The monster glanced at Evan Chu and said, "Not everyone who breaks through the barrier is qualified to claim my master's treasure. Otherwise, what would be the point of me guarding this place? I see you're young and your strength is passable, so I'll give you a chance."
Hearing the monster's words, Evan Chu was instantly overjoyed. "Then let me thank you first. Are you going to ask me some questions as a test?"
"That's right. As long as you can answer three of my questions, I'll let you enter. But remember, only you will be allowed in. If you answer incorrectly, then all of you who came here must leave. If you disturb me again, I'll kill you all." The monster's voice boomed, making Evan Chu's eardrums ache.
"I understand. If I fail the test, I'll naturally have everyone leave. But I'm not sure if your word can be trusted—what if I answer correctly and you say I'm wrong? Then no matter how strong I am, it'd be pointless." Evan Chu had to voice his concern, sealing off the guardian's escape route in advance.
"Rest assured. My word is my bond—if you answer correctly, I won't say it's wrong. In fact, I hope you are the fated one, so I can finally be freed." the monster said.
Evan Chu knew that success or failure rested entirely on himself—he had to answer every question with extreme caution. He just couldn't figure out what the guardian meant by "freed"; was it preparing to die for its master? After tens of millions of years, what was the point?
"Are you ready? I'm about to begin!" the monster said impatiently.
Evan Chu nodded to show he was ready. At that moment, the monster's figure flickered and transformed into a middle-aged man, appearing beside Evan Chu. "My three questions are actually three trials, all left by my master. The first question is: 'Why do you want the treasure? How do you intend to use it?'"
Evan Chu was slightly taken aback. He glanced at the middle-aged man and said, "Senior, isn't that two questions? Or do these two count as one?"
"This is the first trial. The second is a test of strength, and the third is a test of talent. So you don't need to worry about that. If you can't answer the first question, there's no need to ask the rest—you only get one chance, so make it count!" the middle-aged man said.
Evan Chu mulled over the middle-aged man's words in his mind, hesitating—should he say something pleasing to satisfy the other party, or answer according to his true heart?
Seeing Evan Chu's wavering expression, the middle-aged man said, "You don't have much time. I don't have the patience to wait around. If you can't answer, then leave—and don't ever come back. If I see you again, you'll die."
"Everyone wants treasure, regardless of their strength—it's human nature. Since I stumbled upon the God-Venerable senior's legacy, of course I want to see it. I imagine the senior hoped someone would come here, or he wouldn't have you waiting for a fated person."
Right now, I've reached late-stage Immortal Emperor Realm and could ascend to the God Realm at any time. But with my current strength, ascending means I'm just an ant. If I can obtain the God-Venerable senior's treasure, maybe it'll give me some protection—so I can survive in the God Realm and fulfill my mission.
As for how I'll use the treasure, I can only use it to benefit others. That sounds noble, but it has to be within my ability. If the treasure boosts my strength, maybe I can fulfill the senior's unfinished wish. In your eyes, I may be a lowly ant, but even ants have dignity and hope. I want to become a true powerhouse someday.
This treasure is the key for me to become strong. If I lose my life, how could I achieve my ambitions? So my answer is: strengthen myself, benefit others, and fulfill the senior's wish. That's what I think. Maybe my answer is far from what you want, but it's the truth—and that's why I'm here." Evan Chu said earnestly.
The middle-aged man scrutinized Evan Chu, checking for any lies. Many people say things like this, but there's a difference between honesty and deceit—the eyes reveal everything. If someone lies, their eyes will show a faint ripple.
Ordinary people can't detect such subtle ripples, but as a God Realm expert, the middle-aged man could sense it easily. Evan Chu's eyes, however, were as still as dead water—no movement at all, which made the man feel quite gratified.
"You answered well. You've passed the first question. Remember, a man must live up to his words—that's the most basic thing. I may not be human, but I understand your kind's nature and character," the middle-aged man said.
At this moment, Evan Chu's forehead was drenched in sweat—his clothes soaked through. With only one chance, he truly wasn't sure he could pass.
"Next is the second question—a test of strength. You need to attack me with everything you've got. I want to see your combat power and whether it meets my standard. Just go all out; with your current strength, you can't hurt me.
As long as you can force me back three steps, you'll pass. Whether you can take the third trial depends on your performance. Do your best, young man!" the middle-aged man said with a slight smile.
Evan Chu immediately took out the Frostbane Divine Sword from his storage ring. When the middle-aged man saw the sword in Evan Chu's hand, his body visibly trembled, and an excited expression flashed across his face—though it vanished quickly. Evan Chu didn't notice.
The strongest technique Evan Chu could currently unleash was Divine Cleave with Ninefold Divine-Dragon Metamorphosis. But this time, he went all out—he planned to stack the Unicorn Arm on top of Ninefold Divine-Dragon Metamorphosis, making the attack even more powerful. He believed such a strike could definitely force the middle-aged man back a few steps.
His Chaos Immortal Force surged wildly within him. Evan Chu's expression grew solemn as, with a thunderous shout, four identical Evan Chus appeared at once. At the same moment, a torrent of sword-qi erupted—each of the four Evan Chus unleashed Divine Cleave simultaneously, the combined power truly unbelievable.
The middle-aged man was even more shocked by Evan Chu's attack—not by its raw power, but by the fact that he was using Divine Cleave and the taboo Ninefold Divine-Dragon Metamorphosis. Countless questions flooded his mind all at once...