"Anyway, there's nothing to lose by giving it a try," Ethan muttered, settling his thoughts into calm resolve.
"If it isn't a bone pattern, I'll simply forget about it. If it is... then I'll become stronger."
He released a surge of his mental power, directing it to caress the precious bones gently.
The moment his mental energy touched the treasure, it felt like meeting an iron door—impenetrable and cold.
He pressed, probed... only to be pushed back, denied entry.
"Um?" Ethan frowned, eyes narrowing. "Isn't my mental strength sufficient?"
"The only way… is through blood essence."
Ethan reached for the jade bottle containing his blood essence and poured a single drop onto the ancient bones.
The blood essence shimmered with a thin, mysterious aura — the power of heavenly vein energy coursing faintly within it.
The drop seeped into the treasure bone's surface... but nothing happened.
"Um?"
