After receiving the order, Demigod Shana fired several shots at the stone coffin, only leaving small dents on its surface. It’s uncertain when the stone coffin could be broken this way.
The stone coffin seemed to be cast as one piece, with no gaps or openings; the only option was to smash it.
Without waiting for Li Xiu’s command, Demigod Shana drew his great sword, flashed to the stone coffin’s front, and struck it fiercely.
The blue-hued sword light hit the stone coffin, producing a piercing sound, and a long mark appeared on its surface.
Demigod Shana struck blow after blow on the stone coffin, leaving it covered in scars, with the sword marks deepening and widening.
The great sword flashed continuously with a blue glow, executing countless strikes, until a resounding crack, as a sword mark finally penetrated the stone coffin, causing previous marks to also split.
The cracks on the stone coffin grew larger, pieces falling off.
"Return," Li Xiu called Demigod Shana back, his eyes fixed on the cracking stone coffin.
With the growing fissures, chunks of stone fell away, and Li Xiu saw something inside the stone coffin.
"What is that?" Li Xiu identified what was visible through the breach, his pupils narrowing.
The contents inside became clear; Li Xiu assumed it would be a devil spirit, but it was entirely unexpected.
Within the stone coffin stood distinctly a black wooden tablet.
Li Xiu had seen such tablets before, typically for the deceased.
People generally worship their ancestors’ tablets for commemoration and worship, though modern homes increasingly replace tablets with photos or portraits.
Apart from such tablets, there are Longevity Plaques meant for the living.
In ancient times, Longevity Plaques were used to honor benefactors or certain saints.
For instance, if someone has greatly aided you, yet you cannot repay them or know their whereabouts, you may enshrine their Longevity Plaque at home, praying for their safety and long life daily.
Whatever Li Xiu thought, this object appeared as a tablet, yet he wasn’t certain what tablet it was.
Why would a tablet be placed inside a stone coffin? Was it because the deceased’s remains were gone and could only be replaced with a tablet?
Li Xiu scrutinized the characters on the wooden tablet, partially visible, only seeing two words.
"God of Slaughter..." Seeing these words, Li Xiu slightly frowned.
Historically, there was never a divine entity known as the God of Slaughter; if one insisted, the East has Yanluo, the West has the Death God, but these aren’t truly God of Slaughter.
Those who could be named as the God of Slaughter in history remained one, Bai Qi from the Warring States period, undefeated in battle, having slain over a million foes.
Yet he was an ancient figure from Earth, seemingly unrelated to this Land of Trial.
The tablet bore the two words God of Slaughter, in dark blood-red, with strokes faintly exuding a fierce killing intent that made one’s spine chill.
Li Xiu wanted to see what other words might be below God of Slaughter but didn’t dare approach the stone house, so he let Demigod Shana fire two more shots at the stone coffin.
Both shots hit the cracks, causing the nearly shattered stone coffin to finally break apart.
Li Xiu finally saw all the words on the tablet, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Below God of Slaughter were just two more words, totaling four, "God of Slaughter’s Position."
"This thing really is a tablet, yet it’s too simplistic, just four words, no birth date or name, and it’s unclear why such a tablet was placed inside a stone coffin." Li Xiu felt somewhat unlucky.
Encountering such a tablet was less favorable than encountering a devil spirit.
Slaying devil spirits could at least yield some gain, yet what use could this tablet have?
Li Xiu turned to extinguish the Longevity Lamp, unwilling to waste time here.
With a gentle breath toward the Longevity Lamp, its flame, which wouldn’t extinguish no matter how hard he tried earlier, went out instantly.
The surroundings plunged into utter darkness, and when his sight returned, he stood before the Hero Trial Ground’s gate.
"How did it get dark so quickly?" Li Xiu looked around; the darkness enveloped everything, starless and moonless, vision only reaching several meters.
Yet clearly, he entered in the morning at eight and spent only two or three hours inside, so why did it darken so suddenly?
"It’s not dark; it’s not even noon yet. Why are you wearing sunglasses?" Sha Chu chuckled.
Li Xiu paused briefly and remembered he was still wearing the Dark Mirror, though it caused this daytime scene to appear as night.
While he saw well in the dim Black Death City, oddly.
"Does wearing the Dark Mirror make darker areas clearer? If so, it’s useful for traversing the Dark Maze without fear of blindness." Li Xiu pondered internally.
"That adjutant wanted to treat us to a meal, but I politely declined. Everyone else has left; we should head back, I’m exhausted today." Sha Chu stretched and remarked.
"Alright." Li Xiu turned toward the gate, but after a few steps, he noticed Sha Chu and A Fei trailing him, seemingly observing him, with unclear intentions.
"What are you doing?" Li Xiu stopped, turned to face them with a furrowed brow.
"When did you pick up this habit, carrying a tablet on your back as you exit? Is it to ask your ancestors for protection?" Sha Chu asked with a smile.
Upon hearing Sha Chu’s comment, a chill ran through Li Xiu’s heart, prompting him to quickly reach behind him.
His touch felt cold against a wooden tablet pressed against his back, sending shivers down his spine immediately.