Chapter 70: The Shadows of the Past

The cold mountain air bit at their faces as Tang Xiu and Lei Xian emerged from the ancient chamber. The sunlight streaming through the trees felt almost foreign after the oppressive darkness inside. Lei Xian glanced back at the now-sealed stone door, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

"Boss," Lei Xian said, his voice shaking slightly, "what even was that? It felt like… like the mountain itself wanted to crush us."

Tang Xiu didn't answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, where the peaks of the Northern Mountains stretched endlessly. The power he had absorbed from the orb was still settling within him, a chaotic storm of energy and knowledge that he needed time to control.

"The trial was not just a test of strength," Tang Xiu finally said. His voice was calm, but his eyes carried a trace of exhaustion. "It was a test of my resolve. What I saw in there…" He paused, his fists tightening. "The past has a way of clawing at you when you least expect it."

Lei Xian hesitated, unsure if he should press further. "Boss, I don't know what you saw, but whatever it was, it didn't stop you. You crushed those shadow things like they were nothing."

Tang Xiu gave a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You're wrong. It wasn't nothing. Those shadows were more than enemies—they were reflections of my doubts and regrets. But dwelling on the past is a luxury I can't afford."

Lei Xian nodded slowly, sensing that this wasn't a topic Tang Xiu wanted to linger on. Instead, he shifted his attention to their immediate surroundings. "So, what now? We've got the orb, and you've clearly leveled up. Should we head back to the city?"

Tang Xiu shook his head. "No. There's something else in these mountains—something that could either be an ally or a threat. I sensed it during the trial."

"A threat?" Lei Xian's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. "What kind of threat are we talking about? Another ancient monster? A treasure guardian?"

Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smirk. "If it's a guardian, it's either protecting something important or trying to keep us away. Either way, it's worth investigating."

The two set off deeper into the mountains, the path growing steeper and more treacherous with each step. The air grew colder, and the trees became sparse, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows on the rocky ground. Tang Xiu led the way, his senses sharp, every step calculated.

Hours passed, and the silence of the mountains was broken only by the crunch of their boots against the gravel. Lei Xian couldn't help but glance at Tang Xiu every so often, marveling at how effortlessly his boss moved, as if the harsh terrain didn't affect him at all.

Finally, they reached a narrow ledge overlooking a deep valley. Tang Xiu stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on a cluster of ruins nestled in the valley below. The structures were ancient, their walls crumbling with age, but there was no mistaking the aura emanating from them.

"That's it," Tang Xiu said, his voice low. "The source of the disturbance."

Lei Xian squinted at the ruins. "Looks abandoned. You think someone's hiding down there?"

"Not someone," Tang Xiu replied. "Something. The energy is faint but distinct. It's been here for centuries, waiting for the right moment to awaken."

As they descended into the valley, the air grew heavier, thick with an oppressive energy that made it hard to breathe. Lei Xian gritted his teeth, his hand gripping his sword tightly. "Boss, this place feels… wrong."

Tang Xiu remained calm, his expression unreadable. "That's because it is. Be ready for anything."

The entrance to the ruins was marked by a massive archway, its surface covered in faded carvings. Tang Xiu traced his fingers over the symbols, his eyes narrowing. "These are ancient scripts from the Celestial Era. Whoever built this place wasn't from this world."

Before Lei Xian could respond, a low growl echoed from within the ruins. The ground trembled slightly, and the temperature dropped even further. Tang Xiu turned sharply, his eyes scanning the shadows.

"Whatever's in there knows we've arrived," he said.

Suddenly, a pair of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness, followed by a massive figure that stepped into the dim light. It was a beast unlike anything Lei Xian had ever seen—its body was covered in scales that shimmered like black steel, and its claws were as sharp as blades. A row of jagged spikes ran down its spine, and its maw was filled with razor-sharp teeth.

Lei Xian took a step back, his heart pounding. "What the hell is that?!"

"A guardian," Tang Xiu said, his voice steady. "And it doesn't look happy to see us."

The beast let out a deafening roar, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Without warning, it lunged forward, its claws slashing through the air with incredible speed.

Tang Xiu moved like lightning, dodging the attack with ease. "Stay back," he ordered Lei Xian. "This one's mine."

Lei Xian didn't argue. He knew better than to get in the way when Tang Xiu got serious.

The beast roared again, its massive tail sweeping toward Tang Xiu like a whip. But Tang Xiu was ready. With a burst of speed, he leaped into the air, landing on the beast's back. His palm struck the creature's spine, sending a wave of energy through its body.

The beast howled in pain, thrashing wildly in an attempt to throw Tang Xiu off. But he held on, his expression cold and focused. "You may be strong," he muttered, "but strength alone isn't enough."

With a swift motion, Tang Xiu channeled his energy into his fist and struck the beast's head. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the air, and the beast collapsed with a final roar, its body falling limp.

Tang Xiu stepped off the creature, brushing the dust from his robes. "It was strong," he said, "but not strong enough."

Lei Xian approached cautiously, still in awe of what he had just witnessed. "Boss, you make it look too easy."

Tang Xiu smirked. "That was just a warm-up. The real challenge is yet to come."

As they entered the ruins, the air grew heavier, and the faint glow of ancient symbols lit their path. Whatever lay ahead, Tang Xiu knew it would bring him one step closer to reclaiming his place as the supreme Immortal.