Chapter 38: The Escape

The moment Zhao Wuyuan was beaten to the punch, his rage soared, stirring up billowing dust as if a mad dragon were rampaging across the heavens. The martial artists who had followed him were equally stunned, their expressions frozen in shock.

Immediately after, like strings being plucked, they followed in Zhao Wuyuan’s footsteps, stepping into the ruins filled with mystery and opportunity. Once they vanished into the depths of the ruins, the remaining people revealed their own excitement and anticipation, eager to explore this unknown world.

Within Gu Ningyun’s group, only Han Feng appeared excited and impatient. Lin Fan and Gu Ningyun, however, remained calm. They exchanged a glance, as if seeing a hint of caution in each other’s eyes.

Gu Ningyun asked softly, "Should we still wade into these murky waters?"

Han Feng, growing somewhat anxious, hurriedly replied, "Miss Ningyun, those who broke in earlier are not to be underestimated, and since Zhao Wuyuan and his group are entangled with them, we may well have a chance to obtain the Spiritual Essence. The Zhao family is strong, but if we obtain the essence and refine it, the power within it alone would likely be enough to turn our wristbands purple. By then, once we enter the Hundred Sects, we won't need to care about the Zhao family at all."

Hearing this, Lin Fan could not help but glance at him. Ever since reaching the Yuan Mansion stage, Han Feng had developed a strange, inexplicable confidence. Lin Fan could not even tell if this confidence had always been hidden deep within him or if it was born only after his breakthrough. Nevertheless, there was some truth to what Han Feng said.

Lin Fan nodded at Gu Ningyun and said, "Brother Han Feng is right. Most of those who went in earlier are likely looking to fish in troubled waters. If others can do it, why can't we? However, we must be careful. For the sake of safety, I suggest leaving some people behind, and Ningxiang should not enter either."

Gu Ningyun agreed with Lin Fan’s suggestion immediately; it was her own thought as well, though she had wanted to see if Lin Fan would back down. In the face of immense profit, no one can remain entirely clear-headed. Such opportunities in the assessment grounds were meant to be fought for.

"Very well. You few, stay behind. Ningxiang, you stay outside as well. Do not wander too far, do you understand?"

Gu Ningyun’s decisive nature prompted immediate compliance from those around her. In a place where no one was watching, Han Feng subconsciously frowned slightly. After giving her orders, Gu Ningyun led Lin Fan, Han Feng, and the others into the ruins.

The interior of the ruins was exceptionally dim, the ancient stone walls covered in spreading moss. Every step felt as if it were treading upon the dust of history. The air was thick with dampness and the smell of mildew, though for martial artists like them, this was of little consequence.

Lin Fan followed closely behind Gu Ningyun, his heart filled with curiosity and anticipation. These ruins were the place where a powerful Spirit Soul stage expert had passed away; they were bound to hide many secrets and treasures. Along the way, they saw many signs of fighting, and even corpses lay scattered about. Clearly, these people had begun turning on each other before they had even encountered any treasures.

As they delved deeper, Gu Ningyun suddenly stopped. Several openings appeared in the stone wall ahead, each one pitch-black, as if leading to another world. These tunnel entrances were carved with strange symbols, which seemed to be a form of ancient guidance.

"It seems there are many passages within these ruins. We must choose carefully." Gu Ningyun’s voice was low and steady. Her gaze swept across the entrances, searching for a clue. Lin Fan and the others also stared at the passages, knowing that every choice could be a matter of life and death. A wrong decision would not only cost them the chance to obtain treasures but could also lead them into unknown peril.

Lin Fan approached one of the passages. He reached out a finger to touch the symbols, and after closing his eyes to sense them for a moment, he spoke: "These symbols seem to be endowed with different meanings. They don't look like they are guiding us to a 'correct' path, but rather giving us hints. I suspect that all these passages eventually lead to the center of the ruins. This, I imagine, is an opportunity left for us by this powerful expert—a choice for us to make."

Gu Ningyun nodded, signaling for everyone to remain alert. She then led the way into one of the passages, with Lin Fan and Han Feng following close behind, and the others filing in one by one.

The passage wound and twisted, the torchlight on the walls flickering, casting dancing shadows. The air was filled with the scent of age and humidity, and everyone’s heartbeat echoed in the silence along with their footsteps. Before long, they arrived at a spacious underground chamber. In the center stood a stone platform holding several items, covered by a faint curtain of light—clearly some form of defensive mechanism.

Han Feng moved first. He lunged toward the platform and reached out to grab a long halberd radiating a cold, sharp gleam.

"Don't move!"

Before the words had even left Lin Fan’s lips, Han Feng’s hand had already touched the light barrier.

Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the entire chamber, accompanied by a roar as if something were awakening. Gu Ningyun’s expression changed. She knew that opportunity and danger were inseparable. This sound likely meant that Han Feng had triggered some kind of trap or guardian beast.

*Crack!*

Suddenly, the ground fissured, and a figure lunged out from beneath the earth. When the group clearly saw what it was, everyone was struck with horror. It was a humanoid puppet. Its dark, lustrous skin seemed forged from the finest mysterious iron, and its entire body was suffused with a terrifying aura—it was a veritable killing machine. Its eyes suddenly lit up with a ghostly blue light, cold and heartless, like bottomless black holes that no one dared to look into.

Before the group could recover from their shock, the puppet moved. Its actions were exceptionally swift; with every step it took, it seemed ready to shatter the ancient stone floor. Lin Fan gripped his Fire Kylin Sword tightly. Feeling the power surging from it, his eyes grew firm—he knew he could not afford to shrink back now.

Gu Ningyun immediately issued a command: "Attack! Do not let it get close to you!"

Hearing her orders, the group immediately sprang into action. They unleashed their respective spiritual techniques, launching an assault at the humanoid puppet. Lin Fan brandished his Fire Kylin Sword, the sword light flickering as it transformed into waves of fiery tornadoes that swept toward the puppet. The others were not to be outdone, unleashing various techniques that surrounded the puppet from all sides.

However, the puppet’s speed was too great. Its fists struck out like a tempest, beating back every attack. Its body seemed indestructible; no matter how powerful the strike, it remained unaffected.

Gu Ningyun grew secretly anxious. She knew that if they did not deal with this puppet quickly, more dangers would arise. After all, such a commotion would surely attract the attention of others. She did not know if the passages were interconnected, nor did she know if anyone was following them. Therefore, she decided to unleash her full strength in hopes of a killing blow.

Gu Ningyun took a deep breath, her hands forming seals as she chanted. Instantly, a massive magic array appeared behind her, emitting a dazzling light. Her body was enveloped in a terrifying energy, and her aura surged instantly.

"Break!"

Gu Ningyun gave a sharp cry, and a brilliant beam of light shot out from the array, heading straight for the humanoid puppet. Wherever the beam passed, the air was torn asunder, emitting a shrill whistle. Everyone held their breath, watching the battlefield intently.

*A Profound-grade spiritual technique!*

Lin Fan was secretly shocked, not expecting Gu Ningyun to unleash a Profound-grade technique. Yet, just as the beam was about to strike the puppet, it vanished from its spot and reappeared behind Gu Ningyun.

The group cried out in alarm, warning her to be careful. Gu Ningyun’s face changed, and she turned in a hurry, but it was already too late. The puppet’s fist slammed into her chest, sending her flying. The others rushed forward to help her up. She coughed up a trace of blood, her face pale—it was clear she had been severely injured.

"Han Feng, are you still not planning to use your full strength?" Lin Fan’s cold gaze fell upon Han Feng as he spoke in a low, stern voice. Ever since the battle began, this man had acted as if he had lost his Yuan Mansion stage strength, appearing to be slacking off and never giving his all.

Hearing Lin Fan’s rebuke, Han Feng’s eyes flickered. He glanced at the long halberd, which was no longer protected by the light barrier, then suddenly darted forward, snatched it from the stone platform, and sprinted toward the chamber exit without looking back.

"Scoundrel! That damn bastard!"

Seeing this, Lin Fan was incensed. He had long noticed that something was off with Han Feng, but as an outsider to their group, he hadn't spoken up. He never imagined that after stepping into the Yuan Mansion stage, this man would truly harbor ulterior motives.

Unfortunately, Han Feng was too fast, and the puppet’s focus seemed to be on the majority of the group, so it did not pursue him. Consequently, Lin Fan and the others were forced to face a puppet capable of gravely wounding a Yuan Mansion stage expert without Gu Ningyun’s help.

"Hmm?"

As the others struggled desperately, Lin Fan stood his ground, his eyes meticulously searching every inch of the chamber. The powerful Spirit Soul stage master who had died here could not have hidden this puppet merely to slaughter those who came after; it was more likely a test to see if those who followed were worthy of inheriting his legacy.

Furthermore, Lin Fan guessed that the master must have anticipated that latecomers might not be a match for the puppet and would need to find a clever way to bypass it. Therefore, there must be something in this chamber capable of using finesse to break the puppet.

"Found it. This is it!"