Far North

On Douluo Continent, ruins often represented opportunities and treasures.

For example, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was a ruin formed after the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings fell.

There were also the inheritance grounds of various deities, such as the Capital of Slaughter, which, strictly speaking, also counted as ruins.

Of course, those ruins held tremendous opportunities, while ordinary ruins might yield nothing more than a storage Soul Tool...

Shui Rouyun inviting him to explore a ruin with her was something Yu Mingxiao had never expected.

He would definitely go. Regardless of what opportunities the ruin contained, going out for a trip would count as worthwhile training.

With that in mind, Yu Mingxiao said, "Father, I am very interested in that ruin."

"I knew you would be interested." The corners of Yu Yuanzhen's lips rose in a knowing smile. "Then I'll have the Fourth Elder accompany you. He can protect you as well."

"After all, you'll be exploring it with the Water Clan. Although they have remained friendly toward our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, when traveling outside, one can never truly know another's heart. It is always wise to stay on guard."

Yu Mingxiao said softly, "I understand. Then please have Fourth Uncle come over as soon as possible. We will depart immediately."

The Fourth Elder was Yu Luocheng, the one who had awakened the Martial Souls of Yu Mingxiao and Yu Xiaogang back then. He possessed the strength of a Soul Saint and had a steady, dependable temperament.

Just as Yu Luomian and the others left the Sect Master Mansion, Fourth Elder Yu Luocheng received the news and hurried over at once.

"Sect Master, why did you summon me?"

Yu Luocheng glanced at Yu Mingxiao, quickly withdrew his gaze, and turned to Yu Yuanzhen.

Yu Yuanzhen said evenly, "Fourth Brother, Mingxiao received a letter from the Water Clan inviting him to the Far North to explore a ruin together. I'll have to trouble you to escort him."

"Sect Master, if the Water Clan discovered a ruin, why would they not explore it themselves? Why invite Mingxiao?"

Yu Luocheng's tone carried some confusion.

He knew that although Yu Mingxiao had some ties with the Water Clan, they were not particularly close. How had things reached the point where they would share such an opportunity with him?

Yu Yuanzhen shook his head. "I do not know. Go with Mingxiao and find out what is going on."

"Sect Master, when shall we depart?" Yu Luocheng suppressed his doubts and asked in a deep voice.

Yu Mingxiao said, "Fourth Uncle, time is of the essence. Now."

"Indeed. You and Mingxiao should leave at once. Opportunities in ruins are rare; do not arrive too late and miss out on all the benefits." Yu Yuanzhen smiled.

Yu Luocheng nodded lightly, cupped his hands in farewell, and left the Sect Master Mansion with Yu Mingxiao.

The Far North was a long way from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

To arrive as quickly as possible, Yu Luocheng activated his Martial Soul Avatar and carried Yu Mingxiao through the air for an entire day and night. They then switched to a carriage and spent another three days before finally reaching the outermost edge of the Far North.

Here, they could already see endless stretches of white snow, while the piercing cold wind cut across their bodies like blades.

Yu Mingxiao hurriedly took out a tiger-fur coat from his Soul Tool and put it on.

It was made from the hide of a Ten Thousand Year Flame Tiger and still retained fire-element energy. It was usually unbearably hot to wear, but in the Far North, it was perfectly suited for the weather.

Naturally, he had not come to the Far North unprepared.

"Mingxiao, did the Water Clan mention the exact location when they invited you here?" Yu Luocheng turned and asked.

Yu Mingxiao said, "No. The Far North is vast and boundless, a forbidden zone for humans. There are almost no notable landmarks, so there was no way to explain the exact location."

"What do we do now?" Yu Luocheng frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice.

Yu Mingxiao said, "Since the Water Clan invited me here, they will definitely have sent someone to meet us at the entrance. That person should be nearby. Let's look around."

Just then, the wind and snow suddenly intensified ahead, and a figure emerged amid the blizzard.

The person noticed Yu Mingxiao and Yu Luocheng, raised a hand in greeting, and walked straight toward them with a smile. "Are you two friends from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

"We are from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Are you from the Water Clan?"

Yu Luocheng's eyes lit up, and he hurried toward the man alongside Yu Mingxiao.

"I am Shui Hang, an elder of the Water Clan. This young friend must be the young sect master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Truly young and promising."

Shui Hang approached them with a courteous tone that also carried a trace of respect.

"You flatter me, Elder Shui. May I ask where the ruin is?" Yu Mingxiao got straight to the point.

Shui Hang smiled faintly and gestured ahead. "Please, follow me."

The two followed Shui Hang into the Far North.

Around three hours later, the three of them stopped before a towering snow-covered mountain.

"The ruin is on this mountain. We discovered it by chance." Shui Hang pointed at the mountain before them.

At that moment, two graceful figures descended from the mountain. They were none other than the mother and daughter, Shui Rouyun and Shui Xiwei.

"Young Sect Master Yu, you have finally arrived." Shui Rouyun spoke with a smile.

Yu Mingxiao said, "I apologize for making you wait, Senior. There is no need to call me Young Sect Master. Just call me Mingxiao."

"Haha, then I shall presume upon our familiarity and call you Mingxiao directly. And do not keep calling me Senior. You are making me sound old. From now on, just call me Aunt Shui." Shui Rouyun smiled warmly.

"Headmaster Shui, shall we go up the mountain and take a look at the ruin?" Yu Luocheng interjected.

"And you are?" Shui Rouyun asked, looking puzzled.

"This is my Fourth Uncle, the Fourth Elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Luocheng," Yu Mingxiao introduced.

"So you are the Fourth Elder. Please forgive my earlier discourtesy." Shui Rouyun gave a slight bow, then raised her hand to lead the way. "Please follow me."

A short while later, the group stopped before an enormous stone gate set within a hollow on the mountainside at the rear of the mountain.

The gate was more than a hundred meters wide and nearly a thousand meters tall, imposing and majestic, ancient and heavy.

Strangely, there was not a trace of snow in this small area around the gate, nor could they feel the slightest chill. Instead, it was exceptionally warm, as though they were basking beneath the sun.

Some obscure symbols were carved into the stone gate, resembling an ancient script.

At the top of the gate was an embedded gemstone as smooth as a mirror.

"This gate has not been opened yet?" Yu Mingxiao blinked and could not help asking.

"This gate is extraordinarily sturdy. We have tried many methods, but still could not open it." Shui Rouyun shook her head helplessly, worry written across her face.

That was also why she had written to Yu Mingxiao.

She could not open the gate herself, yet she was unwilling to give up on this ruin, so she had no choice but to seek outside assistance.

At the same time, she wanted to use this opportunity to give Shui Xiwei and Yu Mingxiao more chances to spend time together.

Yu Luocheng frowned. "Is it impossible to break open a hole?"

"The material of this stone gate is very unusual. Even using all my strength, I could not break through even a small hole." Shui Rouyun shook her head gently.

"Perhaps your ice attribute is not powerful enough. Let me try. Stand back!"

Yu Luocheng waved everyone away. His Martial Soul instantly possessed him as he unleashed several bolts of lightning at the stone gate.

Boom—

The lightning struck the stone gate, sending out several thunderous blasts.

Yet aside from a few scorch marks, the stone gate remained completely undamaged.