Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan knew that this ancient ruin had attracted many people with ill intentions. They decided to leave Lingxi Town as soon as possible and search for its location. Before departing, Chen Siyu drew on her research into ancient symbols to roughly determine that the ruin might lie within the mountain range northwest of Lingxi Town.
The two traveled northwest. After entering the mountains, the surroundings became increasingly secluded and tranquil, yet neither lowered their guard in the slightest. As they went deeper, they found strange traces, as though someone had passed through and hurried onward. Chen Ruixuan said quietly, "Sister, it looks like quite a few people are already heading for the ruins. We need to pick up the pace."
Chen Siyu nodded. The two used their movement techniques and sped along the mountain range. Suddenly, a narrow valley appeared ahead. A faint layer of mist filled the valley, with glimmers of light flickering within it. Chen Siyu frowned. "There's something strange about this mist. Be careful, little brother."
They cautiously stepped into the valley. They had not gone far when they heard a faint rustling sound. Chen Siyu swiftly flung out the Five-Colored Ribbon, sending it lashing toward the source of the noise. The ribbon struck something soft. With a hard tug, Chen Siyu pulled out a spirit rat covered from head to toe in sharp spines. The spirit rat squeaked wildly, vicious light flashing in its eyes as it lunged at Chen Siyu.
Chen Ruixuan hurriedly took out his slingshot and fired a pellet, knocking the spirit rat back. However, the rat's cries drew in more of its companions. In an instant, a swarm of spirit rats surged in from every direction. Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan stood back-to-back. Chen Siyu controlled the Five-Colored Ribbon to block the rats' attacks, while Chen Ruixuan continuously fired pellets. Spiritual power filled the valley, and the spirit rats' shrieks rang out without end.
Just as they were locked in fierce combat with the spirit rats, several ropes suddenly dropped from above the valley. Wrapped in sharp barbs, they descended over their heads. Chen Siyu sensed danger and swiftly wrapped the Five-Colored Ribbon around a massive boulder, pulling herself and Chen Ruixuan behind it. The ropes smashed against the boulder with a dull thud.
"Sister, it seems that besides these spirit rats, someone is ambushing us from the shadows," Chen Ruixuan said angrily.
Chen Siyu analyzed the situation calmly. "That's right. They must be waiting for the spirit rats to wear us down before making their move to seize the map. We can't stay here any longer. We need to break through the spirit rats' encirclement as quickly as possible."
Chen Siyu focused and infused Chaos Power into the Five-Colored Ribbon. The ribbon blazed with brilliant light, instantly blasting all the surrounding spirit rats away. Taking advantage of the rats' brief confusion, the siblings rushed deeper into the valley.
After breaking out of the spirit rats' encirclement, they arrived before an ancient stone gate. Mysterious runes covered its surface, glowing faintly as though recounting the passage of time. Chen Ruixuan said excitedly, "Sister, this should be the entrance to the ruins, right?"
Chen Siyu carefully examined the runes on the stone gate, trying to find a way to open it. At that moment, footsteps sounded around them, and a group of black-clad figures appeared behind them. The leader said coldly, "Hand over the map to the ancient ruins, and we'll spare your lives."
Chen Siyu shielded the map behind her and said firmly, "Don't even think about it. These ruins don't belong to any one person. You won't succeed by using such unscrupulous means."
The leader of the black-clad figures sneered. "Hmph. Then don't blame us for showing no mercy. Attack!" The black-clad figures swarmed forward and attacked Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan. Chen Siyu swung the Five-Colored Ribbon and fought them head-on, while Chen Ruixuan supported her attacks from the side with his slingshot. However, there were too many black-clad figures, and they were not weak. Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan gradually fell into a difficult situation.
Amid the fierce battle, Chen Siyu noticed that every time the black-clad figures attacked, they moved according to a certain rhythm. An idea struck her, and she shouted to Chen Ruixuan, "Little brother, watch the rhythm of their attacks! We'll find an opening and concentrate our strength to break through!" Could Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan find a weakness in the black-clad figures' formation, break through the encirclement, and open the stone gate to enter the ruins? How would this fierce battle end? Everything remained shrouded in suspense.
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