Chapter 171: Hidden Card

Thanks to the recent sudden event that was more astonishing than dangerous, the members of the Spirit Shocking Sect, who had been wandering in the ruins for quite some time, decided to take a break and discuss the surrounding situation.

“Look at this, the level of destruction of the houses here is even worse than outside, and it’s not just a one-time annihilation. I fear it’s because these black cracks have been appearing year after year, eroding the building’s foundation until it finally collapsed.”

Aside from the two disciples standing on guard, the others formed a circle to replenish their energy with some dried food, while one of the chief disciples raised a hand to point to the surroundings.

“Have you all noticed? Since earlier, the surrounding weeds and bushes have gradually disappeared. It’s not that they’ve been destroyed; rather, there’s no trace they ever existed… This environment may no longer be suitable for plant growth. If that’s the case, then it’s the same for us humans.”

“Everyone, pay attention to your physical condition. If you feel anything off, be sure to say it immediately. Don’t push through.”

The pure girl who had just been rescued, once taken away along with Swallow and Shangguan Yao, hugged her knees and seemed a bit anxious.

“But Senior Brother, what can we do if we don’t push through? We can only leave the ruins if specific conditions are met, and the enemies behind us are relentlessly pursuing; we are currently stuck on a tiger’s back, with no path but to keep moving forward.”

Sensing her unease and anxiety, Swallow patted the shoulder of the girl she was close to and smiled slightly.

“What’s this? Miss Shen Xue is having second thoughts? Weren’t you just firmly declaring that the Endless Ruins Sea was nothing but a name, and you, a heavenly prodigy blessed by fortune, could handle it just fine~”

As she spoke, she deliberately pitched her voice higher, mimicking someone’s tone in a playful manner.

“Opportunities! Come quickly into my bowl!”

Having been teased about her earlier embarrassment, Shen Xue’s delicate face immediately flushed with visible red, and she playfully hit the girl with the braided hair a few times.

“You annoying Swallow! Wasn’t I just trying to cheer everyone on… Plus, I’m not really scared! It’s just that there are so many incomprehensible things here that make me feel a bit lost.”

“Teacher Mu previously said that survival in the Endless Ruins Sea is a slim chance, and we might not make it out alive. At that time, I was still somewhat doubtful, but now it really isn’t an exaggeration at all. Out of all the people we’ve met before, I’m afraid not many can leave this ruin alive, let alone speaking of the opportunities from the Spiritual Fox Priestess…”

“…”

Seemingly agreeing with her statement, the members of the Spirit Shocking Sect, except for a few, fell into a depressed silence.

Ultimately, while they were exceptional talents among millions, they were still quite young. They might accept fighting with others and life-and-death struggles, but confronting such an almost suffocating bizarre survival game inevitably left them feeling uncomfortable and restless.

Only someone like Swallow, who had reincarnated in two lives, could still maintain a calm attitude. Rather than being anxious, she seemed more focused on pondering and observing some things around her.

*Clap, clap.*

Noticing the reactions of everyone, the leading Teacher Mu timely clapped his hands, drawing the attention of these young people with a smile.

“A general’s success comes with thousands of bones lost; the path of cultivation is the same. Although the sect does not advocate using others as stepping stones, it’s precisely because cultivation is a road filled with obstacles and thorns that true strength is so rare in this world.”

“You youngsters need to cultivate your hearts first. If you cannot overcome the disturbances of various heart demons, even if you have the most exceptional talents, it will be in vain. The sect sends every new disciple to experience the Endless Ruins Sea to teach you a principle.”

Mu Ze’s expression turned serious as he spoke solemnly.

“The path against the heavens is like this ruin; once you step on it, there is no turning back… If you don’t move forward, you will perish.”

“…”

The so-called prodigies exchanged glances, left speechless for a moment.

“Take this time to think carefully. The way of heaven is merciless, treating all things like straw dogs. If you cannot strengthen your will and beliefs, you too will be eliminated… Swallow, come over here with me.”

“Okay, Teacher Mu.”

Leaving the temporary camp set up by the Spirit Shocking Sect, Mu Ze walked side by side with the braided-hairstyled girl to a place not too far from the others, but far enough to obscure most of their voices, stopping near the ruins of a building.

The middle-aged mentor, who appeared to be in his thirties, turned around and locked eyes with the girl’s still calm black gaze.

“Swallow, you seem a bit different lately.”

“…Teacher Mu, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

Mu Ze smiled but didn’t press on this somewhat enigmatic topic, changing the subject.

“Do you know where this is? I mean, this ruin.”

Furrowing her brows slightly, Swallow fell silent for a moment before giving a counter-question.

“Teacher Mu seems to know very well?”

“Yes.”

The mentor, who tied his signature azure hair into a short bundle, nodded, not adopting the same instructive attitude as with the other disciples but rather speaking lightly, as equals.

“I didn’t expect to see this scene again in the Endless Ruins Sea. Time flies; over a hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye.”

“No wonder the Open Heaven Gate mysteriously vanished after that night’s tragedy, leaving only such a massive pit. It was actually completely moved to within this Endless Ruins Sea by some extraordinary means, becoming one of the ruins…”

“Are you very familiar with the Open Heaven Gate?”

“No, just had a few encounters. After all, back then, this place was quite prestigious, with two sects having the same longevity, even overshadowing the national guardian sect, the Five Elements Sect.”

“It seems… they are the true Ferrymen, left behind by the Spiritual Fox Priestess. No wonder the mastery of the Open Heaven Palm is so terrifying.”

Nodding noncommittally, Swallow’s not overly stunning face remained calm.

“Teacher Mu, just say what you want. There’s no need to beat around the bush; we don’t have much time to waste.”

After deeply gazing at the braided girl for a moment, Mu Ze sighed lightly, nodded, and finally asked the question that had been brewing in his mind for a long time.

“Swallow, what is the relationship between Miss Vilyric and the Spiritual Fox Priestess?”

“…”

The girl did not respond immediately, and Mu Ze, as if knowing she wouldn’t just simply come out with it, continued to hypothesize.

“The tomb ruins in the Wangxi Basin were explored only because you strongly insisted, prompting Shangguan Hong and the others to go investigate. We all know you have a unique divination ability, and since you are always meticulous and steady in your actions, it’s precisely because of trust in this ability that Shangguan Hong listened to your advice and decided to act.”

“However, the Spirit Shocking Sect ultimately lost three disciples, including you, in that endeavor. Thankfully, it was with the help of Miss Vilyric that you managed to escape… To be honest, this feels a bit too strange.”

“You told Shangguan Hong that everyone would find some critically important opportunity in the tomb, but that mission didn’t bring you any substantial change. I’ve been thinking for a long time about the reason you insisted on entering the tomb… your real objectives.”

“What did the Spirit Shocking Sect, or you, gain from that disastrous mission?”

“The only thing I can think of is… the relationship.”

   

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