Chapter 356

Chapter 356: Opening the Ruins

Qinyuan Sect’s move came earlier than usual.

As that formation master, whose figure was indistinct, appeared, a group of people also walked up not far away on the ground.

All of these people were dressed in Qinyuan Sect attire, each with an arrogant expression, striding proudly and brimming with confidence.

When they showed up, serious looks surfaced on everyone’s faces.

The number of Immortal Sect disciples who came this time was not small; just Qi Refinement cultivators alone numbered twenty to thirty, and each had an exceptional aura, at least above the eighth level of Qi Refinement.

In such a place, ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators were completely inadequate; those who could reach here had strength and realms far exceeding the outside world, and even if their cultivation wasn’t high, they must have mastered some special methods.

Zhou Luo’s children had not come; most were in Closed-Door Training, working earnestly to prepare for breaking through to Foundation Establishment, and would not take part in such a struggle.

Among those twenty or so Immortal Sect disciples, Zhou Luo also spotted an old acquaintance.

It was a woman wearing a white long dress. She held a long sword embedded with gemstones, her brows and eyes delicate and refined, her face exquisite, and as she walked, an extraordinary aura radiated out.

It was precisely Shangguan Qianxue, who had collaborated with him back in the Illusionary Forest.

After so many years, she now possessed an even more transcendent grace compared to the past, and no trace of aura radiated from her; walking amid that crowd of Immortal Sect disciples, if not for her striking appearance, no one would likely have paid her any notice.

Qi Chuan had mentioned there were two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Immortal Sect; it seemed she was one of them.

He had not expected that this time, an old acquaintance would be competing with him.

As Zhou Luo looked over, Shangguan Qianxue turned her gaze his way.

A flicker of doubt crossed those beautiful, bright eyes. Immediately, she detected a familiar aura from that plain and unremarkable face.

“Was it him?”

An image surfaced in Shangguan Qianxue’s mind.

Back in the Illusionary Forest, she had seen firsthand that guy’s style of action and known how formidable he was.

Especially his assessment of situations, his abnormal restraint, and his mastery of human nature, among other traits.

That was the first time she had learned that people in the world could act this way.

Earlier in the sect, she had followed a bold, unflinching path—she never understood holding back or concealing one’s light, only how to reveal her edge.

The advantage was that, due to her status as an Immortal Sect disciple, no one dared scheme against her, and she could gain her desires with her strength.

But if she encountered someone like him, she might not gain the upper hand even with greater strength.

At that moment, she had realized that on the path of cultivation, strength was vital, and wisdom was essential too.

A tree that stands tall in the forest is felled by the wind; what is too rigid breaks easily.

Being excessively sharp and exposed might bring a lot of trouble.

Later, upon returning to the sect, she gradually became low-key, living a secluded life while cultivating diligently over time.

After that Illusionary Forest trial, she successfully broke through Qi Refinement and entered Foundation Establishment.

She had not imagined he had also quietly achieved Foundation Establishment.

On second thought, with his ability, becoming Foundation Establishment should be no problem.

“Junior Sister, what’s wrong?”

Standing beside her was a young man of extraordinary appearance with an upright posture. His gentle smile appeared harmless, yet his every move carried a trace of indifference.

"It’s fine," Shangguan Qianxue replied calmly.

The man gave a slight nod, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. "Junior Sister, this time our master forced through all opposition to send just the two of us here, solely to ensure we obtain that spiritual artifact. There must be no mistakes."

That only the two of them, Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Qinyuan Sect, came this time, involved many complex factors behind the scenes.

The most crucial one was that their master’s faction aimed to bolster their strength.

Therefore, once news spread of a spiritual artifact appearing in this set of ruins, they were dispatched.

Since it was a training mission, the Qinyuan Sect naturally wouldn’t send all its disciples, so quotas were limited.

They were the only two Foundation Establishment cultivators permitted this time.

Beyond them, every Qi Refinement stage Immortal Sect disciple present also represented various factions behind them.

For such training opportunities, each faction hoped their own members would grow stronger and improve their cultivation. Thus, all sent at least some representatives.

Dozens of Immortal Sect disciples stood solemnly before the mountain peak, quietly awaiting the senior elders to dismantle the formation.

Other cultivators kept their distance while fixing their eyes intently on the Immortal Sect elder cracking the formation in midair, ready to surge into the mountain at any moment.

Zhou Luo and the others slowly moved closer.

"Friend Long, once we enter, stick right behind me," Qi Chuan transmitted via voice.

He seemed to possess certain insider knowledge or treasure-hunting methods to evade dangers within the ruins.

Boom—

Suddenly, the earth shook and mountains swayed as violent rumbles erupted from all directions.

The intense glow enveloping the mountain peak gradually dimmed. Space itself began to distort, and the ground trembled uncontrollably.

Everyone tensed, eyes fixed unblinkingly ahead. Some even erupted with protective spiritual light, spiritual energy surging dramatically.

All were desperate to be the first inside, hoping to gain an advantage in seizing treasures.

Rumors said a Foundation Establishment cultivator once, after triggering a mechanism, luckily obtained a mid-level Foundation Establishment Technique. He then risked his life breaking through the just-forming formation before vanishing without a trace.

The allure of a mid-level Foundation Establishment Technique in the outside world spoke for itself.

After all, even the Foundation Establishment ancestors of the so-called long-life families typically only possessed Qi Refinement level techniques.

These days, obtaining any Foundation Establishment Technique was incredibly difficult, let alone a mid-level one.

Yet this was merely the tip of the iceberg. Word was the true tomb of that Golden Core master remained sealed, potentially holding unimaginably greater treasures inside.

This was a Golden Core master’s ruins; none suspected it lacked valuable treasures.

"Break!"

A thunderous voice boomed from the sky. The Immortal Sect elder manipulated an array disk with rapid hand seals, summoning countless streaks of light.

The lights intertwined mid-air, forming a dazzling spectacle.

Within it, the power of that Second Level formation steadily waned. The luminous barrier that had isolated the crowd grew transparent and gradually dissipated.

Everyone held their breath.

The moment the barrier vanished, countless cultivators charged toward the mountain peak — like wild beasts spotting prey, radiating intimidating auras.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Innumerable streaks cut through the air. Some rode magical artifacts, others steered Spirit Beasts, while many utilized flash steps, all desperate to seize the first advantage.

Zhou Luo’s group remained unhurried.

Their sights weren’t on the mountain’s periphery, but its deepest core.

The true burial site of that Golden Core master.

Qi Chuan’s eyes darkened as he murmured,

"Let’s go."