The Ruins' True Nature

"This cave is the entrance to the ruins."

Fang Linglong turned to look at everyone as she spoke.

The creatures instinctively used their divine senses to probe into the cave, but all they saw was complete darkness.

However, when everyone's divine senses extended only a few hundred feet away, they discovered an array that isolated their divine senses.

Everyone, including Fang Mu, withdrew their divine senses.

A female disciple asked, "Senior Sister Qinghe, did you explore this cave before?"

Fang Linglong said, "I went in alone before, but I was blocked when I got to the formation. It's a mid-grade Five Elements Defense Formation. If you can't destroy all five formation flags at the same time, you'll be attacked by the formation. The stronger your attack, the more terrifying the formation's counterattack will be."

Upon hearing this, everyone present did not hesitate for a moment and spoke in unison.

"Senior Sister Qinghe, let's go."

Although Fang Mu sensed something unusual about the cave, everyone agreed that he could only follow them inside to investigate.

If you really encounter trouble, just log out immediately.

"Good."

Fang Linglong took the lead and walked into the cave, with the others following closely behind.

Upon entering the cave, Fang Linglong took out a luminous pearl from her storage ring, illuminating the dark cave as if it were daytime.

The cave was initially very narrow, but after walking several hundred steps, it suddenly opened up into a bright and spacious area.

Along the way, Fang Mu looked around at the stone walls. It was a completely natural cave with no trace of human excavation.

There were no signs of any living person having been in the cave.

This is very abnormal.

Although this was Fang Mu's first time exploring the ruins with others, he had heard many of his fellow disciples at the Cloud Mist Sect talk about their experiences exploring the ruins.

Even the cave dwellings of the Heavenly Origin Realm are fraught with danger, but their journey had been far too peaceful, eerily quiet.

A moment later.

The group then arrived outside the Five Elements Formation.

This formation blocks the way forward; to advance any further, the formation must be broken.

Fang Linglong stopped and said, "Fang Mu, Li Bin, Yang Min, You Daniu."

"Exist."

Fang Mu and the other three responded in unison.

Fang Linglong said, "The five of us each possess treasures of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. In a moment, I will use the Heavenly Eye Talisman so that everyone can clearly see the five array flags of this Five Elements Array. Then, listen to my command and attack together to break the array. Remember, you must attack simultaneously. If anyone hesitates and causes the array to fail, I will not let them off lightly!"

Yang Min said, "Don't worry, Senior Sister Qinghe. This isn't our first time going out on training together. We definitely won't let you down."

Her words seemed to say nothing at all, but everyone present could tell she was implying something.

Fang Mu smiled and said, "Don't worry, senior brothers and sisters. My fire control technique is the best among the outer disciples of Pill Fire Peak, and it will definitely not affect you."

"Good."

Fang Linglong spoke, she took out a high-grade spirit talisman from her storage ring, casually cast a spell, and shouted, "Open the Heavenly Eye!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the talisman in her hand emitted Dao Light, and a huge eye appeared in mid-air.

As soon as the Heavenly Eye appeared, everyone present saw the five array flags within the formation.

"Ready to move."

Fang Linglong spoke, she drew her sword from her waist.

Clang!

With a sword's cry, Fang Linglong stood before the wooden array flag.

Fang Mu ignored the crowd and walked towards the Golden Array Flag, summoning his spiritual fire at the same time.

He communicated quietly in his mind with his divine sense and spiritual fire.

The other three also revealed their treasures.

Are you ready?

Fang Linglong asked this question specifically.

The four of them said in unison, "Ready?"

"Three, two, one, attack!"

Fang Linglong spoke, she slashed at the wooden array flag with the sword in her hand.

Fang Mu also unleashed his spiritual fire, and the three people beside him attacked simultaneously.

Rumble!

With a loud bang, the entire cave began to tremble violently.

There was no cave collapse, nor was there any attack from the formation.

"It's a success!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and everyone looked in the direction where the formation had been.

Before anyone present could even see the path behind the formation...

Fang Mu's mind suddenly went into alert mode. Just as he was about to speak up, a faint green glow began to emanate from the previously dark cave.

The surrounding environment has also undergone earth-shattering changes. The cave, which was originally empty, is now filled with corpses and white bones.

The natural cave has been transformed into a mountain altar.

The group of people present are currently located in the center of the altar.

The surrounding torches illuminated the murals on the surrounding stone walls, making them clearly visible.

The murals depict demons that no one had ever seen before.

Even though everyone present was an inner disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect, they were all shocked by what they saw.

"Oh no, that was an illusion! We're in big trouble!" You Daniu said in a panic, instinctively taking a half-step back.

Click!

He accidentally crushed a bone, startling everyone present and pulling them back to reality from their shock.

"This is no place to linger; leave quickly."

Fang Linglong made a quick decision, having no intention of staying here to search for treasures.

As soon as he finished speaking, a pale green light appeared on the altar, enveloping the entire altar.

In an instant, the dozen or so people on the altar became like birds in a cage.

"Oh no, this is a trap, Senior Sister. Where did you learn about this ruin?"

Yang Min looked at the light barrier around the altar and asked anxiously.

Fang Linglong remained unfazed. "Now is not the time to dwell on this issue. What we need to do is leave this place first."

Li Bin chimed in, "Senior Sister Qinghe is right. None of us should hold back; let's use all our strength to break this light barrier."

Although everyone was unhappy, they couldn't afford to start fighting amongst themselves now, so they chimed in, "That's the only way."

The cultivators displayed their unique abilities and took action one after another.

Rumble...

With each loud bang, the expressions of the cultivators present grew increasingly solemn.

The green light shield before them remained completely unmoved despite their full-force attack.

If things continue like this, even without any other unforeseen events, everyone present will be trapped and die on this altar.

Moreover, this altar could be opened at any time.

Half an hour later, Yang Min was the first to stop her attack and said, "Senior Sister, let's stop attacking this light barrier and use a communication talisman to ask the sect for help."

Upon hearing this, everyone present stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Fang Linglong.

Before Fang Linglong could speak, a despairing voice came from the crowd. "It's no use. I just tried to send a message using a communication talisman, but the message wouldn't go through."