Gathering of Powerful Experts

The Five Elements Sect swiftly purged the Profound Nether Sect and the Blood Vulture Clan, firmly occupying the hilltop with its excellent view as a temporary base. This news spread like wildfire throughout the increasingly crowded and restless Bone Mountain Range.

Some forces and lone experts who initially looked down on the Five Elements Sect, a rising power, or who also coveted that mountain, were all alarmed upon hearing the news that a Dou Venerate had been easily crushed and a local powerful Monster Beast Clan had been slaughtered. They all restrained their ambitions and placed the Five Elements Sect in the category of those who should not be easily provoked.

Lin Ming was actually quite pleased with this. After all, in such a chaotic place, establishing authority appropriately was far more effective in reducing trouble than simply keeping a low profile.

After the camp was settled, Lin Ming ordered everyone to rest and recuperate, while closely monitoring the movements of the ruins and the arrival of various forces.

As time passed, the Spatial Fluctuations in the already eerily white area at the center of the Bone Mountain Range became increasingly violent and chaotic. Faintly, the outline of a huge and illusory ancient palace seemed to appear and disappear in the air, causing countless hearts to race. The number of powerful individuals gathered here also reached an astonishing level.

In the Middle Continent, all the top and first-class forces have finally made their appearances.

On this day, bursts of intense heat emanated from the sky, and a fiery cloud swept in. Above the cloud stood dozens of figures, the leader of whom was a man with red hair and a red beard, exuding a powerful and domineering aura. His body was surrounded by terrifying flame fluctuations, and he was none other than Tang Zhen, the Valley Master Blazing Flame Valley!

"Haha, Sect Master Lin, your Five Elements Sect is quick on the uptake, securing a good spot so soon!"

Before Tang Zhen even arrived, his hearty laughter echoed through the air. His gaze swept over the hill where the Five Elements Sect was stationed, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, clearly indicating that he had also heard about the previous turmoil.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ming's face broke into a genuine smile, and he led Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and the others forward to greet them, "Uncle Tang, you've finally arrived."

As a guest elder of Blazing Flame Valley, Lin Ming had a close relationship with Tang Zhen, so calling him "Uncle Tang" came naturally to him.

"Haha, I heard about the Five Elements Sect's arrogance here on my way here!"

Tang Zhen descended from the clouds, patted Lin Ming's shoulder forcefully, and sensing the profound aura emanating from him, a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He laughed, "Good lad, not bad, not bad. In just two or three years, I've already seen through you."

Lin Ming smiled slightly and said nothing more, leading Tang Zhen and his group into the encampment for a brief exchange of pleasantries. The arrival of the Blazing Flame Valley undoubtedly made the Five Elements Sect even more powerful.

Following the Blazing Flame Valley, the sky was filled with the sounds of wind, cranes, and sparrows. Then, a white figure swept across the distant sky, bringing with it a gust of wind as it roared past.

Only when you get closer can you see that the white figure is actually a giant crane with a pure white body, and at the front of this giant crane stands an old man in green robes.

The old man had a refined and scholarly appearance, but his eyes were like stars, deep and wise. He was none other than Venerable Feng of the Starfall Pavilion!

Behind him followed a Starfall Pavilion disciples, among whom a Black-robed Youth stood out. The youth had a resolute face and a calm aura. Although he was only Eight-Star Dou Ancestor Zong, the burgeoning Fire Attribute Dou Qi hidden within him and a faint yet imposing aura made him someone not to be underestimated. This was Xiao Yan.

"Venerable Feng, Brother Xiao Yan, how have you been?"

As the group approached, Lin Ming also stepped forward to greet them. He had a decent relationship with the Starfall Pavilion, and his relationship with Xiao Yan was a rather subtle friendship with a hint of direct competition.

"Sect Master Lin Ming, congratulations on the Five Elements Sect's establishment in the Middle Continent and its growing influence." Venerable Feng returned the greeting with a smile, his tone gentle.

Xiao Yan cupped his hands and smiled, "Big Brother Lin, every time we meet, you always cause quite a stir!"

Xiao Yan glanced around, sensing the wary gazes cast upon him from the shadows. He secretly admired Lin Ming's methods of establishing his authority here, and at the same time, his competitive spirit was reignited. He could sense that Lin Ming's strength seemed even more unfathomable.

Lin Ming naturally saw the fighting spirit in Xiao Yan's eyes and immediately laughed, "Brother Xiao Yan, you flatter me. I only dealt with a few annoying flies. As for you, your progress is rapid. It seems that the battle for the ruins will have another formidable opponent."

The two exchanged a smile, their competitive spirit unspoken, yet there was little animosity between them.

Immediately following, thunder rumbled across the sky as the Wind Thunder Pavilion's forces arrived riding on lightning, their momentum overwhelming; the Yellow Springs Pavilion's people, carrying a chilling, ghostly aura, silently appeared in the shadows; and the sword cultivators of the Myriad Sword Pavilion, before they even arrived, their sharp, soaring sword intent had already cleaved through the clouds...

Almost all of the major powers openly present in the Middle Continent have arrived, pushing the atmosphere in the Bone Mountain Range to an even more complex and tense level.

Among these forces, one group stands out: they are the remaining main force of the Profound Nether Sect.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a gloomy face, dressed in the robes of the Profound Nether Sect Master. His aura was powerful, clearly indicating that he had reached the Two-Star Peak Dou Venerate Chen Tiannan. He was none other than Profound Nether Sect Master!

As soon as he arrived, his sinister gaze, like that of a venomous snake, instantly locked onto Lin Ming in the center of the Five Elements Sect's headquarters.

The tragic fate of Great Elder Xuan Gu and the annihilation of the Blood Vulture Clan had already reached his ears. This was not just a simple loss of a Dou Venerate elder; it was a humiliation of his Profound Nether Sect! His heart was filled with Killing Intent, and he wished he could tear Lin Ming to pieces immediately to vent his hatred and at the same time reclaim that treasure land.

Chen Tiannan exuded a chilling aura, causing the surrounding space to freeze slightly. He led the Profound Nether Sect members, pressing aggressively towards the Five Elements Sect's stronghold.

However, faced with Chen Tiannan's undisguised Killing Intent, Lin Ming merely glanced at him indifferently, his eyes calm and unwavering, as if he were looking at an insignificant clown.

Lin Ming didn't even make any defensive or confrontational stance, continuing to talk quietly with Tang Zhen beside him.

This utter disregard fueled Chen Tiannan's rage far more than any verbal provocation.

But he was, after all, the Sect Master, with extremely deep cunning. Chen Tiannan forcibly suppressed the urge to attack immediately, staring intently at Lin Ming, his Soul Power sweeping out wildly, attempting to probe Lin Ming's true strength. But the result was the same as with the Elder Xuan Gu; his Soul Power was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, unable to detect Lin Ming's depths at all. Instead, from the depths of Lin Ming's calm gaze, he sensed a dangerous aura that made his very soul tremble!

"This boy... his strength is definitely far superior to mine!"

Chen Tiannan was deeply shocked. This conclusion was hard for him to believe, yet he had no choice but to accept it. In addition, the fluctuations of the ruins were becoming increasingly intense, clearly indicating that they were about to open. It would be unwise to engage in a deadly battle with a powerful enemy whose strength was unknown at this moment.

Weighing the pros and cons, Chen Tiannan's facial muscles twitched violently a few times, and finally he squeezed out a venomous sentence through gritted teeth. "Lin Ming! You killed my elder and insulted my sect! My Profound Nether Sect will remember this! We'll see about this!"

After saying that, Chen Tiannan forcibly suppressed his raging anger, waved his hand sharply, and led the Profound Nether Sect members, whose faces were full of resentment, to a place a little distance away from the Five Elements Sect's encampment. However, his resentful gaze would occasionally sweep towards the Five Elements Sect.

Lin Ming didn't even lift an eyelid at Chen Tiannan's harsh words. Why should he care about the wailing of a defeated dog?

The forces from the Middle Continent flocked to the region, and the Monster Beast Clan, as the host, naturally boasted an even more formidable lineup.

Suddenly, a clear and melodious phoenix cry rang out from the sky. A magnificent, colorful glow swept across the distant horizon, and within the glow, several figures stood proudly.

Most of them were handsome, with arrogant expressions, exuding a powerful aura and a noble quality derived from their bloodline. The leader was an old man with a vast aura, and his cultivation level had reached the Five-Star Dou Venerate level!

"It's the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan!"

"Elder Huang Xuan is leading the team!"

A low gasp of surprise rose from the crowd, filled with awe.

The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, one of the three overlords of the Magical Beast World, is renowned throughout the continent. Their arrival instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Huang Xuan's gaze swept indifferently over the dense crowd below, lingering for a moment on the pale white phantom of the ruins. Finally, his sharp gaze seemed to casually sweep over the Five Elements Sect's encampment, especially pausing briefly on Lin Ming and Zi Yan, a barely perceptible coldness flashing in his eyes.

Although the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan had not found any concrete evidence regarding the Fallen Phoenix Abyss, the seeds of suspicion had already been sown.

Immediately afterwards, the earth trembled faintly, and a cold, foul odor spread.

In the distance, from the Bone Sea, enormous black shadows snaked out, transforming into half-human, half-snake forms.

They were numerous and possessed formidable auras. The four leaders, in particular, exuded overwhelming Dou Venerate pressure! Especially the one in the middle, with a burly figure, a sinister face, and a clear Nether Serpent totem on his forehead, whose aura had reached the Four-Star Dou Venerate Peak! He was none other than a powerful member of the Nether Python Clan!

Because of Lin Ming's arrival, Qing Lin followed Lin Ming earlier and did not venture into the Beast Domain alone as in the original story, causing great damage to the Nether Python Clan, thus leaving them no time to attend to this Ancient Ruins.

Therefore, without any interference, the Nether Python Clan, as the local power, has dispatched quite a few elite troops, making for a rather impressive lineup!

The presence of four Dou Venerate, along with numerous Dou Zong and Dou Emperor Expert, even subtly overshadowed the newly arrived Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan!

The Four-Star Dou Venerate Peak swept his cold gaze across the entire arena. When he saw Qing Lin, his snake-like pupils contracted slightly. He seemed to sense a faint yet peculiar pressure emanating from Qing Lin's bloodline, which aroused a hint of doubt in his heart, but he did not dwell on it.

At this moment, his attention was mainly focused on the ruins that were about to be opened.

With the arrival of the two overlords, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nether Python Clan, other powerful Monster Beast Clan such as the Earth Tiger Clan and the Diamond Demon Ape Clan also made their appearances. The entire Bone Mountain Range was a gathering of heroes and a meeting of powerful forces!

Just as these various forces were becoming increasingly wary of each other, and the undercurrents of tension reached their peak—

"Buzz!!!!!"

An ancient, desolate hum, seemingly traversing endless Space-Time, suddenly resounded from the depths of that distorted, pale white space at the center of the Bone Mountain Range!

Immediately afterwards, everyone was shocked to see that the outline of the ancient palace, which had previously been just an illusion, began to solidify at a speed visible to the naked eye! An indescribable ancient, vast, and majestic pressure, like Giant Dragon had been sleeping for thousands of years awakening, suddenly spread out!

Above the sky, space rippled violently like water, creating countless waves! Huge Spatial Rift began to appear and disappear!

The ruins are finally about to open!