The teleportation array leading into the Ancient Ruins Battlefield stood in a great hall within the city.
About half an incense stick later, Xu Yan arrived before the hall. Like the city walls, it was dark blue-black from top to bottom, giving it an ancient, timeworn air.
The space before the hall was already packed with cultivators. A cursory glance revealed several hundred of them.
Most had gathered in groups of two or three. Only a dozen or so rogue cultivators stood alone, and even the weakest among them was at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.
Two stern-faced elders stood at the entrance. One wore a Daoist robe bearing the emblem of the Spirit Sword Sect and held a small flag glowing faintly blue.
The other elder wore a cloud-colored Daoist robe, with a Purple Jade Gourd hanging at his waist and an ocher compass clutched in his thin, withered right hand.
Both of them are Foundation Establishment cultivators! Xu Yan's heart tightened, and he quietly moved to the back of the line.
He had barely stopped when the rogue cultivators beside him began talking.
"The Six Sects take turns guarding this Ancient Teleportation Array, replacing the cultivators stationed here every ten years. These two Foundation Establishment seniors are Daoist Ancient Jade of the Spirit Sword Sect and Senior Yu Qianji of the Ascension Gate," one rogue cultivator explained, turning toward his companion.
"Senior Ancient Jade and Senior Yu are both at the Foundation Establishment early stage. Their magic power is formidable, and they're stationed here to keep petty villains from causing trouble."
The rogue cultivator who had spoken earlier continued his explanation.
But as soon as he finished, another rogue cultivator beside him spat lightly and gave a cold chuckle. "Heh, once you find something truly valuable in