Ruin-Part 1

Wang Quan focused on the rune inscriptions on the sealed stone door, carefully analyzing their structure to find a way to break through. Just then, he felt several strong spiritual energy fluctuations approaching from behind. He quickly turned and saw two groups of cultivators walking down the corridor toward him.

The first group consisted of three Qi Refining stage disciples from Yunlan Mountain. They wore the sect's robes and emitted steady auras. One of them had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, while the other two were at the eighth level. It was clear they were sent by Yunlan Mountain to explore the ruins.

The second group was made up of four rogue cultivators, one of whom was an old man who had already entered the Foundation Establishment stage. His long white hair and deep aura made it clear that he was the leader of the group. The other three were in the later stages of Qi Refining, and though they didn't have the same prestige as the Yunlan Sect disciples, their numbers and strength made them formidable.

The sudden appearance of these two groups heightened the tension in the ruins. Both groups stopped several paces away from the stone door, glaring at each other coldly. The air was thick with invisible pressure.

Standing beside the sealed door, Wang Quan's eyes flickered as he assessed the situation.

"Yunlan Sect disciples and rogue cultivators..."

He understood that everyone who ventured into these ruins was driven by ambition and a desire for treasure. With valuable artifacts possibly behind the sealed door, no one would give way easily.

The Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator squinted, scanning the Yunlan Sect disciples before turning his gaze to Wang Quan. "Young friend, are you also here to seek treasure? This seal is no trivial matter, and if we each act alone, breaking it might be impossible. How about we join forces? After the seal is broken, we can explore individually."

Although the old man's words were polite, there was an undeniable pressure in his tone. Clearly, he wanted to avoid conflict but was also determined not to let others seize the opportunity first.

The leader of the Yunlan Sect disciples, the Qi Refining ninth-level cultivator, nodded in agreement. "This seal has indeed stood for hundreds of years, and it's beyond our individual abilities to break. However, if we work together, we might have a chance. Afterward, we can each go our own way."

Wang Quan pondered for a moment. Refusing cooperation now would be unwise, especially since the Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator's strength was clearly superior to his own. A confrontation would not end in his favor.

He nodded and replied calmly, "I agree to join forces. After the seal is broken, we can each explore separately."

With all parties in agreement, the tense atmosphere began to ease. Together, they approached the sealed stone door and began studying how to break through the ancient seal.

The stone door was covered in intricate runes, clearly part of a powerful formation set by a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. The Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator channeled his spiritual energy and attempted to interact with the runes, but they emitted a strong wave of energy that blocked his destructive efforts.

"As expected, this won't be easy..." the old man muttered, frowning. He and the Yunlan Sect disciples began trying to bombard the seal with spiritual energy, but the door remained unmoved.

Wang Quan observed quietly, watching how the seal reacted to their efforts. With his knowledge of the Five Elements Technique, he gradually realized that the runes seemed to contain a cycle of five elemental energies.

"Perhaps this seal isn't meant to be broken by brute force but instead requires the balance of the Five Elements to unlock it..."

A flash of insight struck Wang Quan. He stepped forward and began channeling his spiritual energy into the Five Elements Technique, focusing on balancing the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Slowly, he directed this balanced energy toward the runes on the seal.

As the Five Elements energy flowed into the runes, the inscriptions began to glow faintly, reacting to the balance of forces. Seeing this, both the Foundation Establishment cultivator and the Yunlan Sect disciples showed expressions of surprise.

"It's a Five Elements seal!" the old man exclaimed, his eyes glinting. He quickly adjusted his spiritual energy to complement Wang Quan's technique. Not to be outdone, the Yunlan Sect disciples also contributed their energy to the process, gradually wearing down the seal's power.

After a few more moments of effort, a deep rumble echoed through the ruins as the stone door finally began to open. A wave of dense spiritual energy rushed out, and beyond the door, the ancient ruins' grand hall was revealed.

The group cautiously stepped into the hall, only to discover that the ruins spanned three levels. They were currently on the first level, which appeared to be a vast, dense forest maze. Towering ancient trees surrounded them, their thick branches and tangled vines forming an impenetrable barrier. The entire area was shrouded in an eerie silence.

The air was thick with the presence of fierce beasts, cold and dangerous.

"A maze in the ruins?" The Yunlan Sect disciples looked around warily, clearly unprepared for the complex terrain. The Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator frowned, sensing the strong presence of beasts nearby. He spoke in a low voice, "The air here reeks of demonic beasts. We'll need to be on guard."

Wang Quan also sensed the thick demonic energy in the air. It was far stronger than that of ordinary beasts, indicating that something powerful lurked within the forest maze.

After a brief discussion, the group agreed to cooperate for now to pass through the maze, but once they reached the next level, they would part ways.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, they quickly realized that the maze was far more complicated than it appeared. Every ancient tree seemed to hide signs of demonic beasts, with claw marks and deep scratches visible on the ground. The hanging vines swayed eerily, as if warning intruders.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees. From the shadows emerged a massive demonic beast—a three-eyed demon tiger.

The beast was covered in black demonic energy, and its three blood-red eyes locked onto the group, emitting a palpable killing intent.

"A demonic beast!" one of the Yunlan Sect disciples shouted, drawing his weapon in preparation.

Wang Quan also unsheathed his sword, channeling the Five Elements spiritual energy within him. His sword gleamed with energy, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

With a thunderous roar, the three-eyed demon tiger lunged at the group, its claws slicing through the air toward the Yunlan Sect disciples. One of them quickly retaliated, sending a water-based sword aura toward the beast.

However, the tiger's defenses were incredibly tough, and the sword aura only left a shallow wound on its hide. Enraged, the tiger swiped its claws, sending the Yunlan Sect disciple stumbling backward.

"The beast's defense is too strong!" the disciple cried out in shock, realizing that this foe was far more formidable than anticipated.

At that moment, the Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator made his move. With a flash of spiritual energy, he summoned a giant axe, its blade glowing with a fierce light.

The old man swung the axe, sending a sharp golden arc of energy toward the demon tiger. Caught off guard, the tiger was struck in the back, letting out a roar of pain.

Seeing the opportunity, Wang Quan acted swiftly. He channeled metal element energy into his sword, condensing it into a sharp beam of light aimed directly at the tiger's neck.

Slash!

The sword beam struck true, slicing into the tiger's vulnerable spot. Blood sprayed through the air as the tiger collapsed.