Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2187 - 1563: The Ruins (Part 2)

The cultivators present perceived the distinct nature of the ruins, yet only a select few grasped their true essence. Inheritance-type ruins are exceedingly rare, making them virtually unknown to those of ordinary backgrounds, let alone recognized by sight.

Consequently, the cultivators privy to this knowledge, in their mingled shock and elation, promptly activated their communication talismans. Their urgent intention was to alert their respective factions and summon elder cultivators of greater realms and superior power to claim the inheritance within.

Regrettably, the profound array safeguarding the ruins obstructed their attempts to transmit messages, rendering their endeavors futile.

Meanwhile, a fierce contest erupted among other cultivators for possession of three spiritual objects, escalating into intense combat.

Soon, the grim toll of casualties began to mount.

Only a small contingent of cultivators, steering clear of the chaotic fray, commenced an exploration of the ruins' periphery, uncertain of their exact objectives.

Simultaneously, they remained acutely aware of their current limitations in strength and deliberately abstained from passing through the portal into the subsequent trial.

This caution stemmed from the understanding that inheritance ruins, far from guaranteeing safety, were often far more perilous.

Then, the first Heavenly Immortal cultivator made their grand entrance!

"Master Liu!"

Upon recognizing the newcomer, certain cultivators within the ruins experienced a surge of hope, calling out urgently, "Uncle-Master, do not proceed further yet! Quickly inform the sect that this location is an inheritance ruin!"

Despite many cultivators overhearing this revelation, they remained largely perplexed.

Certainly, the utterance conveyed its implication, but hearing the term 'inheritance ruin' for the first time struck them as exceptionally novel.

"Inheritance ruins?"

It is common knowledge that any faction possessing the capability to establish such ruins must command the presence of at least a Profound Immortal!

The Heavenly Immortal's eyes instantly gleamed with fervent excitement; this intelligence represented an unparalleled opportunity for their Heavenly Immortal Sect.

However, a swift realization followed: for the sect, this was not merely an opportunity but also a significant potential crisis!

Given that the ruins were now effectively exposed to all, information containment was impossible. An increasing influx of cultivators was inevitable, potentially drawing even more formidable powers.

If the inheritance were already secured by their sect, would those arriving powers simply concede? Unlikely!

Yet, the thought of abandoning these ruins at this juncture was something he was unwilling and unable to entertain.

"Very well. I shall relay the message to the sect and allow them to formulate a strategy."

With a resigned sigh, a spirit light emanated from his palm, vanishing rapidly into the distance.

Following this, the Heavenly Immortal formally breached the ruins' threshold.

For him, a formidable array that necessitated the combined efforts of hundreds of cultivators to overcome disintegrated in mere moments.

Concurrently, several puppet guardians materialized before him.

These formidable constructs were effortlessly vanquished as well, leading to his acquisition of three Earth Immortal-grade spiritual objects, with a portal to the subsequent stage materializing thereafter.

"Uncle-Master, how shall we depart from these ruins? Will there be any unforeseen dangers?"

"Fear not, for these ruins do not appear to be the work of the Demonic Dao. Beyond the peril inherent in the trials themselves, there should be no other threats. Furthermore, after a designated period, if one has not advanced to the next trial, they will be automatically expelled. Thus, patience is advised."

Having spoken, he stepped through the waiting portal without the slightest hesitation, vanishing instantaneously from the onlookers' view.

...

Elsewhere.

Upon Li Zhirui's advancement to the second trial level, no preliminary formation awaited him. Instead, a dozen or so puppets, whose might rivaled that of early-stage Heavenly Immortal cultivators, stood guard.

The design of inheritance ruins was clearly not this rudimentary; it was apparent that strength formed the bedrock of a faction's ascent and expansion, thus necessitating frequent tests of martial prowess.

He efficiently dispatched the puppets, completing the contest in under fifteen minutes.

Subsequently, three Heavenly Immortal-grade spiritual objects materialized before Li Zhirui. He cast them a cursory glance before annexing them.

These 'lesser' spiritual objects no longer held his interest; his sole desire was to extricate himself from the ruins as swiftly as possible.

Therefore, he promptly initiated the third trial.

This time, in addition to puppets designed to assess individual combat prowess, another form of trial was introduced.

Moreover, the arrangement had shifted; instead of puppets representing early-stage Profound Immortals, these were late-stage Heavenly Immortal adversaries.

The supplementary trial involved a formation specifically engineered to evaluate one's mental fortitude.

The late-stage Heavenly Immortal puppets presented minimal challenge to Li Zhirui, all being subdued within approximately nineteen minutes, a slight increment from the previous encounter.

However, concerning the formation designed to test mental state, he found himself in a quandary.

He harbored a profound reluctance to expose his spiritual soul and mental landscape to an unknown formation; after all, the inherent risks were completely unpredictable.

Should any unforeseen complications arise, would he not find himself in dire straits?

Li Zhirui could comprehend the rationale behind it, but comprehension differed vastly from personal execution; he remained deeply unwilling.

Was there another way to pass the third trial?

He mused over taking an alternative approach, and if that didn’t work out, he would simply depart the ruins, which seemed agreeable enough to him.

But could he truly depart so easily?

After dealing with the puppets, a considerable amount of time had passed, and Li Zhirui remained ensnared by the problem of testing his mental state with the formation, reluctant to undergo the test.

Yet, despite the elapsed time, the secret realm had not expelled him.

Just as Li Zhirui was making plans to continue waiting, a portal abruptly materialized, from which several Heavenly Immortal cultivators emerged.

"Hmm? Someone’s already here?"

They had presumed their speed to be quite swift, but to their surprise, someone had reached the third trial even before them.

Fortunately, it appeared something was hindering them from passing the trial, affording them an opportunity to overtake him.

Nevertheless, a complication soon emerged!

Those Heavenly Immortal realm puppets, which were of little consequence to the Profound Immortal-level Li Zhirui, proved to be somewhat vexing for them.

Even by coordinating their efforts, they struggled to subdue all the puppets swiftly.

Li Zhirui observed coldly as the final puppet fell, after which those Heavenly Immortals advanced towards the formation for the mental state test, comprehending the entirety of the trial.

Now, they understood why he was positioned there alone.

The significance of the spiritual soul could not be overstated, and entrusting it to such an unpredictable formation was a considerable gamble!

If they faltered, or if something unforeseen was triggered, what if their spiritual souls were compromised?

Consequently, the wisest course of action was to bypass the trial entirely.

However, not every cultivator, much like Li Zhirui, harbored a desire to depart swiftly and refrain from further participation.

In the end, some opted to commit their spiritual souls to the formation.

Those outside remained unaware of their experiences, but so much time elapsed that observers began to assume they had failed.

Ultimately, every spiritual soul returned to its respective body unscathed, as if their prior trepidations had been unfounded, with the reality proving to be straightforward and secure.

Those Heavenly Immortal cultivators would, without question, refrain from encouraging Li Zhirui to undertake the trial. After all, should he succeed, he would emerge as a competitor.

Thus, without exchanging words, they proceeded towards the portal, embarking on their journey to the subsequent trial layer.

Li Zhirui remained resolute, steadfast in his intention to await expulsion from the ruins.

Throughout his waiting period, numerous Heavenly Immortals arrived in succession, and each one who successfully navigated their trial departed safely, continuously validating the formation's reliability and absence of latent perils.

Yet, he remained stationary, with no inclination to progress to the subsequent stage.

Beyond his skepticism regarding the formation, another factor contributed: advancing further would necessitate the disclosure of his true cultivation and might, and Li Zhirui wished to maintain the secrecy of his identity.

Eventually, a cultivator at the Mystic Immortal stage made an appearance!

This individual paid him scant attention, swiftly conquering the trial and gaining entry into the fourth tier of the ruins.

"It has been such a long duration, and I still cannot depart?"

Not long after he voiced this query, an expulsive force emanated, finally compelling his exit.