Chapter 622: Chapter 626: 633: Comparisons are odious! (Third update)

A wave of dizziness washed over Yang Zhen as he retched up a mouthful of fresh blood onto the ground. Suddenly enraged, Yang Zhen seethed, “Damn it, you’re ruining this fight for the Sao Saint!”

Boom——!

Yang Zhen retracted his palms, and with a powerful punch, sent tremors through the earth. A ferocious gust of energy erupted, and amidst the whirl of dirt, the whole hall was turned upside down, morphing into something unrecognizable.

Endless dust billowing in the air, everyone felt as though they were in the eye of a raging storm in the middle of the sea, their bodies tumbling and crashing about painfully.

Yang Zhen himself had had a rough tumble; he was off-balance and his body lacked any point of contact with the ground.

As stones flew and a wild gust surged, a heart-wrenching pain followed. It was a long time before the entire hall gradually returned to peace.

The very moment it regained its calm, Yang Zhen leaped up, only to be taken aback.

Gong Sanhe, Si Dingchun, and Wen Yuning were all laid sprawled out on the ground, in a state of total disarray. Death Shadow looked like a complete buffoon, clutching a giant coffin like an octopus, sprawling atop it and muttering curses incessantly.

Once the upheaval finally settled, Death Shadow spitted out a mouthful of dirt, then he got up, brushing off the dust from his body, and asked, “What just happened?”

Gong Sanhe and the other two scrambled to their feet and stared at Death Shadow, leaving Death Shadow completely baffled. He scrutinized himself, only relaxing after confirming he was in one piece. Just as he was about to lash out in annoyance, his expression froze as he stared at the floor beneath his feet.

“What a load of crap!”

One glance downward and Death Shadow jumped three feet the air in surprise, landing next to Yang Zhen, he pointed at the giant coffin beneath them, exclaiming, “What the hell is this?”

Before Yang Zhen could answer, Death Shadow gave a cold snort, “Kid, when we get out of here, you’re going to pay. You knew all along that there were restrictions here, didn’t you?”

Yang Zhen nodded, “Yeah, I figured out something was off here a while ago. But, let’s be honest, you’re the elder here, supposed to be more reasoned. Did I actually make you go in?”

“You did!” Death Shadow glared back.

Yang Zhen grinned at Death Shadow, “Speak honestly. I just made a suggestion, maybe not the most appropriate one, you were the one who stepped in.”

“You… shameless brat!” Death Shadow was speechless, obviously not knowing how to respond to Yang Zhen.

Looking back, Yang Zhen hadn’t really made him go inside; it was Death Shadow himself who insisted on going, uttering a bunch of lofty words before stepping in.

“Hmph! What is the deal with this coffin, where did it come from?” Death Shadow looked bewildered at the massive coffin in the center of the hall, asking in a voice full of uncertainty.

Thinking about how he had just been clinging to such a large coffin, Death Shadow’s face twisted somewhat.

Gong Sanhe, after confirming that Ding Chun and Wen Yuning were alright, walked over to Yang Zhen, “This is the true form of the Heavenly Machine Lock, isn’t it?”

“Who knows?” Yang Zhen shook his head, “Let’s take a look!”

Another coffin!

This was the second time Yang Zhen saw a coffin in such a place, the first one being in the Nine Realms Exquisite Tower. It was a transparent coffin where a strikingly beautiful female saint lay.

Now, within the Heavenly Machine Lock, an enormous coffin made an appearance. Could it be that it didn’t contain a person inside?

The coffin was three to five times the size of a usual one, covered in intricate, mysterious patterns. It was so complex and profound that a single glance could hypnotize you into drowsiness.

As Yang Zhen carefully approached the coffin, Gong Sanhe suddenly shouted, “Both of you, do not look at the patterns on the coffin!”

Ding Chun and Wen Yuning were jolted into alertness at Gong Sanhe’s words, hastily nodding in acknowledgment. However, their curiosity got the best of them as they cast curious glances at Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen… was completely absorbed in examining the intricate patterns on the coffin.

It’s really infuriating to be compared unfavorably to someone else!

The three were of the same age, yet they couldn’t even look directly at those patterns, while Yang Zhen could boldly examine the contents, was the gap between their capabilities truly that large?

Death Shadow curiously looked over too. He crouched and tried to touch the patterns on the coffin, but suddenly stumbled. “Damn it, what on earth is this? How come I’m feeling so dizzy?” he cursed.

Gong Sanhe chuckled and said, “Old guy, if you don’t understand it, edge away and don’t be a burden.”

“What?” Death Shadow was furious, pointing at Gong Sanhe and shouting, “You dare to call me a burden? I… I will keep watch over those two kids!”

Death Shadow grumbled as he moved aside, while Gong Sanhe shook his head, laughing at the sight. He then turned to Yang Zhen, asking, “Have you figured out anything?”

Yang Zhen shook his head. These patterns were different from any he had ever seen—the stellar inscriptions, nor were they the Heaven and Earth True Patterns. They were completely unique, as if they had never appeared in this world.

No, they had appeared; it was merely that Yang Zhen had never noticed them before.

Perhaps if Dao sage were here, she might be able to understand them.

Thinking this, Yang Zhen’s interest was piqued. Although he did not know what these unfamiliar patterns were, he began to grasp their function—they were meant for deception!

Such deception!

Such grand ambitions!

This Great Sage who could weave such intricate layers was undoubtedly an exceptional formation master. At the very least, his Ksitigarbha Skill likely surpassed Yang Zhen’s.

This was becoming interesting.

The Heavenly Machine Lock had always been able to evade the will of heaven and earth. Now, within it, there was a coffin engraved with patterns of deception. The intentions of the person inside were clear.

This was someone attempting to defy the heavens and change their destiny!

“These patterns are meant to deceive heaven and earth, but I have never seen them before. Have you, Elder Gong?”

Yang Zhen, full of curiosity, turned to look at Gong Sanhe.

Gong Sanhe’s face drastically changed when he heard the phrase “deceive heaven and earth.” He was conflicted and fell silent for a moment before saying, “Let me think.”

With that, he closed his eyes and began to perform complicated, subtle incantations with his hands, clearly calculating something.

Regardless of what kind of calculation it was, Yang Zhen found it headache-inducing. He was almost asleep when Gong Sanhe suddenly exclaimed, startling him.

Death Shadow, even more scared than Yang Zhen, was nearly traumatized. His body shivered as he glared at Gong Sanhe and said, “You old man, what’s all this fuss about?”

Gong Sanhe ignored Death Shadow. His piercing gaze on Yang Zhen, he said solemnly, “If I’m not mistaken, these should be some kind of sacrificial inscriptions!”

“Sacrificial inscriptions?” Yang Zhen was taken aback, “Like those on tombstones?” he asked in surprise.

Gong Sanhe shook his head and said, “This is no ordinary sacrificial inscription, but a type that refines the spirit soul after death. It seems to have originated from the Southern Region.”

“Southern Region?” Death Shadow suddenly cried out, walking over to Gong Sanhe with a bizarre look, “Old man, are you sure? It really came from the South?”

Before Gong Sanhe could respond, Death Shadow murmured worriedly, “The Southern Region is full of sinister and evil folk, most of whom are experts in insects. Could there be insects here?”

On hearing the word ‘insects’, Wen Yuning shrieked, her face turning pale. Even Ding Chun gulped nervously, his gaze darting about the surroundings, clearly terrified of the insects mentioned by Death Shadow.