Chapter 41: "Eboncrest City I"

Deep within the Desolate Shadow Continent, far beyond the reach of any kingdom or sect, lay a land shrouded in mystery and terror the Ashen Soul Ruins.

It was not a place for the weak.

For centuries, this vast and ancient battlefield has remained one of the most forbidden places on the continent, its very existence filled with contradictions. Some claim it is the site of a legendary war so monumental that even mythical beasts, such as dragons and phoenixes, participated, shaking the heavens. Others believe it to be something far more enigmatic a land untouched by time, existing outside the flow of history.

But the truth?

No one knew for certain.

Despite numerous expeditions and the efforts of some of the greatest scholars and historians, no historical record can be found in any ancient scripture that details the origins of the Ashen Soul Ruins. There are only whispers and rumors that have been passed down through generations stories of a heavenly treasure so powerful that even the gods coveted it, leading to a war of unimaginable scale. However, like all legends, there is no proof to support these claims.

What was undeniable was the danger that lurked within the ruins.

Over the millennia, millions of cultivators had entered, seeking power, wealth, and glory. Most never returned. Even some of the strongest titans, cultivators who had reached the Energy Mastery Realm ventured deep into its heart, only to vanish without a trace. No one knew if they had perished within the ruins or simply disappeared into an unknown realm.

Were these merely exaggerated tales meant to deter weak-willed cultivators, or was there some truth lurking in the shadows? 

Despite its dangers, the Ashen Soul Ruins is a land of unparalleled opportunity. Within its depths hidden among ruined temples, ancient burial grounds, and treacherous landscapes lie untold treasures, mystical artifacts, and weapons imbued with divine power. The land itself is rich in heavenly resources, from legendary godly ores capable of forging the strongest weapons to spiritual herbs that can grant unimaginable power. 

There are even accounts of cultivators discovering the remains of mythical beasts, with their inheritances still lingering within their bones, waiting for a worthy successor.

For those strong enough to withstand its trials, the Ashen Soul Ruins was a land where a single discovery could change one's destiny forever.

The Vermillion Flame Sect was located far from the ruins separated by hundreds of thousands of miles. The vast distance made flight impossible, even the most powerful cultivators would take years to traverse such a distance.

Ye Xiaotian and the group of sect elders escorting him needed to rely on ancient teleportation arrays and intricate networks of magical circles that facilitated instantaneous travel across vast distances. 

However, covering such an immense distance required an astronomical amount of mid-grade spirit stones to power the teleportation array, a cost that would cripple most sects. Fortunately, the Vermillion Flame Sect, with its extensive treasury filled with high-grade spirit stones, did not have to worry about the expense. Their ability to afford the journey is a testament to their wealth and power.

Due to the existence of the Ashen Soul Ruins, the northern wilderness of the Desolate Shadow Continent was primarily wilderness. It existed like a forbidden evil ground spanned through heaven and earth.

Due to the existence of the Ashen Soul Ruins, the northern reaches of the Desolate Shadow Continent remained an untamed wilderness, untouched by kingdoms or sects. The land stretched vast and unending, a forbidden territory spanning across heaven and earth, marked by its ominous aura and the lingering presence of ancient, unseen forces.

Even to this day, merely hearing the name Ashen Soul Ruins sent a shudder through the hearts of even the most seasoned cultivators. It was a land that had swallowed countless lives, a place where death was more certain than survival.

And yet…

Right at the edge of this forbidden land, standing defiantly against the looming shadow of the ruins, was a great city—Eboncrest City.

No one knew exactly when Eboncrest City was built. There were no records in any historical archives, nor did any sect or kingdom claim ownership over it. It simply… existed, its foundations stretching far back into the ancient past. Some claimed it was as old as the Ashen Soul Ruins themselves, while others whispered that it had once been part of a mighty empire, long lost to time.

But one thing was certain despite its location, the city was neither lifeless nor abandoned.

On the contrary, Eboncrest City was a place of boundless energy, bustling with life and activity, its streets teeming with cultivators, merchants, and warriors from all over the world. It stood as a thriving hub, an ever-active gateway for those who dared to challenge the Ashen Soul Ruins in search of fortune and power.

Unlike the rigid, sect-controlled cities of the continent, Eboncrest City was a place where all races coexisted, bound together by the unspoken rule of strength above all else. Humans, stone race warriors, intelligent spirit beasts, and even elves walked its streets, their gazes sharp with ambition, their bodies honed for battle.

No laws governed Eboncrest City. There was no ruling sect, and no king to enforce control. Only strength dictated survival here. The city was ruled by the unspoken understanding that only the powerful had the right to speak, and the weak were either preyed upon or cast aside.

Yet, despite its chaotic nature, the city remained a place of opportunity.

Upon stepping out of the large teleportation portal at the city's entrance, Ye Xiaotian and his group of four elders were immediately met with a vibrant, chaotic scene.

The streets of Eboncrest City were alive with motion, filled with the loud cries of vendors hawking their wares and cultivators bargaining for rare treasures. The scent of exotic food, incense, and alchemical ingredients mingled in the air, creating an overwhelming but oddly intoxicating atmosphere.

Towering pavilions lined both sides of the grand avenues with crowded taverns, their golden rooftops glistening under the bright sun. The buildings displayed signs advertising various auctions, weapon forges, alchemy shops, and beast-taming centers, each one promising fortune or power.

Street vendors had set up countless stalls along the bustling roads, offering a variety of rare items scavenged from the Ashen Soul Ruins mystical jade artifacts, ancient scrolls with unknown techniques, pieces of armor corroded by time, and even bones of powerful spirit beasts.

Shouting rang out from all directions.

"Ancient sword fragment! Found near the Ghostfire Canyon inside the ruins! Who knows? It might belong to a Supreme Emperor from ten thousand years ago!"

"Heavenly Flame Stone! A rare alchemical ingredient found only in the deepest parts of the Ashen Soul Ruins! Refine it into a pill and boost your cultivation instantly!"

"Spirit Beast Egg! Found near the Obsidian Basin! Could hatch into a divine beast or a useless rock try your luck!"

The crowd was overwhelming. Cultivators of all levels roamed the streets, from young warriors eager to prove themselves, to seasoned veterans with scars marking their bodies, to cloaked figures hiding their auras, their eyes scanning the marketplace with keen interest.

As Ye Xiaotian and the four elders stepped into the streets of Eboncrest City, they were momentarily stunned by the sheer liveliness of the place.

This was not what they had expected.

Ye Xiaotian, in particular, had assumed that the area surrounding the Ashen Soul Ruins would be desolate and nearly abandoned, given the ruin's terrifying reputation. He had imagined an eerie, ghostly town where only the bravest or the most desperate dared to linger.

Yet what lay before him was the exact opposite.

His golden eyes scanned the bustling city, watching as powerful warriors and skilled merchants moved about, completely unbothered by the looming danger of the ruins beyond. The energy here was electric, driven by the ambition of thousands who sought to challenge fate and carve their names into history.

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Ye Xiaotian turned to Elder Liu, one of the four elders accompanying him, and voiced his thoughts.

"I didn't expect there to be so many people here," he admitted, his tone laced with genuine surprise. "With how dangerous the Ashen Soul Ruins are, I thought only a few cultivators would dare come near this place."

Elder Liu let out a chuckle, his wrinkled face showing a trace of amusement. "That is where you're mistaken, young one," he said. "It is precisely because of the danger that this place is so lively. Opportunity and risk go hand in hand. The Ashen Soul Ruins are filled with countless treasures, lost legacies, and powerful inheritances. Where there is danger, there is fortune and cultivators will always flock to such places, no matter the cost."

"Cultivators don't need to venture deep into the ashen soul ruins, as the outskirts of the ruin are already full of opportunities."

Ye Xiaotian nodded slowly, his mind processing Elder Liu's words. It made sense. Cultivators were beings driven by ambition, by the pursuit of strength, and by the desire to reach the peak of their potential.

A place like Eboncrest City, standing at the very threshold of untold power and endless danger, was the perfect stage for them.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Xiaotian tightened his grip on the spatial bag strapped to his waist, his golden eyes glinting with newfound anticipation.

"This place is more interesting than I thought," he murmured under his breath.

The Ashen Soul Ruins loomed beyond the city, its dark, ominous clouds rolling like a storm on the horizon.

Elder Liu turned his gaze toward Ye Xiaotian, his sharp, seasoned eyes studying the young disciple for a moment before speaking.

"Let's go," he said in a calm yet firm tone. "The Ashen Soul Ruins only open once every seven days. There are still four days until the next opening, so we need to find a place to stay in the meantime."

Ye Xiaotian nodded without hesitation. He had no objections, after all, venturing into the Ashen Soul Ruins without proper rest and preparation would be reckless.

With that, the group of five figures began making their way deeper into the city, weaving through the bustling streets of Eboncrest City in search of a suitable tavern.

Despite the sheer number of cultivators wandering through the city, the presence of Ye Xiaotian and the four Vermillion Flame Sect Elders did not go unnoticed.

Even though there were no female cultivators among them who would typically draw attention in such a crowded place their presence alone turned heads. The reason? Their robes were dyed in the unmistakable crimson of the Vermillion Flame Sect, a color that symbolized both power and dominance.

At first, only a handful of passersby noticed them.

But soon, a ripple of recognition spread through the crowd like a whispered storm.

A group of cultivators standing near a weapons stall lowered their voices as they exchanged glances, their gazes flickering toward the five figures.

"Look at their robes," one of them murmured under his breath. "They're from the Vermillion Flame Sect."

Another cultivator, a middle-aged man with a scar running down his cheek, narrowed his eyes. "What are they doing here?" he muttered. "Shouldn't they be preparing for their war with the Black Serpent Sect?"

Word spread quickly. Within moments, more and more cultivators turned their heads, whispering amongst themselves.

"Isn't the Vermillion Flame Sect supposed to be on high alert?"

"I thought they were preparing for battle. What are they doing in Eboncrest City instead of fortifying their defenses?"

"Wait… do you think they're here to recruit warriors for the war?"

The murmurs grew louder, speculation running wild among the onlookers.

Ye Xiaotian, who had been walking calmly alongside the elders, felt the shift in the atmosphere almost immediately. The weight of curious stares and hushed voices followed them as they moved through the city.

His golden eyes swept over the crowd subtly, noticing how dozens of cultivators had taken an interest in their presence.

He smirked slightly but said nothing.

Elder Liu, walking at the front of the group, let out a quiet sigh. "It seems we've already drawn attention," he muttered under his breath.

Elder Fang, a stern-looking elder with a long, greying beard, scoffed. "Hmph. Let them stare. The Vermillion Flame Sect does not need to justify its presence here to mere onlookers."

Despite his dismissive words, even Elder Fang was not oblivious to the weight of their presence in Eboncrest City.

For the outside world, it was common knowledge that the Vermillion Flame Sect and the Black Serpent Sect were on the brink of open war. Their enmity had reached a point where the entire Desolate Shadow Continent was waiting to see who would strike first.

So naturally, seeing members of the Vermillion Flame Sect appearing here, in Eboncrest City, rather than preparing for battle, was enough to raise eyebrows.

End of Chapter 40