Two smoky figure came out of entrance of ruins .
With a flick threw a pot high in the air .Entire pot turned into sand .and it flew away with the wind .
Another figure opened the gourd .Human like faces came out from gourd .after going up in the air they turned into nothing becoming part of heaven .Some human faces tried to attack smoky figures .But a barrier appeared in front of them .
"Don't overreach if we weren't forbidden to eat .you would have been nothing but food " with a wind palm they flew away .
Flaming faces felt pain and flew up in the air .later they dispersed.
Than both smoky figure .stood in praying motion .
"If there is heaven .I hope you get to enter within it .And live a peacefull after life ."
"Your contribution to us is immeasurable "
They bowed to the air .
When they were done .They shouted .
"Come out .you have been looking at us for a while "
"I didn't think Ghosts would bow in compassion after killing so many "
"Old man we haven't killed them .Their greed did .it was their choice to come and fight for treasure they couldn't obtain "smoky 1
"They overestimated their ability "smoky 2
"Entire ruins are managed by you .And you say you aren't to blamed for their deaths"
"Old man we truly don't deserve blame .For the ones who come during day .But for the ones who come during night we deserve every bit of blame ."smoky 2 disappeared and appeared behind old man .
A fire ring appeared came from his hand engulfing old man .Old man used wind palm to extinguish the flame .and escaped to distance but fell from smoky 1's trap .
Bloody chains came out of ground and grabbed his ankles .old man was about to cut the chains .But was beat slower .Smoky 2 grabbed his neck .old man was unable to move .
"Including you . ofcourse .Old man you have been sneaking around for days .why have you come out today openly "smoky1
"I was looking for certain treasure .I searched many floors .but couldn't find it .I was hoping for a help from you "
"Hahaha .you make a good joke old man .we are about to kill you .why should we help you "smoky 1
"Than just treat it as my last wish .and tell me
Whether it's in Great ruins or not "
"Hehe last wish I am quite interested what is it ."smoky 1
"We have many types of treasure within ruins .what are you looking for "smoky 2
"Something that can make a mortal able to cultivate.
A treasure that could awaken dormant physique is also fine "
"To make mortal cultivate .we do have some inhuman & evil techniques. But their potential will not be high .Atmost reaching core formation But I suppose you are not looking for them ."
Smoky 1
"For awakening dormant physique a thing comes to mind .But even we can't reach it let alone you "smoky 2 .
"Noble ghosts please tell me .which floor area is it on "
"You are about to die .But still full of greed "smoky 2
"As long as I don't die .I want to know .Noble ghosts please tell me and fullfil my last wish "
"Heh .it's more important than Your life . than hear it. We also don't know if it's in great ruins or not .But if it is in ruins it will be on lowest floor .But I am sure it's not in ruins .hahaha"smoky 1
"Now die peacefully.i hope you don't wander as a ghosts like us "smoky 2
"I have heard everything I wanted .let's end this farce .purifying light "
"What "
Light flashed from old man's body .Smoky 2 felt light stinging his eyes and burning it's smoky body and 1 released old man .Distancing himself .
"This purifying light is hurting "
" My ghostly figure can't bear it "
"Freeze wind "old man attacked and launched a wind palm .wind surrounded smoky figures and started freezing them . 2 ice stones formed on ruins .
Old man didn't stop and placed a purifying talisman on the icy stones .
"This will keep you imprisoned for a while "
Old man brought out a pill and ate it .His qi skyrocketed His realm increased.
He boldly entered the Great ruins .
Unexpectedly his rising qi alerted nearby forces leader .
"Which expert have come here "
"Expert this place is forbidden for someone in core formation and above to enter "
Four figures came to great ruins flying .Observed for a while but saw no one outside .
"Maybe expert has already entered Great ruins "
"Than what should we do ?"
"We can't do anything .only ghost general will do what he wants with him ."
"What if he angers ghost general "
"Leave the guess work .First unfreeze them "
They destroyed the purifying talisman on ice stones .With the disappearance of purifying qi .Ghost knights easily broke the ice .
"Human experts what were you doing .when that expert came to here ".
"We had no idea Someone would still come here .after it was emptied of any useful treasures"
"Maybe the expert has aura concealing treasure "
"It is also possible he had hidden his cultivation and disguised as young person "
"Unlike humans .we ghosts can see through disguise .That man is probably old "smoky 1
"He has been coming here straight for 3days .You didn't notice anything.You humans have to take responsibility for any of his actions.if he angered Thunder general . ready to bear his anger "smoky 2
Saying that they entered great ruins .
"What should we do know ."
"We have to inform our old man's in seclusion"
"It is just that our old man's can defeat them .but not eliminate them completely."
"We are lacking in skills to deal with ghosts"
Sigh!
"I hope that expert don't meet ghost generals "
"why "
"Forget it .it's better he don't come out alive "
"Should we stay here or go "
"Wait.we should wait"
*****
An old man was speeding through the floors going at incredible speed .
If he couldn't find a way .he would break the walls .If he couldn't break the walls.He would break the floor .
Staircase were just a way .For him to not destroy anything.
It was time of night .
It was time of ghosts .
Soon his movements were noticed by ghosts .
Ghosts chased after him.But compared to Old man 's speed .They couldn't keep up .
Additionally when he would meet 1 or 2 ghost .he would freeze them the same way .
He had eaten a realm increasing pill and before side-effect could catch him .
He would search the ruins as fast as possible.
He guessed he was on 6th floor . It seemed to be last floor .After he searched everything he didn't find treasure he was looking for .
"Let's go all out than "
He punced the floor hard .it didn't break in one punch .
Than he punched again and again The floor broke .
Looking within the hole he created .he muttered .
"So there are also floor hidden beneath."than he started punching floor beneath.
Going 4 floors deep .
*******
In a hidden hall .
"Thunder general A human is intruding in the lower floors "
"What is so new about it .just hunt him down "
"Thunder general this human is strong for our weak self .if we were in prime even 10 of him couldn't matter .But with our weakning self we are unable to handle him "
"He has frozen some of us in ice and with purifying talisman . imprisoned us .we are unable to free our companions ."
"Ohh . that's a new method someone has used on us .And it's cheap too .I like the method . Because it's new. But also dislike it because he is underestimating us "Thunder General
"Thunder general .we have to stop him before he comes down to this level "smoky 1
"What does he want by coming here .There should be nothing of interest to him "Thunder general
"He wants a treasure that can help mortal cultivate."smoky 2
"It's should be on 6th floor why is he still not going back ."
"He doesn't want any evil method .But a pure one ".smoky 1
"Such things don't exist "Thunder general
"Than I guess he is looking for alternative to awakening dormant physique "
"What kind of alternative "Thunder general trailed off .
"I ...we are sorry general .we told him about the lowest floor"
"So he is heading to lowest floor and you told him about it "Thunder general stood up .A spear appeared in his hand .he pointed at the two .lightning came out of spear . striking exactly at their shoulders .Their smoky figure burned .They felt hurt.but didn't move from. their position.
"Yes but we didn't specify "
"And you think it's enough to offset your crime ."Thunder general said angrily
"No general.please punish us .But after capturing the human "
"I have already punished you .I will not punish you again.search for that human he shouldn't come to lowest floor "Thunder general
He disappeared with thunder afterimage .
*******
Old man was punching his way down .when he heard a thunder sound behind him .
Looking back he saw a purple lightning behind him .Than smoke emerged around it .as it took shape of human .
Old man frowned and ran in opposite direction.
"You are really fast .others are unable to catch you "
A voice came some metres behind him .
"Not fast . experienced ."
"So you are experienced in escaping "
Voice came from his right direction some meters behind him .
"Not at all . I am experienced at not getting caught "
"Isn't that same ".
"It's not .by escaping I have choice to return safely.by not getting caught I have to risk my life here. "
" Are you saying you can escape safely in front of me .let me remove your delusion
"thunder general shot out a lightning .
Which hit immediately old man's calf .
"Your other leg also give up "
Another lightning striked his other leg .
"What do you have to say now .I hope nothing and die ."
"General have you heard about puppetry "
"Puppetry?"
"Yes thanks for playing with this puppet "suddenly the old man in front of him started decreasing in size and turned into wooden puppet of 1.5 foot .
"How ?"
"Thunder General your special cultivation does increase your power but also make you different from other ghosts ."The puppet spoke .
Thunder general shot out a lightning burning the puppet to crisp .
"I will find you and deal with you "
******
Unbeknownst to anyone a lump of round vines bound together was moving to down floors .
'Entering this vine monster's stomach was worthwhile.'
He had entered inside plant like vine monster's stomach .And was currently protecting himself from the stomach acids by creating a barrier bubble .
This is one of the strong beast in lower levels .
But I wonder if they can see my soul even inside vine monster.
Ghosts could see souls of others directly . Naturally any disguise was failure .
He had previously cultivated a puppet for many years .And it looked like him in every way .when used .
Other than soul everything was just same .
Which proved useful .
But he didn't have any more puppets .
All I have to do is keep away from thunder general.others I can escape if not able to deal with them .
But how to attract their attention.
He was wondering when he heard a sound of water moving.
Glug! Gulg!
Behind these walls is water .vine monster grows with the water.
This is a chance .
A round ball of energy shot out of vine monster's what seemed to be mouth .
After 3 attacks the walls had a sign of cracks "
With a last attack water came out .
Vine monster instinctively started absorbing water .it's body grew rapidly.It expanded and spread through all the floor .if it could stand straight.it would be like a towards walking .
Old man noticed many ghosts had appeared.Trying to stop the spread of vine monster .
Old man thought of escaping.
If I move inside this vine's body .I can travel without found out by anyone .but for that I need to water it. And spread it body on other floors .
"But if I give it berserk and realm increasing pill "
I wonder what the effect will be .
First get out of its body and than try it .
Old man quietly went above the floors .Cutting one of its branch open .He came out .
Almost every floor has some water .
But they aren't big source . I have to look for something big .
*********
Moments later Old man was setting up a formation .
"Another treasure is going to be waste "He lamented that fact he wasn't strong enough to search the ruins .with his strength and had to rely on artifact and treasures.
He had set up many small formations like this .In fact he had a artifact which could was showing him where to place the treasures .
He just had to follow instructions.
All around many ghosts were frozen in ice .They had found him and were imprisoned by old man .
Suddenly lightning flashed .A blueish and black smoky figure appeared.inside and figure .small arcs of lightning could be seen flashing.
"My companions are no threat to you "He looked at his frozen companions For cultivators of high ranks .There were many ways to deal with ghosts .But these old man was dealing with his companions lightly.He was angry but also calm .
"They are indeed weak now.but they also didn't come together .This old man got the chance to imprison them "
"What are your intentions.we have no useful treasure you want . especially something that can awaken dormant physiques .you wouldn't think I am lying would you "
"These days what I have heard about Thunder general is remarkable. Although the information is less .But I can trust your words from what I have heard about you .But this old man have no choice but to look for hope within these dark ruins "
"For who and why.No nevermind.These time I am sure you are real .Die under my lightning "Thunder general.
Old man quickly jumped and distanced himself .But the lightning followed target and was about to hit old man .
Old man made hand gestures and the floor beneath lit up in patterns . swallowing up the lightning .
After they exchanged several moves .Old man kept maintaining his distance from thunder general.Ranged attacks of thunder general were swallowed by small formations across the floor .
"How long can this small formations absorb my lightning s .do you want to find out "
"Not long I know that .But together their purpose is to imprison you .Thunder general thanks for coming to find me ."
All formations lit up simultaneously . Starting to draw lightnings from Thunder general.A barrier formed up of water ,mud and metal.
"These three layer barrier I hope it can imprison you for a while .But just in case I will place your companion's closer to you .
Thunder general you know . lightning attacks are harmful to them .Be careful and don't use heavy attacks "old man disappeared to the lower floors after saying that .
"Despicable to imprison me like this "Thunder general roared .
*********
Old man after finding water source on lower floors directed its water to the vine monster .
Vine monster grew rapidly and covered several floors .
Ghosts were dealing with it extending branches.
Old man finally got to the lowest floor .But what he saw shocked him .
There were thousands of ghosts sleeping .Not moving .
His heart almost jumped out of his body .
But he realised These ghosts were not moving .They hadn't even noticed him.
In the center of all ghosts was a sacrificial altar .
And beyond that was nothing .
After he avoided every ghost and searched the entire floor .other than this altar he found nothing noticeable.
This trip was in vain .There was no treasure he was searching for . Realising this he despaired .
**********
Old man was returning to the surface .while being chased by numerous ghosts .
On his way back He had encountered Thunder emperor again .who had already freed other ghosts .
Old man didn't thought much and escaped .
He used various strong monster on other floors to distract the ghosts .
Their numbers had considerably decreased.
But old man had also lost the feeling in his legs .He was attacked by thunder general and his veins and senses were burned .
But good thing was people at his level could fly .He could still move .
He had to sacrifice another treasure to distract thunder general.
This trip is nothing but loss .
Finally he was on one of the top floors .
Wating for exit to appear and fighting with the ghosts .
At this time thunder General appeared had shot his spear .With incredible speed it pierced old man's one arm .
This time exit appeared .old man didn't spare a thought and exited without any second thought.Many ghost launched their fire attacks .it smashed into old man's back .
Lights poured in the dark passage .A old body was sent flying inside .Three human cultivatores stood at the entrance.
"Thunder general we noticed this intruder fleeing and caught him for you ."
"Thunder general you can take your anger out on him .we don't know him "
Thunder general looked at the light pouring inside passage .
"Disperse I don't want to see you "thunder general felt strong disgust for the three .
"Yes general we will disperse .but please let me explain we don't know him .we also don't care about his life .you can kill him to appease your anger " three humans bowed and left .
Thunder general glared at old man and than at sunlight . unexpectedly it was already day .
"Tie this old man up .I will deal with him later "