Chapter 239: The Immortal Venerable’s Ruins |
The Immortal Venerable’s ruins would open in three days.
With their worries eased, the teenagers’ spirits soared as they journeyed to the site.
Chen Yin had lost count of how many times he had been here.
But a thousand years ago, this place wasn’t called the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain. There was no Azure Cicada City.
The Immortal Venerable’s ruins were simply a vast formation hidden deep within the mountains.
Recently, strange occurrences within the ruins had attracted many treasure-seeking cultivators. Even this remote mountain range was now bustling with activity.
The parents of Si Qing and the others, worried about their children, were also waiting there, offering last-minute advice and warnings.
Chen Yin, having no parents, wandered aimlessly.
He spotted two familiar figures.
The cultivator seemed to be scolding Feng Xiangling, his expression grim, while Feng Xiangling’s face was creased with worry.
Chen Yin glanced at them, then looked away.
He wasn’t concerned about the cultivator. A severed tongue was a minor injury in the cultivation world, easily healed with a few pills. He hadn’t intended to inflict lasting harm, the insult being more important than the injury. Such conflicts were common, and the cultivator had been the one to provoke him, a Grand Clarity Realm Sword Cultivator at that.
But Feng Xiangling…
…The name “Shen Li” was no coincidence.
Chen Yin didn’t know their connection yet, but he filed it away in his mind.
It was one of the reasons he was so wary of Feng Xiangling.
The other reason, of course, was that he didn’t want him anywhere near Master.
Meanwhile, on the mountaintop…
Yu Ling stood with a group of Grand Clarity Realm experts, overlooking the crowd of cultivators and the entrance to the Immortal Venerable’s ruins.
“Fellow Daoist Yu Ling,” Elder Wangzhe said, stroking his beard, “the deeper one ventures into the ruins, the greater the danger. Are you certain you want to enter with them?”
“What’s there to be afraid of?” Yu Ling scoffed. “I’m only sixteen. If I’m scared, how can I lead these brats?”
The others chuckled.
“Indeed! Fellow Daoist Yu Ling is a true prodigy.”
“Unfortunately, we’re too old for such adventures. Please look after these youngsters, Fellow Daoist.”
Yu Ling nodded confidently.
“Don’t worry. I’m their Big Sister.”
“By the way, there’s one more thing.”
Elder Wangzhe exchanged a look with the others, then asked tentatively, “Where does… the young boy who was with you that day reside?”
Yu Ling understood immediately.
They were still curious about the white-clad swordsman.
After all, a young Grand Clarity Realm Sword Cultivator was far more valuable than a group of teenagers.
“No comment.”
Yu Ling grinned mischievously. “But that swordsman holds a grudge against you. You bullied his precious son. He said to watch out! He might desecrate your ancestors’ graves if he’s in a bad mood…”
Half an hour later, Yu Ling rejoined Chen Yin, a smug smile on her face.
“What are you so happy about?” he asked.
“You should have seen their faces! They looked like they had swallowed a fly! You’re smiling too!”
Yu Ling hummed cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Chen Yin blinked. He could guess what she had said.
“Let’s go. It’s time to enter the ruins!”
The Immortal Venerable’s ruins, the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.
Despite the passage of a thousand years, this place hadn’t changed much.
It was just as he remembered.
The teenagers, excited to be exploring a secret realm for the first time, would have scattered in all directions if it weren’t for Yu Ling’s strict instructions to stay close to her.
They slowly made their way through the vast labyrinth.
This group adventure was more enjoyable than Chen Yin had expected.
The teenagers were fearless, their youthful exuberance infectious. Even when they encountered traps or guardians, they faced them with laughter and excitement.
Like Xiao Luo, who almost got impaled by a golem’s trident, only to have his pants ripped off.
Like Hu Li, who eagerly challenged a giant ape to a fistfight, only to end up with a black eye and a bruised face.
And Si Qing and Hua Yulian, who fell into a mud pit filled with loaches, their soaked clothes clinging to their bodies.
“Don’t look!” they shrieked at Chen Yin, their faces crimson.
He just shrugged innocently and looked away.
The journey was filled with both danger and laughter. For these teenagers, it was more like a field trip than a perilous treasure hunt.
They arrived at a fork in the road.
“Let’s go this way!”
Xiao Luo and Hu Li wanted to explore a dark and damp cave. “This looks promising!”
Si Qing and Hua Yulian, however, preferred the brighter and more open path.
Yu Ling hesitated, then turned to Chen Yin.
“What do you think?”
“Me?”
Chen Yin was surprised. Why would she ask him, the new guy?
“Then… let’s go this way.” He pointed randomly.
He knew it didn’t matter.
Both paths led to dead ends.
“The formation’s power might be amplified for those at the Grand Clarity Realm. I’ll wait for you here. If you encounter any danger, retreat immediately.” Yu Ling warned.
“Got it!” The teenagers said nonchalantly, their eyes shining with excitement.
They weren’t afraid of anything.