Chapter 378: Chapter 377: Four Great Generals of Yun_1
At the end of the passage, a spacious area indeed opened before Ling Chen’s eyes. This area, about a square kilometer, was almost empty, except for four statues in the central region.
Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan walked up to the statues and began to study them.
Of these four statues, three were human, while the fourth depicted a ’bear-man,’ who looked almost identical to a bear but had a human form. Such beings were generally called ’Different People.’ ’Different People’ were a synthesis of humans and Exotic Beasts.
They were not the same as Qing Luo and the Lin Family members, who merely possessed the bloodlines of Exotic Beasts. In contrast, ’Different People’ were integrated forms of humans and Exotic Beasts.
However, the current Martial World had long silenced any rumors about ’Different People.’
"What is the relevance between these four statues and the Human Emperor?" Xu Ruoyan studied the four statues in front of her, a contemplative look on her face.
"Look here." Ling Chen wiped the wall clean behind the four statues, where several lines of text then appeared. To the far right, ancient-style characters read: "Ninth year of the Heavenly Yuan Calendar."
The ninth year of the Heavenly Yuan Calendar marked the completion of the first unification of the Tianyuan Continent. The name "Tianyuan Continent" itself was derived from the reign title of the Human Emperor.
"The Human Emperor pacified the Nine Provinces and put the territories to tribute. He split mountains and divided waters, annihilating the barbarians, and receiving guests from across the Eight Wastes and the Four Seas."
Ling Chen read along the lines. The beginning contained phrases glorifying the deeds of the Human Emperor. The four statues were mentioned only after that.
After reading, a flicker of comprehension appeared in Ling Chen’s eyes.
"So these four individuals were those who initially followed the Human Emperor’s orders to lead their forces in the conquest of Cloud Outland. They were collectively known as the ’Four Great Generals of Yun.’"
"The four were Blood General, Stone General, Moon General, and Bear General. Each of the Four Great Generals of Yun possessed strength at least at the peak of the Sky Apex Realm; Blood General among them had even achieved the ’Half-Saint’ level."
Above the Sky Apex Realm lay the ’Saint Path.’ Individuals who reached the Saint Realm had transcended mere mortal martial arts. They could mystically communicate with gods, and rumor had it, they also had the ability to defy heaven.
’Half-Saints,’ those who had progressed halfway along the Saint Path, might not have transcended the mortal realm, but they still possessed enough strength to dominate the entire world. They were a dreadful power capable of sweeping across the Five Kingdoms.
Xu Ruoyan looked around. "It seems that this place is the mausoleum for the Four Great Generals of Yun."
The Four Great Generals of Yun were subordinates of the Human Emperor. Their tomb being here further confirmed the suspicion that this place was undoubtedly the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace.
"The mausoleum of the Four Great Generals lies here, yet there’s nothing around. There must be a hidden mechanism somewhere nearby," Ling Chen said without hesitation.
"Where could the mechanism be hidden?" Xu Ruoyan began to look carefully around her. When her hand inadvertently landed on the head of the Stone General statue, she nudged it lightly and twisted it.
BOOM!
The ground suddenly trembled, cracking from its middle toward both sides. Deep below, the four statues moved apart in four different directions. The ground of the entire area fractured into separate fragments.
In the urgency of the moment, Ling Chen could only retreat lightly. With each step he took backward, the stone beneath his foot shattered. It was incredibly perilous.
Just then, a passage abruptly opened in the greenish wall ahead, leading to an unknown destination.
Only when Ling Chen had reached the entrance of the passage did the ground cease to collapse. By this time, he was already separated from Xu Ruoyan, and the original ground had transformed into a Void, utterly empty.
"Ling Chen!" Across the Void, Xu Ruoyan stood calling out to him. However, separated by the Void, her voice seemed diminished, only faintly reaching him.
I can’t cross! Ling Chen looked down at the expanse of nothingness before him. Even using my Light Skill, I can’t cross this Void. It seems only a Top Sky Apex Strong could make it across.
For now, we have no choice but to go our separate ways and rendezvous somewhere deep within the Palace, Ling Chen concluded.
He made a reassuring gesture to Xu Ruoyan, signaling her not to worry about him. She understood, turned, and entered the passage behind her.
Seeing Xu Ruoyan enter the passage, Ling Chen turned and went into the passage behind him.
The air within the passage was extremely cold. Chilling winds blew persistently from its depths, so cold they pierced the bones.
These four passageways led in completely different directions, and Ling Chen had no idea where he would end up if he continued forward.
After traversing several hundred meters of the narrow passage, Ling Chen entered a spacious area. This area had eight passageways, suggesting they led from various other directions.
After a quick survey of the area, Ling Chen’s gaze settled on a Bronze Gate to his right.
Looking at the slightly ajar Bronze Gate, Ling Chen’s heart sank. Someone has already broken in here before me! Who could it be? They’re even faster than I am, he thought in surprise.
Since I’ve made it this far, I have to go in and take a look!
Ling Chen hesitated for a moment before the Bronze Gate, but ultimately, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. With a flash, he squeezed through the ajar opening and went inside.
As Ling Chen slipped through the Bronze Gate, the crimson light outside vanished, revealing a tranquil Stone Palace before him.
The Stone Palace lacked lavish decorations; in fact, it was quite plain, empty, with very little furniture. Ling Chen’s gaze swept around the Stone Palace before focusing on its center. There lay an open stone coffin, and above it, a mass of blood-colored light radiated an astounding aura.
Ling Chen squinted, focusing on the luminescent mass. Within it, he could vaguely make out a blood-red heart, seemingly condensed from pure, radiant Energy, beating gently. With each beat, the air within the hall seemed to vibrate in sync.
Could this be the legendary Demi-Saint Heart?! Ling Chen’s eyes widened in shock. The Demi-Saint Heart! It doesn’t refer to the actual heart of a Half-Saint, but rather the culmination of a Half-Saint Powerhouse’s lifelong Cultivation, condensed after their death. This heart contains all the insights and accumulations of that Half-Saint Powerhouse—a truly rare Treasure in this world!
Reaching the Semi-Saint Realm requires profound accumulation and an incredibly deep understanding of Martial Arts. Directly refining this Demi-Saint Heart would mean assimilating all that accumulation and understanding, granting immeasurable benefits!
"Kid, this is not a place where you should be. Get out!"
Ling Chen’s steps halted abruptly. He slowly raised his head, his pupils contracting as he looked to the other side of the stone coffin. Several figures had appeared there, their covetous eyes fixed on him.