Chapter 3.
The bronze coffin was vast and boundless, like a small world. Within it, ancient and desolate aura surged, as if it had crossed endless time and space, arriving from the distant ancient times.
Ye Fan steadied himself, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings. The interior of the bronze coffin was not pitch black, but rather shimmered with a faint, hazy light, illuminating the ancient patterns and murals carved on the coffin walls. These patterns were obscure and complex, as if recording some long-lost history.
"These are... ancient characters?" Pang Bo exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the dense inscriptions on the wall. "I can't recognize a single one!"
The others also gathered around, their faces filled with shock and confusion. Li Xiaoman frowned and said, "These symbols are completely different from any writing system we know. Could they be from the ancient times?"
Ye Fan reached out and gently touched the coffin wall. A cold, hard sensation came through his fingertips, carrying a faint metallic texture. He muttered to himself, "This isn't ordinary bronze. It feels more like some kind of divine material."
Suddenly, the bronze coffin trembled violently, as if struck by some immense force from the outside. Everyone staggered, barely able to stand steady.
"What's happening?!" Liu Yunzhi shouted in panic.
Before his voice faded, a series of loud rumbling noises came from outside the coffin, like thunder rolling or mountains collapsing. Then, a dazzling light burst through the gaps in the coffin, illuminating the entire interior space.
"Could it be... we've arrived at another world?" Zhou Yi said in a trembling voice.
Ye Fan's heart tightened. He recalled the scene on the altar before, the five-colored light that had enveloped them, and then everything went dark. Now, this sudden light might mean they had reached their destination.
The bronze coffin's shaking grew more intense, and the light outside became brighter, even somewhat blinding. Everyone closed their eyes, their bodies swaying with the coffin's movement.
After an unknown amount of time, the shaking finally stopped, and the light gradually dimmed. Ye Fan cautiously opened his eyes and found that the bronze coffin had completely opened, revealing a vast new world outside.
This was a primitive and ancient mountain forest, with towering ancient trees reaching into the clouds, their dense leaves blocking out the sky and sun. Strange-shaped boulders were scattered everywhere, covered in moss, exuding an aura of age. In the distance, several enormous mountain peaks pierced the clouds, their peaks shrouded in mist, mysterious and unfathomable.
"This... where is this?" Pang Bo stared wide-eyed, his voice filled with disbelief.
Ye Fan took a deep breath, feeling the rich spiritual energy in the air—several times denser than on Earth. He said gravely, "We've definitely left Earth. This place is completely different from our world."
"Could it be... the legendary cultivation world?" Li Xiaoman's eyes sparkled with a strange light.
Before anyone could respond, a loud roar suddenly came from the distant mountains, shaking the forest and startling countless birds into flight. The sound was filled with an indescribable pressure, making people's hearts tremble.
"There are monsters here!" Liu Yunzhi's face turned pale.
Ye Fan's expression was serious. He could sense that this world was full of danger, but also opportunities. Since they had come here, they could only face it head-on.
"Everyone, be careful. Let's first figure out where this place is." Ye Fan said, taking the lead and walking out of the bronze coffin.
The moment he stepped out, a breeze brushed past, carrying a strange fragrance. He looked up and saw a giant tree not far away, covered with fiery red fruits, each the size of a fist, glowing faintly.
"This is... a spiritual fruit?" Zhou Yi exclaimed in surprise.
Before he could finish, a black shadow suddenly flashed, and a huge beast several zhang long pounced from the forest, heading straight for the fruit tree. Its body was covered in black scales, its eyes gleaming with a fierce red light, exuding a terrifying aura.
"Watch out!" Ye Fan shouted, instinctively stepping back.
The giant beast ignored them, leaped up, and bit down on a fiery red fruit, swallowing it in one gulp. Then it turned its head, its cold gaze sweeping over everyone, letting out a low growl.
"Damn, this thing is huge!" Pang Bo swallowed hard.
Ye Fan's heart pounded. He could feel that this beast was incredibly powerful, far beyond what ordinary wild animals could compare to. If it attacked, they would likely be in grave danger.
Just then, a clear sword cry rang out from the sky. A beam of sword light shot down like a rainbow, piercing straight through the giant beast's head. The beast let out a miserable howl, its massive body crashing heavily to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Everyone was stunned and looked up to see a young man in white descending from the clouds. He had a handsome face and an extraordinary aura, holding a long sword that gleamed coldly. He glanced at the crowd and said calmly, "You must be the ones who came from beyond the heavens, right?"
Ye Fan's heart stirred. He cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask, sir, where is this place?"
The young man in white smiled faintly and said, "This is the Eastern Wasteland of the Big Dipper Star Domain. I am a disciple of the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven. I sensed an unusual movement here and came to investigate. I didn't expect to meet you all."
"Big Dipper Star Domain? Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven?" Everyone exchanged glances, their minds buzzing.
The young man in white continued, "Since you have come to this world, it is fate. If you are willing, you can follow me to the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven to rest and learn about this world."
Ye Fan pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Thank you for your kindness, sir."
Thus, under the guidance of the young man in white, Ye Fan and his group stepped onto a completely unfamiliar path, beginning their legendary journey in this vast cultivation world.