As his words fell, the two beams of light gradually dissipated, and Ye Fan regained his freedom.
The light on the statue dimmed as well, and the oppressive aura vanished without a trace.
Ye Fan stood where he was, silent for a long time.
He lowered his head to look at the Green Bronze Fragment in his hand, his eyes filled with mixed emotions.
So this Green Bronze Fragment was actually a key.
A key capable of opening some mysterious forbidden land.
And within that forbidden land lay secrets related to an ancient Great Emperor.
This discovery left his heart unsettled for a long while.
"The Extreme North Land..." he murmured. "I have to go and see it."
Just then, a faint groan came from nearby.
Ye Fan turned and saw Duan De sprawled on the ground, looking half-dead.
"Duan De?" Ye Fan frowned. "What are you doing here?"
Duan De struggled to raise his head, forcing out a smile uglier than crying.
"Ye... Brother Ye, long time no see..."
Ye Fan looked at him coldly, his eyes full of vigilance.
"You followed me?"
Duan De's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly waved his hands in denial. "No, no! Absolutely not!"
"I was just... just passing by, and then... then I..."
Ye Fan sneered. "Just passing by? Then you just happened to follow me into this underground palace?"
"Duan De, do you take me for an idiot?"
Duan De's expression changed. Knowing he could not hide it any longer, he quickly changed his tune. "Brother Ye, I was wrong! I shouldn't have followed you!"
"But you know me, Duan De. I'm just doomed to be greedy for wealth. Whenever I see a treasure, I can't move my feet."
"That Green Bronze Fragment of yours was simply too tempting. I...