The deeper layer of the Wind Spirit Ruins was far darker than the first.
Fan Lin and Lin Yueqing walked cautiously down the ancient corridor. Blue flames flickered along the walls, casting long shadows across the stone floor.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became.
Fan Lin felt a faint pressure surrounding the area.
"This place feels different," he muttered.
Lin Yueqing nodded.
"The deeper layers of ancient ruins usually contain the most valuable treasures."
"But they are also guarded by the most dangerous creatures."
Fan Lin smiled slightly.
"Sounds perfect."
Inside his mind, the system panel suddenly appeared.
SYSTEM MISSION UPDATE
Wind Spirit Ruins Exploration
Current Progress: 35%
Next Objective:
Defeat the Ruins Guardian
Reward:
• 300 EXP
• 100 SP
• Random Skill Scroll
Fan Lin rubbed his hands together.
"Looks like a boss fight really is coming."
They soon reached the end of the corridor.
A massive stone door stood before them.
Ancient wind carvings covered its surface.
In the center of the door was a circular indentation shaped like a palm.
Lin Yueqing stepped forward.
"This door opens using spiritual energy."
She placed her palm on the stone.
Wind energy spread from her hand.
The carvings on the door suddenly lit up.
RUMBLE.
The massive door slowly opened.
Cold wind burst from inside.
Fan Lin squinted his eyes.
Beyond the door was an enormous underground hall.
The ceiling rose nearly fifty meters high.
At the center of the hall stood a stone platform.
And on that platform…
A giant creature slept.
Fan Lin's pupils shrank.
It was a massive wolf-like beast with silver fur.
Its body was nearly three meters long.
Sharp wings made of wind energy extended from its back.
Even while sleeping, powerful energy flowed from its body.
The system panel flashed urgently.
Wind Spirit Guardian Beast
Level: Body Tempering Level 9
Type: Wind Attribute Demon Beast
EXP Reward: 500
SP Reward: 40
Core Probability: High
Danger Level: Extreme
Fan Lin frowned.
"Level 9…"
That meant the beast was stronger than both of them individually.
Lin Yueqing's expression also became serious.
"This must be the final guardian of the ruins."
Fan Lin looked at the creature again.
"Do we fight it together?"
Lin Yueqing nodded.
"If we want the treasure behind it, we have no choice."
Fan Lin slowly drew his sword.
"Then let's wake it up."
He grabbed a stone and threw it toward the platform.
CLACK.
The stone struck the ground.
The giant beast's ears twitched.
Its eyes suddenly opened.
Bright silver light shone from its pupils.
ROAR!
The guardian beast stood up.
A violent wind burst from its body.
Dust and debris flew across the hall.
Fan Lin immediately jumped backward.
"This thing has strong wind energy."
The beast spread its wings.
Its body lifted slightly above the ground.
Then it charged forward like a tornado.
Lin Yueqing moved first.
Her sword flashed like cold lightning.
SLASH!
Her blade cut across the beast's side.
But the guardian's wind energy deflected most of the damage.
Fan Lin quickly fired an arrow.
TWANG!
The arrow flew straight toward the beast's eye.
But a gust of wind knocked it aside.
The guardian beast roared again.
Several wind blades shot from its wings.
WHOOSH!
Fan Lin rolled across the ground to avoid them.
The stone floor exploded where the blades struck.
"Damn…"
"This beast is fast."
Lin Yueqing suddenly appeared beside the beast.
Her sword moved with incredible speed.
SLASH!
SLASH!
Two deep wounds appeared on the beast's body.
The guardian howled angrily and swung its claws.
Lin Yueqing jumped backward gracefully.
Fan Lin seized the opportunity.
He activated Wind Shadow Sword Technique.
His body blurred like a gust of wind.
SLASH!
His sword cut across the beast's neck.
Blood sprayed into the air.
The guardian beast roared furiously.
Wind energy exploded around its body.
A powerful shockwave knocked both of them backward.
Fan Lin crashed into a pillar.
Lin Yueqing slid across the ground.
The beast lifted into the air again.
This time it prepared a massive wind attack.
Fan Lin's eyes narrowed.
"If we let it release that attack…"
"…the whole hall might collapse."
Lin Yueqing nodded slightly.
"We finish it now."
Fan Lin grabbed his Iron Hunting Bow.
He placed his last arrow on the string.
Lin Yueqing charged forward again.
She intentionally attacked the beast's front.
The guardian focused on her.
At that moment—
Fan Lin fired.
TWANG!
The arrow shot through the air like lightning.
It pierced directly into the beast's throat.
ROAR!!!
The creature screamed in pain.
Lin Yueqing immediately followed up.
Her sword glowed with cold light.
"Frost Moon Strike!"
SLASH!
Her blade cut through the beast's neck.
The guardian beast's body froze for a moment.
Then—
CRASH.
The giant creature collapsed onto the stone platform.
Silence returned to the hall.
Fan Lin slowly stood up.
Then the system voice echoed loudly.
DING
Wind Spirit Guardian Beast defeated
EXP +500
SP +40
The system panel flashed brightly.
EXP: 1150 / 800
LEVEL UP!
Realm: Body Tempering Level 8
Strength: 36
Agility: 34
Spirit: 27
Power surged through Fan Lin's body again.
His injuries quickly healed.
He clenched his fists.
"So this is Level 8…"
His strength had grown significantly.
Meanwhile Lin Yueqing calmly wiped blood from her sword.
Behind the fallen guardian beast…
A hidden chamber slowly opened.
Golden light spilled from inside.
Fan Lin's eyes lit up.
"Treasure room."
They walked toward the chamber together.
Inside were several ancient stone pedestals.
On them rested three treasures.
A glowing jade sword.
A sealed ancient martial scroll.
And a mysterious crystal orb filled with swirling wind energy.
Fan Lin smiled widely.
"Looks like we hit the jackpot."
But just as he stepped closer—
The system map suddenly flashed red again.
WARNING
Multiple cultivators approaching ruins entrance
Distance: 1 km
Estimated Strength: High
Lin Yueqing frowned.
"Looks like others discovered the ruins."
Fan Lin's smile slowly widened.
"Good."
Because if more enemies came…
That meant more EXP and SP.
And Fan Lin never refused free experience.