Su Wan’s heart skipped a beat.
Judging by the intensity of the energy fluctuation, it had to be the man named Zhou.
The strength of a Level 4 Ability User was indeed not to be underestimated.
He seemed to be looking for something...
What was he looking for?
Puzzled, Su Wan’s gaze instinctively drifted toward the temple.
Could he be looking for this anchor point as well?
But what would he want with it?
Regardless of his goal, it appeared he hadn't found it yet.
Su Wan withdrew her gaze, her heart settling slightly.
However, as soon as her attention shifted away from Zhou Yuanqi, she was drawn back to the temple.
She felt a powerful urge to go inside and take a look.
It was an indescribable feeling, like an instinctual summons that she couldn't control.
Su Wan pursed her lips and circled around the crowd, drawing closer to the temple entrance.
The closer she got, the more intense the impulse became—so strong that her fingers began to tremble slightly.
The entrance was packed like sardines, with over a hundred villagers blocking the way completely.
Even so, Su Wan managed to peer into the temple through the gaps in the crowd.
At a single glance, she saw the statue enshrined within.
That one look made her heart tighten suddenly!
The statue was massive, occupying nearly two-thirds of the temple’s interior.
Standing outside the door, Su Wan had to tilt her head back to see the whole thing.
It sat crouched there, its limbs thick as pillars and its back arched like a beast poised to strike.
Its head was held high, and its wide-open eyes were carved from a black stone that looked as deep as an abyss, as if it were staring at everyone who walked through the door.
Inside its gaping maw were stark white fangs, each as thick as an adult’s arm.
Even as an inanimate object, its mere presence exerted an oppressive force that made Su Wan’s breath hitch.
The moment she saw this beast-like statue, the image of the gargantuan entity she had sensed within the Death Tide of the Apocalyptic Plane flashed through her mind!
That unknown existence moving deep within the Death Tide, something she hadn't even been able to approach!
Su Wan’s gaze shifted from the statue’s silhouette to its head.
Embedded right in the center of its forehead was a silver, metal-like object.
It wasn't large—about the size of a baby’s fist—with a surface as smooth as a mirror, devoid of any patterns or carvings.
It sat quietly in the statue’s brow like a closed eye, or a silver gemstone embedded in flesh.
Su Wan was instantly captivated by it.
This was the thing calling to her!
Su Wan’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap out of her chest.
Just then, the system notification exploded in the depths of her consciousness, sharp and urgent.
【Ding! Detected a high-potential source energy carrier!】
【Preliminary item identification: Pure “Energy Source Crystal.”】
【Inferred origin: Formed with an extremely low probability under special conditions upon the death of a Mental-type Ability User of at least Level 4.】
【Effect: Can be safely absorbed by Mental-type Ability Users to significantly increase their strength!】
【Recommendation: The host should recover it immediately! This item will have a decisive impact on improving the host’s strength!】
Su Wan’s pupils constricted.
An Energy Source Crystal!
A source crystal formed from the death of a Mental-type Ability User of at least Level 4!
Su Wan’s fingers clenched instinctively.
When she first entered the apocalypse, she had awakened her ability and become an Ability User only because she had accidentally obtained a fragmented Ability Source Crystal!
But that had been an “Ability Source Crystal,” which gave one a chance to awaken an ability. This, however, was an “Energy Source Crystal”—a treasure that could directly increase one’s strength!
This was something that could truly change her fate!
She had to have it!
However, the moment the system notification faded—
A powerful presence came rushing toward her from behind.
The aura was as heavy as a mountain and moving incredibly fast!
Su Wan whipped her head around.
It was the man named Zhou!
He was sprinting toward the temple at an astonishing speed.
His gaze was fixed directly on the building.
Su Wan understood instantly.
This man wasn't looking for an anchor point at all!
He was looking for this Energy Source Crystal!
So that was it!
No wonder he had released energy fluctuations as soon as he arrived, and no wonder he had scanned this area repeatedly.
He must have known there was something here, but he didn't know exactly where it was.
He had been using energy pulses to search the area inch by inch.
And now, he had found it.
Countless thoughts flashed through Su Wan’s mind.
She was closer to the temple entrance.
She was also closer to the crystal.
If she rushed in now and took the crystal before he arrived—
She would succeed, but her identity would be exposed!
Once exposed, she would never have another day of peace.
All her future revenge plans, and everyone connected to her, would be compromised!
She absolutely could not take that risk!
She had to stay calm.
Furthermore, she was Level 4, and so was he. Although his strength might not match hers, as a member of the Yuansou organization, he undoubtedly possessed trump cards she knew nothing about.
If they came to blows, she wasn't guaranteed to win!
Su Wan took a deep breath, suppressing the urge that threatened to burst from her body.
She didn't move.
Zhou Yuanqi reached the temple entrance in the blink of an eye.
His aura erupted fully, the pressure of a Level 4 Ability User exploding like a physical force.
The villagers crowded around the entrance were all sent flying to the sides by the sheer weight of his presence!
Over a hundred people were brushed aside like they were being moved by an invisible giant hand, instantly clearing a path to the temple door.
Cries of alarm, screams, and wails filled the air as people fell to the ground, some clutching their chests, others holding their arms, all cowering in terror.
Zhou Yuanqi didn't give them a single glance.
His breathing was ragged as he strode into the temple, reaching the statue in just a few steps!
He had found it!
After ten years, he had finally found it!
The moment he had arrived, he had spread out his mental power.
Shortly after, he had vaguely sensed a certain energy fluctuation.
The fluctuation was so faint that it would have been impossible to catch if he hadn't pushed his mental power to its absolute limit.
He hadn't made a scene; he had simply searched for the source with focus.
He had pretended to listen to Gu Huaian’s report, pretended to inspect the project’s progress, and pretended to be interested in everything about this wasteland.
But his mental power had never stopped probing the area.
Then, he had seen this temple!
He was finally certain that the energy fluctuation was coming from inside!
He could feel it—it was a pure, almost primitive energy, unlike anything he had ever encountered!
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