Chapter 848 523: Angel
Seeing the eerie and powerful creature instantly obliterated, Hank, the youth beside Wang Zhifan, widened his eyes in shock, staring blankly at the spot where the lake creature had disappeared.
Wang Zhifan held the gold crown retrieved by his icy hand, examining the descriptive text that appeared on it.
[Shining Crown of Ancient Kings (Exquisite)]
[This is an ancient crown of immeasurable value, crafted from the exceedingly rare Star Realm Radiant Gold. Not only is it sturdy and lightweight, but it also eternally emits an enchanting luxurious glow, making it a rare treasure in the world.
Apart from its monetary value, it is said to possess other uses, and a certain nation's royal family has been seeking it.]
"An exquisite item, yet no clear functional attributes are marked—what's going on with this?"
Holding the glowing gold crown and looking it over repeatedly, Wang Zhifan felt somewhat puzzled.
He's seen many items classified as exquisite or even higher-tier, but it's the first time he's encountered something like this, which seemingly only shines and can be sold without practical use. Perhaps the key to its value lies in the fact that its description mentions some royal family searching for it.
Without much hesitation, he handed the object to the youth Hank standing nearby, indicating it was okay to give it to him.
Hank accepted it with trembling hands, his face full of disbelief, and looked up:
"You're giving this to me? It looks too precious..."
"It's called the Shining Crown, indeed worth a lot, and the royal family of one country is looking for it. If you sell it to the royal family, there'll definitely be enough money to treat your siblings,"
Wang Zhifan explained promptly to make Hank understand this object could solve his predicament.
"Are you... urging me to leave?"
Hank responded, hugging the glowing crown, seeming somewhat uneasy.
"Why not? Your goal has been achieved. Isn't it better to return soon and gather money to treat your siblings?"
Wang Zhifan didn't conceal his intent; he indeed felt having a kid around was hindering him.
"But... the portal for returning won't open until tomorrow, so going back now is pointless."
Hank immediately replied.
"That's something you need to consider, and it has nothing to do with me! If you insist on following, I can't guarantee your safety later on!"
Realizing he couldn't send Hank away, Wang Zhifan sternly stated, making the native youth aware of the seriousness of the situation.
You can't blame him for turning his back on Hank; honestly, playing babysitter for a stranger with no combat skills wasn't a pleasant experience.
"Rest assured! I can take care of myself! I've wanted to explore this place since childhood—there's no way I'm returning so soon!"
The youth insisted on staying by his side, his expression somewhat stubborn.
"Suit yourself... your greed might end up harming you."
Wang Zhifan left one last remark, turned, and walked toward the profound passageway that appeared around the underground lake.
His pace wasn't fast, yet it still outmatched the youth, especially after entering the passage, where Hank, out of fear, slowed down his steps and soon fell behind.
After easily crossing a pit more than twenty meters wide in the passage, the youth could only halt, unable to continue following.
"Indeed, the further you go, the greater the difficulty. Without agile skills or the ability to fly, one simply can't reach further,"
Proceeding alone, Wang Zhifan felt much lighter, crossing the pit and soon exiting the passage to a moderately spacious stone chamber, which contained nothing but a towering two-horned monster statue.
He focused on the statue, discovering it was indeed made of stone, not a disguised monster, although some ethereal presence seemed to cling to the stone.
Sure enough, a second later, he heard a kind of enticing low whisper in his ear:
"Worship Purgatory…"
"Enter Purgatory…"
"Become Purgatory…"
These voices circulated repeatedly, like mosquito buzzing, lingering in his ears, seemingly trying to exert some profound psychological influence, but he found them merely annoying after a few seconds.
Thus, he drew his blade ready to end the nuisance coming from the decorative stone statue with one slash.
Yet, as if scripted, drama unfolded the moment he unsheathed his blade—the stone wall on one side of the chamber automatically lifted, revealing a wider palace.
Inside the palace, two rows of figures lined up orderly on either side, the middle featuring an empty throne.
With a preliminary observation, Wang Zhifan stepped in. Instantly, those two rows of figures turned to face him in unison, creating a somewhat eerie scene.
These figures, unlike the spectral ghouls encountered previously, resembled more a group of "living beings"—their bodies devoid of decay, allowing easy discernment of their appearance and adventurer roles, save for their fervent and sinister expressions, as if utterly caught in a frenzy.
"Worship Purgatory! Enter Purgatory! Become Purgatory!"
The numerous figures lining up shouted loudly toward incoming Wang Zhifan, eyes filled with hatred and anger, evidently displeased with Wang Zhifan's actions.
"Pretending to be mysterious... do you think I'd join you?"
Wang Zhifan channeled an immediate look of disdain, seeing through their intentions, and unsparingly executed a fierce slash!
In an instant, a crescent-shaped blade light spanning over ten meters thunderously pierced through the frenzy-stricken rows of fallen adventurers ahead, effortlessly obliterating them, halting half a meter before the throne, its residual power swiftly dissipating.