279 Meeting an Old Friend Again (2)
It could only be said that they both knew each other well, and it all depended on who could win the game.
Jiang Ming also knew that on this ship, there were less than thirty real members of the Spirit Silkworm Mountain and only a few core disciples. The other two to three hundred cultivators and martial artists were ‘partners’ that they had either recruited or kidnapped.
“Before the ruins were officially opened, this gap had been explored several times. I’ve heard that it was extremely dangerous, and all the major sects suffered heavy losses. There was even a situation where an entire army was annihilated, and two core disciples died inside!”
Some well-informed cultivators whispered, “After the ruins open this time, there might be some inexplicable changes. Even those high and mighty cultivators on the deck in front may not be able to guarantee a safe return.”
Jiang Ming was slightly surprised. It seemed that the dangers of the Black Rock Ruins were far beyond his imagination. However, what he was more concerned about was that even though it was so dangerous, the Spirit Silkworm Mountain still sent an expedition team in. It seemed that the benefits were far beyond his imagination as well.
“Fellow cultivators, who can find the dragon-patterned grass after going in? I’m willing to buy some for five thousand spirit stones!”
Some cultivators whispered about the treasures that might appear in the ruins.
“Dragon-patterned grass?” Jiang Ming was also surprised. It was a strange medicine that could stabilize one’s foundation. It was rumored that after taking it, there was a chance of carving true dragon runes in one’s body, which would be of great use for future cultivation.
“If that thing really exists, you might not be able to buy it even if you offer ten thousand spirit stones. Besides, who can find it? Even if ten or twenty lives are sacrificed, there might not be any results!” some cultivators retorted mercilessly before shaking their heads and sighing.
The atmosphere turned cold. Everyone knew that there might be a lot of treasures in the ruins. The opening they chose was big enough for Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators to enter. Thus, the value of the treasures might be higher.
However, greater opportunities also meant greater danger. Many treasures were guarded by terrifying arrays and restrictions. Some would even be guarded by demonic beasts. Some demonic beasts even had spiritual wisdom. Back when the whole army was annihilated, it was suspected that they were tricked by a demonic beast that had spiritual wisdom.
Jiang Ming listened quietly on the side and nodded slightly. This might be his first serious adventure. It seemed that the death rate from this kind of activity was indeed very high. If he wanted to get better things, he had to take greater risks.
Jiang Ming heard the names of many legendary treasures, all of which were priceless and extremely rare in the world of immortal cultivation. The major forces seemed to have determined that they might appear in the ruins.
There were some treasures that had already been discovered before the ruins opened. However, they could not be touched due to various arrays or restrictions. Now that the ruins had been completely restored, there might be a chance to obtain them.
The spiritual energy was getting thicker and thicker. On the way, Jiang Ming saw another ship belonging to the Qingyuan Sword Valley, which was also one of the blessed lands. The two sides advanced side by side, rushing toward the gap in the ruins.
They arrived at their destination after four hours.
The dense forest at the mouth of the canyon had long been swept flat by spells. The two ships landed, and hundreds of figures appeared on the ground in a somewhat messy manner.
However, there were only a few dozen people from the Qingyuan Sword Valley. Apart from some cultivators from the Qingyuan Sword Valley, there seemed to be only a few individual cultivators. Moreover, the aura of both sides was similar, with the lowest being in the late stage of the Qi Refinement Realm.
They looked at the cannon fodder of the Spirit Silkworm Mountain and smiled strangely.
“Compared to a motley crew like us, you’re much more pleasing to the eye,” Jiang Ming muttered.
However, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets when he saw an unexpected acquaintance in the group of people from the Qingyuan Sword Valley.
He seemed to be an individual cultivator. However, his status was not low. A few geniuses of the Qingyuan Sword Valley chatted with him. However, he did not seem to like to talk. After a few casual words, he stood alone in the corner of the crowd, relaxed.
“Wu Hen?”
Jiang Ming looked at the seemingly unremarkable figure in shock. Hidden among the many figures in the Qingyuan Sword Valley, he seemed to be perfectly integrated with the crowd.
However, for Jiang Ming, that seemingly ordinary face was really familiar.
Back then, when he established the Nameless in the mortal world, all his old friends had died. In the end, the only one who accompanied him was Wu Hen. Later on, he was one step ahead of him and entered the world of immortal cultivation.
“Didn’t he join the Cloud Dream Sect? How did he get involved with the Qingyuan Sword Valley’s troops?” Jiang Ming muttered. “He’s also broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and his aura seemed to be extremely mellow. It’s obvious that he has been in this realm for a long time, and it seems that he’s still suppressing his cultivation. What am I supposed to do now?”
Jiang Ming’s face was a little red. He had spent a lot of effort to just build his foundation. However, who would have thought that this old subordinate was only one step away from the Golden Core Realm?
“And he’s suppressing his cultivation to boot. Could it be for this trip to the ruins? Otherwise, he would have already touched the threshold of the Golden Core Realm.”
Jiang Ming sighed. The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he was.
“Silence!”
At the entrance of the valley, the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators of Spirit Silkworm Mountain turned their heads and shouted.
Jiang Ming turned back and looked at the canyon. At the entrance of the canyon, there was a dense curtain of light that was flowing with colorful luster. It should be the gap in the ruins.
“There’s no problem with the gap. It can still give entry to Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Mr. Zhou, why don’t we explore the place together? If we encounter any danger, we can advance and retreat together.” At the forefront, the leader of the Spirit Silkworm Mountain extended an invitation to the cultivators of the Qingyuan Sword Valley.
“No need; life and death are determined by fate. Our style seems to be different from your sect’s.” A young cultivator in green robes smiled and walked forward with the people of the Qingyuan Sword Valley without looking back. Soon, they disappeared into the dense light screen.
The eyes of the cultivators of the Spirit Silkworm Mountain were gloomy. After giving the order, they led hundreds of troops and walked toward the gap.
Jiang Ming mixed in with the crowd and walked into the curtain of light. The scene in front of him suddenly changed.
There were no ruins as he had imagined. It was a primitive forest with ancient trees. Thick vines were wrapped around the trees. Unfamiliar wild fruits were on the trees.
A black shadow streaked across the sky like lightning, bringing with it a gust of wind as it disappeared into the distant horizon.
“Is that a Black Demon Bird? Aren’t they extinct? This thing can eat people,” an individual cultivator said in fear.
“It’s obvious that there’s something more delicious than humans here. Otherwise, it would have rushed down!” someone beside him joked.
From a distance, the faint roar of a demonic beast could be heard, shaking the forest. The ancient and vast aura seemed to penetrate the forest, making everyone’s heart tremble.
“I heard that the previous few times, there wasn’t such a terrifying atmosphere,” someone said in a trembling voice.
“The ruins have been completely restored. The areas that were once sealed may have been opened now. All kinds of unimaginably powerful demonic beasts and dangers may have appeared. All the best to you.” One of the cultivators laughed sinisterly, deliberately creating a terrifying atmosphere.
“Move forward!” Behind them, a cultivator of the Spirit Silkworm Mountain shouted coldly and supervised their group.
A messy exploration team began to set off and explore the depths of the ruins.
“However, the major forces have been here many times. As long as we avoid the territory of those demonic beasts, this place is still considered the outer area. Generally, we won’t encounter any danger,” a cultivator explained to everyone.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Ming’s eyes narrowed, and he felt that something was wrong.
His heightened perception was different from ordinary people, and his spiritual sense was sharp. He almost never missed the premonition of impending danger.