"Alright, you have also passed the second test." The Sphinx saw that Yitianchou had reached the high platform at the deepest part of the stone chamber, and slowly lowered the giant stone coffins that were floating in the air to the ground.

"Haha... I won... I won!" Yitianchou's eyes radiated with fanaticism as he gritted his teeth and looked towards Qin Yan.

After a moment of silence, Qin Yan said, "Well, you won. The sword is yours."

"I... I am the Emperor of Heaven, haha... Ahaha!" Yitianchou, overly excited, burst into maniacal laughter.

"Wow, Tian Ge, you're amazing!" Yujie was also excited and laughed. Lin Shiqi's face was ashen, while Qin Yan and Dream Butterfly remained solemn and silent, not saying a word.

"Now that you have successfully passed two tests, let me tell you about the final test," the Sphinx began, but before he could finish speaking, Yitianchou couldn't wait any longer. He reached out eagerly and grasped the hilt of the black sword inserted in the high platform...

"Fool..." The Sphinx's face twisted into a cold smile as he stared at Yitianchou standing on the high platform with the black sword in hand.

"Tian Ge, quickly pull out that sword," Yujie shouted excitedly. Yitianchou remained silent, his hands trembling as he held the hilt of the black sword. For some unknown reason, his entire body shook, his eyes dilated, his breathing became rapid, as if he had seen something extremely terrifying, with a look of horror on his face.

"Something's not right..." Dream Butterfly seemed to sense something was wrong, whispering softly.

"Ah—" Suddenly, Yitianchou let out a piercing scream. He released the black sword, clutching his head, his expression filled with fear and pain. He fell to his knees, continuously banging his head against the ground, crying out in agony.

"Tian Ge, what's wrong? What's happening?" Yujie exclaimed in panic. Yitianchou seemed not to hear her, continuing to pound his head against the ground like a madman. The scene was extremely eerie and terrifying.

Yitianchou's strange behavior lasted less than twenty seconds before abruptly stopping. Suddenly, his body stiffened, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed on the ground, motionless and silent, showing no signs of life.

"What's going on? How did Yitianchou end up like this?!" Qin Yan was extremely shocked. He shouted at the Sphinx, "Hey, what did you do to him?!"

"Stupid humans..." The Sphinx's face bore a mocking smile. "This sword is not something anyone can obtain. To obtain this sword, one's body and mind will be invaded by countless evil spirits, enduring unbearable pain. Only those with the most powerful and exceptional souls, possessing the strongest will, have a chance to obtain this sword. This final test is for you to pull the sword out from there!"

"What exceptional and powerful soul is he talking about? What is this guy saying?" Lin Shiqi was very confused, not understanding the Sphinx's words.

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Dream Butterfly seemed to understand something and murmured, "So that's it, no wonder I always felt something was off about that sword." She said to the Sphinx, "Can we have a closer look at the sword?"

"Alright," the Sphinx said in a deep voice.

Dream Butterfly immediately passed through the stone chamber and, with Qin Yan's help, arrived at the high platform. Yujie and Lin Shiqi also came up to the high platform. Yujie helped Yitianchou up from the ground and found that he was only in a state of unconsciousness, with no life-threatening danger, which was a relief. She quickly set about treating his injuries.

Qin Yan examined the sword up close. The sword was entirely black, with a texture resembling metal and stone. The hilt of the black sword was thicker and longer than usual, and the blade was longer and wider than a typical sword, appearing to be a two-handed sword. At this moment, the black sword stood motionless, vertically inserted into the ground of the gray-black high platform.

Out of curiosity, Qin Yan reached out to touch the sword, but Dream Butterfly immediately exclaimed, "Don't touch it!"

Qin Yan withdrew his hand without touching the black sword. Lin Shiqi curiously asked, "What's so strange about this sword that we can't even touch it?"

"Let me sense it first," Dream Butterfly said with intense focus. She placed her hands about ten centimeters away from the sword. After a few minutes, she withdrew her hands and said slowly, "It seems my guess was correct. This sword has been contaminated. Direct contact with it will result in severe mental erosion, mental damage, and complete mental breakdown."

"Really? It's that serious?" Although Lin Shiqi was skeptical, remembering Yitianchou's reaction after touching the sword earlier made her believe.

Qin Yan said solemnly, "Dream Butterfly, do you think I can withstand this mental erosion and pull out the sword?"

"The chance is very slim," Dream Butterfly said gravely. "Even if you manage to resist the mental erosion and pull out the sword, your mind will suffer significant damage, leading to severe long-term consequences that will affect you for the rest of your life."

"What should we do then?" Lin Shiqi said unwillingly. "The sword is right in front of us. Are we just going to give up like this?"

At that moment, the Sphinx spoke, "If you give up on pulling out the sword, it means you have not passed the third test, and you will all die here."

Qin Yan glanced at the Sphinx, then at the black sword on the high platform, and said firmly, "We have no way back. Whatever happens, we must give it a try."

Dream Butterfly suggested, "When Qin Yan tries to pull out the sword later, both Shiqi and I will place our hands on Qin Yan's body. I can share the mental erosion you experience with the three of us, which should help alleviate some of the mental pressure and increase the chances of success."

"Alright, let's do it this way," Lin Shiqi immediately reached out her hands, placing them on Qin Yan's back. Dream Butterfly added, "However, if Qin Yan can't pull out the sword in a short time, both Shiqi and I will also suffer severe mental erosion. All three of us will suffer mental damage and long-term consequences. We only have one chance, and once we give up halfway, success will no longer be possible."

"What?" Lin Shiqi withdrew her hand, looking apprehensively at Qin Yan. She said, "Qin Yan, are you confident that you can pull out the sword?"

After some thought, Qin Yan said, "Not really. If you're scared, let me do it alone."

"Why would you say that?" Lin Shiqi's face showed displeasure. Although she was a bit afraid, she still extended her hand to place it on Qin Yan's back, saying, "I can't let you take the risk alone. You must persevere, as our lives are in your hands."

Dream Butterfly also placed her hands on Qin Yan's back and said, "Qin Yan, pay attention. The sword is contaminated because it is inserted into this platform. Once you pull out the sword, we will no longer be affected by mental erosion. So, you must pull out the sword in the shortest time possible, understand?"