The Great Ruler

Three clusters of light floated in the center of the stream of artifacts. The light they emitted was not powerful, but the torrents around them glimmered like fireflies dancing under the moon.

An axe, a ruler, and a mirror could be seen within the three beams of light. The axe was bronze and mottled, as if it had split the sky apart. It was obvious that it was immensely powerful.

The ruler was entirely black, without a speck of discoloration. It was so dark, it was as if any light between heaven and earth would disappear as soon as it brushed down and made contact with it. The mirror was an ancient stone mirror. It was rough and looked ordinary, but exuded a primitive simplicity and eerie sense of mystery.

All three items seemed incredibly powerful, as the fluctuations surrounding them were far beyond the Magnificent Grade Divine Artifacts’, clearly stepping into the grade of the Quasi-Divine Artifacts. These were treasures that Mu Chen desired intensely. After all, if he could obtain one, it would certainly cause his combat prowess to increase dramatically.

Mu Chen gazed at the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts, as he licked his lips, greed rising in his heart. After all, when faced with these three valuable artifacts, even an Earthly Sovereign would fail to maintain a calm state of mind.

His gaze grew hotter and hotter. Then, as soon as he took a step forward, his spiritual energy transformed into a massive hand, grabbing directly at the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts. Now that he had come so far, he would not lose any of them!

Whoosh!

The massive hand soared across the air, easily crossing the stream of artifacts. It then appeared before the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts, which were about to be caught up in its palm.

The massive palm cut across the air, but Mu Chen’s gaze flashed, right at the moment that he was about to make contact with the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts. He seemed to regain his senses and then, with a sharp bite of his tongue, he spit a mouthful of blood out.

Bloodstains emerged from Mu Chen’s mouth. The great hand, which was about to grasp the artifacts, paused, not touching the three motionless Quasi-Divine Artifacts whatsoever.

Mu Chen slowly wiped the blood away from the corners of his mouth. His face was a little ashen, as he had just undergone an intense inner struggle. When he had been about to seize the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts, the prudent tenacity that he had honed over the years had come into play, allowing him to hold back the thick greed in his heart.

Once the greed had finally retreated, Mu Chen regained his calm and began to detect that something was wrong. Things had gone too smoothly…

Even though he had wanted to collect the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts, there was seemingly no hindrance at all to his doing so. Mu Chen did not believe that the Treasure Beast would have left such valuable treasures unprotected.

After all, there were many rumors that spoke of how the Treasure Beast was stingy and incredibly protective of its treasures. So, if one thought that they could obtain these treasures here so easily, they would be acting foolishly.

Mu Chen stood still, his face contemplative. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and sat down, closing his eyes slowly. Instead of continuing to hunt for more treasure, he planned to meditate to calm his mind completely. He did this in hopes of eradicating the greed and temptation that was within him.

As Mu Chen meditated, his expression grew peaceful. It wasn’t clear how much time had passed before Mu Chen opened his eyes, but when he did so, his dark eyes were quiet, like a motionless pool that had no waves. His greed had thoroughly dissipated.

With a renewed state of mind, Mu Chen looked at the stream of artifacts again. But this time, what he saw was very different.

The original brilliant torrent had slowly dissipated, as if what he had seen before was a mere illusion. Mu Chen looked quietly at the current of artifacts that had now dissipated, yet had no sense of regret. He simply watched silently as the current dissipated until it was completely gone.

When the current had dissipated entirely, only the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts were still quietly suspended in the space. However, Mu Chen only looked at them, making no movement. There was not even a glimmer of fluctuation in his eyes.

This stillness lasted for a long time. At last, a light began to bloom from the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts. They then converged closer to one another, finally merging together completely.

After seeing this scene, some fluctuations finally appeared in Mu Chen’s eyes. He could clearly see that the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts before him were absolutely not illusory and really existed! Facing this final change, curiosity now bloomed in Mu Chen’s heart.

Following the fusion of the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts, the light twisted and distorted, only gradually dispersing after a moment. As the light dissipated, only one object appeared.

It was not the axe, nor the ruler or mirror, but a black sphere that was about the size of a palm. If viewed closely, it actually was a black eyeball! The black eyeball was floating, while emanating a mysterious aura. This causing all of the people present to feel greatly alarmed.

Whoosh.

After the black eyeball appeared, it slowly fluttered and landed in front of Mu Chen. He hesitated slightly, then stretched out his palm and gently caught hold of it.

As he did so, a cold sensation emanated from his palm. Mu Chen then flicked his fingers, a drop of blood falling directly upon it, then quickly melted into it. He then noticed that a connection had been made between the two.

The treasures here were artifacts that had been left without ownership after the fall of the Treasure Beast. As long as a treasure could be obtained, that treasure would be able to establish a connection with its owner effortlessly.

Once the two were connected, Mu Chen immediately felt that there were some ancient messages surging into his mind, the origin of which was the very artifact in his hands! Mu Chen closed his eyes to perceive the messages, then opened his eyes again a moment later.

His gaze fixated on the strange black eyeball in his hand. According to the messages intel, the object was called the Exterminating Eye. Apparently, the Treasure Beast had refined it from its own eyeball! The Treasure Beast had then added numerous rare and powerful worldly treasures to it. As such, it was considered as being the Treasure Beast’s Life Source Treasure!

Were it not for its fall, the Treasure Beast would have made it a true Sacred Artifact! Hence, this Exterminating Eye was the strongest of all the Quasi-Divine Artifacts that were cultivated and refined by the Treasure Beast.

Mu Chen suddenly realized that, if he had tried to collect all three of the Quasi-Divine Artifacts, he would now have nothing left to gain. Mu Chen was incredibly relieved and felt very fortunate that he had not been tempted previously.

If I had just taken one of the three Quasi-Divine Artifacts, although I would have been able to get it, I wouldn’t be able to obtain this Exterminating Eye…

Mu Chen sighed. If one wanted to see the Exterminating Eye, they must first abandon all greed. Had he not been aware of his own greed and chosen to give up his pursuit at the last minute, instead choosing to meditate silently, he would not be able to obtain this Exterminating Eye now!

This Treasure Beast is really cunning…

Mu Chen shook his head, thinking of how close he had come to really having been tricked by the Treasure Beast! Fortunately, he was lucky enough to get the last laugh.

Mu Chen raised the Exterminating Eye in his hand, the corners of his mouth raising in a satisfied smile. Although the Exterminating Eye was a Quasi-Divine Artifact, its potential far surpassed the usual quasi-sacred Quasi-Divine Artifacts. This meant that, should there be opportunities in the future, it may even be able to evolve into a true Sacred Artifact!

It is said that the Exterminating Eye can see through all of the illusory vanity and barriers of the world, and that it can also be condensed into the Exterminating Divine Light. This means that, wherever this light passes, everything would be annihilated!

As he had these thoughts, his eyes narrowed slightly. Then, his mouth opened and the Exterminating Eye went into his body. The black light condensed in the center of his forehead and a vertical eye, which was as dark as a black hole, opened slowly.

Within the black vertical eye, a black light bloomed, and where the light passed, Mu Chen immediately discovered that the world was changing drastically. Then, right before his very eyes, the huge Lake of Treasures appeared!

This time, the Lake of Treasures’ shield did not hinder him, so his gaze could directly penetrate the lake and see everything thoroughly. At that moment, an indescribably large skeleton was reflected entirely in his eyes. That was the skeleton of the Treasure Beast!

At the point where the skeleton was jutting out of the lake, he saw the tiny images of Nine Nether, Han Shan and the others. His eyes then turned to the depths of the lake, only to penetrate the deepest part of it with a single glance.

The huge gully at the bottom of the lake was like an abyss. It was apparently formed by the impact of the Treasure Beast’s fall. Mu Chen surveyed the surroundings and suddenly felt a palpitation in his heart.

The Exterminating Eye could see through everything. It finally condensed directly in the place where the Treasure Beast had collapsed. At that point, there was a huge, dark pit.

The pit’s immense darkness was chilling, as there seemed to be no light within it whatsoever. A faint glow of blood lingered within the space, its smell being the exact same as that of the Treasure Beast.

Did the blood and essence of the Treasure Beast flow into it?

As Mu Chen wondered these things, a light bloomed from the Exterminating Eye, as it was trying to observe the mysterious black hole. But, when its sight had just touched the hole, the light of the blood bloomed, tearing the Eye’s sight away.

In the space, Mu Chen opened his eyes, while the vertical eyes in the center of his forehead disappeared. His solemn face was immediately filled with horror.

What exactly was this black hole at the bottom of this lake?!