Chapter 20: The Ancient Ruins
Days after Xiao Feng unlocked the mysterious box and acquired the ancient map, he couldn't shake the feeling that this discovery would lead him to something significant. The map depicted a location far from any known city, nestled deep within uncharted territory. With curiosity burning inside him, Xiao Feng decided it was time to uncover the secrets hidden in the ancient ruins the map had pointed him to.The journey to the marked location took him far from Haicheng, through dense forests and across treacherous mountain ranges. His cultivation allowed him to traverse these difficult terrains with ease, but the isolation of the place only deepened the mystery. After hours of travel, he finally arrived at the entrance to the ancient ruins.At first glance, the site appeared unassuming—a series of crumbling stone structures, long abandoned and hidden beneath layers of moss and overgrowth. But as Xiao Feng approached, he felt a powerful aura emanating from the ruins, confirming that this place was anything but ordinary."This must be it," Xiao Feng murmured to himself, his eyes scanning the area. He could sense the remnants of powerful formations surrounding the ruins, designed to keep intruders at bay. It was clear that this place had been concealed for centuries, untouched by the hands of mortals.He stepped closer, his mind fully alert as he activated his spiritual senses. Immediately, he detected multiple layers of traps—some physical, others more insidious. The first was a complex formation hidden beneath the earth, designed to unleash a barrage of deadly spikes upon anyone who stepped too close. But with his knowledge of heavenly formations, Xiao Feng quickly deactivated it, allowing him to proceed further into the ruins.As he ventured deeper, the traps became more elaborate. A wave of poisonous gas suddenly filled the corridor ahead, followed by an illusion that twisted his surroundings, making it nearly impossible to discern reality from deception. Xiao Feng's heart raced as he navigated these dangers, relying on his mastery of heavenly formations to dispel the illusions and neutralize the poisons. But even with his advanced skills, the journey was grueling, and he found himself on the brink of exhaustion several times."This place is no joke," Xiao Feng muttered, wiping sweat from his brow as he disarmed yet another trap. "These formations are on par with those found in the Heavenly Realm. How did they end up here on Earth?"The thought troubled him. For such powerful formations to exist in a world where spiritual energy was so thin, it could only mean that cultivators from the Heavenly Realm had once visited this place—or perhaps even lived here. But why had they chosen to hide these ruins so carefully?After what felt like an eternity, Xiao Feng finally reached the heart of the ruins—a vast chamber carved out of solid rock. At its center stood an imposing statue, ancient and weathered, yet still radiating a sense of authority. The statue depicted a warrior in full battle regalia, holding a sword in one hand and a scroll in the other. As Xiao Feng approached, he could feel a strange energy pulsing from within it."This must be the key," Xiao Feng thought, his eyes narrowing as he studied the statue. He knew better than to underestimate the power it held. Reaching out, he placed his hand on the statue's surface.In an instant, the room was flooded with light, and a powerful consciousness emerged from the statue, filling the chamber with its presence. The voice that followed was deep and resonant, carrying with it the weight of countless centuries."To have made it this far," the voice intoned, "you must possess knowledge of the Heavenly Realm's highest formations. Few in this world could have passed the trials set before you."Xiao Feng remained calm, his mind racing as he processed the implications of what he was hearing. The consciousness within the statue was clearly ancient, and it seemed to recognize his origins—at least to some extent."Who are you?" Xiao Feng asked, his voice steady. "And why were these ruins hidden so carefully?"The consciousness paused before replying, as if considering its words. "I am but a remnant of a time long past, a guardian left behind to protect what lies within these ruins. These formations were placed here to ensure that only those with the necessary knowledge and strength could access the secrets hidden within.""And what secrets are those?" Xiao Feng pressed, though he had a feeling the answer would be far from simple.The consciousness chuckled, a sound that echoed eerily through the chamber. "The answer lies beyond this statue. But know this—what you seek is not just a treasure, but a legacy. A legacy of those who came before, who understood the true nature of the universe and the power that governs it."Xiao Feng's heart skipped a beat. The implications were staggering. If the ruins contained a legacy of ancient cultivators, it could potentially offer him insights and techniques that even he, with all his knowledge from the Heavenly Realm, had yet to master.The consciousness continued, its tone growing more solemn. "By reaching this place, you have proven yourself worthy. But the path ahead is fraught with even greater challenges. The legacy you seek will not be handed to you easily."Xiao Feng nodded, his resolve hardening. "I've come this far, and I won't turn back now.""Very well," the consciousness replied. "Beyond this chamber lies the final trial. Should you succeed, the legacy will be yours to claim. But be warned—failure will result in your demise."With those words, the light began to fade, and the consciousness retreated back into the statue. Xiao Feng felt the atmosphere in the chamber shift, as if the very air around him was preparing for what was to come.Taking a deep breath, Xiao Feng steadied himself. The final trial awaited, and with it, the promise of power and knowledge that could change his destiny forever. He knew that whatever lay ahead, he would face it with everything he had. The legacy of the ancient cultivators was within his grasp, and nothing would stop him from claiming it.With determination burning in his eyes, Xiao Feng took his first step toward the next chamber, ready to confront whatever challenges awaited him in the heart of the ancient ruins.