Chapter 296: You've Switched to a Two-Man Act Now?

Jiang Changkong wanted to leave, but someone wouldn’t allow it.

Liu Bing blocked the two, her expression indignant: “Changkong, don’t be angry. With me here, you’ll get a share of this Star Crystal.”

“Liu Bing, I can give you a portion, but they can forget about it!”

Jin Guangxuan said coldly.

“Liu Bing, we appreciate your kindness, but neither Changkong nor I want it. Please step aside.”

Jiang Jiuqiao wasn’t foolish either; his eyes flickered, hoping only to leave quickly.

If Jiang Changkong unleashed his full strength, he might not necessarily be weaker than an ordinary mid-stage Star.

Even if Jin Guangxuan recovered and became stronger, Jiang Changkong could definitely profit from the situation.

But now, Jiang Changkong was voluntarily leaving—how could this be mere modesty?

This was someone who couldn’t bear to part with even a single Star Crystal.

Coupled with his past experiences, Jiang Jiuqiao also sensed something was off, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“For this matter, Changkong contributed the most. He deserves a share.”

Liu Bing said coldly: “Changkong, don’t worry. I’ll stand up for you.”

“No need.” Jiang Changkong said flatly: “Step aside. I’m leaving.”

“See that? Kindness mistaken for malice. Still not stepping aside?” Jin Guangxuan sneered.

Liu Bing sighed and retreated to the side.

Boom!

The ground cracked open once more, and branches emerged from beneath, directly wrapping around the four of them and forcefully dragging them underground.

“Damn it, still too late.” Jiang Changkong cursed inwardly. Was Liu Bing deliberately setting him up?

Boom!

Violent energy surged as countless golden lights manifested around Jin Guangxuan, severing the branches.

Boundless darkness enveloped them as Holy Sun, seas of fire, and icy frost simultaneously erupted.

The dark underground brightened, revealing a massive palace before the four.

Jiang Changkong looked at Liu Bing: “You shouldn’t have stopped me.”

Liu Bing said apologetically: “Sorry, I didn’t know it would turn out like this.”

“You can leave on your own.” Jin Guangxuan snorted coldly, his gaze turning toward the palace.

Inside the palace, a faint glow emanated, though it was unclear what it was.

“Changkong, we can’t get out.” Jiang Jiuqiao struck with Star Power, but the surroundings were nothing but darkness—endless darkness, with no point of attack.

“Then let’s see what tricks Hua Tianrui is up to now.”

Jiang Changkong strode toward the palace, with Liu Bing and Jiang Jiuqiao following beside him.

Jin Guangxuan walked alone at the front, but when he reached the palace entrance, he stopped.

Jiang Changkong mocked: “What’s wrong? Getting cold feet now?”

A flicker of anger crossed Jin Guangxuan’s face before he quickly suppressed it: “Let’s cooperate for now and discuss leaving later.”

“Cooperate? People from Shengjin are worse than dogs.”

Jiang Changkong snorted coldly, his gaze shifting to the interior of the palace—a pile of Star Stones.

Jin Guangxuan showed no anger, standing aside on his own. It seemed he intended to let Jiang Changkong take the fall.

“I’ll go in first.” Liu Bing spoke up.

With that, she took the lead and entered.

No danger appeared, so Jiang Changkong and the other two followed.

Liu Bing took a Star Crystal first, and still, no danger arose.

Unable to hold back, Jin Guangxuan immediately began collecting them.

Jiang Changkong and Jiang Jiuqiao no longer hesitated and started gathering Star Crystals as well.

Since they were already here and could take them, they might as well do so.

After collecting the Star Stones, the group finally took note of the palace’s interior.

Ahead were three passages, while the surroundings were empty, with nothing else in sight.

The four stood in silence, none speaking.

After a long while, Liu Bing finally said: “Should we just pick a passage at random and go in?”

“There’s no hint at all. How about taking the middle one?” Jin Guangxuan whispered.

“Then go ahead,” Jiang Changkong scoffed.

Jin Guangxuan frowned deeply. “Jiang Changkong, now is not the time for us to be at odds.”

“What are your thoughts?” Jiang Changkong turned to Liu Bing and Jiang Jiuqiao.

“I think we could try the middle passage Jin Guangxuan mentioned,” Liu Bing said thoughtfully. “Many Ancient Ruins set the middle path as the safe route leading to treasure.”

Jiang Jiuqiao’s eyes flickered open and shut. “If Hua Tianrui is still alive, I believe whichever path we take might lead to the same outcome.”

Jiang Changkong nodded; Jiang Jiuqiao’s words made sense.

If Hua Tianrui was indeed alive, no matter which path they chose, they would not escape her schemes. The three doors might ultimately lead to the same destination.

With this thought, Jiang Changkong strode directly toward the left passage. “Men take the left, women the right, and those in between take the middle. The other two are yours.”

“You—” Jin Guangxuan flared with anger, but Liu Bing said calmly, “I’ll go first.”

With that, she followed Jiang Changkong into the left passage.

Jiang Changkong frowned. Both Liu Bing and Jin Guangxuan had followed him.

Jin Guangxuan was understandable—he likely wanted Jiang Changkong to take the risks. But why was Liu Bing sticking to him like glue?

If not for her interference earlier, he and Jiang Jiuqiao would have already left. Moreover, Liu Bing had voluntarily entered and taken the initiative to test the Star Crystals for danger. Was she some kind of saint?

The four of them advanced swiftly through the dark passage, encountering no dangers.

Suddenly, faint points of light shimmered, and a rich fragrance wafted toward them.

“Floral scent,” Jiang Jiuqiao quickly held his breath and focused his mind.

Jiang Changkong’s expression shifted slightly. There were no flowers in this dark passage, and the floral scent carried pure Soul Energy.

Just like the light points in the pavilion at night, it bypassed Star Power, infiltrating the body without warning!

This floral scent, however, did not trigger dreams or illusions upon entering the body. Instead, it spread to every corner.

This move…

They must be blind!

Jiang Changkong sneered inwardly. Trying to control his body through his soul?

Were they out of options, resorting to desperate measures?

Well, let’s see if the Soul-Stabilizing Tree could devour this old monster!

But where was this floral scent coming from?

He had sensed nothing when the scent appeared.

Jiang Changkong allowed the soul-infused floral scent to enter his body as he continued moving swiftly.

The floral scent grew increasingly dense, and more and more Soul Energy seeped into his body.

Jiang Changkong focused his mind, sweeping with the Divine Control Art, but it did not clear the Soul Energy. “Be careful. This floral scent feels off.”

Jiang Jiuqiao nodded. The floral scent suddenly thinned and paused, and the Soul Energy vanished.

Jiang Changkong’s brow twitched. Had they heard him? No, wait—the floral scent seemed to be emanating from Liu Bing.

As they continued, the floral scent grew dense again, and the Soul Energy returned.

After an unknown length of time, light finally appeared ahead.

The four stepped out of the passage into a bright, empty hall.

A complete statue stood at the center, and beside it knelt a golden skeleton.

Below the statue lay a cushion woven from flowers.

“Is this statue… Hua Tianrui?” Jiang Changkong observed the statue, which looked exactly like Hua Tianrui. Below it was a stone slab covered in Star Script.

“Queen of the Sea of Flowers Kingdom, Hua Tianrui, led the Flower Race to unify the stars, establish the Sea of Flowers Kingdom, and dominate the cosmos.”

Jiang Jiuqiao thought to himself, “Three bows and nine kowtows to enter the Sea of Flowers Gate and obtain the Near-God Inheritance.”

“Near-God?” Jin Guangxuan and Liu Bing were both shaken at the same time.

Liu Bing couldn’t wait any longer and knelt on the prayer mat, bowing in worship—three bows and nine kowtows, with utmost piety.

Hum

The statue released a golden light that entered Liu Bing’s brow.

“It really is a Near-God Inheritance!” Liu Bing exclaimed excitedly, her body radiating icy Star Power that condensed into crystalline frost flowers. “With this Near-God Inheritance, I’m confident I can reach the Star Late Stage within three years.”

“I’ll try too.” Jin Guangxuan hurriedly bowed in worship. The Near-God Inheritance had stirred his heart as well!

“Changkong, are you going to bow?” Jiang Jiuqiao was deeply tempted. A single Near-God Martial Art was enough to be passed down through generations.

Jiang Changkong looked up at the statue, then turned his gaze to Liu Bing. “What’s this? Since dreams and illusions didn’t work, you’ve switched to performing a two-man act?”