Moments later, his gaunt face became full and ruddy, and his stature grew, making him appear heroic and extraordinary.
He produced a sheepskin scroll, unfurled it, and studied it carefully.
"Heh heh, just as I suspected, the secret realm of the ancient Yunmeng ruins is hidden within this desolation!"
A cold smile flickered across Lin Haoyang's lips.
Then, he rolled up the scroll, raised his hand, and cast a finger seal. Instantly, a phantom projection appeared in the secret chamber—an old man.
"Uncle," Lin Haoyang bowed respectfully.
"Nephew Haoyang, have you summoned me for something important?" the phantom old man asked in a deep, hoarse voice.
"Uncle, please take a look at this!"
Lin Haoyang handed over the scroll, then added, "I stumbled upon this information by chance."
Upon hearing this, the phantom old man reached out and grabbed the scroll from the air, holding it in his palm.
In an instant, his pupils suddenly blazed with brilliant light!
"What a profound array pattern construction, I can't even see through it?" The old man's eyes widened in shock.
Seeing this, Lin Haoyang felt more confident.
"Uncle, this map was meticulously crafted by a master array formationist of the past using array patterns."
"Master array formationist..." the old man murmured to himself. "I have heard that a hundred years ago, there was a master array formationist who inscribed a vast number of formations using array patterns. Could he… still be alive?"
"I'm not sure," Lin Haoyang replied, shaking his head.
"Very well." The phantom old man waved his hand, then frowned. "Although this formation is profound, it is not easy to fully comprehend. It requires a long time. If what you say is true, then that fellow named 'Chu Chen' is likely not simple either."
"Indeed. The Patriarch is also in seclusion this time, attempting to break through to the Martial Master realm."
"Once the Patriarch ascends to the Martial Master realm, the Lin family's strength will reach a new level, no longer confined to a single province!"
"Hahaha..." Several elders laughed heartily, their eyes filled with longing and aspiration.
...
Three days passed in a blink of an eye. Chu Chen waited in the inn for an opportunity to enter the Yunmeng Mountain Range. It was rumored that the secret realm of the ancient Yunmeng ruins would open soon. Entering the Yunmeng Mountain Range would inevitably lead to encounters with various experts, all vying for the secret realm's inheritance, and Chu Chen was no exception.
Chu Chen's sworn enemy, the Lin family, would also be heading to the Yunmeng Mountain Range. He didn't mind using the demonic beasts within the Yunmeng Mountain Range to hone himself and enhance his combat power!
Under normal circumstances, a martial artist's cultivation speed is very slow, but with the aid of various elixirs and treasures, it might be possible to accelerate the cultivation process. Regardless of the world, elixirs are extremely precious! And the rarer the elixir, the better its effect and the higher its price!
The Yunmeng Mountain Range was home to a large number of demonic beasts! They were ferocious and violent by nature, unlike ordinary wild beasts. These demonic beasts grew around the ancient Yunmeng ruins and could even be considered their guardians! Unless one possessed formidable cultivation, ordinary martial artists were no match for them, resulting in injuries at best and death at worst!
"Rumble!"
On this day, thunder and lightning flashed, dark clouds obscured the sky, and a storm was imminent! Thick, dragon-like bolts of lightning struck the earth as if the end of the world had arrived! A massive fissure, a hundred feet long, spread across the land. The ancient Yunmeng ruins had finally appeared!
Whoosh!
Two figures streaked through the air, descending into the vast canyon. The canyon was filled with swirling mist, exuding a decaying, desolate aura that sent shivers down one's spine!
"This is it. The ancient Yunmeng ruins are inside." one of them said.
The other remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if piercing through the layers of mist to see something that filled him with dread and fear.
...
"Rumble!"
Suddenly, the heavens and earth shook violently, dark clouds rolled in, and the might of thunder and lightning enveloped the sky, plunging the entire canyon into darkness.
"Roar!"
"Howl!"
The demonic beasts in the canyon roared in panic, scattering in all directions.
Deep within the canyon.
Chu Chen, who had been sitting on a futon, opened his eyes. He slowly stood up and walked towards the canyon exit.
"Hmm?"
After taking a few steps, Chu Chen abruptly stopped, his brow furrowed. His gaze was fixed ahead, where a small sapling was rooted in the soil, growing vigorously. At the top of the sapling hung a purple fruit. The fruit was crystal clear, emitting a peculiar fragrance, like a purple bead radiating ethereal mist.
"Is this the legendary Purple Spirit Grass?" Chu Chen murmured, his eyes burning with desire.
Purple Spirit Grass was a rare heavenly treasure, containing pure spiritual energy! A single drop of Purple Spirit Liquid could enable a martial apprentice realm martial artist to quickly recover their stamina and true essence! And this small tree bore seven or eight Purple Spirit Fruits, enough to instantly restore the depleted true qi of a ninth-stage Body Tempering realm martial artist.
"Purple Spirit Liquid, Purple Spirit Fruit..." Chu Chen's breathing quickened. If he could obtain a drop of Purple Spirit Liquid, with its efficacy, he could break through the Body Tempering realm in a short period and step into the Martial Apprentice realm!
"My strength is too weak. I can only rely on external means to improve my strength if I hope to contend with the Lin family!" This was an excellent opportunity, and he had to seize it, no matter the cost, to obtain those Purple Spirit Fruits!
With this thought, Chu Chen unhesitatingly walked towards the small tree and plucked the outermost Purple Spirit Fruit! However, just as he was about to pick a second one.
Suddenly!
A dangerous aura struck, making Chu Chen's hair stand on end. He retreated rapidly! Whoosh!
At the same moment, a blood-red light pierced from the side, striking fiercely behind Chu Chen and blasting through the wooden house wall!
Boom!
The wooden house instantly turned into ruins, filled with dust and smoke!
"Who?!" Chu Chen roared, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the dust-filled area.
"Heh heh heh! You dare to steal my things? You're looking for death!" An eerie laugh echoed, followed by the charge of a burly figure, exuding a strong scent of blood. This person was clad in black armor, radiating a bloodthirsty aura, and a black poisonous python coiled around him, hissing ferociously as it lunged forward!
"Scram!" Chu Chen snorted and swept his fist.
With a muffled thud, the black poisonous python was directly smashed to pieces!
"What!" The burly man's face changed drastically. He hadn't expected this thin young man to have a body as hard as iron!
Crack! Crack!
While the burly man was stunned, two sharp daggers instantly tore through his black armor and pierced his chest!
"Pfft!" Blood splattered, and the burly man let out a scream. He was pinned to the stone wall, his life extinguished.
This scene unfolded in an instant, leaving the onlookers in shock! Killing a peak Body Tempering realm savage beast in one move?! Who was this young man?
"You..." Another man retreated in terror, pointing at the young man, "You actually killed Brother Black Tiger!"