Chapter 47: Going to the Crimson Ruins, Sealing Barrier?
The conviction in Xian Tiandi’s voice left no room for doubt. He wasn’t guessing. He wasn’t worrying needlessly. He knew.
Elder Qiu sighed. "The Patriarch did tell us to act according to your instructions in matters beyond simple protection. If you truly believe this is urgent..."
"It is," Xian Tiandi confirmed.
Elder Feng nodded slowly. "Then we will accompany you to the Crimson Ruins. Both Elder Qiu and myself. Two Golden Core cultivators should be sufficient to handle most threats."
"We should leave immediately," Xian Tiandi said. "Every moment we delay..."
"Understood." Elder Feng stood. "Give us five minutes to prepare. We’ll need some supplies and to inform the others of our departure."
The two elders left the meeting hall quickly, moving with purpose. The Zhou elders watched them go, then turned to Xian Tiandi with curious expressions.
"You’re certain about this?" one of them asked.
"Completely," Xian Tiandi replied.
Zhou Kang stepped closer. "Do you want me to come as well?"
Xian Tiandi shook his head. "Stay here. Help coordinate things if we’re not back by morning."
Zhou Kang looked like he wanted to argue but nodded instead. He’d learned to trust Xian Tiandi’s judgment.
Xian Long wasn’t informed of this at the moment.
Five minutes passed quickly. Elder Feng and Elder Qiu returned, both carrying spatial rings loaded with emergency supplies. Their expressions were set, focused.
"Ready, Young Master," Elder Feng said.
Xian Tiandi moved toward the exit. "Then let’s go."
They left the compound at a quick pace. The streets of Crimson Lotus City blurred past as they navigated toward the western gate.
People moved aside instinctively, sensing the spiritual pressure of two Golden Core cultivators moving with purpose.
The guards at the western gate barely had time to register their passage before they were through and onto the open road beyond the city walls.
"The Crimson Ruins are west," Elder Feng said as they began moving at cultivation speed. "About an hour’s travel at a normal pace."
"We’re not traveling at a normal pace," Xian Tiandi said.
Elder Qiu nodded. "Agreed. We’ll move at full speed."
The two Golden Core cultivators began circulating their spiritual energy. Their speed increased dramatically, their forms blurring as they shot forward along the dirt path.
Xian Tiandi pushed his own cultivation to keep up. His Qi Condensation realm body shouldn’t have been able to match Golden Core cultivators in movement speed.
But he had advantages they didn’t.
His Force Condensation realm body, perfected through the Chaos Divine Body Technique, gave him physical capabilities far beyond his apparent cultivation level.
And more importantly, he possessed his Supreme Taming Dao authority. The technique he’d pioneered in his past life, the power that had allowed him to reach the peak of the universe.
Even at his current weak level, he could activate a fraction of that authority. Enough to slightly suppress the cultivation base of those around him.
It wasn’t dramatic. The elders probably didn’t even notice the subtle effect. But it brought his speed up just enough that Xian Tiandi could keep pace without being left behind.
They moved across the landscape like streaks of light. Hills and valleys blurred past. The setting sun painted everything in shades of orange and red.
Elder Feng led the way, following the established path toward the ruins. Elder Qiu stayed close to Xian Tiandi, ready to assist if needed.
They traveled in silence, focused entirely on speed.
Ten minutes passed.
Twenty.
Then Xian Tiandi felt it.
The tracking imprint against his chest suddenly flared with urgent heat. Not just active now, but screaming with distress.
Yu’er was in combat. Desperate combat. Fighting for her life.
"Faster!" Xian Tiandi called out. "She’s in trouble right now!"
Elder Feng glanced back, saw the intensity in the young master’s expression, and nodded. "Hold on, Young Master!"
The elder’s spiritual energy surged. He moved beside Xian Tiandi and grabbed his arm, pulling him along at an even greater speed.
Elder Qiu did the same from the other side.
Now Xian Tiandi was being carried between two Golden Core cultivators moving at their absolute maximum velocity.
The landscape became a complete blur. Wind roared past. The spiritual pressure of their passage created small shockwaves in the air.
*Whoosh!*
They shot over a ridge and into a valley beyond. The Crimson Ruins came into view ahead. Ancient stone structures scattered across a wide depression between three peaks.
But something was wrong.
The entire valley was covered by a shimmering, translucent dome of energy. A massive formation array that enclosed the ruins completely.
Elder Feng and Elder Qiu both stopped abruptly, setting Xian Tiandi down.
"What is that?" Elder Qiu muttered.
"A barrier formation," Elder Feng said grimly. "A powerful one. This wasn’t here when the disciples were sent on their mission."
Xian Tiandi’s eyes scanned the energy dome. His experience with formations from his past life allowed him to recognize the structure immediately.
"It’s a sealing array," he said. "Designed to trap people inside and keep others out. Someone set this up deliberately."
"An ambush," Elder Qiu growled. "The mission was a trap from the beginning."
Elder Feng’s spiritual sense probed the barrier. "I can feel combat energy inside. Multiple cultivators fighting. Foundation Establishment and possibly Golden Core level."
"Can we break through?" Xian Tiandi asked.
"Yes, but it will take time," Elder Feng replied. "This kind of formation is designed to be resilient. Even with both of us attacking together, we’ll need several minutes to crack it."
"Then we start now," Xian Tiandi said.
But before they could move, something changed.
The barrier flickered. A section of the dome directly ahead of them rippled like water, then solidified into a more concentrated form.
A doorway.
Someone inside was opening a passage through the barrier.
"It could be a trap," Elder Qiu warned.
"Or someone trying to escape," Xian Tiandi countered.
The doorway stabilized, forming a clear opening in the otherwise solid barrier.
Elder Feng and Elder Qiu exchanged glances, then nodded. They’d come this far. Turning back now wasn’t an option.
"Stay close to us, Young Master," Elder Feng instructed. "Once we’re inside, don’t separate under any circumstances."
"Understood," Xian Tiandi replied.