33: The entrance to the ruins and the gathering of people

Deep within Demon Flame Valley, in the basin at the foot of the volcano, the atmosphere was tense.

The arrival of Xiao Chen and his group immediately attracted everyone's attention. When they saw Hai Bodong, many people's expressions subtly changed, clearly recognizing the "Ice Emperor" of the Jia Ma Empire.

"Hai Bodong? Why is he here too?"

"It's the Mittel Family! That woman is Ya Fei!"

"And Mo Chen from the City Lord's Mansion... Who is that boy? Why does he have no Dou Qi at all?"

Whispers rose, and various gazes scanned the four individuals, some wary, some curious, and some malicious.

Xiao Chen's Soul Scan quickly swept across the entire scene, and his heart tightened. The forces gathered here were even more numerous than he had imagined!

Besides the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect he had encountered earlier (Xie Biyan leading two Dou Ling Elders and a group of subordinates), there were also several powerful forces clearly native to the Black-Corner Region:

A group of individuals dressed in black robes with a sinister aura, likely from the "Black Emperor Sect." The aura of the elder leading them was unfathomably deep, at least a Four-Star Dou Ling!

Another group consisted of burly men dressed in animal skins, with fierce eyes, from the "Mad Lion Gang." The leader was a one-eyed brute with a wild aura, also of the Dou Ling level!

There were also a few scattered, powerful lone cultivators, clearly not to be trifled with.

What concerned Xiao Chen the most was a group of people standing on the periphery. They wore uniform moon-white robes with a cloud-and-silver-sword emblem embroidered on their sleeves—the Yunlan Sect! The leader was a stern-faced, arrogant-eyed middle-aged man, whose aura had also reached the Dou Ling level! He was accompanied by several Great Dou Masters and Dou Shi (Fighting Masters).

"The Yunlan Sect really came..." Xiao Chen's eyes slightly chilled, and he subconsciously restrained his aura, lowering his head a bit. He didn't want to expose himself to the Yunlan Sect too early.

Ya Fei whispered to Hai Bodong, "Elder Hai, the situation is more complex than expected. The Black Emperor Sect, the Mad Lion Gang, and even the Yunlan Sect are here..."

Hai Bodong's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly, "No matter. The ruins haven't opened yet; they won't act rashly. Let's find a place to settle down first."

The four found a relatively secluded corner and stopped. Hai Bodong released a faint Dou Ling pressure, deterring the malicious gazes around them.

Xiao Chen, meanwhile, secretly observed the massive rift. The rift was about ten zhang wide and bottomless, its edges emitting distorted spatial fluctuations and an ancient, vicissitudes of life aura. His Soul Scan attempted to probe it but was blocked by a powerful restrictive force.

"System, Scan the rift entrance!" Xiao Chen commanded in his mind.

"[Scan: Ancient Ruin Entrance (Seal Loosened)]"

"[Status]: Spatial passage unstable, powerful restrictions present, energy chaotic."

"[Danger Level]: High! Forcible entry may result in being torn apart by spatial turbulence or triggering restrictive attacks."

"[Activation Conditions]: Requires specific soul fluctuations or an energy key for guidance."

"[System Evaluation]: Suspected outer entrance to the 'Illusory Spirit Realm'. Host's current soul strength (Spirit Movement Late-stage) barely meets the minimum activation threshold, but the risk is extremely high. It is recommended to wait for an opportune moment or find a safer method."

Indeed! Soul fluctuations were the key! Xiao Chen understood. It seemed Ya Fei had brought the right person by bringing him.

Just then, the black-robed elder from the Black Emperor Sect slowly walked to the edge of the rift and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Everyone, since everyone is here, let's not waste time. I'm sure you've all tried the restrictions at this ruin entrance, and no one can open it alone. How about we join forces and first break through this turtle shell?"

The one-eyed brute from the Mad Lion Gang rumbled, "Old Man Hei Ku, you say it so easily! Join forces? What happens after the restrictions are broken? How will the contents inside be divided?"

Xie Biyan also sneered, "Exactly! Who knows if your Black Emperor Sect will stab us in the back?"

The black-robed elder (Black Skull) chuckled, "Once the restrictions are broken, it's every man for himself! As for stabbing in the back... Hehe, who here isn't thinking the same? But if we can't even break the restrictions, everyone will have come for nothing! Are you willing to accept that?"

Everyone fell silent. Indeed, these ruin restrictions were extremely powerful; they had all tried before and couldn't budge them in the slightest.

The stern middle-aged man from the Yunlan Sect spoke, "We can join forces. But rules must be established! During the breaking of the restrictions, no one shall attack an ally! Violators will be attacked by everyone!"

"Agreed!"

"I agree!"

The leaders of the other factions pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement. For now, breaking the restrictions was the primary goal.

"Good!" Old Man Hei Ku nodded, "In that case, let each of us send one Dou Ling, and we will jointly attack the weakest point of the restrictions! The others will be responsible for vigilance, preventing anyone from causing trouble!"

Soon, Old Man Hei Ku from the Black Emperor Sect, Mad Lion, the one-eyed brute from the Mad Lion Gang, Xie Shan, a Dou Ling Elder from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, Ge Ye, the stern middle-aged man from the Yunlan Sect, and Hai Bodong—five Dou Ling powerhouses—stepped forward and walked to the edge of the rift.

Five Dou Ling! This power was enough to sweep across a small empire!

The five exchanged glances and simultaneously circulated their Dou Qi! Five majestic and vast energies soared into the sky, each with a different color and attribute, but all containing world-destroying power!

"Move!"

With Old Man Hei Ku's command, the five attacked simultaneously!

"Black Fiend Palm!"

"Mad Lion's Roaring Aura!"

"Ten Thousand Poisons Corroding Heart Finger!"

"Yunlan Sword Aura!"

"Profound Ice Dragon Soar!"

Five terrifying attacks, like five roaring energy dragons, fiercely slammed into the distorted spatial barrier at the entrance of the rift!

"Rumble—!!!"

A deafening roar erupted! The entire basin shook violently! The spatial barrier at the rift entrance twisted intensely, bursting with dazzling light! Violent energy shockwaves spread in all directions, forcing everyone to retreat repeatedly!

Xiao Chen felt a dull ache in his chest, and his Soul Scan was somewhat disoriented by the terrifying energy collision. He stared intently at the rift entrance, his heart pounding.

The combined strike of five Dou Ling—how terrifying was its power! Although the spatial barrier fluctuated violently, it actually... didn't shatter! It only dimmed slightly and developed some tiny cracks!

"What a powerful restriction!" Hai Bodong's expression was solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "Once isn't enough! Again!"

The five Dou Ling once again gathered their Dou Qi and launched a second round of attacks!

"Boom!"

The spatial barrier vibrated violently again, and the cracks widened a bit, but it still stubbornly held on.

Third round! Fourth round! Fifth round!

After five consecutive full-power attacks, the faces of the five Dou Ling powerhouses were somewhat pale, clearly indicating immense consumption. And the spatial barrier was finally covered in spiderweb-like cracks, its light extremely dim, as if it could collapse at any moment!

"Last strike! All out!" Old Man Hei Ku roared hoarsely!

The five gritted their teeth, frantically injecting their last bit of Dou Qi into their attacks!

"Break for me!"

Five energy torrents, even more terrifying than before, violently crashed into the crumbling spatial barrier!

"Crack... Boom!!!"

A crisp cracking sound rang out, followed by an earth-shattering explosion! That sturdy spatial barrier finally completely collapsed, dissipating into countless points of light!

A deep, pitch-black cave entrance emitting an ancient aura appeared before everyone! Inside the cave entrance, strange lights flickered faintly, as if leading to another world!

The ruin entrance was open!

"Charge!"

"The treasure is mine!"

As soon as the restrictions broke, the brief alliance instantly dissolved! Someone shouted, and the crowd, who could no longer hold back, surged towards the pitch-black cave entrance like a tide! To be the first to enter the ruins, all sorts of underhanded tricks and sneak attacks instantly erupted! The scene immediately descended into chaos!

"Seeking death!" The one-eyed brute from the Mad Lion Gang roared, blasting a unlucky fellow who blocked his way into a bloody mist with a single punch! Old Man Hei Ku from the Black Emperor Sect transformed into a wisp of black smoke and directly drilled into the cave entrance! The Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect members scattered a sky full of poisonous powder, forcing back the surrounding crowd! Ge Ye from the Yunlan Sect swung his long sword, and sharp sword qi cleared a path!

Hai Bodong protected Ya Fei and Xiao Chen, saying in a deep voice, "Let's go!" His body erupted with cold air, freezing those who approached into ice sculptures, and he led the two towards the cave entrance. Mo Chen followed closely, wielding his long sword to block incoming attacks.

Xiao Chen, enveloped by Hai Bodong's Dou Qi, felt a blur before his eyes and then rushed into the pitch-black cave entrance.

A powerful spatial tearing force came, as if trying to rip his body apart! Fortunately, Hai Bodong's Dou Qi shield was strong enough to withstand most of the pressure.

He didn't know how much time passed, perhaps an instant, perhaps an eternity. When the tearing force disappeared, Xiao Chen found himself standing on an unfamiliar land.

The sky was dark red, without a sun, yet it emitted an eerie light. The ground was scorched black, covered in cracks, and the air was filled with a dense silence and a strange soul energy fluctuation. In the distance, some broken ancient architectural ruins were vaguely visible.

Is this the Illusory Spirit Realm?

Xiao Chen took a deep breath, feeling the pure and ancient soul energy in the air, and a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes. His soul, like a parched land receiving sweet rain, felt a surge of comfort!

"This is the outer perimeter of the Illusory Spirit Realm." Hai Bodong's voice rang out, his face somewhat pale, clearly indicating significant consumption from the previous teleportation. "Everyone be careful, this place is full of dangers, stick close to me!"

Ya Fei and Mo Chen also vigilantly scanned their surroundings.

Xiao Chen nodded, his Soul Scan quietly spreading out. He felt that in this world, there seemed to be countless faint and chaotic Soul Imprints, as if countless living beings had perished here.

And further away, an even larger, purer aura of soul origin, like a lighthouse, attracted him!

Is that the core of the Illusory Spirit Realm?

The adventure officially begins!