Getting Stronger By Fighting

Chapter 960 - 958: The One Hiding in the Shadows

In the blink of an eye, Wang Zhan and his companion had already ventured deep into the ruins.However, looking around, this place didn’t seem much different.

Wang Zhan slightly narrowed his eyes, glanced around, and then his gaze settled on Li Du. "Do you sense anything different here?"

"Haven’t found anything yet."

Li Du shook his head, his expression turning a bit unsightly.

They had gone through great hardships to reach this place, all for obtaining the Divine Heart, but to their dismay, they had not seen any trace of it, which was indeed frustrating.

Wang Zhan did not continue speaking and quickly busied himself again.

Soon, Wang Zhan walked aside and began communicating with the Sword Spirit in his mind. Since they were uncertain about the situation here, their only hope rested with the Sword Spirit.

During this period, if anything arose, Wang Zhan would consult with the Sword Spirit, and now was no exception.

"Can you sense the presence of the Divine Heart?"

Wang Zhan asked.

The Sword Spirit frowned slightly. Although it had appeared beside Wang Zhan, only Wang Zhan could communicate with it, so Li Du in the distance couldn’t see them.

"I can’t sense the Divine Heart yet, but this place gives me an extremely terrifying feeling, a feeling I can’t even articulate myself, as if something powerful resides here..."

For a moment, the Sword Spirit’s face also turned noticeably grim.

Wang Zhan knew the Sword Spirit was exceptionally sensitive, so if it said so, it meant they needed to be very cautious around here.

After all, since entering the ruins, they had encountered many bizarre things, and though they had dealt with quite a few experts here, they still needed to remain vigilant.

Otherwise, it would still be a troublesome affair.

In an instant, Wang Zhan had already walked to the ruins before him. He looked closely, and after examining the ruins, his gaze became much more solemn. He vaguely saw a Stone Gate beyond the ruins.

Wang Zhan quickly stepped forward, and after rapidly removing the ruins to the side, the Stone Gate gradually appeared before him.

After looking at the Stone Gate, his gaze turned to the Sword Spirit, and he asked, "Could there be a mechanism inside here?"

The Sword Spirit’s expression changed slightly. It shook its head and was seen raising its hand to touch the Stone Gate. The next second, a loud boom emanated from the Stone Gate, and the stones on the gate abruptly exploded.

Wang Zhan instinctively retreated a few steps.

Hearing the sound, Li Du also hurried over and immediately stood by Wang Zhan’s side, regrouping with him.

He glanced at the now-opened Stone Gate and asked in bewilderment, "What is this?"

Wang Zhan shook his head, "I am not sure. This Stone Gate has always been concealed by ruins. If I hadn’t accidentally come here, we might never have found it, but indeed, it’s incredibly well-hidden."

Li Du nodded in agreement. Indeed, could it be...?

Suddenly, Li Du’s eyes brightened, and both of them looked toward the opening within the Stone Gate.

To their surprise, inside the Stone Gate wasn’t a passage, but a small space.

Inside was merely a brocade box.

Wang Zhan hastily stepped forward, took the brocade box in his hands, and prepared to open it. But Li Du quickly grabbed his arm and, gritting his teeth, said, "Be careful, there might be traps."

Since arriving here, they needed to be cautious, as the place reeked of oddities. A minor misstep could easily cost them their lives...

Wang Zhan nodded heavily. Soon, his hand had touched the brocade box, and moments later, he opened it.

However, as soon as the brocade box opened, a blinding light erupted from it.

Both Wang Zhan and Li Du instinctively covered their eyes with their hands.

For a moment, the entire ruins lit up substantially.

After the light dissipated, Wang Zhan lowered his head to look inside the brocade box, and a subtle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He then gritted his teeth and slowly said, "If I’m not mistaken, this should be the Divine Heart, right?"

Although Wang Zhan has never seen the Divine Heart, he is well aware that the Divine Heart possesses extremely strong power, and he can feel an unknown force emanating from the thing in front of him.

That power seems to be far stronger than his own, clearly indicating that this item is indeed the Divine Heart.

Standing by the side, Li Du also nodded heavily, excitement written all over his face as he glanced at Wang Zhan and then clenched his fist, smiling as he said, "I didn’t expect we’d finally find the Divine Heart here; looks like coming here wasn’t in vain after all. Hurry, refine it and see if the Divine Heart will merge with you."

Wang Zhan nodded in agreement, since he was the one who discovered the Divine Heart first, it was only right for him to attempt merging with it first.

In an instant, Wang Zhan had already slowly raised his hand, but despite the Divine Heart hovering in his hand for some time, it did not enter his body, which already said it all.

Clearly, the Divine Heart was not compatible with Wang Zhan.

Disappointment flashed across Wang Zhan’s face.

Meanwhile, Li Du tensed up, clenching his fist nervously.

He naturally wanted to claim the Divine Heart for himself as well. After all, obtaining the Divine Heart would greatly boost his power too.

Wang Zhan showed no reluctance and handed the Divine Heart to Li Du, speaking calmly, "You give it a try."

Li Du nodded heavily and took the Divine Heart, immediately beginning to refine it.

But to his bewilderment, although Wang Zhan experienced a certain repulsion, his own body experienced the same.

Evidently, neither of them had much fate with it.

At that moment, Li Du’s expression darkened considerably. He instinctively clenched his fist and shook his head, speaking, "It seems none of us are fortunate, not blessed by the heavens..."

"Had I known this earlier, why did I spend so much time here in vain? I even went through life-and-death crises, almost stayed here forever..."

"All our efforts turned into bubbles, truly laughable..."

Wang Zhan patted his shoulder, though a hint of disappointment was on his face too, he was unbothered. If he could obtain the Divine Heart, it would be good, but since he was not fated with it, he wouldn’t force anything.

In a blink, Wang Zhan had already put away the Divine Heart, considering he found it, he had a pact with Li Du from the start that if Li Du couldn’t absorb the Divine Heart, its ultimate ownership would fall back to him.

"Alright, it looks like the two of us should leave now; after all the hassle, it turns out everything was in vain..."

Li Du couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

Wang Zhan also shook his head with a sigh, "Who wouldn’t agree?"

Just as he was about to tuck the ornate box containing the Divine Heart into his embrace, a silhouette appeared in the darkness, moving at astonishing speed, reaching their front in an instant.

In a matter of moments, the person extended their hand, clasping it over the ornate box.

Before Wang Zhan could react, the ornate box had already been taken by the man.

"Damn it!"

Wang Zhan roared, and just as he prepared to make a move, the person had already retreated a significant distance, extending the gap between them.

Li Du’s face turned cold; he quickly clenched his fist, reached Wang Zhan’s side, and stared at the person standing not far away.

"Since neither of you are fated with the Divine Heart, why hold onto it? Perhaps it’s better I take it; it might be of use and not result in wasting heavenly treasures."

How could that be?

Wang Zhan and Li Du spent untold time on this venture in pursuit of the Divine Heart, offended many, and if not for their stubborn survival, they wouldn’t be standing here.

Now having seen the Divine Heart, could they hand it over to others so easily?

With this thought, Wang Zhan slowly raised his hand, revealing the Great Void Divine Sword, evidently ready to take action.

Standing by, Li Du grinned, coldly snorted, then slowly approached the person, "Even if neither of us can absorb the power of the Divine Heart, we can completely destroy it; why give it to you?"

"You’re here to reap benefits without effort, truly courting death!"

The person shook his head, "That’s not the way to put it; the Divine Heart is something everyone covets, a spiritual treasure that ought to belong to the virtuous. Since it landed in my hands, it is what fate dictates."

"I don’t wish to be your enemy, advise you to step aside quickly, otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless..."