Chapter 13: A New Discovery Deep Within the Ruins

The moment they stepped out of the ruins, it felt as though they had fallen from one nightmare into an even more terrifying reality.

The sky loomed overhead like a blood-soaked curtain, pressing down with suffocating weight.

The city’s silhouette resembled the carcass of a giant beast, gnawed and twisted beneath the crimson sky. Those familiar buildings now stood like silent ghosts, exuding a chilling aura.

Pan Yue gasped sharply, her hand trembling as she covered her mouth. Her clear eyes brimmed with terror, as if everything before her exceeded the bounds of her understanding. “W-what is happening?” Her voice trembled.

Professor Ma removed his glasses, rubbing his bloodshot eyes with the back of his hand, his tone filled with disbelief. “I… I can’t explain it either. Could it be… the curse markings backfiring, affecting the real world?” His wrinkled face was clouded with confusion and bewilderment.

Chu Feng furrowed his brow deeply. He could distinctly feel a strange power spreading through this apocalyptic wasteland, warping time and space, stirring chaos. An unprecedented unease rose in his heart. “This is far more complicated than we imagined,” he thought silently.

Wu Xia’s sharp voice broke through the heavy silence. Pointing ahead, she said, “Look over there!” Following her gesture, they saw a massive crack slowly opening in the distant sky. It resembled the gaping maw of a monstrous beast, faintly glowing with eerie light, as if some dreadful entity was about to break free.

After a brief shock, they turned their gaze back to the depths of the ruins. Though the outside world was terrifying, the ruins might conceal more secrets, possibly clues to resolve their current predicament.

They exchanged a glance.

Sun Yue raised his hand and touched the spot where he had been clawed by the evil spirit earlier—it still throbbed painfully. That fear was like a cold snake coiling around his heart.

He hesitated, afraid of injury or even death, yet deep inside, he yearned for the unknown treasure. This intense inner conflict made his steps falter, as if weighed down by lead.

In the end, his strong thirst for knowledge and power overcame his fear.

Taking a deep breath, he regained his usual cunning and resolve. “Let’s go. Fortune favors the bold.” He led the way, and the others silently followed, stepping once more into the dark entrance.

As they vanished into the darkness, a chilling noise echoed behind them—harsh and grating in the silent space. It sounded like an ancient mechanism activating, or the low roar of a sleeping giant awakening…

They entered the ruins again, as if stepping into an even deeper lair of darkness.

The air was thick with a pungent stench of decay, nauseating.

Around them, the evil spirits’ howls resembled the roars of hellish demons, ringing in their ears, shaking their nerves.

In the darkness, pairs of crimson eyes flickered like ghostly flames, emitting a horrifying glow, as if countless beasts lurked, waiting for prey.

“Be careful!” Chu Feng warned sharply. The shadow curse markings on his body faintly heated; an ominous premonition surged within him.

His eyes, sharp as an eagle’s, scanned the surroundings, searching for hidden dangers.

Pan Yue gripped her staff tightly. Her once-clear eyes were now wary, her breath quickened, yet she struggled to maintain composure.

Liu Yong silently adjusted his modified mechanical arm to optimal condition. The metallic friction sounded especially harsh in the quiet, his silence belying the reliability of his actions.

Sun Yue moved like an agile leopard, weaving around the group to seek the evil spirits’ weaknesses and attack patterns.

Chen Qiang stood like an unyielding fortress at the front, his broad back providing the strongest protection for his teammates.

Then, a thunderous roar shattered the silence. Several massive evil spirits, covered in black spikes, lunged from the darkness. Their gaping maws revealed sharp fangs as they viciously attacked.

“Spread out!” Chu Feng commanded calmly. His figure flashed forward like a phantom, his shadow blade slicing through the air, trailing a streak of black light that instantly tore through one of the beasts.

Electric arcs sparked across Liu Yong’s mechanical arm. With a furious roar, he slammed it against the ground, sending a powerful current surging outward that scorched several evil spirits, eliciting agonized howls.

Sun Yue dodged nimbly like a monkey in the forest, his dagger cutting at the creatures’ weak points. Though not fatal, his attacks effectively restrained their movements.

Chen Qiang blocked the assaults with his shield, standing firm like a rock to guard his comrades.

Their coordination was seamless; despite the overwhelming numbers, they held the offensive at bay.

Other teams lingered at a distance, watching helplessly as they fought, unwilling to step forward.

The battle raged on for a long while. When the last evil spirit collapsed, dissolving into a pool of black pus, everyone finally exhaled in relief.

Though bearing various wounds, their faces shone with victorious joy, morale soaring.

“Next, we…” Wu Xia began to speak but was interrupted by Chu Feng’s wave.

His gaze was deep and fixed on the darkness ahead, as if perceiving something unsettling. Slowly raising his hand, he pointed. “There… it seems there is…”

Wu Xia’s movements were like a fresh breeze, dispelling the exhaustion and tension after the fight.

She took out energy bars and water from her backpack, handing them to each person with a gentle smile, like a caring mother tending her children.

“Everyone’s worked hard. Let’s replenish some energy first,” her clear voice carried a subtle concern.

Pan Yue bit into an energy bar, a faint sweetness spreading in her mouth. She looked up at Wu Xia with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Sister Wu Xia.”

Liu Yong silently accepted the supplies, a faint tenderness flickering in his eyes. Though taciturn, he felt the warmth and care among his teammates.

Sun Yue wolfed down his energy bar, grinning playfully. “Sister Xia really knows how to take care of us. Nothing beats a snack after a fight!”

Chen Qiang drank deeply from his water bottle, a rare softness appearing on his rugged face. He patted his chest and said in a low voice, “Having brothers like you all… it’s good.”

Chu Feng felt a warmth stir in his heart as he watched his team relax. In this cruel apocalypse, their unity was vital for survival.

He approached Wu Xia and gently patted her shoulder.

After a brief rest, they directed their attention once more to the ruins’ depths.

Not far ahead was a deep cave whose stone walls were carved with strange patterns emitting faint blue light.

“There might be treasures there,” Sun Yue licked his lips.

“Don’t rush in!” Professor Ma pushed up his glasses, his wrinkled face serious and cautious. “The environment is complex. We must observe before acting.”

Sun Yue pouted, reluctant, but finally nodded without protest.

The others looked to Chu Feng, awaiting his decision.

After a moment’s thought, Chu Feng agreed. “Professor Ma is right. We can’t be reckless. Especially now, we must stay calm.” He surveyed the surroundings carefully. A disquieting aura mingled in the air, hinting at lurking dangers.

He crouched down, gently touching the ground, sensing subtle vibrations beneath.

“Something is approaching.”

Standing slowly, his gaze fixed on the deep cave, his voice low but resolute: “We…” Before he could finish, the carvings on the cave walls suddenly flared with bright blue light, growing intense as if something was about to burst forth...

The azure glow exploded abruptly, and the stone walls around the entrance melted away like melting ice, revealing a passage leading underground.

Soft light shimmered at the passage’s mouth, dispelling the surrounding darkness like a beacon guiding adventurers forward.

Professor Ma examined the entrance carefully, then pointed to an inconspicuous stone slab on the left. “This should be the safe route into the treasure chamber. From my calculations, the other paths are trapped; only this one is secure.”

Chu Feng nodded and stepped into the passage first.

The others followed closely, advancing cautiously.

Inside, silence reigned, broken only by their breathing and footsteps.

Ancient curse markings adorned the walls on both sides, faintly glowing to illuminate their path.

After navigating a winding corridor, the space suddenly opened up.

Before them lay a vast underground chamber, its center piled high with all manner of treasures, shimmering with dazzling colors.

Each artifact bore intricate curse markings, radiating powerful energy waves.

“My heavens! So many treasures!” Sun Yue’s eyes widened greedily as he stared, saliva nearly dripping.

“This… this is truly a treasure trove!” Pan Yue marveled, never having seen so many valuables.

Though quiet, Liu Yong’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Chen Qiang gripped his shield tightly, vigilantly scanning for any surprises.

Wu Xia swiftly recorded the types and quantities of treasures for future distribution.

Professor Ma studied the curse markings carefully, attempting to decode more secrets about the curses.

Chu Feng approached a pile glowing with golden light and picked up a metal shard inscribed with complex patterns.

A surge of immense energy flooded into him, filling his body with strength.

“These treasures will greatly enhance our curse markings,” Chu Feng said, his voice tinged with excitement.

However, just as they prepared to gather the treasures, footsteps echoed from afar, and the ground trembled slightly.

“Not good! Someone’s coming!” Chu Feng’s expression darkened as he realized other teams had also discovered this place.

“What should we do?” Pan Yue asked nervously.

Chu Feng’s eyes sharpened, an imposing aura radiating from him.

“Prepare to fight!” he ordered in a low voice. “We must protect these treasures!”

At the passage entrance appeared several figures, their eyes greedy as they gazed upon the treasure, twisted smiles spreading across their faces.

“It seems a fierce battle is inevitable…” Chu Feng clenched his shadow blade, his gaze icy as it fixed on the unwelcome intruders.