I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

A muffled thud was heard, causing everyone to experience a ringing in their ears.

The force of that punch, enough to kill twenty-nine Qin Tiantians, was actually neutralized just like that.

Tang Que felt as if she had struck a ball of cotton; all her strength was rendered useless. She threw punches with both fists, but to no avail. (Gu Zheng)

"It seems that this self-imposed prison cannot be broken through by brute force, Miss Tang. You need to think of another way."

Du Ming commented from the side.

"The first ones to use it will encounter this problem. The time spent testing the protection around the token helps those who come later."

Seventh Master also provided an explanation.

Lu Ban watched the spectacle from the sidelines while simultaneously examining the temple using [True Sight].

I hadn't noticed it before, but now it seems that the entire building wasn't made by human hands. The twisted walls and the crooked roof look like a clay house made by a toddler, which was then arbitrarily kneaded by some psychologically disturbed individual.

As for the charred marks that prevented Tang Que from getting close to the token, Lu Ban carefully examined them and found that they were remnants of human blood after burning. As for where this blood came from and how long it had been there, Lu Ban did not know.

This blood forms a barrier that prevents most people from crossing.

In other words, to obtain the token, one would need to use telekinesis or some other supernatural ability.

The Star-Picking lineage, with its thieving abilities, should be able to do this very easily.

No wonder Dai Yuanyang felt he had a great advantage.

Unfortunately, he should still be asleep in Lu Ban's locked room.

Tang Que tried for a moment, then squatted down and picked up a piece of rubble from the room.

Then, Tang Que threw the irregularly shaped stone into the mark.

The stone passed right through the mark.

Ordinary stones can pass through this barrier.

"Could it be..."

Seventh Master took on the responsibility of providing commentary with great professionalism.

"You want to throw a stone to knock the token out?"

Tang Que did not answer, but instead touched another stone.

Her hands bulged with muscle, and the stone flew out of her grasp.

Snapped--

The stone struck the statue, immediately bounced back, hit the token, and ejected it.

Tang Que reached out and quickly caught the token that bounced back.

It took no more than fifteen minutes to get it into my hands.

She examined the token closely. It seemed to be made of wood, with a rough surface and traces of smoking. She wondered what connection it had with the blood that had been burned around her. Holding it in her hand, Tang Que felt a surge of heat, which contrasted sharply with the dampness of the mountains.

After leaving the token, the barrier of blood disappeared, allowing free passage; it seemed its peculiarity stemmed from the token.

Tang Que did not give the others time to examine the token carefully, but put it back.

Next, each of them used their own methods.

He Chong, for example, used his eyes to discover the weak point of the barrier and also struck the token with a stone. Although he did not have the strength of Tang Que, he still succeeded.

As for Seventh Master, he discerned the feng shui and location, and simply took the token with his bare hands, as if taking something out of a bag.

Shi Buwen then demonstrated his incredible speed, sneaking in and retrieving the token just as it was put back and before the barrier was fully organized.

Blind Zhang was even more bizarre. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket, tore and folded it at will, and actually folded it into a paper figure.

The paper figure swayed and soon floated out carrying the token.

Lu Ban was the last one to go.

I want to play with the old man's ring to my heart's content.

Chapter 567 Lord of the Mountains

Judging by speed, Shi Buwen was the fastest this time, taking only two minutes in total.

Even if Lu Ban is fast, he probably can't match Shi Buwen's speed.

He didn't care whether he got a score in this round or not; it wouldn't affect the fact that he was currently ranked first.

Moreover, Dai Yuanyang is still sleeping. Even if Shi Buwen gets five points, he will only have six points, while he himself will have eight points even if he doesn't get any. Shi Buwen can't catch up with him.

Therefore, Lu Ban was more curious about what this token actually was.

After all, we'll be using this token to gain enlightenment later. The more we understand it, the better we might be able to win.

After returning the token, Lu Ban lit an incense stick and went to the charred remains.

Immediately, Lu Ban walked towards the token.

"?"

Tang Que found Lu Ban's actions somewhat unbelievable.

There's a supernatural barrier next to this token, and I've tried to break through it but haven't been able to. What is he trying to do?

Or is it that Lu Ban is giving up because he thinks he has a lead in points?

However, Tang Que was stunned when Lu Ban's hand passed through that barrier.

It's like air there, no, it is air.

Lu Ban's hand passed through the barrier without hindrance, and then his entire body passed through as well.

Lu Ban picked up the token when he arrived at it.

Including preparation time, it took three minutes.

Although not the fastest, Lu Ban's actions were still quite surprising.

Where is that barrier from before?

What about such a large barrier that blocks people's way?

That's outrageous.

Although Tang Que felt that her combat strength should be no weaker than Lu Ban's, this kid had too many strange methods. She still hadn't figured out the way he made Dai Yuanyang fall into a deep sleep. Now he ignored the barrier of the token and took it directly.

Could he be a successor of some mysterious lord, or a reincarnation of the mysterious lord?

Lu Ban also felt a bit strange when he received the token.

He had originally planned to test and study the barrier, but unexpectedly, it opened an opening for Lu Ban on its own.

As if welcoming Lu Ban, the token fell into his hands without any hindrance.

For others, this is an assessment that requires them to cleverly utilize their abilities to circumvent the barrier of the token.

But for Lu Ban, it was like giving it away for free.

Does this token of love also know how to be paid for?

Lu Ban carefully examined the token in his hand. As he rubbed the wooden structure against his palm, he saw a ring of charred marks. It seemed that the thing had been put into a fire, but the flames did not burn it, leaving only these black marks.

It looks like a wine glass, but it has an opening on one side, so it's clearly not a container.

When Lu Ban touched the token, he could feel the corruption within it stirring. The enlightenment process that followed would likely involve accepting the corruption and acquiring the knowledge within it.

He put the token back.

"Shall we move on to the next item?"

Lu Ban turned around and asked the others.

"..."

They looked at each other in silence.

Is there even a need to compare?

Lu Ban's speed ranks behind Shi Buwen's, at least four points, for a total of twelve points.

Unless Lu Ban forfeits both of the next two competitions, he can reach first place as long as he gets even a little bit of points.

No matter how much others struggle, it's useless.

"what happened?"

Lu Ban asked.

"No, it's alright, Brother Lu. Let's begin to comprehend this token."

Seventh Master smoothed things over.

Even if everyone has little hope in the upcoming competition, the benefits of carefully contemplating and comprehending this token from Xuanjun can still be quite considerable.

Inside the twisted, dilapidated temple, several people sat down around the relic, staring at it and beginning to ponder.

Lu Ban didn't know how to comprehend the Dao either, so he just stared blankly at the token from afar.

After a moment, Du Ming suddenly had an epiphany.

He felt his surroundings suddenly darken, and a burst of vibrant color surged around him. His companions transformed into monstrous creatures shrouded in mist, their faces twisted, hideous, and terrifying.

Du Ming felt something gently stroking his cheek, giving him goosebumps.

His throat was dry, as if something was rushing into it.

Du Ming coughed and realized he was coughing up blood.

A surge of knowledge flooded his mind, deepening his understanding of the world.

Knowledge of strange things flowed into Du Ming's mind, making him feel that everything around him was unreal.

"Is this what enlightenment is?"

Du Ming calmed himself down, wanting to see more.

……

Meanwhile, on the mountainside, in Lu Ban's room.