Chapter 21

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Chapter 21: The Ancient Seal

“You You!” As soon as Xun Rong left, the spell controlling Yin Fan wore off. He immediately rushed toward You You, asking anxiously, “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.” You You shook her head, glancing him over. “What about you, Yin Fan? Any injuries?”

“None—just couldn’t move earlier.” Yin Fan clenched his fists, scowling. “That bastard Xun Rong! Knew he was shady, but using us like this…!”

“What happened?” Lin Feng hurried over, still shaken by the earlier scene. “Was that Xun Rong leaving? He’s a cultivator?!” Only cultivators could fly.

“That snake led us here on purpose!” Yin Fan spat, recounting events through gritted teeth.

Xun Rong’s spellcasting proved he was a cultivator. The white mist and earthquake before their fall were likely his doing to reach this ancient relic. Rumors said such places often required a female guide due to ancient seals.

Lin Feng’s group seethed. They’d been dumped into a maze earlier—probably Xun Rong’s scheme to split them up. Yin Fan had stayed with You You simply by standing too close.

“If this is an ancient relic, it’s dangerous. We need to leave now,” Lin Feng urged.

“Agreed.” You You stood. “Xun Rong mentioned a western passage for escape.”

“Why trust him?” Yin Fan scoffed. “He tricked a noble lady! Even his name’s probably fake!” The Xun family in Shangyang City had noble ladies—no need to con outsiders.

“He told the truth.” You You shrugged. “He got what he wanted. If he wanted us dead, he’d have acted sooner.” Xun Rong used them but lacked murderous intent—else he’d have kidnapped a noble lady outright.

Lin Feng nodded. “Let’s move.”

The team crossed the pool westward, finding a cave-like passage with a small river. The water suggested an exit, so they quickened their pace. The air grew fresher, easing their travel fatigue.

The river gleamed clear, dotted with strange green plants and odd little flowers. You You studied them until Liu Qing splashed over, grabbing a fistful like weeds. Grinning, she thrust them at You You. “For you!”

You You: “……”

“Thanks…” She took the flowers, noticing their resemblance to the lotus Xun Rong had stolen. “Wait—are these…marked?”

Lin Feng peered closer. “Not marks—talismans!”

“What?!”

The vibrant flowers in her hand withered instantly. The entire riverbank followed, plants crumbling to yellow husks. A fierce wind roared through the cave, purging the calm air. A violent, chaotic presence flooded the space.

You You’s stomach dropped—something was terribly wrong.

————————

Outside the ruins, Xun Rong stormed out. The waiting man in black blinked at his disheveled state. “Master, you’re back… What happened?”

“Nothing.” Xun Rong’s jaw twitched. “A minor setback.”

“The Pure Spirit Lotus Platform…?”

“I have it.” Xun Rong’s face darkened, cheeks faintly red.

The man in black swallowed his curiosity. “Congratulations, Master.”

Xun Rong glared at the ruins, fists clenching his sleeves. After a tense pause, he bit out, “Return. Now.”

“Yes—”

A thunderous crash interrupted them. The ground quaked, mountains trembling as crimson light erupted, slicing cracks across the earth. A blood-red formation blotted the sky, something ancient unraveling within.

“They triggered the relic’s seal?!” Xun Rong paled. “An Ancient Times seal!”

“The guardian beasts will awaken!” the man in black gasped. “That female cultivator inside—”

Xun Rong hurled the lotus at him. “Take this. I’m going back.”

“But Master, your body can’t—”

He was already gone.