Chapter 11: Fierce Contention Within the Ruins

Within the dim passageway, Chu Feng’s footsteps were as light and graceful as a leopard’s. He slightly tilted his ear, carefully catching the faintest sounds ahead.

Pan Yue followed closely behind, her staff emitting a soft, gentle glow that dispelled the surrounding darkness and illuminated the solemn expression on her delicate face.

Liu Yong’s steps remained steady and resolute, his presence radiating a cold, metallic hardness, like a finely tuned machine ready to spring into action at any moment.

Sun Yue moved like a cunning fox, his eyes darting swiftly as he remained constantly alert to every sound around him.

Chen Qiang stood like a solid fortress at the rear of the group, silently guarding everyone.

Wu Xia flitted through the team like a nimble swallow, occasionally reminding everyone to watch their footing.

Professor Ma stayed firmly in the middle of the group, his eyes behind his glasses gleaming with excitement, as if the ancient ruins before them sparked infinite curiosity.

As they cautiously approached the end of the left corridor, the scene before them made their breaths catch.

A massive stone door towered at the end, its surface covered with dense, mysterious runes writhing like strange insects, exuding an unsettling aura.

Around the door, several enormous stone pillars bore its weight, their surfaces carved with ferocious beast motifs that appeared particularly eerie in the dim light.

In front of the stone door stood a small altar, upon which peculiar devices flickered with a faint, ghostly blue glow, as if some ancient magic was being activated.

“Hss…” Sun Yue’s gaze gleamed like a greedy beast, fixated on the faintly visible treasures beyond the door. A sharp growl escaped his throat.

He felt a restless power surging within, as if the treasure was tailor-made for him.

He licked his cracked lips involuntarily.

“Hey, brothers, I put in a lot of effort in this fight. So, when we divide the loot, shouldn’t I get a bigger share?” Sun Yue rubbed his hands together, his tone tinged with undeniable insistence.

He believed his reconnaissance and combat contributions were significant enough to warrant dominance in resource allocation.

Chen Qiang’s rough brows furrowed at this, his rock-hard face etched with displeasure. “Sun Yue, teamwork means distribution based on effort. That’s right. But it’s not about who contributes more getting more. We must also consider everyone’s needs.”

Wu Xia gently shook her head.

“Enough arguing! The priority now is to deal with the traps ahead. We can discuss distribution later!” Chu Feng’s voice carried a hint of impatience.

Pan Yue saw the tension rising and furrowed her brows. She spoke softly, “Everyone, calm down. Unity is the most important thing. We can discuss the treasure division afterward.”

Liu Yong silently stood to the side, seemingly detached. His mechanical gaze swept across the team before returning to the stone door.

Just as the team’s internal tension over resource division grew thick, a grating, teeth-chilling sound echoed from the stone door…

The stone door slowly creaked open, the heavy friction sounding like the low growl of a giant beast reverberating through the shadowy corridor.

Behind the door, a dazzling light burst forth like a volcanic eruption, instantly illuminating the entire space. Within the glow, an ancient altar was faintly visible, atop which lay an exquisite treasure box emitting an alluring sheen.

Yet this brilliance was not entirely benign; it also unveiled hidden dangers.

The ground suddenly trembled as countless sharp stone spikes erupted like spring bamboo shoots after rain, their chilling edges ready to shred any daring creature to pieces.

Simultaneously, fiery jets blasted from holes in the walls, roaring like fire dragons, warping the surrounding air with intense heat.

The entire chamber instantly transformed into a deadly hellscape, fraught with peril.

“Watch out!” Chu Feng shouted fiercely, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. The shadow power in his hand flickered like black flames. “Liu Yong, disable the traps! Sun Yue, avoid the hazards! Everyone else, stay close behind me!”

Without hesitation, Chu Feng darted forward like an arrow released from a bow. His silhouette moved like a phantom weaving between the spikes, evading the scorching flames with agility and precision, every dodge flawless and swift.

Liu Yong followed immediately, wielding his custom-made energy gun, firing beams that struck the trap mechanisms with pinpoint accuracy, triggering explosions that lessened the threat.

Sun Yue slipped through the gaps between spikes and flames like a nimble fish, his form a blur too elusive to track.

The rest of the team moved under Chu Feng’s command, orderly dodging the traps. Pan Yue’s staff glowed softly, providing an additional protective shield.

Chen Qiang acted like an unyielding wall at the rear, blocking sudden attacks.

Wu Xia functioned as a battlefield conductor, constantly alerting teammates to watch their steps and offering intelligence support.

Amid the chaos, Chu Feng was the first to reach the altar. He seized the treasure box, and an immense energy surged into his body, making every rune on his skin pulse with delight.

The other team members glared in frustration as Chu Feng snatched the treasure. They lunged toward him in resentment but were held back by the traps, forced to watch helplessly as Chu Feng returned to the group.

The team erupted in cheers, proud of Chu Feng’s bravery and their collective victory.

Pan Yue gazed at Chu Feng’s heroic figure, her eyes filled with affection. Silently, she thought, “He truly is so strong…”

Chu Feng clutched the treasure box tightly, feeling the powerful energy within his grasp as his heart pounded fiercely.

He turned to look at Pan Yue. The worry and love reflected in her eyes warmed his heart.

Pan Yue stepped close, gently leaning against him, a faint fragrance wafting to his nose.

Chu Feng tenderly wrapped his arm around her shoulders, their eyes meeting with a smile that spoke volumes without words.

The surrounding teammates couldn’t help but smile knowingly at the sight.

“How should we divide what’s inside this treasure box?” Sun Yue rubbed his hands, his gaze burning with anticipation.

Chu Feng opened the box to reveal a softly glowing crystal and a weathered scroll.

He didn’t rush to distribute but studied each team member thoughtfully before speaking, “This crystal contains great energy and can enhance rune levels. However, everyone’s constitution differs, so the effects vary. Pan Yue, this crystal suits you best—it will strengthen your healing abilities.”

Pan Yue blinked in surprise, then looked gratefully at Chu Feng. She understood that he had given her the most precious item.

“As for this scroll,” Chu Feng paused, “it records a rune technique called ‘Shadow Assault.’ It best suits me and can enhance my shadow power.”

“Captain, that’s unfair!” Sun Yue couldn’t help but protest. “I contributed the most this time; I deserve the best!”

Chu Feng met Sun Yue’s gaze calmly and said firmly, “Sun Yue, our victory isn’t due to one person’s strength but our collective effort. Although this scroll suits me, it doesn’t mean it’s useless to you. I believe that with hard work, you can also unlock its power.”

Sun Yue opened his mouth to argue but was interrupted by Liu Yong. “Sun Yue, the captain’s decision is right. Everyone has their strengths. Only by allocating resources fairly can we maximize our effectiveness.”

Sun Yue glanced at Liu Yong, then at the others, and finally nodded.

Chu Feng handed the crystal to Pan Yue and then picked up the scroll to study it carefully.

The team members dispersed to rest and prepare for the challenges ahead.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from deep within the passage, accompanied by angry shouts: “Chu Feng, hand over the treasure box!”

In the dark corridor, the rapid footsteps sounded like the Grim Reaper’s summons, ringing in everyone’s ears.

Several ragged, ferocious-looking teams lunged at Chu Feng’s group like starving wolves.

“Chu Feng, hand over the treasure box!” The furious roars thundered, shaking the passage slightly.

Those attackers brandished weapons that gleamed coldly—knives and swords flashing dangerously. Their terrifying faces seemed ready to devour Chu Feng’s team alive.

Chu Feng’s eyes blazed like torches. He took a deep breath, clutching the treasure box tightly against his chest.

“Back to back! Form a defensive circle!” Chu Feng commanded.

The team sprang into action, standing back to back to form a solid circle—a moving fortress resisting attacks from all directions.

Pan Yue’s staff radiated a gentle white light, creating a barrier that blocked the enemy’s assault.

Liu Yong’s energy gun continuously fired beams that struck enemies with precision, pushing them back.

Chen Qiang wielded his shield like iron, blocking blows. His solid back resembled an indomitable mountain.

Sun Yue darted through the formation like a phantom, agile and swift, striking at enemies’ vital points.

Wu Xia acted as the battlefield commander, issuing constant orders and alerting teammates to enemy movements.

Professor Ma stayed tightly within the team’s core, his eyes alert.

The battle raged fiercely. Chu Feng’s shadow power flickered like black flames as he fought at the forefront, single-handedly withstanding the enemy’s relentless attacks.

He was like a battle god drenched in blood, agile and fierce, striking terror into the foes.

As the enemy’s assault grew fiercer and Chu Feng’s team began to falter, Professor Ma suddenly shouted, “Chu Feng, attack the stone pillar on their left! That’s the weak point of their entire defense!”

Chu Feng’s eyes flashed with sharpness. He immediately changed tactics, directing his shadow power like black lightning at the left stone pillar.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, the pillar toppled, causing the enemy’s defense to collapse instantly and their formation to break apart.

Seizing the opportunity, Chu Feng led his team in a counterattack. Their assault was like a raging storm, quickly overwhelming the enemies, who scattered like drowning dogs.

Chu Feng’s team successfully repelled the rival groups, solidifying their advantage within the ruins.

Yet they remained vigilant, knowing even greater dangers lay ahead.

As they pressed deeper into the ruins, Sun Yue suddenly halted, a sly glint in his eyes.

Chu Feng’s expression grew serious. He looked ahead, where an ominous presence slowly began to emanate from the depths of the dark passage…