colossal stone platform, about thirty feet high, lay before them. Upon it were scattered numerous corpses, their flesh and blood a bloody mess, emitting a pungent, foul odor.
Beside the platform stood several thick stone pillars, entwined with chains that firmly secured them.
"Huh? What is that..."
Suddenly, Zhou Yan's expression shifted. His eyes widened, fixed on a particular corpse.
It was a skeletal frame, bound by chains, yet it appeared remarkably lifelike, as if animated. It wore a black robe, a sword hung at its waist, its face sunken, temples graying. Its hands were long and slender, with sharp, sharp fingernails, exuding a chilling aura.
*Crack...*
Abruptly, the skeletal frame stirred. From its chest emerged a jet-black bead, its surface carved with intricate patterns, faintly glowing with a red light.
*Boom...*
Instantly, a terrifying killing intent erupted, distorting space and surging outwards like a tide, permeating the entire hall.
"Hiss! Such terrifying power!"
Zhou Yan couldn't help but gasp, his soul trembling as if it would shatter. He quickly closed his eyes.
*Whoosh!*
At this moment, a streak of crimson light pierced the air, instantly slashing towards the skeletal frame. It moved with lightning speed, utterly lethal.
*Bang!*
The skeletal frame reacted with astonishing speed, raising a hand to block. However, it was still forced back half a step, its feet leaving two clear imprints on the ground.
*Clang, clang, clang...*
Simultaneously, the surrounding iron chains rattled, emitting a piercing shriek that echoed throughout the hall, like the roar of ten thousand horses, unsettling the heart.
"You dare destroy my physical form! I will fight you to the death."
The skeletal frame's mouth moved, a hoarse voice emanating, filled with rage and malice. A fierce flame ignited in its empty eye sockets.
*Hiss, hiss!*
Immediately, wisps of flame spontaneously appeared, transforming into numerous ferocious wolves, dozens of them, howling and roaring as they lunged towards Zhou Yan.
"Damn you!"
Zhou Yan, startled, fled for his life, cursing, "Old monster, don't think you can still cause trouble after death. I'll kill you sooner or later."
"Roar!"
A fierce wolf shrieked and attacked, its claws and teeth glinting coldly, tearing through the void, carrying a chilling killing intent.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Yan snorted coldly. His true essence surged madly, transforming into a golden dragon that coiled around him, radiating dragon might, vast and overbearing.
*Poof!*
As the fierce wolves approached, they exploded into wisps of smoke and vanished.
"Huh? Why is this not working?"
Zhou Yan blinked, feeling something was amiss. According to the "Hundred Herbs Codex," such ghostly things should be quite weak.
Could it be that his power wasn't strong enough?
With this thought, Zhou Yan clenched his fists. Powerful energy flowed through his body, his skin radiating a crystalline sheen, as if made of glass jade, incomparably hard.
"Die!"
With a furious roar, Zhou Yan charged at the skeletal frame, swinging his fists and smashing them towards it.
*Bang!*
The skeletal frame reacted with lightning speed, its hand shooting out to grasp Zhou Yan's wrist. It squeezed hard, *crack, crack*. Zhou Yan's arm throbbed with intense pain, his bones feeling like they were about to break.
"As expected of the Saint Martial Realm, its power is terrifying."
Sweat beaded on Zhou Yan's forehead. Gritting his teeth, he circulated the Nine Revolutions Chaos Art, pouring all his true essence into his right hand and exerting force.
*Crack, crack, crack!*
A crisp sound came from the skeletal frame's wrist. It seemed unable to withstand the pressure and gradually cracked.
*Bang!*
Finally, the skeletal frame released its grip. It swayed a few times and fell to the ground.
"Haha! Is this the might of a Saint Martial Realm expert? Nothing special!"
Zhou Yan laughed heartily, his mind racing as he quickly considered an escape plan.
"Little fellow, there's no need to struggle. Though I am dead, your desire to escape is wishful thinking. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you will not escape Youming Mountain."
Suddenly, a faint, ethereal voice echoed in Zhou Yan's mind, carrying an immense amount of information, making him feel dizzy.
This voice could actually interfere with one's spirit!
"Who?"
Zhou Yan's expression flickered with alarm. He looked around, but found nothing unusual.
"Heh heh, no need to look. I am the guardian of this Youming Mountain!"
The voice spoke again, ethereal and traceless, its origin unknown, making it impossible to grasp.
"Guardian?"
Zhou Yan's heart stirred. He had originally thought that the vast internal space of Youming Mountain, filled with mysterious dangers, necessitated layers of security to prevent intruders.
He had never imagined that such an existence would be guarding Youming Mountain.
His vigilance intensified. He cautiously surveyed his surroundings, pondering for a long time before hesitantly asking, "If you are the guardian of Youming Mountain, then why did you perish here?"
"Alas..."
The voice sighed, filled with sorrow and grief, and then slowly began to explain.
It turned out that Youming Mountain was no ordinary mountain range, but an ancient ruin, where the Saints and Kings of past dynasties were buried.
Throughout history, Youming Mountain had suffered numerous calamities, causing severe damage and leading to the loss of its seals.
Finally, three thousand years ago, a King descended upon Youming Mountain, seeking a path to breakthrough.
However, this attracted another group of powerful enemies. After a bitter struggle, the King was defeated and killed here.
As this King perished, he hid a token in the core area of Youming Mountain, awaiting a fated individual to retrieve it and restore Youming Mountain to its former glory.
"Youming Mountain actually hides such a secret..."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan was profoundly shocked and incredulous. Youming Mountain was entangled in an earth-shattering secret, even involving a King-level powerhouse.
No wonder he had sensed a familiar aura the moment he stepped into Youming Mountain.
"Since you are the guardian of Youming Mountain, then this matter shall be your responsibility."
Zhou Yan's gaze swept across the skeletal frame.
At this moment, the skeletal frame stood up, appearing hesitant to speak.
"Are you afraid I will steal your inheritance?" Zhou Yan chuckled, a playful expression on his face.
"Cough... Your guess is correct. I am indeed afraid."
The skeletal frame hesitated before finally admitting.
Youming Mountain was its graveyard, where its ancestors were buried. It had once guarded Youming Mountain and naturally understood how terrifying the strength of those ancestors was.
This was why it had been suppressed here, barely surviving. Every twenty years, it would awaken with the power of formations to maintain the seal.
However, when it was sealed, it had already reached Saint-tier cultivation, with extraordinary combat power. Unfortunately, as time passed, its strength weakened, leaving only seventy percent of its peak power.
Now, this young man had entered the mountain gate, immediately activating the formations, preventing it from continuing its slumber and forcing it to awaken.
"What are you afraid of? I'm not going to steal your inheritance!" Zhou Yan pouted.
As he spoke, Zhou Yan suddenly saw a token radiating brilliant silver light appear in the skeletal frame's hand. It was the treasure he had been dreaming of – the Profound Yellow Stone Token.
"Hmm, this Profound Yellow Stone Token seems a bit strange."
Zhou Yan furrowed his brows, examining it closely.