The darkness receded completely.
What appeared before everyone was a somewhat empty and silent space.
The interior of the Great Bronze Sarcophagus was far more spacious than it looked from the outside.
On the copper walls surrounding the Great Bronze Sarcophagus, several enormous luminous pearls were embedded.
The glow from the luminous pearls gradually brightened the surroundings.
Evan looked around—the sarcophagus contained another coffin inside.
That inner coffin appeared extremely ancient, quietly standing in the center of the Great Bronze Sarcophagus.
"This Great Bronze Sarcophagus was something I discovered by chance when I first came to Coldspire Peak,"
"When I entered the sarcophagus back then, it was completely empty—there was nothing inside."
"Later, I used a spell to help Lucy Bai's mother extend her life. It didn't last long, but even so, I suffered a powerful backlash. There seemed to be some kind of restriction on that Bai clan woman."
"That restriction exists to ensure that, after a Bai clan woman gives birth to the next generation, she dies in the shortest possible time."
Grandmaster Phoenix Bai suddenly remembered something and looked at Evan: "Right, I haven't told you yet—the women of this Bai branch can become pregnant and give birth to a daughter without needing a man."
"After giving birth to a daughter, they lose all vitality within a very short time."
"This has been true for generations. Bai clan women never pursue romance with men. Through countless cycles, this branch has remained pure, upholding the promise made by their ancestors to that woman."
Evan listened to Grandmaster Phoenix Bai, then looked toward the coffin in the center: "Lucy Bai's mother—is she inside that?"
Seeing Evan look over, everyone's attention shifted to the central coffin.
Even Lucy Bai herself couldn't help but glance at the central coffin, her face full of complex emotions.
"Unfortunately, although I wish her mother were inside, in reality, every Bai clan woman after giving birth to a daughter not only dies quickly, but even their bodies turn to ash and vanish completely from this world."
"That kind of death can't be understood by normal standards."
"As for what's actually inside this coffin, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure."
Grandmaster Phoenix Bai shook her head.
"You said just now that when you first discovered this Great Bronze Sarcophagus, it was empty inside. In other words, at that time, this small coffin wasn't here?"
Evan looked at Grandmaster Phoenix Bai and asked.
"That's right."
Grandmaster Phoenix Bai nodded. "That time, after I extended Lucy Bai's mother's life, she entrusted me with the door passed down through generations of the Bai clan."
"I brought that door and began secluded cultivation inside the Great Bronze Sarcophagus."
"When I first entered, there was no small coffin inside the Great Bronze Sarcophagus."
"It wasn't until I awakened from my first cultivation session that I discovered it. By then, the Great Bronze Sarcophagus was completely sealed off—it was impossible for anyone to have brought it in from outside."
"It was as if it appeared out of thin air. Over all these years, I've tried to open it many times, but I've never succeeded."
As Grandmaster Phoenix Bai spoke, her tone grew heavier.
With her cultivation level, even she couldn't open the small coffin—who knows what might be inside.
"In that case, why not open it and see?"
Evan stepped forward to the small coffin, lowered his head, and examined it up close.
The coffin was extremely old.
It didn't seem to be made of black iron or metal, but rather some kind of wood. Its shape was ancient and simple. Up close, Evan didn't sense any special fluctuations coming from inside.
It just sat there quietly, without the slightest hint of danger.
After observing for a moment, Evan placed one hand on the coffin lid, fingers splayed like claws, trying to pierce through it.
But despite its plain and ordinary appearance, and the lack of any energy fluctuations, the small coffin didn't budge at all—it showed not the slightest change.
The entire small coffin remained absolutely motionless.
Evan's fingers didn't feel hardness; it was more like pressing into cotton.
The whole surface of the coffin was extremely soft, offering no leverage at all—let alone trying to lift it.
It felt as if his hand was dipping into a basin of clear water.
You can lift the basin with your hand, but you can't pick up the water inside directly.
Evan frowned slightly. This time, instead of trying to open the lid, he tried to reach his hand inside.
But as his palm went in about an inch, he couldn't go any further—a sudden force, like buoyancy, blocked his hand completely.
"It's no use."
Grandmaster Phoenix Bai, watching Evan, said, "I've tried every method you can think of."
At first, I thought there was something special inside and worried for a long time. But later I realized this small coffin hasn't moved or changed at all over all these years.
This thing might have been left behind by some existence we can't comprehend. But today, you're here for something else—let's not get sidetracked.
Let's finish the Bai clan's business first. Once that's settled, you can try whatever you like.
Grandmaster Phoenix Bai spoke.
Evan withdrew his hand, giving the small coffin one last look.
"Where's the door you mentioned?"
Damien Graves spoke up at that moment.
Since entering, he'd been on high alert the whole time.
Even with Evan right beside him, Damien Graves was ready to escape at any moment.
"Keep quiet once you're inside. Haven't you noticed your master hasn't spoken?"
The elder standing next to Lucy Bai looked at Damien Graves with obvious disdain. He'd always disliked Damien, but never had the guts to confront him until now.
With Grandmaster Phoenix Bai here, the elder suddenly became bold.
"Say one more word and I'll cripple you."
Damien Graves' expression darkened as he stared at the elder, making the elder tremble in fear.
"Enough. Everyone, quiet down."
Grandmaster Phoenix Bai frowned, and the elder immediately shut up.
She looked at Evan. "The door is inside the Great Bronze Sarcophagus, a bit further in."
"Just follow me."
Grandmaster Phoenix Bai led the way, with Evan following behind.
After everyone left, the ordinary-looking small coffin quietly sank into pitch-black darkness.
As if it had existed since ancient times, eternally undying.