Time passed, and it took a full half an hour for everyone to finish collecting all the spirit core source crystals within this sixth-level ruin.
In addition, three more Barrier-Breaking Meteor Pills were discovered. This harvest was somewhat unexpected for Li Xuan.
Just as Li Xuan was about to speak about the distribution, he and Zhu Jun Cai exchanged a glance. Then, with a wave of their hands, a spiritual light shot out from their Qian Kun bracelets.
Upon seeing this, everyone recognized it as a transmission spirit talisman.
"What happened?" Seeing Li Xuan and Zhu Jun Cai's solemn expressions after looking at the transmission spirit talismans, Shi Hong Yi asked.
Li Xuan responded with a wry smile and said, "The Saint Son senior brothers have sent an order for all teams to rush to the depths of the Ying Long Cave Heaven at full speed. Also..."
"Also, the sect's information was incorrect. It's not a seventh-level ruin that has appeared, but an eighth-level ruin!"
"An eighth-level ruin!"
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, everyone present was shocked.
The level of a ruin determined the quantity of spirit core source crystals. Furthermore, higher-level ruins contained more treasures.
Even when the initial information indicated a seventh-level ruin, the top disciples of various forces had received instructions from their sect leaders before entering the Ying Long Cave Heaven to claim a share of the spoils.
Now, it was a level even higher than a seventh-level ruin.
"According to the transmission message from Senior Brother Ming Chi, the disciples of each peak must immediately head to the deepest part of the Ying Long Cave Heaven upon receiving the message. If you encounter a team from the Holy Sect on the way, kill them! Even if you cannot defeat them, you must stall them, preventing them from reaching the deepest part of the Ying Long Cave Heaven and joining the Holy Sect's Saint Son."
Zhu Jun Cai surveyed everyone and then nodded, speaking.
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression became more serious. Although their relationship with the Holy Sect had not been good before, the two sides had chosen whether to engage based on the actual situation. However, the current order from Yue Ming Chi directly demanded them to attack any Holy Sect team they encountered.
It was evident that the animosity between the two sects had escalated to a new height. It was even possible that fierce battles were already underway between the Saint Sons of the two sects in the depths of the Ying Long Cave Heaven. Otherwise, their respective teams would not be ordered to engage in combat.
"I imagine that besides our Xuan Sect disciples, teams from all other forces have also received the news."
"The Holy Sect's teams will likely ambush our Xuan Sect teams as well, so while rushing to the depths, we must remain vigilant. If we encounter teams from other forces, it might be manageable, but once we meet the Holy Sect's teams, a major battle is likely unavoidable," Li Xuan said solemnly.
"Within an eighth-level ruin, besides the vast quantity of spirit core source crystals, many other opportunities are also unknown. According to Senior Brother Ming Chi's transmission, there are still half a month until the eighth-level ruin appears."
"During these half a month, various forces will likely be demarcating this eighth-level ruin. And the teams from various forces will definitely be factored into the overall strength. Senior Brother Ming Chi's intention is likely to reduce the overall strength of the Holy Sect," Zhu Jun Cai nodded and analyzed. Everyone agreed with a nod.
"Since we have already received the transmission, let us depart first. I imagine the Holy Sect's teams are also doing their best to rush to the deepest part. If the Holy Sect's teams get there first, it will not be good for us," Li Xuan pondered for a moment and said.
"Senior Brother Li Xuan, I'm afraid we cannot travel together," Li Xuan's words had barely fallen when Zhu Jun Cai frowned slightly and his expression turned solemn.
Li Xuan looked at Zhu Jun Cai in confusion. If the two teams joined forces and moved together, they would have a much higher chance of winning if they encountered the Holy Sect's teams. But if they split up, this advantage would undoubtedly be greatly reduced.
"I also know that traveling with Senior Brother Li Xuan to the deepest part of the Ying Long Cave Heaven would reduce our casualties if we encountered Holy Sect teams. But I also know that there are quite a number of Holy Sect teams this time."
"Moreover, Senior Brother Ming Chi's transmission also stated that even if we cannot defeat them, we must try our best to stall the Holy Sect's teams. Therefore, if I were to lead my team with you, Senior Brother Li Xuan, then our Xuan Sect would have one less team to stall the Holy Sect. And by splitting up, our chances might even be greater, so I hope Senior Brother Li Xuan can understand."
Seeing Li Xuan's puzzled expression, Zhu Jun Cai explained.
Li Xuan slowly nodded. What Zhu Jun Cai said was not without reason. Splitting up also had its advantages. At the very least, their target would not be as conspicuous as when the two teams were together.
Furthermore, in terms of team numbers, they could indeed have an extra team to tie down the Holy Sect. After some consideration, Li Xuan had no choice but to support Zhu Jun Cai's decision and said, "In that case, I won't force you, Senior Brother Zhu. We'll meet in the depths!"
"We'll meet in the depths!" Zhu Jun Cai nodded, bowed to Xi Chu Yun and Shi Hong Yi, and then turned to walk out of the stone gate.
The Xuan Sect disciples who originally belonged to Zhu Jun Cai's team also followed him, quickly shooting off into the distance.
"Let's depart as well," Li Xuan said to Shi Hong Yi, his gaze shifting as he watched the dot representing Zhu Jun Cai's team disappear on the transmission spirit talisman.
Shi Hong Yi immediately gathered his team with the help of those beside him. A few minutes later, the team was assembled. Li Xuan nodded, relayed the arrangements from the transmission spirit talisman, and then began to move forward rapidly according to the map.
Along the way, Li Xuan remained constantly vigilant. His spiritual sense never ceased.
During this time, Li Xuan did indeed sense some teams also rushing towards the depths. These teams were not from the Holy Sect. And upon detecting Li Xuan's team, they quickly moved away. Judging by their marching speed, they had clearly also received the news.
In the blink of an eye, Li Xuan and his group had advanced rapidly for three days. According to the map, they were only half a day's journey away from the depths of the Ying Long Cave Heaven. Seeing that everyone's breathing was somewhat uneven, Li Xuan chose a high peak to stop.
"We're only half a day away from reaching it, why is your expression so solemn?" Xi Chu Yun asked softly, looking at Li Xuan standing at the peak.
Li Xuan turned around and sighed, saying, "Logically, the Holy Sect's teams are also heading towards the deepest part. Although we encountered teams from other forces along the way, we haven't met a single team from the Holy Sect."
"Now that we are getting closer and closer to the depths of the Ying Long Cave Heaven, I am worried that the Holy Sect has made preparations. Perhaps the closer we get, the greater the danger."
"Are you implying that the Holy Sect might be setting up an ambush for us in the central and core areas? If that's the case, wouldn't the Saint Sons also notice? After all, we are not that far from the depths," Xi Chu Yun said.
Li Xuan responded with a wry smile and said, "This is what I am worried about. If the Holy Sect's teams have indeed set up an ambush at this dividing line, then it can only mean one thing: our Xuan Sect's Saint Son has been held back by the Holy Sect's Saint Son. And it's very likely he has already fallen. We can only rely on ourselves now."
Xi Chu Yun's expression also became much more solemn. If Li Xuan's words were true, then the danger level in the next half a day would increase exponentially. And the safety of this team rested solely on Li Xuan's shoulders. One could imagine the immense pressure Li Xuan was under.
Perhaps sensing Xi Chu Yun's concern, Li Xuan took a deep breath and smiled, "Of course, this is just my speculation. Perhaps the situation is not as bad as that."