Chapter 10: The Adventurous Beginning of Entering the Ruins

The roar sent a chill through the crowd. Chu Feng recalled the man’s laugh—strange as it was, there was no turning back now. He steadied his nerves and scanned his team. “No matter what, we have to go in.” With that, he led the way toward the valley entrance, where thick fog rolled out like a beast’s gaping maw—ominous and mysterious.

An ancient aura swept over them, mingling with the dank scent of earth and an indescribable decay that made one’s stomach turn. Chu Feng took a deep breath, suppressing the unease within, his grip tightening on his long blade. Behind him, the squad stood ready, each face etched with a mix of excitement and tension.

Pan Yue clenched her healing staff so tightly her knuckles whitened, her phoenix-like eyes gleaming with resolve. “Be careful, everyone!” Chu Feng’s low voice shattered the valley’s silence. “This place is more complicated than we expected.”

Just as they were about to step into the valley, the distant roar of an engine grew louder, breaking the calm. A modified off-road vehicle, a steel beast, burst through the fog and came to a halt before them. Five fully armed adventurers leapt out, led by a burly man with a scarred face. He sneered at Chu Feng’s group, a cold smile curling his lips.

“Well, well, if it isn’t ‘Shadow’ Chu Feng. Interested in this ruin too?” The man’s tone was dripping with provocation.

Chu Feng’s gaze hardened.

“Zhao Lei, this ruin isn’t your private property. Why can’t we be here?” Sun Yue stepped forward, firing back without a hint of fear.

A tall, lanky teammate behind Zhao Lei shoved Sun Yue roughly. “Watch your tongue, brat!”

Sun Yue staggered, nearly falling, blazing anger in his eyes. “What do you want?”

Chen Qiang stepped in front of Sun Yue like an iron tower, blocking the lanky man. His mighty frame radiated overwhelming intimidation.

The air thickened with tension, swords drawn, ready to ignite.

Then, from deep within the valley came a faint “click”—a metallic sound.

Following it, a grating noise filled the air, the ground trembling slightly. The stone walls flanking the ruin’s entrance suddenly cracked open, unleashing a storm of razor-sharp arrows like deadly rain.

“Watch out!” Chu Feng shouted, activating the shadow runes on his arm. Black mist enveloped him, forming a barrier that deflected every arrow aimed at him and Pan Yue.

“Dodge!” Liu Yong grabbed Sun Yue, and the two rolled aside just in time to avoid the barrage. Chen Qiang stood firm like a mountain, shielding Wu Xia and Professor Ma behind his broad back. Arrows clanged against his body but could not pierce the powerful protective runes etched into his skin.

In contrast, Zhao Lei’s team was caught off guard, falling into chaos under the arrowstorm, their screams echoing through the valley. Though Zhao Lei raised an energy shield in time, the force knocked him backward several steps, his face dark with frustration.

When the arrowstorm subsided, everyone gasped at the dense litter of arrows on the ground. Nearby adventurer teams witnessed the scene, looking toward Chu Feng’s group with newfound respect.

“‘Shadow’ Chu Feng really is quick on the draw!”

“This team’s coordination is impressive—definitely not to be underestimated!”

Praises rang out, but Chu Feng was too alert to respond. Eyes fixed on the ruin’s entrance, he whispered, “Be careful, this is only the beginning.”

No sooner had the words fallen than the entrance slowly creaked open, revealing a dark passageway. A chilling breath seeped from its depths, sending shivers down their spines.

“Move out!” Chu Feng led the charge into the tunnel, Pan Yue close behind, followed by the others.

Inside, the tunnel was engulfed in darkness, pitch-black as ink. Only their dim lights pierced the gloom, illuminating a small patch ahead. The silence was heavy, broken only by footsteps and breaths—an oppressive stillness.

Suddenly, a spine-chilling growl echoed from deep within, shattering the quiet. Countless green eyes flickered in the darkness like ghostly flames, filling the air with dread.

“Evil spirits!” Sun Yue exclaimed, clutching his dagger tightly.

In the next instant, a horde of twisted spirits of varied shapes surged from all directions, their horrific roars transforming the dark tunnel into a battlefield of carnage.

The team was surrounded, weapons flashing as they fought desperately. “Pan Yue, watch out!” Chu Feng cried, spotting a spider-like spirit lunging at her.

Shadow runes flared as Chu Feng vanished like a phantom, appearing before Pan Yue. His blade carved a fierce arc, cleaving the spider spirit in two. Dark green ichor splattered, exuding a vile stench.

Pan Yue paled, trembling visibly, clearly struggling. Chu Feng grasped her icy hand, sending warmth through his palm, bolstering her strength.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.” Those four simple words carried more weight than a thousand. Pan Yue looked up at Chu Feng’s resolute profile, eyes shining with admiration and trust. Her anxiety eased.

The battle intensified; the spirits seemed endless. The team’s strength began to wane.

Professor Ma, sheltering behind Chen Qiang, studied the spirits closely. His voice trembled with excitement, “Their movements are patterned. Look—their eyes… seem to be the key.”

“Professor Ma, what have you found?” Chu Feng asked, slashing a spirit that attacked.

“Notice how their attacks come when their eyes lose their glow, but when the green light shines, they hesitate briefly,” Ma pointed to a spirit flickering green eyes nearby. “If we target their eyes, we might find a breakthrough.”

The idea was risky; aiming precisely for the eyes amid fierce combat was no small feat.

The team hesitated, but Chu Feng made a decisive call. “Alright! We follow Professor Ma’s plan. Sun Yue, you’re the most agile. This mission is yours!”

Chu Feng’s trust surprised the others and reassured them.

Sun Yue nodded, excitement sparkling in his eyes. “Leave it to me! I’ll find their weakness!”

With that, Sun Yue darted through the spirits like a bolt of lightning, his dagger flashing like cold stars as he struck directly at their eyes.

“Got it!” he whispered.

Sun Yue moved like a ghost, every strike flawless, each dagger plunge aimed at the glowing green eyes.

Just as Professor Ma predicted, when the dagger pierced a spirit’s eye, the once-fierce creature froze, howling in pain.

“This is it! Attack their eyes!” Sun Yue shouted, stabbing another eye.

Chu Feng’s heart lifted. His blade whirled faster, shadow energy surging, tearing spirits to shreds. He commanded loudly, “Focus on their eyes! Don’t get distracted!”

The team adjusted immediately, abandoning reckless attacks to concentrate on the spirits’ vulnerable spots.

Pan Yue’s healing staff shimmered, mending wounded comrades. Liu Yong recalibrated his mechanical arm, striking with precision. Chen Qiang stood immovable, a fortress guarding the team. Wu Xia gathered battlefield intel, seeking the best angles.

Working in perfect harmony, the once-terrifying spirits fell one after another, their dark green ichor splattering the ground.

Soon, the tunnel was cleared, the air thick with the metallic stench of blood. The team cheered, spirits soaring, the joy of survival filling their hearts.

This victory not only strengthened their bond but deepened their trust in each other’s abilities.

“Awesome!” Sun Yue wiped sweat from his brow, grinning. “These guys aren’t so tough after all!”

Yet Chu Feng’s brow remained furrowed. His sharp gaze pierced deeper into the tunnel.

He noticed the other adventurer teams hadn’t fallen behind. Instead, they gathered not far ahead, seemingly working to unlock some mechanism.

“We need to pick up the pace,” Chu Feng murmured, sensing an invaluable treasure lay ahead—one they couldn’t let others claim first.

“Move out!”

Chu Feng led the way into the unknown, Pan Yue close behind, the others following in turn.

Ahead, the passage branched. The left corridor was noticeably brighter, accompanied by rhythmic tapping sounds.

Chu Feng signaled the team to tread lightly, approaching the left path with caution.

“Stay alert,” he whispered.