The voice that came from the will left in the inherited artifact echoed through the stone chamber, reverberating for what seemed like an eternity.
As soon as this will was released, Bai Lingli eagerly anticipated seeing Lin Qian make a fool of himself.
Zhang Zide's face also changed drastically as he exclaimed, "This is bad!"
Previously, no members of the Swift-Hidden Clan had entered the stone chamber, so the inherited artifact had remained in a dormant state. When Zhang Zide had tried to touch it earlier, it had only reacted passively, nothing more.
But now that the Swift-Hidden Clan was present, the artifact had essentially awakened. Lin Qian's attempt to touch it had triggered an intense reaction, unleashing a powerful repelling force.
The azure breeze was rapidly evolving into a fierce gale, and the domineering will of the ancient spirit filled the entire stone chamber.
Not only Lin Qian but everyone in the chamber who wasn't from the Swift-Hidden Clan was now within the range of the inherited artifact's wrath.
"Attack!" Bai Lingli seized the opportunity, knowing that this was the perfect moment to strike.
With the inherited artifact in its awakened state and being touched by an outsider, its power might not be fatal, but it would certainly cause serious harm.
If the enemy is weakened, take their life!
Bai Lingli wasn't about to miss such a golden opportunity just to enjoy watching Lin Qian struggle.
At his command, the hidden Swift-Hidden Clan members drew their short daggers and charged toward Lin Qian and his group. Their soul power surged to its peak, ready to explode as they attacked.
Among those charging forward were the twin brothers Lin Qian had mentioned earlier.
Bai Lingli himself also moved, rushing toward Lin Qian, who had his back turned as he reached for the inherited artifact.
As he advanced, his soul power silently activated his innate ability, turning his form into a shadowy figure before finally disappearing into thin air.
As the will from the inherited artifact surged toward his mind, Lin Qian only smirked in disdain.
"Tell me to get lost? Are you even qualified?" Lin Qian's eyes suddenly snapped open as he pressed his hand firmly against the inherited artifact. "How dare you act arrogantly in front of me!"
The moment Lin Qian uttered the word "me," nine brilliant golden dragons erupted from his body, coiling around him in a majestic display.
His Emperor's soul power ignited, forming a royal aura that enveloped the nine dragons. The overwhelming imperial pressure crushed the ancient will left by the Swift-Hidden Clan's ancestor.
Before Lin Qian, all must bow down.
In an instant, before anyone could react, the ancient will that had filled the stone chamber vanished entirely, replaced by an imperial pressure so immense it made everyone want to kneel.
Ye Xin, however, felt nothing unusual. Instead, a faint red light emerged from within her, blending seamlessly with Lin Qian's imperial aura.
But this light was fleeting, and none of them noticed it.
The Swift-Hidden Clan members, including Bai Lingli, were caught completely off guard by this turn of events. They slammed into the protective barrier formed by the nine dragons and were violently thrown back.
One after another, Swift-Hidden Clan members spat blood as they were hurled away, some crashing to the ground, while others collided with their comrades, revealing their hidden forms.
At that moment, Lin Qian suddenly vanished, reappearing beside the retreating Bai Lingli.
Despite being shocked by Lin Qian's sudden approach, Bai Lingli didn't panic. As the strongest member of his squad, a Life and Death Realm, Mind Stage expert, he had only suffered minor internal injuries and wasn't seriously hurt.
"A mere Life and Death Realm, Body Stage brat, relying on some cheap tricks!" Bai Lingli sneered as he stabilized himself mid-air, a breeze swirling around him as he disappeared again.
When Bai Lingli reappeared, he was right behind Lin Qian, a sinister grin on his face as he drew his dagger and aimed for Lin Qian's back.
Crackle!
Golden lightning surged from Lin Qian's body, enveloping his Emperor's robe, just as Bai Lingli's soul-powered dagger whistled toward him.
"Backstab Instant Kill!"
Bai Lingli's heart surged with confidence as his dagger extended toward Lin Qian's body, ready to strike.
The other Swift-Hidden Clan members watched, convinced that Lin Qian was as good as dead.
They had seen it countless times before—any enemy struck by their captain's soul skill was doomed, the only outcome being death.
There was no other possibility.
Boom!
The sound of impact echoed through the stone chamber, leaving the Swift-Hidden Clan members stunned.
Because they had just witnessed, for the first time, another possibility.
Bai Lingli stared at the shattered remains of his soul-powered dagger, utterly bewildered.
This soul weapon had been a gift from his young master, its sharpness unmatched, claiming countless lives with his Backstab Instant Kill technique.
But now, after landing a direct hit on Lin Qian, not only was his enemy unharmed, but his beloved weapon had also shattered to pieces!
Lin Qian lowered his hand, which had blocked the attack, and slowly turned to face Bai Lingli, a smile playing on his lips. "Surprised? Well, let me tell you..."
His expression suddenly darkened, and he roared in fury, "You tried to stab me in the back, you bastard?!"
Without waiting for a response, Lin Qian grabbed the nearest object and swung it at Bai Lingli's head.
The other Swift-Hidden Clan members watched in horror, some on the verge of fainting, others seething with rage.
Because the object Lin Qian was using as a weapon was none other than their clan's sacred artifact—the winged crystal orb, their inherited treasure.
"You..." Bai Lingli stumbled back in pain, one hand clutching his head, the other pointing at Lin Qian in shock.
"You what?" Lin Qian's soul power erupted as golden lightning surged through his body, amplifying his already immense physical strength. He swung the inherited artifact again, aiming for Bai Lingli's head.
Thud!
"Scoundrel! That is our clan's sacred artifact, and you dare defile it with blood!" Bai Lingli howled, clutching his bleeding head as he protested.
"And you dare yell at me?" Lin Qian's eyes blazed with fury as he charged forward with the inherited artifact in hand. "You tried to stab me in the back, and you have the nerve to shout at me? If I hadn't reacted in time, I'd be a laughingstock right now! I'm not stopping until I smash you to death!"