The night air around the ancient ruins suddenly became heavy.
Dust slowly fell from the massive stone gate standing in the center of the clearing. The ancient carvings of dragons and swords seemed to glow faintly under the moonlight.
A deep rumbling sound echoed through the valley.
RUMBLE…
Fan Lin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The ruins are opening."
Beside him, Lin Yueqing stood calmly, her long black hair moving gently with the wind. Her beautiful face remained cold and focused.
"This ruin appears only once every thirty years," she said quietly.
"Inside are treasures left by the ancient Wind Spirit Martial Artist."
Fan Lin raised an eyebrow.
"So the owner of this place was powerful?"
Lin Yueqing nodded.
"Very powerful."
"According to ancient records, he once reached the Spirit Master Realm."
Fan Lin whistled softly.
That was far beyond the Body Tempering stage.
For someone at his current level, the treasures inside such ruins were incredibly valuable.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The massive stone gate trembled violently.
Cracks appeared across its surface.
Ancient runes began glowing faintly.
Fan Lin felt a strange energy spreading from the gate.
The air around them seemed to vibrate.
Lin Yueqing spoke again.
"Once the gate fully opens, a protective barrier will disappear."
"But only those under Spirit Warrior Realm can enter."
Fan Lin chuckled.
"So we're lucky."
Before she could reply—
BOOM!
The stone gate finally split apart.
Dust and ancient air rushed out of the entrance.
The dark passage behind the gate slowly revealed itself.
The Wind Spirit Ruins had opened.
Fan Lin grinned.
"Well…"
"Adventure time."
Without hesitation, he stepped inside.
Lin Yueqing followed calmly behind him.
Inside the Ruins
The interior of the ruins was enormous.
A wide stone corridor stretched deep into the mountain.
Ancient torches suddenly ignited along the walls with blue flames.
The corridor lit up instantly.
Fan Lin looked around carefully.
The walls were covered in carvings of martial artists practicing sword techniques.
Wind patterns surrounded their movements.
"This must be the legacy of the Wind Spirit Martial Artist," Fan Lin said.
Lin Yueqing nodded.
"The techniques here likely focus on speed and agility."
Fan Lin's eyes sparkled.
"That suits me perfectly."
They walked deeper into the ruins.
Soon the corridor opened into a large stone chamber.
At the center of the room stood three ancient stone statues of warriors holding swords.
But something else caught Fan Lin's attention.
The system suddenly reacted.
DING
Ruins Exploration Mission Activated
Mission Objective:
• Explore the Wind Spirit Ruins
• Defeat Guardian Creatures
• Obtain Ruin Treasures
Reward:
• 300 EXP
• 100 SP
• Random Skill Scroll
Fan Lin grinned.
"Now this is what I like."
Lin Yueqing glanced at him.
"You seem happy."
Fan Lin shrugged.
"I like treasure."
Just as he finished speaking—
CRACK.
One of the stone statues suddenly moved.
Dust fell from its body.
Its stone sword slowly lifted.
Fan Lin's expression changed slightly.
"Guardian statue."
The system confirmed it instantly.
Stone Guardian
Level: Body Tempering Level 7
EXP Reward: 150
SP Reward: 10
Then another statue moved.
CRACK.
And the third.
CRACK.
Three stone guardians slowly stepped down from their pedestals.
Lin Yueqing frowned slightly.
"These are the ruins' protectors."
Fan Lin rolled his shoulders.
"Perfect warm-up."
The first statue suddenly rushed forward.
Its stone sword slashed toward Fan Lin's head.
CLANG!
Fan Lin quickly blocked with his own sword.
The impact shook his arms slightly.
"These things are strong."
But Fan Lin didn't retreat.
Instead he activated his Wind Shadow Sword Technique.
His body moved like flowing wind.
SLASH!
His sword cut across the statue's arm.
Stone fragments fell.
But the guardian continued attacking.
Fan Lin quickly stepped behind it.
"Wind Shadow Strike!"
His blade flashed.
CRACK!
The statue's head shattered.
The stone body collapsed instantly.
DING
Stone Guardian destroyed
EXP +150
SP +10
EXP: 500 / 800
SP: 190
Fan Lin smiled.
"Easy."
But the other two guardians attacked at the same time.
Lin Yueqing stepped forward.
Her sword flashed like lightning.
SLASH!
One statue's chest split open instantly.
Her movements were elegant and deadly.
The guardian collapsed.
Fan Lin blinked.
"Fast."
Lin Yueqing glanced at him calmly.
"Don't get distracted."
The final statue charged toward them.
Fan Lin and Lin Yueqing attacked simultaneously.
CLANG!
CLANG!
Their swords struck together.
CRACK!
The last guardian shattered into pieces.
The chamber returned to silence.
The system voice sounded again.
DING
Stone Guardian destroyed
EXP +150
SP +10
EXP: 650 / 800
SP: 200
Fan Lin exhaled slowly.
"Not bad."
Just then—
A hidden compartment opened in the wall.
Inside were two glowing jade boxes.
Lin Yueqing stepped closer and opened the first one.
Inside was a scroll.
Wind Step Technique
High Mortal Rank Movement Skill
Effect: Increases speed and agility dramatically.
Fan Lin's eyes widened.
"A movement skill!"
Movement techniques were extremely rare.
Lin Yueqing looked at him.
"You fought well."
"We'll share the rewards."
She handed the scroll to him.
Fan Lin smiled.
"Fair deal."
Just as he stored the scroll—
The system map suddenly flashed again.
A deeper part of the ruins glowed brightly.
WARNING
Second Ruin Layer Detected
Guardian Boss Present
Danger Level: High
Possible Reward:
• Spirit Weapon
• Ancient Martial Legacy
Fan Lin's grin widened.
"A boss fight."
Lin Yueqing looked toward the deeper corridor.
Her eyes became serious.
"The real danger begins now."
Fan Lin drew his sword.
"Good."
He loved danger.
Because danger meant…
More power.
The two of them walked toward the deeper part of the ruins.
Unaware that something far more terrifying waited inside.