Chapter 65: Mysterious Green Copper
The ancient bronze coffin was vast and boundless, like a small world. Ye Fan and the others stood inside it, feeling an indescribable sense of oppression.
The interior of the coffin was dim and hazy, with faint specks of starlight flickering, as if it connected to the vast cosmos. At the center of the coffin lay a five-colored altar, ancient and weathered, covered in dense, intricate patterns that seemed to record the secrets of an age.
Ye Fan's gaze swept across the surroundings and suddenly froze. At the edge of the five-colored altar, a fragment of green copper lay quietly, no larger than a palm, yet it emitted a faint, ancient aura.
"What is this?" Pang Bo also noticed the green copper fragment, his face showing surprise.
The green copper fragment was unremarkable, covered in verdant patina, as if it had weathered endless years. But when Ye Fan reached out to touch it, a strange sensation suddenly surged within him—it was as if the fragment resonated with something deep inside him.
"Be careful!" Big Black Dog shouted from behind, his voice carrying a hint of caution. "This thing is weird, it might be related to that ancient coffin."
Ye Fan hesitated for a moment, then still picked up the green copper fragment. The moment his fingers touched it, a cold sensation spread through his arm, and a blurry image flashed in his mind—a towering figure standing atop the nine heavens, overlooking the myriad realms.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, the green copper fragment trembled slightly, emitting a faint buzzing sound, as if responding to something. Ye Fan's expression shifted as he felt a mysterious energy flowing within the fragment, trying to merge with his body.
"Don't let it enter your body!" Big Black Dog hurriedly warned. "This thing might be a remnant of an ancient artifact, carrying unknown dangers."
Ye Fan quickly released his hand, and the green copper fragment fell to the ground, emitting a crisp "clang." But the strange feeling in his heart did not fade; instead, it grew stronger.
"This green copper..." Ye Fan frowned, deep in thought. "I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."
"You've seen it before?" Pang Bo asked in surprise.
Ye Fan nodded slowly. "When I was at the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven, I once saw a similar green copper fragment in an ancient scroll. It was said to be a fragment of an ancient divine artifact, related to the Immortal Realm."
"Immortal Realm?" Big Black Dog's eyes flickered. "That's just a legend. No one has ever truly seen the Immortal Realm."
"But this green copper fragment is real." Ye Fan looked down at the fragment on the ground, his expression complex. "It might hold some kind of secret."
As he spoke, he bent down again, intending to pick up the green copper fragment. But this time, before his hand even touched it, the fragment suddenly emitted a dazzling green light, illuminating the entire bronze coffin.
"Boom!"
A powerful energy fluctuation erupted from the green copper fragment, sweeping in all directions. Ye Fan and the others were caught off guard and stumbled backward.
"What's going on?" Pang Bo exclaimed in shock.
The green copper fragment floated into the air, spinning rapidly, emitting an ear-piercing buzzing sound. Then, it suddenly shot toward the depths of the bronze coffin, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"Chase it!" Big Black Dog shouted, taking the lead and rushing forward.
Ye Fan and Pang Bo exchanged a glance and quickly followed. The interior of the bronze coffin was vast, and the surroundings were filled with a strange atmosphere. The green copper fragment flew ahead, leaving a trail of green light, as if guiding them.
After an unknown amount of time, the green copper fragment finally stopped in front of a stone door. The stone door was ancient and covered in dense patterns, exuding a mysterious aura.
"This is..." Ye Fan stared at the stone door, a strange feeling rising in his heart.
The green copper fragment hovered in front of the stone door, gently trembling, as if calling out to something. Then, it suddenly shot toward the center of the stone door, merging into it.
"Boom!"
The stone door trembled violently, and the dense patterns on it began to glow, as if awakened. Then, a deep rumbling sound came from behind the stone door, as if something was slowly opening.
"Be careful!" Big Black Dog said in a deep voice, his body tense, ready to respond at any moment.
Ye Fan also held his breath, staring intently at the stone door. As the rumbling sound grew louder, the stone door finally slowly opened, revealing a dark passage.
"Whoosh!"
A cold wind blew from the passage, carrying an ancient, decaying scent. Ye Fan and the others looked at each other, all seeing caution in each other's eyes.
"Should we go in?" Pang Bo asked hesitantly.
Ye Fan pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Since we're here, let's see what's inside."
Saying this, he took the lead and stepped into the passage. Big Black Dog and Pang Bo followed closely behind.
The passage was narrow and winding, with faint flickers of light on both sides, as if lit by some unknown substance. After walking for an unknown distance, a spacious stone chamber appeared before them.
In the center of the stone chamber stood a five-colored altar, identical to the one outside, but smaller in scale. On the altar lay a green copper fragment, identical to the one from before.
"This is..." Ye Fan stared at the green copper fragment on the altar, a strange feeling rising in his heart.
Suddenly, the green copper fragment on the altar emitted a dazzling light, illuminating the entire stone chamber. Then, a blurry figure slowly emerged from the fragment, standing before them.
"Who are you?" Ye Fan asked cautiously.
The figure did not answer, only silently staring at them. After a long time, it slowly spoke, its voice ancient and deep, as if coming from another world.
"Seeker of the Dao... you have finally arrived..."