The three of them sped deeper into the ruins, with Helian Tieshan leading the way. His steps were steady, each one firm and powerful.
Although his body had only just recovered from ten thousand years of demonic energy erosion, the aura belonging to a peak Earthly Supreme was already slowly returning, like a retempered sword gradually revealing its edge.
"The end of the second passage is ahead." Helian Tieshan stopped and pointed at an ancient stone door before them.
"Beyond this door lies the core area of the ruins—the Darkness Temple. Lord Black Emperor cultivated here back then, and it was also where he stored his most important treasures."
Lin Langtian examined the stone door. It stood a hundred feet tall, completely black, its surface carved with countless intricate runes that faintly emitted a dim glow.
Those runes were exactly like the ones he had seen on the Light Screen before, only more complicated and more profound, as though they contained some supreme truth of heaven and earth.
"There's a restriction on this door?" Lin Langtian asked.
Helian Tieshan nodded and pressed his palm against the stone door. "There is, but I know it well. Back then, I helped set up part of the restrictions in these ruins."
A dark-red glow lit up in his palm. It was the radiance of his own spiritual power.
The light spread along the rune patterns on the stone door, like igniting slumbering fire dragons one after another.
The runes began to flicker and emit a low hum, as though they were identifying Helian Tieshan.
A moment later, the restriction activated.
"Crack, crack, crack..."
The stone door slowly opened, dim light spilling through the gap along with an ancient, vast aura.
Helian Tieshan withdrew his hand, turned to Lin Langtian, and grinned. "Let's go.