Chapter 55: Entering the Ruins—The First Signs of Danger

As Chu Feng and his teammates stepped onto the path leading to the new ruins, an inexpressible tension permeated the air.

In the distance, the entrance of the ruin resembled a colossal black hole, continuously pulling their gazes toward it. The passageway was deep and dark, like a gateway leading to another world, surrounded by a mysterious and ancient aura.

Within Chu Feng's heart, anticipation for the unknown was intertwined with a trace of unease.

"Everyone, get ready. We are going in," Chu Feng said in a deep voice, his tone exceptionally firm in the silent air.

Pan Yue followed closely behind him, her eyes revealing a hint of worry, yet filled with determination.

Liu Yong nodded, checking the detector in his hand to ensure all equipment was in optimal condition.

Sun Yue cast a cunning glance around the surroundings, ready at a moment's notice to deal with any potential danger.

Chen Jiang and Wu Xia had also prepared themselves, while Professor Yan appeared particularly earnest, his gaze lingering at the entrance of the ruin as if searching for some vital clue.

Just as they were about to step into the ruin, a rush of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from not far away.

The group immediately became alert, turning their heads in unison.

A group of fierce figures was rapidly approaching from the mist, led by none other than Scorpion.

His gaze was sharp, a cold sneer hung on the corner of his mouth, and his eyes flashed with greedy and vicious light.

"Chu Feng, we want the intelligence on the ruins in your hands!" Scorpion's voice was low and threatening, clearly bearing ill intentions.

Chu Feng stepped forward to meet him without a hint of weakness, cold light flashing in his deep eyes: "We risked our lives to obtain this intelligence. You want to snatch it? In your dreams!"

The confrontational atmosphere between the two sides instantly reached its peak. Everyone tightened their nerves, and sparks seemed almost palpable in the air.

Scorpion's gaze swept back and forth between Chu Feng and his teammates, seemingly searching for a flaw.

"Hmph, do you really think you are that formidable?" Scorpion sneered. "Today, that intelligence is mine!"

Just as Scorpion was about to issue the order to move, a faint sound echoed from the ruin entrance, as if some ancient mechanism had been triggered.

Without exception, everyone turned back to look, only to see massive stone pillars beginning to descend slowly, gradually sealing off the entrance.

"Fall back!" Chu Feng shouted loudly, leaping backward first.

The massive stone pillars resembled towering mountains, instantly blocking half the sky as the team members scattered in all directions to evade.

The descending speed of the stone pillars grew faster and faster. The space narrowed, and an oppressive atmosphere enveloped everyone, making every heartbeat race in synchronization.

The threat of death lingered like a shadow, and each of them felt an unprecedented despair.

At this very moment, a nimble figure flashed and leaped among the stone pillars.

Utilizing his agile skills, Sun Yue quickly spotted the flaw in the mechanism.

He nimbly climbed into a gap between the stone pillars and reached out to pull a hidden lever.

Accompanied by a series of mechanical clicking sounds, the giant stone pillars stopped descending, narrowly missing trapping everyone inside.

"Well done!" Chen Jiang was the first to voice his praise, and the others also let out sighs of relief.

Scorpion's expression grew increasingly gloomy, clearly caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.

He gritted his teeth and glared at Chu Feng's group, the anger in his eyes almost bursting forth.

Amidst this tense atmosphere, Pan Yue lost her footing while dodging the stone pillars, stumbling and falling to the ground.

Quick-witted, Chu Feng rushed forward swiftly and scooped her up into his arms in one swift motion.

"Are you alright?" Chu Feng asked with deep concern, his eyes full of worry.

Pan Yue nodded gratefully and was just about to reply when she suddenly heard Professor Yan's voice ringing in her ear: "Look, what is that?" The massive stone pillars, towering like majestic mountains, instantly blocked half the sky, prompting the team members to scatter in all directions for cover.

The descent of the stone pillars accelerated, the space narrowed, and an oppressive atmosphere shrouded everyone, making every heart beat faster as if in tandem.

The threat of death loomed close, and everyone experienced an unprecedented sense of despair.

At that exact moment, a nimble figure danced agilely among the shifting stone pillars.

Using his agile agility, Sun Yue quickly discovered the weakness of the mechanism.

Like a nimble monkey, he nimbly climbed into a crevice of the nearby stone pillars and reached out to pull a concealed lever.

Accompanied by a series of mechanical clicks, the gigantic stone pillars halted their descent, narrowly avoiding trapping everyone inside.

"Nice job!" Chen Jiang was the first to exclaim in praise, his rugged voice carrying an undisguised hint of admiration, while the others collectively exhaled, the sensation of surviving a catastrophe leaving them somewhat dazed.

Scorpion's expression darkened further, his scar-covered face now contorted savagely like a malevolent ghost, clearly stunned by this unexpected twist.

He gritted his teeth and glared at Chu Feng's group, the fury in his eyes blazing as if intending to tear them apart alive.

Amidst this tense atmosphere, Pan Yue lost her footing while dodging the pillars, stumbling and falling to the ground; before her gasp could escape, she was swept into an embrace by Chu Feng.

Quick-witted, Chu Feng had rushed forward instantly, catching her securely with his strong arms and holding her tightly against his chest.

Feeling the softness of Pan Yue's delicate body, a powerful protective instinct surged within Chu Feng, making him wish he could meld her into his very bones and never part.

Seeing the mechanism neutralized, Scorpion flew into a rage, no longer able to contain his fury. With a sweeping wave of his large hand, he roared hoarsely, "Get them! Kill them!"

His burly subordinates charged forward like wolves and tigers, brandishing their weapons with a murderous aura.

Chen Jiang stepped forward boldly, his sturdy physique acting like an iron tower that blocked the forefront of the team.

With a roar, his muscles bulged violently, resembling a furious, rampaging lion.

The shield in his hand gleamed with a chilling metallic luster under the sunlight, serving as an impregnable copper wall that blocked the enemies' assault.

Chen Jiang's defense was as unshakeable as a monolith, causing the aggressively charging enemies to crash against it like eggs hitting a rock, sending them reeling backward in utter disarray.

Those around could not help but secretly marvel at Chen Jiang's valor, thoroughly intimidated by his imposing aura.

Failing their initial wave of attacks, the enemies wore expressions of utter astonishment, as if unable to believe their own eyes.

As the two sides remained locked in a stalemate, Chu Feng took a deep breath, gently set Pan Yue down on the ground, his gaze sharpening like a blade while a cold smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

Slowly raising his hand, a black radiance condensed within his palm, emitting a series of heart-palpitating ripples before he uttered in a low voice, "Move!" Before his words fully faded, he bolted toward the entrance of the ruin, his figure as agile as a leopard vanishing into the darkness.

Chu Feng's action was like a flash of lightning, instantly tearing through the stalemate.

He closely followed behind, his form athletic as he sprinted toward the ruin gate like a leopard.

Biting her lip firmly, Pan Yue's eyes were filled with resolve as she quickly adjusted her state and kept pace right behind Chu Feng.

Liu Yong held his detector, his gaze piercing as he constantly monitored the surroundings for anomalies, his somewhat sluggish pace now turning exceptionally steady.

Sun Yue moved with fluid agility, darting back and forth through the formation like a gibbon weaving through a forest, keeping watch on the surrounding movements.

Chen Jiang acted as the team's shield, his towering build functioning like a mobile fortress that firmly blocked all potential incoming threats from behind.

Wu Xia brought up the rear of the formation closely, her eyes as sharp as a falcon's, allowing no minute disturbance to escape her notice.

Professor Yan followed closely near the center of the group, clutching an ancient sheepskin scroll.

As the party charged into the ruin, a damp and chilling draft hit them squarely in the face, making it feel as though they had entered another realm.

Strange patterns were carved into the stone walls all around; those twisted and grotesque motifs seemed to recount ancient tales while hinting at unknown perils.

The corridor was narrow and profound, its flanking walls gaping like giant maws ready to swallow them whole at any moment.

Behind them, Scorpion's furious shouts echoed through the corridor like a beast's roar.

Leading his group of vicious subordinates, he pursued relentlessly, their chaotic footsteps sounding like a death knell constantly hammering away at everyone's nerves.

This was a life-or-death race of pursuit; they had to race against time, or else ruthless death would be their only reward.

Just as they were sprinting forward, the ground suddenly collapsed, and a massive pit abruptly yawned before them without warning.

With nimble reflexes, Chu Feng leaped forcefully across the chasm, and without forgetting to turn back, grabbed Pan Yue's hand and hauled her up as well.

Liu Yong reacted a fraction slower and nearly tumbled into the pit, but fortunately, Sun Yue reacted promptly and yanked him up by the collar.

Still shaken, the group did not dare harbor the slightest complacency and continued racing forward.

They traversed a corridor riddled with traps; suddenly, countless sharp stone spikes protruded from the ground, forcing them to leap and dodge between the spikes where the slightest misstep would mean impalement.

Poisoned arrows fired intermittently from the walls, requiring them to maintain constant vigilance to avoid being struck.

Scorpion's faction refused to fall behind either; dodging trap hazards while pressing the pursuit relentlessly, closing the distance between the two sides step by step.

Eventually, they arrived at a spacious hall.

In the center of the hall stood a massive altar carved with various grotesque creatures whose eyes emitted an eerie glow, sending chills down one's spine.

The entire hall was suffused with a suffocating, putrid stench reminiscent of corpses that had slumbered for a millennium.

Countless wisps of black mist drifted within the hall like phantoms, emitting low, eerie growls that made one's hair stand on end.

"What... is this?" Pan Yue's voice trembled slightly as she clutched the hem of Chu Feng's garment tightly.

Chu Feng did not answer. His gaze remained locked onto the altar in the center of the hall, sensing a powerful, evil force surging from within—a power that made his heart palpitate while simultaneously stirring his desire for battle.

Suddenly, he felt Pan Yue's grip on his hand grow icy cold and trembling.

Her eyes were fixed intently on a certain corner of the hall, her complexion instantly turning as pale as paper, her lips parting slightly as if trying to speak, yet failing to utter a single word.