Chapter 5859: What is an Old Lamp?

"Long Chen, I've been holding it in for a long time and just want to ask you, what does it mean when you keep saying 'old lamp'?" The voice of the Qiankun Cauldron echoed in Long Chen's mind.

As Qiankun Cauldron inquired, the Fire Spirit, Yao Ling'er, the Heaven Overturning Seal, and even the Dragon Bone Evil Moon inside the giant cocoon all trembled slightly. Each of them seemed to be eavesdropping, their ears perked up.

Long Chen couldn't help but chuckle, surprised that even the knowledgeable Qiankun Cauldron didn't know the origin of the term "old lamp."

He explained, "It's an insult. In the Tianwu Continent, after someone dies and is placed in a coffin, common folk are required to guard the deceased for three days. During these three days, a lamp needs to be lit at the front of the coffin, specifically at the head of the deceased. This lamp, known as the 'Tilting Head Lamp' or 'Guiding Head Lamp,' signifies guiding the departed soul into the underworld, preventing it from wandering in the wrong direction as a lonely spirit. The lamp must burn continuously for three days and nights, with family members constantly watching and replenishing the oil. It is considered inauspicious if the lamp goes out. In the Tianwu Empire, only those who die of old age receive this treatment, hence the term 'old lamp.' It's used as an insult similar to phrases like 'old coffin ladle,' 'old coffin board,' or 'never-dying old.'"

Qiankun Cauldron couldn't help but comment, "Isn't it inappropriate for you to use this expression to insult your future father-in-law?"

"What's inappropriate about it? He's a member of the undying race!" Long Chen shrugged.

Qiankun Cauldron: "..."

*Exhale*

Just then, Liu Ruyan's body shook, and her consciousness withdrew from the Seven Treasure Space. Her face revealed a look of shock.

"Empda, I saw Empda," she exclaimed.

Hearing Liu Ruyan's words, Long Chen rolled his eyes. He knew Liu Ruyan wouldn't proceed calmly and gradually.

The Seven Treasure Space had seven layers, and Empda was on the sixth layer. Yet, this fellow rushed straight to the sixth layer on her first attempt—bold and wild. But thinking about it, it wasn't surprising. Liu Ruyan was originally a master. Traveling with Long Chen across the Tianwu Continent, she lost her way due to being part of the undying race.

After experiencing the stimulation in the Seven Treasure Space, her senses quickly awakened. In this aspect, Liu Ruyan couldn't be compared to Liu Ruyao.

"It's him. I killed him." Long Chen briefly recounted the events.

At this moment, Chu Yao also retreated with a pale face. Originally, Liu Ruyan intended to go alone, but Chu Yao was worried about her and followed behind. When Liu Ruyan encountered danger, Chu Yao intervened, but the enemy was too powerful. Both of them were expelled.

Watching the pale-faced Chu Yao, Long Chen couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain. Facing the taste of death was not easy; it could evoke the most primitive fear in people.

"Long Chen, where does the energy in your Seven Treasure Space come from? The terrifying existences inside, where does their original power come from?" Chu Yao couldn't help but ask.

Long Chen shook his head. "I don't know. Although this space belongs to the Seven Treasure Glass Tree, my understanding of it is limited. Besides, this space feels eerie, with an atmosphere resembling that of hell. I still can't figure it out. Initially, it was chaotic here, but later, it spontaneously divided into seven layers. In the last layer, there's a fellow I fought against. My chances of winning are less than 50%, and I've been killed by it several times."

"Can't you defeat it? How did it enter the Seven Treasure Space?" Liu Ruyan was shocked.

"I don't know." Long Chen shook his head. He still couldn't comprehend how the shadow of the Dark Emperor was captured by the Seven Treasure Glass Tree.

It was because he couldn't understand that he challenged the Dark Emperor's shadow countless times, resulting in numerous deaths. Although the Dark Emperor repeated a few moves, the variations were endless. Although Long Chen occasionally won, he lost more often.

However, challenging the Dark Emperor's shadow was the main reason for Long Chen's rapid growth during this period. Only it could withstand Long Chen's strongest attacks, accumulating more combat experience. If it weren't for the Dark Emperor's shadow, Long Chen wouldn't have absorbed Dragon War's offerings so quickly.

During this time, the Heavenly Dao was perfecting itself. Everyone was waiting for an opportunity to advance to the Human Emperor Realm. Long Chen had long since reached the peak of the Heavenly Saint Realm. The thirteen dragon veins had solidified to the extreme. However, Long Chen continued to challenge his limits, not slackening in the slightest.

Because he knew that with every increase in strength now, when he eventually advanced to the Human Emperor Realm, that power would explode by ten times or even more.

Long Chen constantly squeezed out his potential because he knew that once he crossed the Human Emperor Realm, the advantage of the Human race would be completely lost. The myriad races would no longer be suppressed in humanoid forms, returning to their true nature. At that time, the Demon race, the Yao race, the Beast race, the Blood race, the Evil Spirit race, and other races would experience an explosive growth, rewriting the world's structure.

If the Human race was not strong enough, in the future, they would only be oppressed or even become prisoners under the myriad races.

"I want to meet that mysterious existence!"

After saying this, Liu Ruyan didn't rest but entered the Seven Treasure Space directly. Seeing Liu Ruyan enter, Chu Yao, who couldn't rest assured, followed suit.

Long Chen was speechless. Liu Ruyan was as unyielding as ever, while Chu Yao genuinely cared for Liu Ruyan. No matter what Liu Ruyan did, Chu Yao would accompany her, making Long Chen feel a bit jealous.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

At this moment, Liu Ruyao, who was far away, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Long Chen was startled. With a wave of his big hand, he pressed down on Liu Ruyao's back. The life force and soul force in the chaotic space surged into Liu Ruyao's body like a tide.

With Long Chen's help, Liu Ruyao finally breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Long Chen with a frightened expression. "What was that thing? Its pressure almost crushed me."

"I told you to stay on the fifth layer. Why did you run around?" Long Chen scolded.

Without saying anything, this ignorant girl ran to the seventh layer and was directly crushed by the Dark Emperor's pressure.

"I saw Sister Ruyan and Sister Yao entering the next layer, so I wanted to accompany them. But I didn't see their shadows, so I kept looking forward. Then, then..." Her voice trembled as she spoke

In the pressure of the Dark Emperor, containing endless killing intent, Liu Ruyao was just a delicate flower in a greenhouse. How could she resist the substantial killing intent that had slaughtered countless lives? Her will almost collapsed.

"You stay honestly on the fifth layer. Three days later, go to the sixth layer. If you can endure for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn on the sixth layer, on the last day, I'll take you to meet that mysterious fellow," Long Chen said.

Hearing that Long Chen would take her, Liu Ruyao's spirits rose. Her fear of the Dark Emperor also lessened. After resting for a while, without Long Chen urging her, she actively entered the Seven Treasure Space.

As time passed, in the blink of an eye, ten days had gone by. On this day, the atmosphere in the entire undying race became exceptionally tense. The news of the gambling match between Liu Changtian and Long Chen had spread.

There were no secrets in the undying race. The core location of the undying race split open, and an arena appeared.

As soon as this arena appeared, countless figures rushed into the spectator seats like a tide. Suddenly, a figure appeared on the eastern platform of the spectator seats. When that figure appeared, the noisy world fell silent.

(End of this chapter)