As the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill was subdued and hung in the air with its glow dimmed, the tense atmosphere in the arena eased somewhat.
Zhu Kun panted heavily as he looked at the dazzling, dragon-eye-sized pill. A flicker of desire flashed through his eyes, but it was swiftly replaced by a hearty laugh. He patted Mo Lin on the shoulder. Though covered in wounds himself, his tone allowed no room for dispute.
"Kid, you found the flaw, and we only took it down by working together. It's yours! I won't fight you for it."
Then his tone shifted. His golden eyes fixed fervently on the towering statue of the Tou She Ancient God, his voice becoming incomparably solemn and longing. "But what's hidden inside that statue is the true Emperor's Origin Power! It's the core of the Tou She Ancient God's inheritance! I've been trapped for ten thousand years, dreaming of this very thing. This time, no matter what, I have to fight for it!"
A trace of worry flashed through Zi Yan's beautiful eyes. "Father King, Emperor's Origin Power is certainly precious, but it must come with enormous risks..."
Zhu Kun waved his hand, cutting off his daughter's words, and laughed boldly. "Hahaha! Girl, I've guarded this empty tomb for ten thousand years. Wasn't it all for this sliver of opportunity? Now that freedom is within sight, how could I enter a treasure mountain and leave empty-handed? Don't worry, your father knows what he's doing!"
He looked at Mo Lin, his gaze carrying an elder's test and a faint, barely perceptible expectation. "Kid, don't you agree?"
Mo Lin's aura had settled considerably by then. He glanced at the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill, then toward the silent statue, and the corner of his lips curled into an imperceptible arc.