"Inheritance?" Lan An asked in surprise: "Isn't this a cemetery? What inheritance?"
"Master and the two ladies, follow me and you'll see!" Golden Shovel didn't explain, his short body leading the way.
Lan An had no doubts. He held Golden Shovel's Soul Origin, any hostile intent would be sensed instantly. The dwarf's life was in his thoughts.
With Golden Shovel guiding, progress sped up greatly. He expertly avoided traps and winding paths. No wonder, a professional grave robber who had clearly spent considerable time in Man Hero Cemetery.
Under his lead, passing countless tombstones, finally… a vast open space appeared. But it wasn't empty, dozens of Body Cultivators of various shapes gathered.
An ancient stone palace, bearing endless traces of time, exuded terrifying, profound aura. Even Eighth-Turn Wu San Niang felt shaken by its majestic architecture.
The stone palace pierced clouds, cutting through thick mist. Compared to it, Giant Tyrant City was nothing.
But now, the palace was sealed. Stone doors shut tight, no gap, material unknown. Only dozens of Body Cultivators stood before the gates.
"This is really a cemetery?" Dan Mengji found it hard to believe.
Golden Shovel nodded: "Called a cemetery, but truly the resting place of most Manhuang Sacred Ground experts who fell in battle. Also hides countless inheritances, too many to count!"
Lan An inhaled deeply. The unlucky soul he searched clearly didn't know everything…
Seeing Lan An unclear, Golden Shovel quickly recounted secrets gathered over long years…
Manhuang Sacred Ground, once supreme ruler of Manhuang Realm, its terror obvious. Not built by one person, but countless powerful experts united.
Those qualified to join, at least Eighth-Turn. Upon death, they wished successors to carry on their true teachings and glorify them. Thus, this stone palace cemetery was built even before Sacred Ground's destruction, containing vast inheritances.
Manhuang Sacred Ground left a backup. Though gone, their inheritances and name would never fade, for future generations to aspire to.
"If this cemetery hides so many inheritances, why haven't I heard of it before?" Wu San Niang's face darkened. If she knew, she'd have visited long ago.
Golden Shovel lowered voice: "All info about this place is secretly sealed by high-level powers. Only circulated internally among Ninth-Rank and above factions. Leak it, joint punishment from others. Common folk can't know…"
"Greedy bastards!" Dan Mengji sneered, understanding.
High-level powers treated Manhuang Sacred Ground's precious cemetery as their own, sealing info to prevent outsiders competing with their geniuses.
Normal people, unless stupid, wouldn't venture deep into dangerous Man Hero Cemetery. Thus, inheritance info stayed among elites.
Wu San Niang, strong but lone cultivator in this realm, naturally knew nothing.
"So they're all from Ninth-Rank or higher?" Lan An eyed the crowd before the gates.
"Correct, geniuses from Ninth-Rank+ trying luck!" Golden Shovel said contemptuously:
"But Manhuang Sacred Ground experts had high standards. Even dead, sought outstanding successors. Inheritances come with dangerous trials. Over countless years, few succeed. Many die in trials instead."
Lan An's eyes flickered. He cared nothing for inheritances or trials. Only knew the Saintess's resting place was inside this massive stone palace…
"We're not from major powers, entering will cause conflict!" Wu San Niang burned with battle intent.
"Heh heh, Master… actually my Xiao Clan is Ninth-Rank! With me leading, no conflict." Golden Shovel rubbed nose, embarrassed grin.
Lan An nodded. Golden Shovel's real name Xiao Doubi, Xiao Clan Ninth-Rank. No wonder he knew so much…
"How to enter?" Wu San Niang couldn't wait.
"Follow me!"
Golden Shovel puffed chest confidently, leading Lan An toward the stone palace gates.
They arrived, instantly drawing attention. Some knew Golden Shovel, nodded at Lan An's group:
"Xiao Doubi, these from your clan? So mysterious, hiding faces?"
"Heh heh, new rising geniuses my clan secretly trained. Bit shy with strangers!" Golden Shovel chuckled, nodding.
"Hmph, a grave-robbing clan like Xiao Clan produce real geniuses?" Crowd inwardly shook heads.
Some geniuses from Tenth-Rank powers, eyes above heads, didn't even glance at Lan An's group.
"Heh heh, Xiao Doubi… good recent hauls? Careful leaving evidence, your whole family dies!" A youth disliking Golden Shovel sneered.
Grave robbing enraged gods and men. But Xiao Clan knew limits, only minor tombs, clean work. Most ignored them.
Lan An's gaze fell on a massive crystal-clear stone tablet before the gates, incredibly sturdy…
Currently, a muscular man, Early Seventh-Turn, roared. Muscles bulging, fiercely punching the tablet.
BOOM…
Deafening sound, tablet unmoved. But soon glowed, two colours appearing. Seeing this, the man dejectedly bowed head, sighing, retreating.
"Haha, overestimating himself!" Crowd who failed multiple times mocked.
Another hesitant youth approached, preparing full-power strike.
"Interesting!" Lan An looked at sealed gates, then tablet, suddenly understanding.
"Trial Tablet!"
Golden Shovel explained: "First trial. To enter stone palace seeking inheritance, must strike Trial Tablet at Early Seventh-Turn strength. Three colours glowing, pass…"
As said, the youth used full power. Transparent Trial Tablet suddenly shone three colours: green, red, purple…
CREAK…
Sealed stone palace gates cracked open…
"Hahaha, success! After five years training, finally! Farewell everyone, I go first!"
Youth laughed excitedly. Suction from gates pulled him in, then calmly closed.
Crowd instantly jealous. Entering stone palace meant chance at inheritance. Unknown if survive inner trials, but first step succeeded.
Manhuang Sacred Ground experts countless. Even one Protector's inheritance, lifetime benefit.
"My turn!" A refined-looking youth, excited, from Ninth-Rank power. Just reached Harmony Realm, couldn't wait, rushed here hoping for inheritance.
Alas, life not a dream…
"Scram!"
Dominating roar. A figure shot from outside at terrifying speed, appearing before tablet, powerful punch.
Refined youth startled, ambushed? Kicked to block…
CRACK…
Bone-shattering sound. Refined youth kicked flying, blood spraying. Eyes wide in rage and fear at attacker. But seeing opponent's form, face paled, hiding anger, bowing respectfully:
"Thank you noble Giant Demon Race for sparing me!"
The ambusher, dozens of metres tall, half-human half-beast. Human body, tiger head, long fangs, sharp claws, brilliant war armour, ferocious arrogant face.
Half-human half-beast, massive size, Giant Demon Race.
"Greetings to noble Giant Demon Race!"
Proud geniuses instantly fearful, crowding around newcomer. Even Tenth-Rank geniuses held breath, ignoring unlucky refined youth beaten for no reason.
Lan An inwardly shook head. In Manhuang, strong rule supreme even more than Yuelong. Giant Han and Giant Demon, wherever they went, bootlickers followed.
Scene before him, no exception.
"Hmph, this Giant Tiger enters stone palace today… Elder Manhuang Sacred Ground inheritance won't escape me!" Giant Demon Giant Tiger laughed skyward, striding arrogantly to Trial Tablet.
Mid Seventh-Turn, suppressed to Early Seventh-Turn. Cheating, tablet's backlash would repel.
Manhuang Sacred Ground's wonder, though gone, rules unbreakable.
"Tiger Roar Force!"
Long roar, muscles swelled. He backed up, charged madly, shoulder slamming Trial Tablet.
BOOM…
Instantly, Trial Tablet shone three colours. Gates cracked, suction pulled Giant Tiger in.
"HAHAHA, this Giant Demon claims inheritance!"
Giant Tiger laughed, vanishing amid envious eyes.
Stimulated, geniuses tried desperately. Sadly, passers pitifully few. Clearly, not strong enough.
"One colour means 100,000 jin force. Three colours, 300,000 jin… For normal Early Seventh-Turn, not easy!" Jin'er smiled.
Lan An inwardly calculated. Never knew his strength in jin, good chance to test.
His relatively small figure stepped to Trial Tablet, preparing.
Though only Sixth-Turn, he believed he'd surpass most Seventh-Turn.
"Haha, that guy from thieving Xiao Clan?"
"Just clowning. Maybe not even Seventh-Turn…"
"Even I failed, he wants to show off?"
"Young colt overreaching, good show!"
Seeing him overestimate, failed crowd mocked.
Lan An inhaled deeply, about to punch…
"Keng! Branch quest 'Dominance' activated. Success: 4 drops Warm Blood Liquid. Failure: lose entry to stone palace!"
System's mechanical voice, Lan An quickly checked details…
Quest 'Dominance' details: Show young overlord's dominance, enter stone palace with seven colours on Trial Tablet!
"Seven colours?" Lan An's face darkened. I'm only Sixth-Turn, you joking?
But reward generous, 4 drops Warm Blood Liquid. Punishment harsh, must do.
While Lan An pondered seven colours, a four-armed colossal figure leaped from outside, charging him, roaring:
"SCRAM!"
Same scene as before, different target…