Dashing Student Chapter 1370 1370: Identity Token

With a sound akin to a thunderclap, all attention was immediately drawn. Amidst numerous pairs of eyes, Chen Nan slowly rose and casually approached Zhang Xiao. Zhang Xiao, gripping the Bone Cutting Knife with one hand, cast a sneer at Chen Nan, asking, "What? Pretty boy, you aim to play the hero?" Chen Nan offered a shrug and a smile, replying, "I merely believe that with the esteemed reputation of you, the Black Water Three Heroes, it wouldn't suffice to merely seize the treasures they unearthed from the ruins."

"They ought to surrender everything!"

Zhang Xiao let out a cold laugh, "Are you jesting?" Chen Nan's gaze sharpened. "You were the ones who initiated the jest." Realizing he had been deceived, Zhang Xiao's eyes widened in an instant. He swung the Bone Cutting Knife down towards Chen Nan, only to be abruptly flung backward. The impact with his two subordinates behind him was the first sensation of pain, like a hammer blow to his chest, causing him to spew a mouthful of blood. A cold sneer crossed Chen Nan's face, offering Zhang Xiao no opportunity to retaliate. The Soul Destruction Nail struck with brutal force, plunging his mind into utter disarray and agonizing pain. Immediately, Chen Nan's physique surged, increasing in size by a third. He lunged forward like a terrifying demon, his fists descending in a rapid succession. Zhang Xiao, disoriented by the relentless assault, felt each incoming blow laced with a chilling power that instilled sheer terror. Reacting suddenly, he bellowed, unleashing his mana in a powerful burst that propelled Chen Nan away. His two underlings rushed forward. The cultivation level of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm was undeniably potent, but Chen Nan had the advantage of surprise. Holding nothing back, golden Rune symbols materialized in the air before him, as if unseen entities were inscribing hundreds of spirit talismans. Zhang Xiao's eyes widened in alarm as he shouted, "Who are you, truly?" In response, the hundreds of spirit talismans detonated simultaneously with a power that seemed capable of annihilating the very heavens and earth! With a deafening roar, the two subordinates flanking Zhang Xiao were torn asunder by the cataclysmic force. Even Zhang Xiao barely managed to endure the onslaught, sustaining numerous severe wounds. "Heaven-Slaying Art!" Chen Nan's voice dropped low, and a crimson phantom manifested in the void behind him. Wielding the Long Spear, it swept out, bisecting Zhang Xiao directly. The entire event unfolded with blinding speed. By the time the onlookers processed the scene, all they witnessed was Zhang Xiao's corpse cleaved in two. "Heaven-Burning Transformation!" Chen Nan unleashed searing flames from his body, surging forward once more. His fists, like molten magma, struck Zhang Xiao with critical force, utterly extinguishing his life essence. Although Chen Nan had bestowed the majority of his acquired possessions upon his Shadow Clone, his inherent strength remained formidable. Compounded by Zhang Xiao's initial underestimation, this led to his swift and decisive downfall. A heavy silence descended before the cultivators erupted into thunderous cheers. "Friend, we thank you for ridding us of this scourge!" They hailed Chen Nan as a beacon of hope, their hearts filled with elation. To their astonishment, Chen Nan assumed the very position Zhang Xiao had occupied. With a slight smile, he declared, "I am unlike Zhang Xiao; he desired everything." "But I only seek half." The jubilant clamor ceased instantly, and all eyes turned towards Chen Nan, a mixture of disbelief on their faces. ... Deep within the ruins, guided by the King of Ten Thousand Gu, Chen Nan and Zhong Ling arrived at a new location, having vanquished all perils encountered along their path. It seemed the instability of this dimension rendered it incapable of sustaining beings of greater power, as the demon beasts inhabiting the ruins did not exceed the Third Layer of the Golden Core Realm. The Shadow Clone's cultivation hovered at the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm. Lacking the robust constitution of the main body, it nevertheless proved capable of handling the demon beasts encountered within the ruins. Upon reaching the location indicated by the King of Ten Thousand Gu, both mentor and disciple were struck with profound shock. For what lay before them was a cemetery! The cemetery exuded an aura of desolation and decay. Once enclosed by walls, only fragmented vestiges remained. Weeds choked the graves, and the stone monuments preceding them were weathered and broken. Kneeling before these somber markers was a figure. Though deceased for an indeterminate age, only a skeleton remained, frozen in an eternal kneeling posture, as if in perpetual supplication. Adjacent to the skeleton, resting upon the ground, was an object resembling a token, palm-sized – the very treasure the King of Ten Thousand Gu had spoken of. "Is this truly a treasure?" Chen Nan voiced his skepticism. Receiving an affirmative confirmation from the King of Ten Thousand Gu, he stepped forward into the cemetery grounds. However, the instant his foot crossed the threshold, a suffocating miasma of despair and death descended, causing his heart to surge with an overwhelming sensation of utter helplessness.

The immense power coursing through him was unmistakably the Power of Laws!

His arm withered rapidly, like dry grass succumbing to decay, his vitality draining away at an alarming rate. Within mere moments, a hundred years of his lifespan vanished.

Chen Nan executed a hasty retreat. As he did, the Shadowless Silk, deployed from his main form for defensive purposes, shot out. It coiled around the token lying on the ground, pulling it towards him.

Once outside the cemetery's treacherous domain, the oppressive Power of Laws that had ensnared him dissipated. Nevertheless, a profound unease lingered within him.

The Wood Demon Essence residing within his body transmuted into a verdant light, enveloping his afflicted arm. It worked swiftly to mend the withered limb, yet the stolen lifespan could not be restored.

"Master, are you unharmed?" Zhong Ling rushed forward, her face etched with concern, offering him support.

Chen Nan raised a hand, his expression one of astonishment. "This cemetery is permeated by a force of laws. It is utterly impossible for anyone below the Nascent Soul Realm to withstand its effects."

Zhong Ling echoed his shock. "Then this place is an absolute death trap! Master, we must depart immediately."

However, Chen Nan offered a slight smile. "Departure is indeed necessary, but how can we leave empty-handed?"

With a subtle flick of his finger, the token, placed on the ground earlier, was drawn back by the Shadowless Silk, landing directly in his grasp.

The token itself was crafted from an inscrutable material. It felt cool to the touch yet possessed a surprising weight. Ancient, unidentifiable inscriptions were intricately carved upon its surface.

"Could it be an identity token?" Zhong Ling ventured a guess.

A flash of insight ignited within Chen Nan's mind. He recalled the identity token bestowed upon him by the Righteous Alliance; its format seemed remarkably similar. Simultaneously, a daring hypothesis began to form.

"Do you suppose, using this token, we could finally unlock those Jade Scrolls we acquired?"

He had previously theorized that the protective seals on the Jade Scrolls were likely linked to verification via a specific token. Could this newly found artifact serve as that crucial identifier?

Acting without delay, he retrieved a Jade Scroll and placed the token upon it. Instantly, the restrictive seal on the Jade Scroll dissolved.

"Incredible, it actually works!"

Chen Nan's elation was palpable. He couldn't help but lament not venturing into the Library Pavilion sooner. Had he done so, he was certain he could have obtained even more Jade Scrolls!