63: The Shadow of the Dark Ruins, the Opportunity for the Three Women

The destructive energy from the collapse of the Earth Vein was like maggots clinging to bone, relentlessly pursuing the four people rushing out of the passage. Lin Xuan fully channeled his Mid-stage Golden Core magic power, transforming it into a solid golden-green barrier that firmly protected Su Wanqing, Qu Feiyan, and Gongsun Yu. He forcefully withstood the energy turbulence and collapsing impact sweeping in from behind, struggling toward the surface shrouded in gray mist like a small boat in a raging sea.

“Rumble!”

A deep, muffled roar came from behind them. The entrance to the pipe they had rushed out of completely collapsed and annihilated, forming an energy vortex that continuously swallowed the surrounding matter. It only gradually subsided after a long time, leaving behind a shocking deep pit.

The four landed on a relatively intact giant flying eave, catching their breath slightly. Looking back, the space in that area appeared somewhat distorted. The methods of the Guixu Cult intertwined with the residual might of the Earth Vein collapse, forming a temporary dead zone.

“That was close...” Gongsun Yu patted her chest, her pretty face still pale. The world-destroying scene just now was truly terrifying. She looked at Lin Xuan, her beautiful eyes filled with reliance and gratitude. If Lin Xuan hadn't broken through in time and protected them with powerful magic power, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Although Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan appeared calm, a trace of lingering fear remained in their eyes. Their gazes were mostly fixed on Lin Xuan, sensing his increasingly unfathomable yet perfectly restrained aura. While feeling secure, they secretly clenched their jade hands. Lin Xuan's speed of advancement was astonishing, and they did not wish to fall too far behind and become a burden.

Lin Xuan quickly calmed the Qi and blood that had slightly churned from resisting the impact, and his sharp gaze scanned the surroundings. The collapse of the Earth Vein core seemed to have temporarily interfered with the locking mechanism of those three black shadows. The surrounding dense fog churned, but their traces did not immediately appear. However, he could sense a larger, colder malice, like a spiderweb, enveloping the ruins and being rewoven.

“We shouldn't stay here long; those three ghostly things could catch up at any time,” Lin Xuan said solemnly. At the same time, he spread his Divine Sense out to its maximum extent. The coverage and precision of his Mid-stage Golden Core Divine Sense far exceeded the past, and he immediately detected an anomaly. “To the northeast, about three li away, there is an area where the energy fluctuations are relatively ‘clean.’ It seems to be a side hall that hasn't been completely eroded. Let's take temporary shelter there. You also need time to stabilize your cultivation and digest what you've gained this time.”

He deliberately softened his tone, his gaze sweeping over the Three women. Although the journey into the Earth Vein was fraught with danger, the slight amount of pure Primordial Beginning Qi scattered during the Earth Vein collapse, as well as the pressure of being on the brink of death, all had a catalytic effect on their cultivation. He had broken through to Mid-stage Golden Core, and the Three women had also reached their respective critical moments.

Su Wanqing nodded slightly. She indeed felt the Taiyin Power within her body was unusually active, blending with the ancient aura she had previously absorbed, as if touching an invisible membrane. Qu Feiyan's seductive eyes shifted. She had faintly felt the loosening of her Seduction Skill Bottleneck while at the Earth Vein core, and now she needed a safe environment to carefully comprehend it. Although Gongsun Yu's cultivation was slightly inferior, her Thunder Dharma had become increasingly refined while battling evil entities, and she also needed time to settle.

“We will leave it entirely to Senior Brother Lin (Big Brother Lin) to decide.” the Three women replied in unison.

Lin Xuan nodded, no longer hesitating. He chose a direction and shot out first. He did not fly at full speed, but maintained a pace that allowed the Three women to follow easily, while using his powerful Divine Sense to preemptively avoid scattered demonic creatures and energy traps lurking in the mist.

Before long, the fog ahead thinned slightly, and the outline of a hall half-buried in the ruins was vaguely visible. The hall was relatively well-preserved, built entirely of a bluish-black giant stone, with an ancient and heavy style, distinct from the surrounding ornate but dilapidated Immortal Palace structures. At the entrance stood two indistinct stone carvings of strange beasts, emitting a faint aura that resisted evil entities.

“This is it.” Lin Xuan landed first in front of the hall door. He carefully investigated, confirming there were no powerful Restrictions or demonic creatures lurking, only a faint, self-regulating protective force field. He channeled his Golden Core magic power, and with a gentle touch, the force field rippled open, creating an entrance.

The four quickly entered the hall. The interior space was small and simply furnished, with only a few stone beds and a cushion, all covered in dust. However, the air was relatively fresh, and the suffocating sense of decay had faded significantly. Several long-dimmed Luminous Pearls were embedded in the ceiling, providing faint light.

“The force field here can isolate external detection and filth to some extent. Let's make the most of the time,” Lin Xuan said to the Three women after setting up a few simple warning Restrictions.

Su Wanqing found a corner and immediately sat cross-legged. Taiyin Moon Essence spontaneously emerged, flowing with clear radiance. Her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she fully guided the restless power within her body, attempting to charge the Bottleneck of the Early Golden Core Stage.

Qu Feiyan chose the other side. She did not immediately Cultivate. Instead, she extended a slender finger and gently brushed the cold stone wall, her seductive eyes slightly closed. She seemed to be sensing the traces of time remaining in this ancient hall and a certain spiritual imprint. Her aura became erratic, as if she were engaging in a silent communication with some ancient entity—this was her unique method of Comprehension Ability.

Seeing that both of her older sisters had entered their states, Gongsun Yu quickly sat down as well. She summoned the thunder light silver ring, activating the thunder power within it to repeatedly refine her Golden Core and Meridians, consolidating her Early Stage False Core cultivation and attempting to advance toward the Realm of Perfection.

Lin Xuan stood guard near the hall entrance, simultaneously watching the outside and observing his inner self. He was not rushing to Break through to a higher Realm, but was carefully comprehending the changes in his Mid-stage Golden Core power, as well as the wisp of dark gold Earth Vein Origin that had merged into his Golden Core. This wisp of Origin was exceptionally gentle, subtly nourishing his Golden Core and Physical Body, making his Foundation more robust and his perception of the power of the earth much more acute. He needed time to fully integrate it and solidify his Foundation.

Silence temporarily returned inside the ancient hall, with only four auras of varying strengths slowly circulating. Outside the gray mist, the shadow of the Guixu Cult still lingered, and a greater storm was brewing. But for Su Wanqing, Qu Feiyan, and Gongsun Yu, this brief period of calm was exactly the opportunity for a Breakthrough that they urgently needed. Whether they could seize it depended on their individual destiny and Comprehension Ability.