Clang!
The coffin lid opened.
Instantly, a dazzling light burst from within the coffin, like an eternal flame, burning fiercely.
Qin Chuan was startled.
If not for the system's protective power, that light could have reduced him to ashes instantly.
After a while, the light gradually dissipated.
Inside the coffin, there lay a peculiar mirror. The frame was a dull gray, as though carved from stone, and its shape resembled a burning flame.
The mirror surface was golden.
A gold so bright it almost looked yellow!
Within the golden mirror, it seemed as though countless worlds were melting, emitting beams of light so intense they could scorch the heavens and boil the seas!
Zzzz...
The thin rays of light reflected onto Qin Chuan, causing the transparent barrier protecting him to sizzle and emit wisps of smoke as it melted.
It must be noted:
This barrier was provided by the system, which even the impacts from the nine golden crows couldn't shake!
At this moment, those nine golden crows outside were still relentlessly ramming against the barrier, yet inside, Qin Chuan could barely hear them—like the world's best soundproofing.
"What a treasure!"
Qin Chuan's eyes sparkled. This was clearly a supreme weapon. Just a few flashes from this mirror could obliterate most powerful cultivators.
He reached out to grab it.
"Stop!"
Suddenly, a righteous shout came from behind, seemingly from a young man.
However, Qin Chuan paid no attention, continuing to reach for the mirror. But as he tried to lift it, he realized it was incredibly heavy—he couldn't move it.
At this moment, he decided to look back.
But before turning, he used an artifact he had exchanged earlier to change his appearance—taking on the form of Qin Zi.
As he turned around, he saw a ragged young man standing before him.
This man looked as though he had escaped a fire, his body charred black, half of his hair singed off. Leaning on a dead tree branch, he stood on the horizon, gasping for breath, appearing weak and exhausted.
"Huff... huff... You... cannot desecrate... the remains of the Ancestral King!"
The young man panted heavily as he spoke.
With Qin Zi's face, Qin Chuan naturally displayed "the contempt of the pig" to the fullest.
He gazed at the man with three parts disdain and seven parts ridicule, his expression cold as he said, "Who are you, to dare interfere in my affairs?"
To him, this man was indeed nothing more than an ant.
He discovered that the man's cultivation was only at the Holy Saint level—practically a weakling in the current Nine Heavens Realm.
Still, for this person to appear inside the rising sun meant he must have some extraordinary qualities—perhaps worth provoking just a bit.
After all, right now, he was playing the part of Qin Zi!
"I... I may be weak, but as a citizen of the Ancestral King, I will never allow anyone to desecrate his remains!"
Despite the lack of confidence in his voice, the young man mustered courage, his faith supporting him as he said, "I am Zhao Ri, a wandering warrior of the Dragon Tail County, Barbarian Dragon Domain!"
"Heh, foolish!"
Qin Chuan sneered, waving his hand dismissively.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind howled. Though Qin Chuan only used the strength of a True God, it was more than enough to send Zhao Ri flying thousands of meters, the wind leaving him disoriented as he crashed to the ground.
"You can kill me, but you cannot defeat me! My faith will never waver!!"
Zhao Ri staggered to his feet, his face resolute as he shouted.
"Arrogant words."
Qin Chuan waved again, sending Zhao Ri tumbling once more. He fell flat on his face, but still managed to stand up, continuing to shout, "If you want to desecrate the Ancestral King, you'll have to step over my dead body!"
Whoosh!
In a flash, Qin Chuan appeared right in front of him. Their eyes met, and the wind from Qin Chuan's sudden movement caused Zhao Ri's hair to fly back, his ragged clothes flapping wildly.
"You..."
Zhao Ri, startled, instinctively shrank back, his heart racing, his face turning pale.
Facing such a powerful figure, his fear was undeniable.
"Are you really not afraid to die?"
Qin Chuan asked, his eyes narrowing with a hint of expectation and admiration, making his expression all the more enigmatic.
"I am afraid of death, but..."
Zhao Ri took a deep breath, staring back at Qin Chuan as he said, "As a citizen of the Ancestral King, I will not allow you to desecrate him!"
After speaking, he lifted his chin, closing his eyes tightly, embodying the attitude of "Kill me if you must, but spare me your words."
Qin Chuan looked at him for a long moment.
Then, suddenly, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha..."
His laughter was filled with warmth and compassion. He reached out, gently placing his hand on Zhao Ri's head, speaking kindly, "Child, you've shown true loyalty..."
"Ah? You..."
Zhao Ri opened his eyes in shock, uncertain of what to think. He wanted to pull away, but his body didn't respond.
The smile on Qin Chuan's face became even more compassionate as he said softly, "Don't be afraid. In truth... I am the Ancestral King."
"Don't speak nonsense!"
Zhao Ri jerked back two steps, his face filled with righteous indignation. "The Ancestral King is the faith of our people. He must not be insulted!"
Qin Chuan shook his head with a smile, his voice deep and persuasive. "Child, I'm pleased that you would defend me so fervently, but I don't like your tone."
Zhao Ri's expression wavered. He was clearly conflicted, then he took a deep breath and asked, "If you claim to be the Ancestral King, how can you prove it?"
Qin Chuan smiled faintly, brimming with confidence. "Because this place can only be entered by the Ancestral King and the most devout of his followers. You are that devout follower, and I... am naturally the Ancestral King."
"This..."
Zhao Ri's heart trembled. For some reason, he couldn't help but believe him a little.
It was a strange feeling—he sensed no deceit from Qin Chuan, as if this was simply the truth.
But the Ancestral King was a revered figure. How could he believe such a claim based on mere words?
He gritted his teeth and asked, "If you are the Ancestral King, then how do you explain the nine golden crows attacking you earlier?"
Qin Chuan, prepared for this, calmly replied, "Child, you must understand that what you see isn't always the truth."
"Those nine creatures you saw weren't attacking me; they were helping me break the seal."
With that, he glanced at the nine golden crows hovering in the sky and, with a hint of authority, said softly, "Stand down."
Caw! Caw!
Immediately, the nine golden crows trembled, as if controlled by an unseen force. They retreated, perching back on the Fusang tree, bowing their heads in submission.
"How... how can this be..."
Zhao Ri's eyes widened, his mind in turmoil.
He didn't know how to process his emotions, but instinctively, he felt something was wrong!
Yet.
The undeniable fact was before him— the nine golden crows had indeed submitted. Who else but the Ancestral King could command them?
Qin Chuan smiled gently and said, "Ordinarily, I wouldn't bother proving anything to others. But since you are my most devout follower, I don't mind clarifying things for you."
With a wave of his hand, Qin Chuan brought Zhao Ri to the bronze coffin and pointed at the mirror within, smiling as he asked, "Do you recognize this?"
"That's... the Ancestral King's lifebound treasure, the Heaven-Scorching Mirror?!"
Zhao Ri's eyes gleamed with excitement, his heart racing, and he instinctively reached out to touch it.
But Qin Chuan subtly blocked him, smiling as he said, "Since you've recognized it as the Ancestral King's lifebound treasure, then if I can control this Heaven-Scorching Mirror, will that prove I am the Ancestral King?"
"This..."
Zhao Ri was speechless.
Qin Chuan stretched out his right hand toward the ancient mirror lying in the coffin and commanded softly, "Come!"
Hummm!
The next moment, the mirror, which had been still, suddenly radiated colorful divine light, as though awakening.
It slowly floated up, transforming into a beam of light that instantly entered Qin Chuan's palm, where he held it firmly.
Boom!
At that moment, Qin Chuan felt an immense and overwhelming power merging with him—he was filled with strength!
But quickly.
The mirror returned to its dormant state.
Qin Chuan, satisfied, stored the mirror in his inner world. Then, with a kind smile, he looked at the stunned Zhao Ri and said:
"Now, do you believe me?"