"Wait, so after investing so many resources to open the formation, we have to leave that crystal here in these ruins?" questioned one of the cultivators, his expression reflecting annoyance.
"Everyone, gather around!" shouted Dong Wu.
All sect members quickly approached Dong Wu. An elder from Dong Wu's sect stepped forward and inquired, "Dong Wu, what have you discovered?"
"Distinguished elder, please take a look," Dong Wu said, stepping aside.
Examining the finding, the elder remarked, "This appears to be an ancient language used in the human continent. I will need to translate it to understand its meaning." Retrieving the zade scroll, the elder began translating the words on the stone plaque.
As he worked, sweat started to bead on the elder's forehead. After a few minutes, avarice began to appear on his face. It took him an hour to completely decipher the ancient language inscribed on the stone plaque.
"Listen everyone, we must eliminate them all and extract the blood from their bodies," the elder communicated via his sect's secret technique. Initially surprised by their elder's command, the disciples' expressions quickly transformed into ones of greed.
"Wait, something doesn't seem right here," remarked Ronin, his brow furrowed in concern.
"What's amiss?" inquired Zhen Xia, her expression puzzled.
"Let's wait and observe," Ronin suggested, turning his gaze toward the assembly of disciples and elders from various sects.
Cultivators who had received their sect elders' orders slowly withdrew weapons concealed within their garments and attacked those nearby.
"Ah..."
"Elder, these traitorous scoundrels are attacking us! Everyone, counterattack!"
"Everyone, attack!"
"Elder Seka, what in the world are you doing?" questioned two elders, grievously wounded from the unexpected and potent ambush.
Initiating the assault, the Two Horns Sect, having deciphered the ancient language, gained a significant upper hand in the battle. They swiftly massacred cultivators from different sects in mere minutes.
They proceeded to collect the spilled blood in various containers and poured it onto the maze-like pattern on the ground. The blood gradually flowed towards the center, converging within a wide circular space.
"Why on earth are they slaughtering each other?" Zhen Xia queried, astonishment painted across her features.
"Let's approach and uncover the truth," Ronin decided, rising from his concealment and advancing toward the Two Horns Sect members, the sole survivors of the ruin's sects.
"What is your purpose?" Zhen Xia demanded, a mix of anger and confusion etched on her face.
Ronin didn't respond, only continued moving forward toward the last surviving sect members. "Elder, there are still survivors," exclaimed one of the disciples, glancing at his elder who was deciphering a remaining stone plaque nearby.
"After sacrificing the blood of 60 people, you have to chant this mantra: 'Gathering blood, the power of shadows. The flows of life, converging into one. A mystical connection, opening to the stars. Blood and shadows, manifesting the body.' " The elder's mind was consumed by greed, rendering him oblivious to the consequences of his actions then and now.
"Eh?" The elder turned toward his sect's disciple and then followed the gazes of everyone present. "Oh," the elder's eyes widened in surprise. He struggled to fathom why Ronin hadn't fled after witnessing the massacre in the hall.
After a minute, he regained his composure and, upon seeing Ronin approach, a ruthless glint flashed through his eyes as he asked, "Why didn't you run away?"
"Why should I have run away?" Ronin retorted, countering the elder's question.
"Why? Kid, don't you value your life? Aren't you afraid we'll take it from you?" the elder inquired, curiosity etched onto his face.
"Of course, I cherish my life. Who wouldn't? Do you truly think you can snatch it away?" Ronin quipped, a smirk curling on his lips.
Zhen Xia, having reached Ronin, cautiously slid her hand to grasp his sleeve. "What's troubling you?" Ronin inquired, embracing her waist and pulling her closer.
"Haha, kid, I admire your spirit. Join my sect, and I'll grant you as many companions as you desire," the elder chortled heartily. Abruptly, his laughter ceased, replaced by a composed yet intense expression. "But if you decline, death is the sole escape from these ruins."
"Hmm, violence... violence... violence, it's not my preference, I evade it. However, it seems violence favors me, and I cannot elude it," Ronin stated. Instantly, he materialized in front of the disciple clutching the blood container, slashing the disciple's throat. The disciple slumped forward, his throat bleeding into the container, blood gradually filling it.
"Hmm, since inhabiting this demon lord's body, I seem to have grown ruthless," Ronin mused as he observed the blood trickling into the container from the disciple's throat.
"Everyone, attack!" shouted one of the disciples, jolting the rest into action as they advanced toward Ronin, wielding an array of weapons.
A smile tugged at the corners of Ronin's lips as he vanished from his original position, reappearing behind the group. However, most of the attackers collapsed lifelessly to the ground, while a few remained writhing in agony, clutching severed limbs.
"Useless lot! Stand aside, I'll handle him myself!" bellowed the elder. Drawing two halberds, one in each hand, he directed a menacing glare at Ronin.
"Hey, old man, your weapon looks impressive. What's it called?" Ronin inquired, curiosity evident on his face. In his previous life, he had encountered knives, swords, and spears, but the weapon the old man produced was unlike anything he'd seen before.
"Hehe, kid, these are called halberds, and you're about to experience the might of a level 2 mortal artifact," Oldman chuckled, his form vanishing from its initial position.
"He's fast," Ronin muttered softly, vanishing in turn, generating sparks in the air. However, both their movements remained invisible to the naked eye.
"Both of them are too fast; I can barely keep up with their fight," Zhen Xia murmured softly, her gaze sweeping the hall, her expression serious.
"Clang... clang..."
"That's enough. I've toyed with you for long," Ronin declared, channeling his full strength into a strike against the elder. The elder wielded his dual halberds to parry the forceful assault, resulting in a resounding "clang." Nonetheless, the blow's intensity proved too overwhelming to thwart entirely. The aftershock left the elder temporarily unable to move his hands, forcing him to cough up mouthfuls of blood before he sank to his knees, his eyes betraying despair.