Each person who enters the Qiulin Ruins might have the chance to gain control here. Tan Su’s father thought he had inherited it for some reason back then.

But perhaps due to insufficient control power or other reasons, he couldn’t utilize the secret treasure well, and after backfiring, he ended up in a deranged state.

"The handkerchief! The words Tan Su’s father recorded on the handkerchief should be the key. If any one of us can find that secret treasure, prove that we are stronger than Tan Su, and make that secret treasure choose us, we can take control and defeat Tan Su."

Ye Lingyue and Di Shen’s eyes brightened simultaneously.

Both of them were extremely intelligent, and after a bit of analysis, they quickly found a clue.

"However, we know nothing about what that secret treasure is or where it’s hidden. Or, if Tan Su carries it with her, then we’re out of options."

Di Shen immediately said.

"No, I think Tan Su hasn’t fully controlled that secret treasure yet; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so nervous about this journey to the Qiulin Ruins. Earlier, when I proposed going to the Qiulin Ruins, her reaction was intense, strongly preventing me from going. I presume she also fears someone challenging her like she did to her father’s inheritance, defeating her and earning the recognition of the Qiulin Ruins. This suggests that the secret treasure is probably a living entity, something Tan Su couldn’t carry with her."

Ye Lingyue analyzed.

Of course, she deduced the secret treasure to be a living entity because the Cauldron Spirit mentioned it to her earlier.

"What you said makes a lot of sense. Let’s take a look around; if necessary, we might have to dig three feet deep."

Di Shen smiled wryly, looking around.

The Qiulin Ruins are neither too big nor too small.

Back in the day, it encompassed the entire territory of Qiulin County, including the county town and several small hills behind it.

Now they’re in Tan Su’s Virtual Space, with no Primordial Power for protection, besides maintaining their stamina; they also have to beware of any ferocious beasts lurking nearby.

Ye Lingyue and Di Shen began a thorough search at the center of the county town in the Qiulin Ruins that day.

In another world, inside a modest hut, Tan Su, along with her captives Bo Qing, Qin Xiaochuan, the Huangquan City Lord, Yuan Xing, and others, watched scenes unfolding within the Mirror Sound Array.

Like Bo Qing, the others were imprisoned in cages made of bone.

Earlier, they had been subdued by Tan Su’s poison and forced to be locked up together.

They had just learned from Bo Qing that Tan Su was the mastermind behind the scenes at the Qiulin Ruins.

Everyone was filled with rage, wishing to tear apart Tan Su’s beautiful yet malicious face.

Ye Lingyue and Di Shen’s reactions and words were all projected through Tan Su’s spiritual power, taking shape within the array.

"You heartless woman, release Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law!"

Qin Xiaochuan fumed, charging at the bone prison like an enraged bull.

The bones of the prison shimmered with a bloody light. As soon as the light touched Qin Xiaochuan, he felt paralyzed, like being electrocuted; he couldn’t even speak properly, collapsing inside, unable to curse anymore.

Tan Su had somehow used a Secret Technique to forge these bone prisons, each impenetrable. Earlier, while she was away, they had tried various methods, but none succeeded in escaping.

This only incited Tan Su even more. Except for Bo Qing, everyone present had been tormented by her with special methods, living worse than death, with only Qin Xiaochuan having the strength left to curse freely.

"Release them? Ha, Big Fool, it’s your first time at the Qiulin Ruins, so you don’t know the rules here, huh? You can ask Yuan Xing beside you; he’s been to the Qiulin Ruins and knows the rules best. Once this Virtual Space is activated, only by meeting certain conditions can it automatically deactivate. One condition is the complete annihilation of everyone inside the Virtual Space, and another is time. Meeting either condition allows escaping alive. Isn’t that right, Yuan Xing?"

Tan Su laughed crisply.

That voice, as sweet as silver bells, sounded to the others as terrifying as death knells.

Yuan Xing’s face twitched, a look of pain spreading in his eyes.

Everyone’s gaze fell on his face.

"Yuan Xing, is she telling the truth? Did you know the secrets of the Qiulin Ruins all along? Why did you bring us in here?"

Bo Qing questioned Yuan Xing angrily.

Ling Yue came here to fulfill Yuan Xing and the Old City Lord’s last wish.

"I didn’t know; I truly didn’t know before I returned. I... I forgot everything. It wasn’t until this woman reactivated that Virtual Space that I remembered." Yuan Xing weakly defended himself.

"You don’t need to question him. Everyone who leaves the Qiulin Ruins has portions of their memory erased. Yuan Xing, the Old City Lord, and the president of the Heroic Society who fled earlier, were all like that. The only ones who can retain their memories are those chosen by the ruins, like me and my father back then."

Tan Su said proudly.

Back then, the challenge for the old president of the Heroic Society and my father was three days and nights. Yuan Xing and the Old City Lord spent eight days and nights in the Virtual Space. And this time, their challenge is ten days and nights.

The activation of the Virtual Space has a time limit, often correlating with the heir’s power.

Clearly, Tan Su is stronger compared to her father and other heirs of the Qiulin Ruins.

"Yuan Xing, since you remember, why don’t you tell your companions how you survived those five days and nights? Tell them how you mistakenly thought your friend’s blood was Beast Blood, eating his flesh, surviving those eight days and nights on the lives of your companions."

Tan Su chuckled.

"Stop it." Yuan Xing clutched his head suddenly, releasing a painful howl.

Tan Su’s words dragged him back to those dark memories.

The others listened to Tan Su’s melodious voice narrating the most atrocious events, chills running down their spines, perceiving Tan Su as a demon.

"Ten days and nights, I wonder if you’ll eventually see Ye Lingyue or her man becoming bones, or the other going mad, or both killing each other, dying in desperation?"

Tan Su looked at the increasingly grim faces, feeling unprecedented pleasure.

"Tan Su, release Ling Yue and the others. I... I’ll agree to whatever you want, just... just let them go."

Bo Qing could no longer bear it.