One Pound Meat, One More Attribute Point

Chapter 188: 161: Teaming Up, Arrival at the Mausoleum_3

"What we need to do now is to pass through these palaces and enter the crypt,"

"I’m starting to understand," Su Heng nodded.

"The longer we drag this out, the more complications will arise, we need to start moving quickly," An Ran said, slowly getting to her feet with the support of the wall.

After thinking for a moment, she took off the dagger hanging at her waist and handed it to Su Heng.

"This dagger will be safer with you."

"Okay!" Su Heng reached out and took it.

The dagger, imbued with the Soul Nailing Spell and especially effective against An Shelie, was casually hung by Su Heng at his waist.

The two of them moved forward at high speed, one after the other.

Just as they were about to leave the narrow and dark tunnel, a loud "plop" sounded from the turbulent, murky river.

The water exploded, and a three-meter-long giant bone tongue fish sprang from the river with its mouth wide open.

Boom!

Su Heng did not lift a finger.

Thousands of tons of Gravity Sense came crashing down, immediately crushing it into a pulp.

Although such a monster was no threat, the demonic Qi emanating from the giant bone tongue fish still surprised Su Heng.

"The environment in the secret realm seems to be quite special," Su Heng noted.

"Quite so," An Ran said, her gaze lingering on the carcass of the giant bone tongue fish as she explained, "Just as sea monsters can’t return to freshwater rivers, some powerful demons or martial artists can’t stay in the secular world for long. Their true bodies spend most of their time in the eternal heavens."

"But the eternal heavens, vast and immeasurable, expansive and profound, are also filled with dangers."

"So..."

As if he understood something, Su Heng said thoughtfully, "The secret realm is like a safe house within the eternal heavens?"

"A safe house?" An Ran was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "This analogy is quite apt."

Su Heng knew he had spoken out of turn but did not elaborate further.

"That’s why powerful ancient families and sects prefer to establish their roots in secret realms," An Ran continued, "If the connection between the eternal heavens and the secular world weakens, they would close their doors and not come out, meditating on secret techniques and focusing on cultivation in the secret realm."

"Whereas if, like now, the connection between the eternal heavens and the secular world grows increasingly close, with demons resurrecting and turmoil brewing, these ancient families and sects start to emerge in the world, stirring up storms and competing for destiny."

"I see..."

Su Heng nodded lightly, "That means what we’re seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg of a great era."

"That’s correct," An Ran seemed to remember something.

She added with a smile, "But sometimes, if there is a surge of talent and strong individuals emerge in the secular world who grow at an extraordinary rate, then what gets eliminated are those old fellows in the secret realm who think they are above everyone else."

"A millennium dynasty, a ten-thousand-year ancient family. One day they will all turn into smoke and fade away," Su Heng said with a laugh, "Only individual strength is fundamental."

"What the overseer says is right, but for a young lady like me, being able to live peacefully is a dream too beautiful to imagine,"

An Ran said with a bitter smile and a shake of her head.

From her birth, she was treated as a sacrifice for the resurrection of ancestors, and after escaping her family, she continued to suffer under the will of An Shelie.

Since she could remember, she may have only experienced a few peaceful days under Su Heng’s protection.

The two of them twisted and turned in the narrow grave passage.

The dangerous traps they encountered either were avoided in advance with An Ran guiding them,

Or were detected by Su Heng’s "Gravity Sense" covering a radius of three hundred meters, nipping them in the bud directly.

Their journey was leisurely and carefree.

They were so at ease that not even a speck of dust settled on them.

"We’re here!" An Ran halted.

Su Heng raised his eyebrows. If he wasn’t mistaken, they should have already reached the center. In front of them stood a massive, ancient door over thirty meters high, even more magnificent and imposing than the gates of Baihua County. Even a giant like Su Heng had to look up to observe it.

An Ran had already taken the lead and reached the door, her hand touching the dragon motifs on the bronze door.

The dragon motifs lit up.

Amidst the heavy sound of friction, the gates swung open.

Ancient, mouldering air burst forth with the dust, as a dull, bright light gushed out like a tide. Su Heng, towering and broad-shouldered as a mountain, stood steadfastly, his long hair and cloak billowing, whistling in the wind, drawing the arc of history.