Su Ming neither dodged nor evaded, throwing a punch.
The gray force of his punch tore through everything like rotten wood, instantly shattering and dispersing every black fist shadow it touched.
Without losing momentum, the force slammed into Old Man Withered Bones' chest.
Pfft!
Old Man Withered Bones spat out another mouthful of blood and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
He struggled to get up, only to discover that the spiritual energy inside him had fallen into chaos. He could barely muster any strength.
Su Ming was far stronger than he had imagined.
The two were not even on the same level.
Ignoring Old Man Withered Bones on the ground, Su Ming walked straight up the raised platform.
The platform had nine tiers, and every step felt as though he were treading upon the ages.
Upon reaching the top, Su Ming finally saw the stone box clearly.
The entire box was fashioned from an unknown jade, warm and lustrous, with an ancient simplicity. A single bold, powerful character meaning "emperor" was engraved upon it.
That single character alone carried the majesty of a sovereign reigning over all beneath heaven.
Su Ming reached out and placed his hand on the stone box.
Boom!
In an instant, a vast, boundless power surged from the stone box, flowing through his palm into his body.
At the same time, an ancient, majestic voice rang out in his mind.
"You of a later age, your arrival here means that fate has brought you."
"I am the Human Emperor. I sealed away the abnormalities and left an inheritance for one destined to receive it."
"My successor must inherit my will, forever suppress the abnormalities, and protect our Human Race."
"Should you harbor evil intentions, you will suffer a backlash, and your soul will be