Chapter 45: "Ashen Soul Ruins Opening."

In an unknown location in the depth of Eboncrest City, a pavilion was standing firm surrounded by a beautiful and serene garden. Inside this pavilion was a woman in a green robe sitting cross-legged, studying an ancient painting before her.

With a long purple hair that reached down to her waist, a pair of shiny purple eyes. She had a curvaceous body. And a beautiful face with rosy lips. Any man who looks in her eyes will be hooked forever. She has a charm that can captivate even an Arhat. Like a Goddes that had just descended from the heavens.

Wearing a black robe, she is lost in the painting as the pavilion remains silent.

The serene tranquility of this Goddess quarters was suddenly disrupted by an intrusive knock. The sound echoed through the luxurious room, hinting at a visitor's presence.

The Goddess emerged from her stupor and glanced at the door of the pavilion. "Who is it?" she inquired softly, her voice radiating an intoxicating charm like velvet.

"My lady, Sorry to disturb your peace, but there is some news about that boy you told us to keep our eyes on," came the hesitant reply. A strained silence hung in the air for a moment, followed by the calm and collected voice of the Goddess after a few seconds. "Enter."

With a soft click, the door to the pavilion opened, revealing an astonishingly beautiful woman. She was dressed in a manager's uniform, complete with cute round glasses perched on her nose. Giving away an irresistible temptation.

The first action she took upon entering the house was to kneel in respect to the Goddess. "Speak," came the command from the Goddess, her gaze fixated on the women in the manager's uniform.

"My lady, I have received words from our people that the boy is currently in Eboncrest City, accompanied by some elders of the Vermillion Flame Sect. Our spies have confirmed that he will also enter the Ruins when it's open, which is two days from now."

"Oh," the lady with purple hair exclaimed in astonishment. Curiously, she asked, "Where is he currently?"

The woman in the manager's uniform replied, "My lady, he is currently residing in our Scarlet Moon Pavilion."

After thinking for a moment, the goddess nodded and ordered, "Okay, you can go. For now, just keep an eye on him and let me know when he enters the ruins."

"Okay, my lady," the woman in the manager's uniform acknowledged the order, then again greeted her and walked out the doors.

The Goddess stayed silent for some time, then muttered smilingly while touching her lips, "What an interesting boy, Ye Xiaotian, hmm?"

If the major powers from the Desolate Shadow Continent know this woman's identity and her abilities, they will be so horrified that they will even piss in their pants. Now, this lady is taking an interest in Ye Xiaotian.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Ye Xiaotian and his group had remained inside the Scarlet Moon Pavilion, refraining from venturing outside after their encounter with Gu Tianheng. Three days had passed since that incident.

As dawn broke and the sun began to rise, its golden hue painted the horizon. Suddenly, a loud boom resonated throughout the city, accompanied by a heavy pressure and a deadly aura that spread across the area.

A powerful spatial distortion filled the air. The fabric of reality around the gateway twisted and bent, the very atmosphere humming with energy.

Then

BOOM!

A thunderous roar echoed through the clearing as the Ashen Soul Ruins gateway came to life. The runes ignited in a blinding flash of red and gold, forming a swirling vortex of energy at the center of the stone arch. The entire area trembled, and a violent wind rushed outward, sending dust and debris scattering in all directions.

"It's opening!" Cultivators throughout the city, whether sleeping or meditating, quickly opened their eyes and gazed towards the direction of the ruins.

Now there was a massive door that stood proudly, that pierced straight into the clouds, with red light spilling out from it, as nothing could be seen inside it, only red clouds.

"Quickly pack up and get ready to enter the Ashen Soul Ruins!" Chaos erupted like wildfire. Within a ten-thousand-mile radius around the ruins, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and commotion.

"Wait! Let's see how many return this time before we enter!" Some of the powerful cultivators shouted to their companions.

As time passed, all eyes in the city were fixed on the monolith, anxiously awaiting to see if anyone would return.

The atmosphere in Eboncrest City didn't dim, rather it's become more and more charged as time passed, filled with the thunderous murmurs of cultivators who had gathered from every corner of the Desolate Shadow Continent.

All eyes were fixed on the massive crimson gateway, the swirling red mist in it concealing untold dangers and unimaginable opportunities. The oppressive energy that radiated from the entrance caused the weaker cultivators to break out in a cold sweat, their hands clenching tightly onto their weapons or talismans.

While some began to hesitate, many others stepped forward. The ruins were not a place for faint-hearted cultivators. Once inside, there was no guarantee of survival, even for the most powerful experts.

Cultivators had started gathering at the entrance, with some sects from the continent eager to expand their power taking up front positions. They stood in disciplined formations, each led by powerful elders or their most outstanding disciples.

Despite the chaotic atmosphere in the Eboncrest City, the Scarlet Moon Pavilion remained eerily silent. On the second floor, within one of its elegantly furnished rooms, Ye Xiaotian sat cross-legged, his golden eyes slowly opening as a faint aura of power pulsed around him before gradually receding into his body.

He had spent the last night in deep meditation, refining his spiritual energy, stabilizing his cultivation, and sharpening his senses. He knew that once he entered the Ashen Soul Ruins, he wouldn't have the luxury of peace. Every second inside would be a battle, a fight to grow stronger and survive.

A soft knock on the door broke the silence.

"Ye Xiaotian, it's time." Elder Liu's steady voice came from the other side.

Ye Xiaotian exhaled slowly, the last remnants of his spiritual energy circulating within his meridians before he rose to his feet. He glanced toward his storage ring, ensuring that all his essential items were prepared, his weapons, emergency supplies, and the map of the ruins he had obtained from Mystic Reliquary Hall.

With one last glance around the room, he stepped forward as he opened the door, he saw Elder Liu and the other elders already waiting for him in the hallway.

Elder Liu studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "Let's go."

Without another word, the group descended the stairs and exited the Scarlet Moon Pavilion, stepping into the crowded streets of Eboncrest City.

By the time Ye Xiaotian and his group arrived at the entrance of the Ashen Soul Ruins, the scene before them was nothing short of a battlefield waiting to ignite, already filled with thousands of cultivators, whether they were from any sects or rogue cultivators.

A massive monolith that was covered in ancient inscriptions and mysterious runes, stood before them, surrounded by thousands of cultivators. The runes on the gateway flickered ominously, as if waiting to swallow everyone.

Some sects had already taken up positions at the front of the crowd, their disciples standing in neat formations, while rogue cultivators, mercenary groups, and lone warriors lingered at the edges, watching like hungry wolves, waiting for their chance to enter.

Among the gathered forces, several notable figures stood out.

Ye Xiaotian's gaze swept across the crowd, his expression remained calm as he observed them. He immediately recognized several influential sects who had come to claim some opportunities for their sects.

At the forefront stood the disciples of the Azure Flame Sect, their robes shining brilliantly under the early morning light. Gu Tianheng as the young master of the sect, stood at the front with his usual arrogant smirk, flanked by his two female companions and Elder Chen.

Gu Tianheng, as if he felt himself being observed, turned towards Ye Xiaotian's group, and the two locked their gazes for a brief moment. A malicious smile crept onto Gu Tianheng's lips, but Ye Xiaotian remained indifferent, as if the other man was no more than a passing shadow in his path.

The crowd at the massive door waited until the sun had risen above them when suddenly, someone spotted an individual emerging from the entrance. 

"Look, someone is coming!" a rogue cultivator shouted as the crowd turned toward the monolith.

"No, it's a group of people!" another shouted.

Everyone looked at he upcoming group to get some news about the inside of the ruins. As some people emerged from the massive doors, it became clear that there were eight cultivators among them, all at the Core Formation realm.

However, their conditions were not looking good; their bodies were covered in blood and filth, and they had bandages wrapped all over them. Their clothes were torn, their hair was disheveled, and they walked with great difficulty.

End of Chapter 45