"According to the intelligence gathered by the sect, this Ancient Ruins was most likely used by some ancient force to test its disciples, and it is not very dangerous."
Chen Tianyuan continued.
"Of course, the situation in Ancient Ruins is complex, and no one can guarantee that everything will be foolproof."
He paused, his gaze falling on the faces of the nine people.
"Whether you go or not is entirely up to you. If you are willing to go, Vice Hall Master Chen Wanjun will take you to East Foothills Prefecture."
"If you do not wish to go, that is fine; the sect will not force you."
A brief silence fell over the hall.
Fang Han remained silent for a moment, then made up his mind.
Ancient Ruins, remnants from ancient times, contain precious cultivation techniques, Danyao, and rare and precious medicinal materials.
He naturally didn't want to miss such Opportunity.
Moreover, the danger is not high.
"This disciple is willing to go."
He spoke first, his voice steady and resolute.
"This disciple is also willing to go."
Luo Yuntian followed closely behind, his voice steady.
"This disciple is willing to go."
Yun Muyao's cool voice rang out.
Count me in.
Mad Butcher Tu grinned, a hint of anticipation in his smile.
"How could we miss such Opportunity?"
Chen Wuhen closed his folding fan, gently tapped his palm, and smiled.
Su Yuwei didn't speak, she just nodded slightly.
Mo Chen remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
Liu Ruyan said softly:
"I'll go too."
Wang Miao smiled:
"Everyone's going, so naturally I have to go too."
All nine people expressed their willingness to go.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Chen Tianyuan's eyes.
"Good."
He looked at Chen Wanjun beside him.
Chen Wanjun stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the nine people, and said in a deep voice.
"Since you are all willing to go, then go back and make preparations."
He paused, then continued.
"Meet at the mountain gate in three days and follow me to East Foothills Prefecture."
"Yes."
The nine people responded in unison.
Chen Wanjun nodded slightly and said nothing more.
Chen Tianyuan waved his hand. "Go."
The nine people rose, bowed, and left the main hall.
Stepping out of the hall, the morning light greeted them. The nine people returned to the True Transmission Courtyard True Transmission Courtyard, and upon arrival, they dispersed.
Fang Han's mind was racing.
Ancient Ruins, possibly left by cultivators...
What happened in this world long ago?
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
In the early morning, a gentle breeze carries the fragrance of grass and trees, as well as the unique coolness of the mountains.
Fang Han, dressed in a green robe, with the Cloudsplitter Sword hanging at his waist and a small bag slung over his back, walked out of the No. 35 Annex.
His bag contained several bottles of Danyao, some dry food and water, and the " Divine Speed Jade Talisman " bestowed upon him by the sect.
Qui Lan escorted Fang Han to the courtyard gate, bowing respectfully, "Senior Brother, please take care on your journey."
Fang Han nodded slightly, said nothing more, and with a flicker of his figure, he rushed towards the mountain gate.
When he arrived at the mountain gate, several people were already there.
Luo Yuntian stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a dark blue robe, his face calm and his aura steady.
Yun Muyao stood not far from him, wearing a plain white dress and a light veil covering her face, revealing only a pair of clear, cold eyes.
Mad Butcher Golden Saber sat imposingly on a rock, a massive, broad-bladed sword slung over his back, yawning listlessly.
Chen Wuhen stood under an ancient tree, gently waving a folding fan in his hand, his expression leisurely.
Su Yuwei stood beside him, dressed in a simple white dress, her face delicate and beautiful. She was looking down at the bluestone slabs beneath her feet, lost in thought.
Mo Chen leaned against a stone pillar at the mountain gate, arms crossed, expressionless.
Liu Ruyan and Wang Miao stood on the other side.
"Senior Brother Fang is here."
Wang Miao was the first to see him, nodded slightly, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips.
Although Fang Han is the youngest among all the True Disciple, because he ranks first on the General Ranking, the other True Disciple have to address him as senior brother.
"Junior Brother Wang."
Fang Han returned the greeting with a cupped hand and stood not far from Wang Miao.
He was deeply grateful to Wang Miao, who had helped him when he was still a nobody, and had a very good impression of her.
Before long, Chen Wanjun's figure appeared at the end of the mountain path.
Today he was dressed in a dark blue Elder's robe, with unique patterns embroidered in gold thread on the lapels and cuffs, highlighting his distinguished status.
He was slender with a thin face, but his eyes shone like morning stars.
His gaze swept over the nine people, and he nodded slightly:
"Everyone's here, let's go."
Without saying a word, he took the lead and walked towards the mountain gate.
The nine people followed closely behind, using their Body Movement to speed eastward along the official road.
"Could it be that he has broken through?"
Fang Han noticed that Luo Yuntian's Body Movement were more fluid than they had been a few months ago, and his aura was more composed.
A thought flickered in his mind, and he guessed that Luo Yuntian might have already broken through to the Third Grade.
In the evening, the group checked into a hotel in a city they passed through, and continued their journey the next day.
Two days later, the group entered the territory of East Foothills Prefecture and entered the mountains where the Ancient Ruins were located.
The mountains are steep and densely forested.
Chen Wanjun continued to lead the way, his steps steady, as if he were extremely familiar with this mountain forest.
The nine people followed closely behind, each using their own Body Movement to weave through the rocks and bushes.
"Roar--"
As they reached a canyon, a deep roar came from ahead.
A gigantic monster emerged from the bushes, resembling a wild boar but several times larger than an ordinary one.
Its fangs were like spears, its body was covered with dark gray mane, and its eyes gleamed with an eerie green light.
"It should be a Seventh Rank demon beast. Hand it over to me!"
Mad Butcher Tu grinned, his figure leaping forward first, his giant sword drawn, and he slashed down.
Before the monster could even react, it was cleaved in two by a single strike, its massive body crashing to the ground, spraying blood everywhere.
The group continued on their journey, encountering several more groups of demons along the way. None of them were particularly strong; the most powerful was only at the sixth rank.
The nine men took turns attacking, easily killing the target without wasting much time.
--
As they ventured deeper into the mountains, the monsters they encountered began to grow stronger.
A gigantic Python Demon, as thick as a water bucket, was coiled beside the stream. Its entire body was covered in jet-black scales, and its vertical pupils gleamed with Dark Gold light.
Judging from its aura, this Python Demon's strength is comparable to that of Fourth Grade martial artist.
"Pfft--!"
Yun Muyao drew her sword, its light flashing like a bolt of lightning. She fought the Python Demon for dozens of rounds before piercing its vital spot with her sword, killing it instantly.
After traveling a while longer, a monster resembling a giant ape leaped down from the treetops. Its arms were as thick as tree trunks, and its fists pounded the ground like drums, causing the ground to tremble slightly.
It should be a demonic creature comparable to a fifth-rank martial artist.
"Boom--!"
Chen Wuhen closed his folding fan, his figure elusive, and after a brief struggle with the giant ape, he struck it in the chest with a palm.
The giant ape's massive body crashed to the ground, and it fell silent.
Fang Han did not make a move; he simply walked at the back of the group, responsible for the safety of the rear.
These monsters don't require his intervention.
As the sun rises higher, sunlight filters through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
The group walked through an ancient, dense forest, where ancient trees reached for the sky, vines hung down, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of decaying leaves, soft and silent underfoot.
"Um?"
Fang Han was walking when he suddenly paused slightly.
According to the perception of < Thousand-Mile Soul Lock >, an aura is rapidly approaching from the front.
The aura was cold and violent, carrying a chilling sense of oppression, making it more powerful than any of the demons encountered before.
"Something big is coming; it should be a Rank Third Grade demon."
Fang Han spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.
Everyone paused, their gazes following Fang Han's line of sight.
A massive black shadow was rapidly approaching from the Fang Lin.
The figure moved with astonishing speed, weaving and leaping among the ancient trees, stirring up gusts of foul wind.
In just a few breaths, the figure appeared in everyone's sight.
It was a tiger-shaped demon, several times larger than an ordinary tiger, about three zhang long from head to tail, and half a zhang tall at the shoulder.
Its fur is Dark Gold with black stripes, and its eyes are also Dark Gold with upright pupils, revealing undisguised brutality and ferocity.
His aura was undisguised, radiating a terrifying presence.
Judging from its aura, this Tiger Demon's strength is comparable to that of Third Grade martial artist.
Fang Han placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to strike.
"Senior Brother Fang, let me do it."
Luo Yuntian's voice rang out beside him, steady and firm.
Fang Han turned his head and looked at Luo Yuntian.
His gaze was calm as he stared at the Tiger Demon, his eyes showing no fear, but rather a hint of... fighting spirit.
"Alright." Fang Han nodded slightly, loosened his grip on the sword hilt, and took a step back.
Luo Yuntian stepped forward, his right hand resting on the hilt of the longsword at his waist.
"Clang--"
The longsword was drawn from its sheath; its blade was pale blue, gleaming with a restrained luster in the sunlight.
The air seemed to freeze slightly where the sword's edge pointed.
At the same time, a deep and powerful aura suddenly erupted from his body.
Third Grade.
Just as Fang Han had guessed, he had already broken through to the Third Grade.
"Senior Brother Luo has broken through to the Third Grade!"
Sensing Luo Yuntian's aura, Yun Muyao and the others were slightly taken aback. Luo Yuntian had actually broken through to the Third Grade and was ahead of them.
The Tiger Demon seemed to sense Luo Yuntian's aura; its Dark Gold vertical pupils narrowed slightly, and a low growl escaped its throat.
The next moment, it moved.
With its four claws pushing off the ground, its massive body transformed into a Dark Gold lightning bolt, hurtling straight towards Luo Yuntian.
The claws Void Sundering, emitting a piercing shriek.
Luo Yuntian's eyes narrowed, and instead of retreating, he advanced.
He held his longsword horizontally in front of him and unleashed a slash.
"Clang--!"
The sound of metal clashing rang out, sparks flying everywhere.
The Tiger Demon's forward lunge was abruptly halted, and it staggered back several steps.
Luo Yuntian also took two steps back, leaving deep footprints on the ground.
He gave the Tiger Demon no chance to catch its breath, and moved again, his longsword transforming into streaks of azure sword light that enveloped the Tiger Demon.
The Sword Intent was steady and unhurried, yet it possessed a meticulous and flawless quality.
The Tiger Demon roared repeatedly, using its claws, fangs, and steel tail in a fierce attack like a storm.
However, Luo Yuntian's Sword Technique was as steady as a mountain, always able to deflect the Tiger Demon's attacks at the last possible moment and seize the opportunity to counterattack.
"Clang clang clang--"
The sounds of metal clashing rang out in rapid succession, sword light and claw shadows intertwined, and energy surged in all directions.
Fang Han watched quietly, making his own assessment.
Although Luo Yuntian has not yet grasped the Sword Intent Sword Technique, he has already Perfection Realm a top-tier Sword Technique, achieving complete control over "momentum".
With his cultivation at the Third Grade Early Stage, he was able to fight the Tiger Demon without being at a disadvantage.
However, it's not possible to quickly subdue this Tiger Demon.
The Tiger Demon was not only enormous in size, but also extremely strong in defense. Although Luo Yuntian's sword could leave wounds on its body, it was difficult to kill it.