Chapter 521: Exploring Ruins, the Easy Way!

Chapter 521: Exploring Ruins, the Easy Way!

The ancient ruins ahead were shrouded in deathly stillness, as if bathed in absolute darkness.

Not a trace of light could be found.

It was clear—they had failed.

"The Qingshan Realm's lineage of artisans is likely severed." Just then, a female voice resonated beside Shen Lingxuan.

It was a worm-like creature, resembling a moth with butterfly-like features.

This creature was a spirit of heaven and earth, rumored to have existed since the beginning of time.

Shen Lingxuan had encountered this creature within the ruins.

"All those who come here to temper the fragments of the Light Treasure are truly heaven's chosen artisans. They're gone... One of the paths of the Qingshan Realm will be halted. The source of the forbidden wasteland must be obtained by you." The worm-like female, Cai Die, spoke in a mysterious tone.

In her eyes, the artisans who ventured into this forbidden land were all exceptional talents, unearthed by the world.

If they had followed a normal trajectory, their future would have been bright, almost guaranteeing wealth and prestige.

Cai Die turned to Shen Lingxuan, "Lingxuan, you carry a heavenly mandate, a person of unique destiny. You can ignore the other things in the forbidden wasteland, but the source of the forbidden, you must obtain.

Only the heavenly mandate can suppress the source, preventing it from growing stronger. Moreover, by refining the source, you'll gain various special abilities, hidden within the Qingshan Realm, unseen by outsiders."

Cai Die's expression grew solemn as she spoke.

"Otherwise, once you achieve unity with heaven and earth, you'll undoubtedly attract attention, and you might meet the same fate as your past life."

Shen Lingxuan's body exuded a chilling aura.

Memories of her past life flooded her mind.

In her previous life, she was a chosen one of heaven, diligently cultivating. But one day, a sword light descended from the sky, shattering her body, leaving no remains.

That sword, even now, still brought a sense of dread when she recalled it.

The wielder of that sword was likely a Divine Rank Artisan.

"What does the heavenly mandate truly represent?" Shen Lingxuan asked.

Cai Die paused, then replied, "It represents the will of the world, the world's destiny."

She was clearly a mysterious figure, and perhaps this was all she knew.

Shen Lingxuan, in her black dress, stood out like a black rose, exuding a cold and icy aura. "Mo Sankaong is out there, and the Divine Rank Armament Commanders from Raksha Kingdom are also rushing here. It's challenging to deal with them alone, and obtaining the source is incredibly difficult."

Cai Die shook her head, "This is a problem. Unfortunately, I can't fight, not even against an Earth Rank Armament Commander."

"However, I can go out and scout ahead, which might help avoid some dangers." Cai Die offered.

...

"Ah, before exploring the ruins, we should eat well. Otherwise, we won't have the energy." Chen Kangbao said, taking out buns from his pocket and stuffing them into his mouth.

As he ate, he held a bun in his hand and spoke to Tu Sihai.

"Do you want some?"

The charming young woman covered her mouth, seemingly put off by the sweat on the buns, "Thank you for your kindness, sir."

To her, Chen Kangbao was Qi Yuan's attendant, and she didn't want to offend him.

"No, thank you." The others also declined.

Only Wang Dao's face lit up with a smile, "I'll have some, thank you, sir."

Chen Kangbao was delighted to see this, "Here you go!"

Wang Dao immediately took the bun and shoved it into his mouth, "Delicious."

"Let's go, it's time to explore the ruins and find the entrance." The group of eight set off towards the northeast of the Ten Thousand Mountain Abyss.

According to Wang Dao's description, the seventeenth black door to the northeast was the entrance.

The group hurried under the cover of night.

At this moment, Qi Yuan glanced at the blind old man, and with a humble attitude, asked, "Sir, in a few months, I might also go blind. What do you think is the most important thing for a blind person?"

In a few months, he would have to pretend to be a blind artisan, and it was rare to meet a truly blind person. He needed to ask for advice.

The blind old man paused, his left eye blind, but his right eye was still intact, "Perhaps... it's regaining sight."

"Regaining sight?" Qi Yuan pondered.

For a blind artisan, the greatest wish might be to become a Divine Rank artisan or reach even greater heights.

But could one truly ascend to greater heights while blind?

After about half an hour, the group, under the cover of darkness, arrived at a mountain hollow.

It seemed there had been an earthquake here, causing the ruins to partially collapse, revealing a corner.

Over a dozen black doors came into view, adorned with various mysterious patterns.

"Half of these doors are open, thankfully the one we need to enter is also open. Otherwise, we might waste a lot of time." Tu Sihai remarked.

The doors in the ruins were incredibly sturdy, making it challenging even for top grandmasters to destroy.

"Where's the open door? Isn't there a small hole here?" Chen Kangbao exclaimed in surprise.

"That duck-voiced guy entered through that hole." Wang Dao recalled, still feeling a bit startled.

If it hadn't been for the difficulty of exiting, he suspected the Armament Commander would have killed him for witnessing his embarrassment.

"What hole? This is the Dragon Phoenix Cave." The charming young woman chuckled.

Tu Sihai also laughed, "We're all friends here, no need to deceive ourselves. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

The others agreed, and entering through the hole was a relief.

The blind old man looked at the charming young woman, "Just be careful that your ample bosom doesn't get stuck."

"Blind man, watch out, or I'll poke your good eye when we're inside!" The charming young woman wasn't angry.

Qi Yuan observed this and said seriously, "The blind old man is right."

The alluring young woman's face flushed with embarrassment. If anyone else had said such words, she wouldn't have felt a thing. But Qi Yuan was a mysterious powerhouse, destined to reach the Celestial Rank Armament Commander level in the future, and he was still so young and handsome.

Just then, Qi Yuan spoke, "This mere broken door, everyone watch closely, the son-in-law is about to show his skills!"

As Qi Yuan walked towards the Black Gate, the Heisha Brothers exchanged a surprised glance. The younger brother couldn't help but speak, "This Black Gate is made of Pu Clan Iron, even a Divine Mage Battle Master would find it difficult to destroy."

It was clear that he didn't think highly of Qi Yuan.

At that moment, Qi Yuan stopped in his tracks. "That's right, it's this kind of feeling. Say more things like this, or else, there's no point in me showing off my skills," Qi Yuan said with a smile in his eyes.

Before the son-in-law showed off his skills, there was no soul to his words. It would be even better if a beauty or a handsome man gave him a slap.

However, Qi Yuan didn't want to be slapped, so he let it go.

The younger Heisha brother's face turned awkward.

Tu Sihai was taken aback and, remembering Qi Yuan's eccentric personality, he tentatively said, "Brother Qi, attacking this Black Gate might be a futile effort."

He was actually speaking from the heart.

"Your attacks are too weak. I should give you some short plays to watch and see how those actors deliver their lines!" Qi Yuan shook his head.

The blind old man remained silent, not particularly fond of Qi Yuan's carefree nature, and merely gave him a cold look.

At that moment, Qi Yuan didn't waste any more words.

He extended his hand and gently pushed forward.

Instantly, a tremendous force was felt.

His hand was like a sharp kitchen knife, slicing through the air with a push.

Bang! A loud crash was heard, and the seemingly indestructible Black Gate shattered like a block of tofu.

A man-high entrance appeared before everyone's eyes.

"This... How is this possible!"

"It's actually broken!"

The people present were all shocked, their faces filled with disbelief.

They had anticipated that Qi Yuan was strong, but they never imagined he would be this powerful!

Shattering the Black Gate with a single strike, could a Divine Mage Battle Master achieve such a feat? Qi Yuan, witnessing this, no longer felt the need to show off.

"Now your reactions are more appropriate. It's just like in the dramas, the previous taunts were too weak," Qi Yuan clapped his hands.

The others exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

"I never expected Brother Qi to be so formidable. It seems this exploration of the secret realm will rely entirely on you," Tu Sihai said, seizing the moment to flatter.

The blind old man also reevaluated Qi Yuan, dismissing his previous thoughts.

Wang Dao's mood was excellent, as Qi Yuan's strength was truly remarkable.

At that moment, the older Heisha brother spoke up, "If we rely on Brother Qi for everything, how should we distribute the treasures we find?"

This question also caught the attention of the others.

If Qi Yuan did all the work, how should the treasures be divided?

Were they expecting to come along for the ride and let Qi Yuan take all the treasures?

"Who said you won't contribute? You can..." Chen Kangbao smiled mysteriously, flipping his hand, "Whenever we encounter enemies, you can help the young master by playing the trumpet and cheering him on!"

In his hand were several trumpets, along with gongs and drums.

The others exchanged bewildered glances, not knowing what to make of this.

"The young master is kind-hearted and can't bear to see enemies die silently, so he will also help them hold a grand funeral. I even brought along steamed buns for the feast!" Chen Kangbao, as Qi Yuan's advisor, understood his thoughts and came well-prepared.

The younger Heisha brother's face turned ashen upon seeing this.

Was he being asked to play the trumpet? Was this a humiliation?

At that moment, the blind old man took the trumpet, "If playing the trumpet counts as our contribution, what's wrong with an old man like me playing it?"

After all, compared to playing the trumpet, exploring ancient ruins was far more dangerous.

"There's such a good deal?" The alluring young woman took the trumpet, her eyes filled with allure, "This one is quite skilled at playing."

Wang Dao didn't hesitate and took the trumpet.

The younger Heisha brother hesitated, but seeing his brother take one, he also reached out, though his expression was somewhat stiff.

He really wanted to say that it depended on whether Qi Yuan had the skills.

But with Qi Yuan's formidable strength, he didn't dare show his true thoughts.

Seeing everyone holding trumpets, Qi Yuan felt like he was back in the mortal world.

Leading the villagers of Qingcun Village, he swept through the four directions, killing and feasting.

"Rest assured, I have a stake in this game. Follow me, and no one will dare to harm you!"

"Even if something unexpected happens and you get harmed, I'll find you and bring you to my underworld!"

Qi Yuan spoke with confidence.

The son-in-law needed to be confident.

Those around him were left dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.

Only Chen Kangbao continued to play the role of a loyal follower.

"The young master is a divine being descended from the heavens. Follow the young master, and you'll have steamed buns to eat!"

His flattery was almost comical.

The younger Heisha brother looked at Chen Kangbao, and a fleeting look of disdain flashed in his eyes.

This man had no shame, yet he was an Armament Commander.

The group entered through the Black Gate.

After about a quarter of an hour, the sound of trumpets rang out.

Five dark shadows appeared, their faces filled with malice.

Each of them possessed the strength of a High Mage Battle Master, roaring as they charged towards the group.

"I've already shown off my skills, and you dare to come and attack me? Do you think I'm a useless son-in-law?" Qi Yuan's expression was calm as he lightly tapped the ground, causing five pebbles to fly up. With a powerful kick, the pebbles shot towards the five dark shadows.

Whoosh! The pebbles flew like cannonballs towards the dark shadows.

The dark shadows halted in their tracks and then plummeted from the air.

Their auras vanished!

Chen Kangbao's face lit up with a smile, "The young master is mighty! As soon as the trumpets sounded, these phantom spirits were defeated!"

Tu Sihai watched this scene, his eyes filled with astonishment.

Qi Yuan was simply too powerful.

Even the younger of the Heisha Brothers, for some reason, had no complaints at this moment, only feeling a sense of satisfaction.

If they had all come, it would likely take a fierce battle to slay these five Demonic Spirits.

"Come, let's eat!" Chen Kangbao said, pulling out a pile of buns from his embrace.

This time, no one in the crowd refused. Even those who were disgusted pinched their noses and swallowed the buns.

"The eyes of these Demonic Spirits are quite valuable. You've been blowing the trumpet for so long; they're yours."

Qi Yuan had always done as he pleased.

Tu Sihai was stunned for a moment. "These eyes... are valuable?"

It was common knowledge that the eyes of Demonic Spirits were almost useless.

Could they be eaten?

"They're not that valuable. Probably just a few hundred taels," Qi Yuan said.

"This time, we relied entirely on Brother Qi's strength. These treasures should belong to Brother Qi!" The older of the Heisha Brothers politely said.

"I don't need these things," Qi Yuan casually replied.

The others didn't seem to mind, probably thinking they weren't that impressive treasures.

The Earth Rank Armament Commanders could still afford to part with a few hundred taels of silver.

At this moment, Tu Sihai asked, "What use are these eyes?"

"They're good for... enhancing virility..."

Before he could finish, the sound of breaking wind rang out, and five figures pounced on the corpses of the Demonic Spirits.

"Bro, leave one for me! You've already taken two!" The younger of the Heisha Brothers sounded anxious.

"Little bro, you're still young. Don't fight with your big bro!"

"We're twins!"

Not far away, a charming young woman revealed a disdainful smile. "Useless men."

She then turned to the blind old man, "Blindy, aren't you always aloof and uninterested in women?"

"Hmph!" The old blind man coldly humphed, "I have a friend; I'm helping him get these."

As he spoke, he tightly grasped the eyes and placed them in his Storage Artifact.

"It's a pity I can't return to Blue Star; otherwise, I'd take these eyes with me," Qi Yuan sighed.

He had missed too many opportunities to get rich.

If he could mass-produce these eyes, he would become a Saint on Blue Star.

If there were elections for President, he would surely win by a landslide.

"Let's go, continue."

Qi Yuan glanced at the crowd, showing no discrimination towards the men who couldn't keep up.

The others also had thick skin, acting as if nothing had happened.

Along the way, the group encountered many dangers.

But Qi Yuan effortlessly crushed them all.

Each time the trumpet sounded, it would stop after just a few breaths.

Qi Yuan was truly formidable, like a Hexagonal Warrior with no weaknesses.

Whether it was the fast or powerful Demonic Spirits, none could match Qi Yuan in their areas of expertise.

It could be said that Qi Yuan pushed through with an invincible posture.

"Watch out, I'm about to blow!"

"Let's eat!"

"Kill, kill, kill!"

Those who followed behind initially held back, but as they ventured deeper, their faces grew bolder.

"Bro, am I blowing loudly enough?"

...

"Cough, cough..." Deep within the ruins, a Confucian Scholar coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Mo San Kong's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I didn't expect to come to Ning Kingdom and encounter... the High Priest of Shangguo's Wentai Pavilion!"

Shangguo was a small country bordering Raksha Kingdom.

Shangguo had no ruler, only the Council of Elders.

Under this system, Shangguo highly revered the legendary God of Judgment.

When the God of Judgment was still around, Shangguo was a vassal state of Raksha Kingdom, bathed in the light of Divine Judgment.

However, ever since Divine Judgment's destruction, Shangguo resolutely broke away from Raksha Kingdom.

This infuriated Raksha Kingdom.

Especially since Shangguo secretly aided the Judgement Council, and it was with their help that the Judgement Council retained much of its strength.

If not for the fall of Divine Judgment and the weakened state of Raksha Kingdom, they would have sent troops to annihilate Shangguo long ago.

Now, Mo San Kong, upon seeing Shangguo's High Priest, had an amused glint in his eyes.

Killing the High Priest would be a commendable achievement.

"How can a mere Celestial Rank novice compare to me?" Mo San Kong's eyes narrowed with a sinister smile as he looked at the Confucian Scholar.

His eagle-like claws reached for the scholar, who hastily blocked, but a bloody gash still appeared on his shoulder, blood flowing.

Mo San Kong was about to strike again when a sudden trumpet sound echoed from a distance.

He turned sharply, and a bronze gate opened, revealing several figures falling to the ground.

A group of eight appeared in his line of sight.

The trumpet sound abruptly stopped.

Those who had been playing the trumpets, upon seeing Mo San Kong, wore expressions of shock and fear.

"A Celestial Rank Armament Commander!"

"The other one is also... a Celestial Rank Armament Commander in battle?"

Wang Dao was about to say something but swallowed his words, thinking of something.

Previously, when he had met Mo San Kong, Mo San Kong hadn't displayed his full strength, so he had assumed he was just a powerful Earth Rank Armament Commander.

But now, seeing Mo San Kong fight others, the state of Heaven and Man as One was clearly evident.

He knew very well that Qi Yuan's opponent was this Celestial Rank Armament Commander.

Although Qi Yuan was strong, he hadn't shown the state of Heaven and Man as One.

Even if his strength and speed far surpassed Mo San Kong, the state of Heaven and Man as One couldn't be compensated for by mere power and speed.

Tu Sihai also realized something and quickly said, "Senior, we didn't mean to intrude. We'll leave now."

He was very humble in his attitude.

After all, this was a Celestial Rank Armament Commander, and he didn't seem like a novice at that.

At this moment, Mo Sankaong's eyes suddenly filled with a cold smile. "You can leave, but that old man stays."

He pointed at Chen Kangbao, his gaze intense, and looked at the Confucian scholar. A cunning smile flashed in his eyes as he said, "You're quite good at disguising, but when that old man appeared, the surprise and concern that flashed in your eyes were noticed by me. You know him... and you're quite familiar."

Mo Sankaong stood in the air, his eyes filled with confidence and an air of superiority.

He seemed like a sovereign ruler.

"He stays, and you all leave."

"Or else... you'll all die!"

His voice was domineering and filled with disdain.

The Confucian scholar's face was filled with worry, and he also felt a sense of self-blame.

It was his fault that Old Chen was in danger! On the other side, Tu Sihai and the others also felt a sense of concern.

The pressure Mo Sankaong was giving them was immense, far greater than any Earth Rank Armament Commander they had ever encountered.

Even if they joined forces, they probably wouldn't be a match for this man.

Qi Yuan, no matter how strong he was, had not yet reached the state of Heaven and Man as One, so he was no match for Mo Sankaong.

"Hey, old eunuch, you're getting a little too full of yourself, aren't you?" Qi Yuan's eyes showed surprise, "Even if you let us go, I don't want to let you off the hook!"

Mo Sankaong's expression suddenly turned cold. He seemed to dislike being called an eunuch, as it hit a sore spot for him.

"Hmph, in this small country, there are so many daring and reckless people. Today... no one will get away!"

Mo Sankaong's heart was filled with murderous intent.

Tu Sihai and the others were on high alert, and one of them quickly spoke up, "Brother Qi, you take the lead, and we'll assist you. Let's attack together!"

At this moment, Mo Sankaong was brimming with killing intent, and no amount of talking would help. Only through combat did they have a glimmer of hope.

"Why are you taking action? Keep playing the music, keep blowing the trumpet, and let's send him off." Qi Yuan's voice was calm.

"But he's a Celestial Rank Armament Commander!" The blind old man spoke in a low voice, a hint of disbelief in his eyes as he looked at Qi Yuan.

Could it be that he wasn't pretending to be crazy, but was actually insane?

"Hmph, a Celestial Rank Armament Commander coming here to face the young master? He'll be farting in no time!" Chen Kangbao raised his hand and shouted, "Play the music!"

Upon seeing this, Tu Sihai and the others hesitated for a moment, but then picked up the trumpets and started playing. However, their bodies were tense, and they were ready to take action at the slightest sign of trouble.

At this moment, Qi Yuan turned to Mo Sankaong and said calmly, "Mo Sankaong, do you know what crime you've committed?"

Mo Sankaong's expression froze slightly, "You know me?"

"You dared to try and take my wife, Shen Lingxuan. If you took her, where would I find another wife? You've committed a capital offense, an unforgivable sin."

"If you kneel and beg for mercy, I can offer you some benefits so that you can have a proper burial after death." Qi Yuan was generous and kind-hearted, even respecting the human rights of criminals.

As for how one could have a proper burial after death?

It was simple; they would cut open his stomach and stuff dumplings inside.

"You're asking for death!" Mo Sankaong roared in anger.

"Shen Lingxuan has already caught the eye of our prince. If you find her and offer her to our prince, after you kneel and beg for mercy, your entire family will be spared!"

"Hey, I'm an orphan. How about you bring my entire family back to life?"

The sound of the trumpet rose, urgent and loud.

Within it, there seemed to be a hint of sorrow.

The Earth Rank Armament Commanders present all had worried expressions, their hearts filled with concern.

The Confucian scholar was also anxious, and there was a sense of confusion in his heart.

Wasn't Qi Yuan the crazy guy from the mental asylum?

Wasn't he just an ordinary person before? How could he be so powerful now?

"Die!"

Mo Sankaong attacked, and in the state of Heaven and Man as One, he directly borrowed the power of heaven and earth to suppress Qi Yuan.

"Kid, if you don't reach the heavenly realm, you'll forever be an ant. You have no idea what the power of heaven and earth truly is!"

Mo Sankaong was incredibly domineering.

His personal strength was no match for Qi Yuan's.

However, in the state of Heaven and Man as One, he could borrow the power of heaven and earth within a ten-meter radius.

Such power was not just ten thousand pounds; it was beyond what human strength could withstand!

This was the greatest difference between a Celestial Rank Armament Commander and an Earth Rank Armament Commander!

In a head-on confrontation, there was no example of an Earth Rank Armament Commander defeating a Celestial Rank Armament Commander.

"The power of heaven and earth?" Qi Yuan chuckled, "Old eunuch, do you understand... the value of a shareholder?"

He suddenly attacked, throwing a punch.

Mo Sankaong's eyes widened in shock.

Because he suddenly realized that the power of heaven and earth he had gathered was shattered in that instant.

No, it wasn't shattered; it had leaked, softened, like a son meeting his father in a club.

"How is this possible?" Mo Sankaong was puzzled.

The power of heaven and earth was the strongest asset of a Celestial Rank Armament Commander.

Only when the power of heaven and earth suppressed someone, and that power was then repelled by an even stronger power of heaven and earth, had there never been a case of the power of heaven and earth retreating before a battle.

Boom!

Unfortunately, his confusion was of no use.

He also had no idea that without Qi Yuan's essence and blood, this world, and this game, would not exist.

Qi Yuan could rightfully claim to be a shareholder of this world, and this world was his to own.

How dare the power of heaven and earth defy him!

A cracking sound rang out as the punch landed on Mo Sankaong's body.

Without the power of heaven and earth, his internal organs shattered instantly, and his body went limp.

Even in death, his face still showed disbelief and confusion.

Unfortunately, no one was there to explain it to him.

With one punch, the Celestial Rank Armament Commander was dead.

Qi Yuan's eyes held a smile, "To me, you're no different from those Earth Rank Armament Commanders!"

The sound of the trumpet also stopped at this moment.

The Armament Commanders present all had expressions of shock.

This shock exceeded their previous cumulative experiences.

How could an Earth Rank Armament Commander break through the power of heaven and earth and slay a Celestial Rank Armament Commander?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end