Chapter 60: Entering the Ruins

Liu Qing had been prepared to be restrained by the formation as soon as he stepped inside. Yet, he stood there completely unscathed, not a hair out of place, as if the formation had already been deactivated. Were it not for the screams echoing around him, Liu Qing might truly have believed the formation was no longer active.

When he realized he had found the correct path, Liu Qing was utterly stunned. He recalled what Bai Feiyu had said to him before, and his heart couldn’t help but tremble. Suddenly, his junior brother seemed shrouded in even greater mystery, as if there was no problem in this world beyond his ability to solve.

"Wonderful! Our sect, the Sect of the Returning Abyss, has found the right way!"

"Senior Brother Liu Qing has won! He truly deserves to be the pride of our sect!"

"All the sects entering the Toba Ruins owe it to Senior Brother Liu Qing!"

On the side of the Sect of the Returning Abyss, cheers and cries of joy broke out, and many disciples were visibly uplifted. After all, their sect had achieved what none of the others could. How could their excitement not soar?

Meanwhile, the members of the other sects showed no outward emotion, even though Liu Qing had found the correct entrance. Many believed it was nothing more than luck—a blind cat stumbling upon a dead rat, unworthy of mention. If someone from their own ranks had happened to pick that spot, perhaps they too would have found the way in already. Furthermore, though the Sect of the Returning Abyss had found the entrance, none of the others would show mercy once inside. Such honor was laughable.

The disciples of the Sect of the Returning Abyss continued to heap praise on Liu Qing, nearly exalting him to the heavens. Only Liu Qing himself smiled wryly in secret. He knew full well that his success in safely traversing the path was entirely thanks to Bai Feiyu. The reason he had stepped forward earlier was a sudden intuition that led him to believe another direction was the correct entrance. But that other path had already been taken, and the one who went that way was still crying out in agony.

The reason he had followed Bai Feiyu’s advice was not because he highly valued his opinion, but because, in that instant, he was filled with an inexplicable confidence in this young man. It was a trust that defied explanation. With these thoughts, Liu Qing resolved quietly that, once inside the Toba Ruins, he would follow Bai Feiyu’s guidance no matter what. After all, Bai Feiyu had spoken with such certainty, not merely wild speculation. Moreover, this was a youth capable of miracles, whose meteoric rise was truly astonishing.

After finding the entrance, Liu Qing quickly returned to his sect’s group. Even though there had been no explicit agreement among the various sects, everyone tacitly adhered to a common understanding: those sent to scout ahead must return to their own teams after their exploration. For although no one forbade the first to find the way from entering first, anyone who did so would likely be watched with suspicion. After all, entering first meant claiming the best treasures ahead of everyone else. To the others, the first inside was not only the first to seize opportunity, but also a walking purse. Also, the sect that found the correct way could not be allowed to enter ahead of the rest.

Each sect had dispatched scouts, most of whom were still trapped by the formation. Everyone had contributed to the search; it was only luck that gave the Sect of the Returning Abyss the answer. Without the sacrifices of others, who revealed the dangers of each path, Liu Qing could not have been so certain in his choice—for his initial decision had not been the correct one, but another route entirely. Only after witnessing another sect’s disciple pave the way did he change his mind. Had Liu Qing gone alone, he very likely would have chosen the wrong path.

Now that Liu Qing had revealed the right way, all the sects began to move toward the Toba Ruins.

Meanwhile, Bai Feiyu remained quietly among his senior brothers, keeping a low profile. The others knew they must protect their youngest brother. Considering Bai Feiyu’s status and the regard the sect held him in, any mishap here would surely bring the wrath of the sect leader upon their return. Even if Liu Guang reported that Bai Feiyu wasted time instead of cultivating, it would be of no use; the blame would fall on the senior brothers for failing to protect him.

Once inside, all the sects surged forward into the Toba Ruins with haste. Though dangers unknown awaited, so too did opportunities. In this world, opportunity meant cultivation; with cultivation came everything else—power, wealth, beauty. That was why all were so eager.

Bai Feiyu and his companions proceeded down the passageway, heading ever deeper. The Toba Ruins seemed not to be on the surface, but underground. According to legend, the war of ages past had been so cataclysmic that the entire ruin had been driven beneath the earth. No one knew when, once inside, they might emerge again.

After a long, urgent descent, Bai Feiyu and his group finally arrived before the legendary Toba Ruins. It was as if they had entered another world underground—there was blue sky and white clouds, light everywhere. Ahead of them, a dead and desolate city loomed, a tattered banner fluttering weakly above, symbolizing the former glory of its people.

Bai Feiyu and the others were awestruck by the sight; none could fathom how such a thing was possible. What magnitude of power could transform the Toba Ruins thus, reducing a city of such scale to utter ruin?

"Now that we’re inside, let each sect go its own way," a disciple called out loudly. "Let us all seek our own fortunes, and may we coexist peacefully inside the Toba Ruins!"

Naturally, any alliances between sects would never be spoken aloud. To admit as much would only make others wary, and when all are on guard, how can anyone hope to secure their chance?

Moreover, entering here meant a fierce contest was inevitable. Everyone knew that some would resort to outright robbery to seize the fruits of others’ labor. Such things could not be prevented; they were all too common.

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