"Such rich Immortal Qi!" Lü Yugang, Heavenly Thunder Chan Master, and Tiansha Chan Master exclaimed in admiration.
Upon reaching this high platform, they felt vast amounts of refined energy, so dense it had turned into mist, surging towards them and actively pouring into their bodies.
"That's not Immortal Qi. It's Primordial Chaos Spiritual Energy," Ye Yunfei said.
"Primordial Chaos Spiritual Energy?" Lü Yugang and the other two were taken aback, as this was their first time hearing of it.
"That's correct. It is indeed Primordial Chaos Spiritual Energy. It's said to be one of the supreme spiritual energies in this world. Though it can't compare to the legendary Immortal Qi, absorbing it brings immense benefits to cultivation," the Old Clan Leader of the Mermaid Clan concurred.
His race was exceptionally ancient. Although they had always secluded themselves within the Cangmang Sea, they had passed down many antique tomes through generations. Thus, he was knowledgeable about many of the world's secrets.
"So that's how it is," Lü Yugang and the other two murmured, somewhat surprised.
"Sirs, please circulate your cultivation techniques and absorb as much of this Primordial Chaos Spiritual Energy as you can. Although this coffin harbors a great opportunity, it's uncertain whether we can obtain it. Absorbing more of this spiritual energy ensures this trip isn't wasted," Ye Yunfei transmitted via Sound Transmission.
"Right," Lü Yugang and the others nodded, understanding his meaning.
Since they had toiled hard to get here, they had to reap some benefits.
They immediately activated their techniques, potent suction erupting from within their bodies. Streams of Primordial Chaos Spiritual Energy flooded into them like great rivers.
"Let's go have a closer look. But be careful. This coffin could be extremely dangerous," Ye Yunfei said gravely, then led the way toward the sarcophagus.
"Strange. How come now that we're here, I feel the energy pressure radiating from this coffin has weakened somewhat?" Hun Lao communicated to Ye Yunfei.
"Indeed. The energy pressure here is indeed much weaker," Ye Yunfei nodded.
By now, the other experts had also ascended one after another, their gazes blazing as they fixed them on the coffin.
They had entered the Cangmang Sea, braved countless dangers along the way, and arrived here precisely for this coffin.
"Is this the legendary Nine-Life Immortal Coffin?" every expert examined the sarcophagus.
They saw that around the coffin, illusory scenes continuously appeared and replaced each other. There were even phantom images of divine beasts like true dragons and divine phoenixes circling nearby, appearing lifelike.
"What do you think is buried within? An immortal? Or an ancient Great Emperor?" someone, recalling the legends about the Nine-Life Immortal Coffin, couldn't help but speak.
Yet, no one could answer that question.
"That's odd. Why do I feel a vibrant vitality coming from within this coffin?"
"Don't tell me... the being inside isn't dead yet?" another person suddenly said.
His words sent shivers down everyone's spines, and some even felt their legs go weak.
Regardless of whether this coffin belonged to an immortal or an ancient Great Emperor, if its occupant was still alive, it would be utterly terrifying. Likely, all the masters present combined would be no match.
"No. Sense carefully. There indeed is vibrant vitality within this coffin, but it seems to be emanating from a certain type of medicinal plant, not the vitality of a living creature," someone remarked.
"Vitality from a medicinal plant? That reminds me of a legend. Some powerful masters, on the verge of death, forcibly seal their own vitality. Simultaneously, they place heaven-defying medicinal herbs within their coffins, hoping to revive one day," an expert recalled an ancient tale.
"So that means the medicinal herb inside this coffin must be some kind of heaven-defying treasure, incredibly precious," the other experts nodded.
"Perhaps it's a Half-Immortal Medicine," one expert suddenly exclaimed.
Hearing this, the gazes of all the other experts instantly turned greedy.
For them, a Half-Immortal Medicine was a priceless treasure. Obtaining one would significantly boost their strength.
One must understand that the higher one's cultivation realm, the more difficult breaking through becomes. Every individual who made it here was among the top-tier experts of the Eastern Barrens, each capable of commanding respect across a region.
However, their desire to break through and ascend to a higher level was fraught with immense difficulty.
Some old monsters had toiled in bitter cultivation for over a thousand years, yet remained unable to advance a single step.
But if they could acquire a Half-Immortal Medicine, it was possible their strength and realm could improve.
Just imagine its allure for them!
Boom!
Someone made a move, transforming a giant hand that bloomed with powerful energy, streaking like lightning toward the coffin.
"Attack!"
How could the other masters fall behind? Some extended giant hands to grab, some activated movement techniques to charge forward, while others summoned magical treasures, attempting to suppress the coffin.
At this point, no one held back. All struck with their full power.
As these experts attacked, immense, overwhelming energy filled the surrounding space, resembling a world-ending cataclysm.
"We strike too!" Lü Yugang said in a low, fierce voice.
In such a situation, whoever was a step ahead in opening that coffin stood a chance to claim the treasures and opportunities within!
"Careful! Something inside the coffin is about to emerge," Ye Yunfei's expression shifted at this moment as he transmitted a warning to Lü Yugang and the others.
Lü Yugang and his companions were startled and halted their movements.
Then, everyone saw the coffin lid slowly being pushed open. A hand from within rose up, supporting the lid.
This sight sent goosebumps racing across everyone's skin.
"Oh no! The person inside is alive! Has the ancient Great Emperor within revived?" someone cried out in shock.
Cold chills ran down everyone's spines. No one had anticipated such an outcome.
They had come here to open this legendary Nine-Life Immortal Coffin and seize the treasures and resources inside. Such an act, from the coffin owner's perspective, amounted to desecrating his tomb—an unforgivable, blood-enmity.
Now the coffin's owner was emerging. It went without saying he would seek revenge against all of them.
The crowd was dumbstruck, staring wide-eyed at that small, slowly rising hand within the coffin, now propping up the lid.
The hand looked rather delicate, noticeably smaller than that of a normal adult.
"We should run! The being inside is surely a terrifying entity with overwhelming power. We're definitely no match," someone stammered.
"If it truly is an ancient Great Emperor inside that coffin, it's already too late for us to leave now. Legends say a Heavenly Emperor can cross hundreds of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers in a single step, or even freely travel between different worlds and planes. With our strength, trying to escape from a Great Emperor is simply a joke," another voice, full of despair, spoke.
Hearing these words, everyone felt their limbs grow weak.
Bang!
Suddenly, the small hand inside the coffin exerted a gentle force, pushing the lid fully open.
Then, a person slowly sat up from within the coffin. Astonishingly, it was a youth of fifteen or sixteen years.
His frame appeared rather slender, his features refined and even carrying a touch of youthful naivety. His eyes were clear and bright, exceptionally pure, giving a sense of refreshing naturalness.
What made it even more baffling for the surrounding experts was that this youth's body emitted not a single ripple of energy fluctuation.
He looked precisely like a mortal youth who had never cultivated. But precisely because of that, the masters around grew even more vigilant.
Abnormal occurrences surely heralded the extraordinary—this principle was understood by all!