Dashing Student Chapter 1372 1372: Fair Distribution

Dang! Dang! Dang!

A host of cultivators were locked in a siege against the Stone Statue. Yet, their attacks merely produced fleeting sparks on its surface, a testament to its crafting from an extraordinary material.

Though the Stone Statue lacked mana, its every casual movement unleashed formidable power, keeping the assembled cultivators, who had deliberately lowered their cultivation, at bay.

"This shell is certainly resilient!"

One cultivator, clad in Daoist robes, clicked his tongue. He retrieved his longsword and swiftly withdrew, his expression tinged with concern.

The other cultivators mirrored his retreat, and once they were beyond a certain perimeter, the Stone Statue ceased its assault.

"Despite the Stone Statue's strength, it must rely on Spirit Stones or a similar source for its core. Its Spiritual Energy will eventually deplete. We simply need to outlast it,"

an elder with flowing white hair remarked with a chilling chuckle. He then turned his attention to the remaining cultivators present.

Chen Nan stood beside Zhong Ling. Noticing an unfriendly gaze directed his way, he looked up, seeing several cultivators exchanging meaningful glances.

He immediately grasped their intention: they had formed an alliance, all concealing their true cultivation levels. Their stance was clear—they viewed cultivators of lower standing with contempt, intending to claim the Immortal Palace's treasures amongst themselves, believing lesser cultivators unworthy of a share.

As anticipated, after a brief exchange of looks, four cultivators, their true power hidden, ascended. Addressing the others, their voices cut through the air with chilling authority.

"Depart, or face death!" a middle-aged man in black robes, sporting a thin mustache, commanded.

The remaining dozen cultivators felt a surge of indignation. They had observed a perfectly intact palace across the square, shimmering with multi-colored lights and protected by a formidable array. Its continued preservation after so many years, with the array still active, strongly suggested hidden treasures and invaluable opportunities within. Relinquishing such a prize was unthinkable.

"Why should we? We discovered this place as well. If there are indeed treasures, they should be shared equitably!" a young cultivator stepped forward, his voice resonating with defiance.

The long-haired elder scoffed, "Equitable distribution? What a naive fledgling you are. Besides your parents, who else in this world speaks of fairness to you?"

His long hair billowed behind him as his aura intensified. Crimson flames erupted from his body, coalescing into a fiery dragon that let out a deafening roar towards the cultivators below.

This attack wielded power far exceeding the third layer of the Golden Core Realm, a level the cultivator advocating for fairness could not possibly withstand. He raised a Spiritual Artifact to defend himself, but the fire dragon instantly reduced it to ashes.

With a thunderous impact, the cultivator below was flung backward by the fiery beast, his body marred with severe burns, and blood trickled from his lips.

Casting a final, reluctant look at the long-haired elder, he turned and made a hasty retreat.

The remaining cultivators, realizing the four possessed cultivation far beyond their own, turned and fled for their lives, their dispersion resembling a panicked rout.

"Ha ha ha, such hubris. Do they truly believe these opportunities are within their grasp?"

The long-haired elder's triumphant laughter abruptly halted as he noticed two cultivators still lingering near the edge of the square.

They were Chen Nan and his companion.

"Boy, did you not hear my command?" the long-haired elder demanded, his gaze fixated on Chen Nan. Flames blazed in his palm, radiating intense heat.

Chen Nan calmly observed the four individuals above. He surmised their actual cultivation wasn't exceptionally high, likely around the sixth layer of the Golden Core Realm—the probable limit for this relic space. Exerting a power beyond the third layer of the Golden Core Realm risked destabilizing the fragile environment, a tremor he had felt even from the elder's brief exertion.

"I believe what that cultivator said earlier was correct. Since we have all managed to reach this point, let us proceed with fairness," Chen Nan stated with an air of indifference.

"You seek death!"

The long-haired elder roared in fury, his eyes narrowing. His hands moved through intricate seals, and the surrounding flames reformed into a swarm of fire crows, descending like a suffocating blanket of heat.

Chen Nan moved Zhong Ling behind him, shielding her protectively. He sighed, shaking his head. "Ah, must this be necessary?"

The Jiao Long Armor materialized around him, effortlessly deflecting the onslaught of fire crows and neutralizing the searing heat, leaving the armor completely unharmed.

The expression of the elder with waist-length hair shifted; he recognized the armor as a Sixth-grade Spirit Armor. Even from the outside, he knew his full cultivation wouldn't be enough to breach its defenses.

"Since that is the case, we will include you." He surprisingly yielded without delay.

Chen Nan let out a soft chuckle, stopping his advance and whispering to Zhong Ling.

"Master, please be careful. I will await your return below."

A flicker of worry crossed Zhong Ling's face, but she followed Chen Nan's directive and swiftly departed the square.

Only then did Chen Nan feel a sense of ease, allowing him to ascend into the air. In circumstances like these, he wouldn't place his trust in anyone.

"Esteemed fellow cultivator, you have observed the Stone Statue below. Our intention is to enter that hall, but we must first contend with the Stone Statue. We can take turns to deplete its Spiritual Energy."

"Given that you possess the sixth-grade Spirit Armor for protection, would you be willing to take the initiative?" the long-haired elder proposed.

Chen Nan surveyed the other three individuals: a Daoist priest skilled in Sword Control, a severe-looking middle-aged man clad in black robes, and an old figure resembling a beggar, wielding a Dog Beating Stick.

It was evident they had all reached a silent agreement for Chen Nan to be the one to first wear down the Stone Statue.

"Very well, I shall proceed first."

Chen Nan did not decline, already discerning their underlying intentions. They merely wished for him to confront the Stone Statue.

Their talk of taking turns was nothing more than a deceitful ploy.

Nevertheless, he too desired to gauge the Stone Statue's capabilities, so he assented and advanced towards it, stopping approximately thirty feet away.

Logically, this proximity should have placed him within the Stone Statue's striking range. However, the Stone Statue remained utterly still, its long spear held aloft like a javelin, positioned resolutely before them.

The four figures in the sky exchanged glances of bewilderment, questioning why the Stone Statue, which had previously attacked them, was now exhibiting such stillness.

Chen Nan shared their curiosity, taking two additional steps forward. Yet, the Stone Statue continued to remain inert.

The Daoist priest knitted his brows and descended to stand beside Chen Nan. In an instant, the Stone Statue reacted, but the very moment it began to raise its long spear, the Daoist priest swiftly retreated back to his original position.

"Fellow cultivator, do you happen to possess something on your person?" The four began to harbor suspicions towards Chen Nan.

Chen Nan contemplated for a moment and recalled the Token he kept in his bosom. Since the Library Pavilion and the Jade Scroll had acknowledged this Token, perhaps the Stone Statue would too.

Consequently, he concealed the Token within his storage bag. As expected, the Stone Statue immediately stirred, its eyes suddenly erupting with a crimson glow!