Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 305 Journey to the Ruins

Zhang Peng returned to his room and spent a sleepless night. His mind was filled with the conflict with Ouyang Shaojie during the day, and the various misdeeds the Ouyang family had committed, as described by Murong Yu and Liu Ruoli. He knew that the situation in the cultivation world was far more complex than he had imagined, and that he himself had been drawn into this massive conflict.

The next morning, Zhang Peng got up early. He went to the Lingxiao Pavilion's martial arts arena, hoping to calm his mind through cultivation. Many Lingxiao Pavilion disciples were already practicing in the arena, and they all looked at Zhang Peng with admiration. After all, news of Zhang Peng's victory over Ouyang Shaojie the previous day had already spread throughout Lingxiao Pavilion.

Zhang Peng found a corner and began circulating the chaotic and light powers within his body. The two powers mingled and merged, producing a wondrous sensation. He could feel that his control over spiritual energy had further improved, seemingly bringing him one step closer to the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage.

Just as Zhang Peng was immersed in his cultivation, a familiar voice came: "Brother Zhang Peng, what a pleasant experience!"

Zhang Peng opened his eyes and saw Murong Yu and Liu Ruoli walking towards him. He smiled slightly and said, "Brother Murong, Miss Liu, good morning!"

"Brother Zhang Peng, your cultivation method is truly unique. I have never seen such a wondrous way of circulating spiritual energy," Murong Yu said with a look of curiosity.

Zhang Peng smiled modestly: "This is something I came to understand by chance during my battle with the forces of darkness, and I'm still in the exploratory stage."

"Brother Zhang Peng is too modest. With your current strength, you could even fight against a master in the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm," Liu Ruoli exclaimed.

As the three were talking, a disciple from Lingxiao Pavilion rushed over and said to Murong Yu, "Senior Brother Murong, the sect leader invites you."

Murong Yu was slightly taken aback, then said, "I understand, I'll go right away."

After the disciple left, Murong Yu said to Zhang Peng and Liu Ruoli, "It seems the sect leader has something important to discuss with me. I'll go first. Brother Zhang Peng, Junior Sister Liu, you two talk first."

Zhang Peng and Liu Ruoli nodded, watching Murong Yu's departing figure. Liu Ruoli suddenly said, "Young Master Zhang Peng, I heard from Senior Brother Murong that you are searching for a way to fuse the power of chaos with the power of light. Is there any progress?"

Zhang Peng sighed: "Although I have some clues, truly achieving fusion is easier said than done. Moreover, I need to find a special spiritual object to help me complete the fusion."

"A special spiritual object? I wonder what kind of spiritual object it is?" Liu Ruoli asked curiously.

“According to the ancient records of Lingxiao Pavilion, it is a spiritual object called ‘Holy Crystal of Light.’ It is said that this spiritual object contains extremely pure power of light. If I can obtain it, my chances of fusing the power of chaos and the power of light will greatly increase,” Zhang Peng said.

Liu Ruoli frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "I think I heard my master mention that there are clues about the Holy Crystal of Light in a mysterious ruin. However, that ruin is extremely dangerous, and most people who go in never return."

A glint flashed in Zhang Peng's eyes: "Miss Liu, do you know where those ruins are?"

Liu Ruoli's heart skipped a beat when she saw the determination in Zhang Peng's eyes. She knew that Zhang Peng was prepared to fight against the dark forces at all costs. She nodded and said, "I know, it's in the Endless Mountains northeast of Lingxiao Pavilion. However, Young Master Zhang Peng, that ruin is too dangerous, you..."

"Don't worry, Miss Liu, I know what I'm doing. If I can obtain the Holy Crystal of Light, I can improve my strength and better fight against the forces of darkness. For the safety of the cultivation world, no matter how dangerous it is, I must try." Zhang Peng interrupted Liu Ruoli and said firmly.

Liu Ruoli wanted to say something more, but seeing the resolute look in Zhang Peng's eyes, she had no choice but to swallow her words. Just then, Murong Yu returned. Seeing Zhang Peng and Liu Ruoli's expressions, he seemed to sense something and asked, "What are you two talking about? Why do you look so serious?"

Zhang Peng told Murong Yu about his search for the Holy Crystal of Light. After listening, Murong Yu pondered for a moment and said, "I have also heard about the ruins in the Endless Mountains. It is said that there are not only powerful guardian beasts inside, but also various traps and mechanisms. However, since the Holy Crystal of Light is so important to Brother Zhang Peng, I am willing to accompany you on this trip."

“Brother Murong, this is too dangerous. I can’t let you take the risk,” Zhang Peng said.

Murong Yu patted Zhang Peng on the shoulder: "Brother Zhang Peng, what are you saying? We are all doing this for the cultivation world. Besides, more people mean more strength. In addition, I also want to see this mysterious ruin."

Liu Ruoli chimed in, "I'll go too. I'm quite familiar with the Endless Mountains; I might be able to help."

Zhang Peng was deeply moved by the resolute looks in Murong Yu and Liu Ruoli's eyes. He nodded and said, "Alright, in that case, let's go together. However, we still need to report this to the sect leader so as not to worry him."

The three arrived at Lingxiao Palace and explained the situation to Sect Leader Xuanfeng. After listening, Xuanfeng frowned slightly: "The ruins in these endless mountains are indeed very dangerous. You must be careful on your journey. If you encounter any danger, do not act recklessly and return immediately."

"Yes, Sect Leader, we will be careful," the three said in unison.

Xuanfeng took out three jade talismans from his pocket and handed them to them: "These are communication talismans. If you encounter danger, crush them and I will sense it and immediately send someone to help you."

"Thank you, Sect Leader!" the three said gratefully as they accepted the jade talisman.

After leaving Lingxiao Palace, the three began preparing the items needed for their journey to the Endless Mountains. Zhang Peng organized his magical treasures and elixirs, and also consulted Ling Shuang about her experience in exploring ancient ruins. Ling Shuang was very worried upon learning of their trip to the Endless Mountains, but she knew she couldn't stop them. She only urged Zhang Peng to return safely.

With everything prepared, Zhang Peng, Murong Yu, and Liu Ruoli bid farewell to the Lingxiao Pavilion members and embarked on their journey to the Endless Mountains. Along the way, they used teleportation techniques to speed northeastward. After several days of travel, they finally arrived at the edge of the Endless Mountains.

The endless mountain range stretched out in undulating waves, shrouded in mist and clouds, mysterious and dangerous. Zhang Peng and his two companions stood at the edge of the mountain range, gazing at the mountains before them, a sense of tension rising within them.

“Brother Zhang Peng, this Endless Mountain Range is fraught with danger, we must be careful,” Murong Yu said.

Zhang Peng nodded: "Yes, I know. Miss Liu, you are more familiar with this place, please lead the way."

Liu Ruoli took a deep breath and said, "Okay, follow me." With that, she took the lead and walked into the mountains. Zhang Peng and Murong Yu followed closely behind her, vigilantly observing everything around them.

Upon entering the mountains, they discovered that the spiritual energy here was extremely dense, but at the same time, it was also permeated with an eerie atmosphere. From time to time, they could also hear the roars of wild beasts coming from afar.

"Everyone be careful, there might be powerful monsters lurking here," Zhang Peng whispered.

The three of them proceeded cautiously. Suddenly, Liu Ruoli stopped and pointed to an open space ahead, saying, "The entrance to the ruins is just ahead."

Zhang Peng and Murong Yu looked in the direction she pointed and saw a huge stone gate in the open space ahead. The stone gate was covered with mysterious runes and emitted a faint light.

"This is it, let's go take a look," Zhang Peng said.

The three slowly approached the stone gate. When they reached it, the stone gate suddenly trembled violently. Then, the stone gate slowly opened, and an ancient and mysterious aura rushed out.

“It seems that the ruins have already sensed our arrival,” Murong Yu said.

Zhang Peng nodded: "No matter what's inside, we have to go in and see. Let's go!" With that, he took the lead and stepped into the stone gate. Murong Yu and Liu Ruoli followed closely behind, stepping into the stone gate as well.

Upon entering the stone gate, they found themselves in a long corridor. The walls of the corridor were inlaid with glowing gems, illuminating the entire passage. The floor was covered with strange patterns, seemingly concealing some kind of secret.

"Everyone be careful, there might be traps in this passage," Liu Ruoli warned.

The three walked forward cautiously when suddenly Zhang Peng felt the ground beneath his feet tremble slightly. He knew something was wrong and quickly shouted, "Get out of the way!"

Just as he finished speaking, countless sharp stone pillars suddenly shot up from the ground, piercing towards them. Zhang Peng, Murong Yu, and Liu Ruoli quickly used their movement techniques to dodge the attacks from the stone pillars.

"This mechanism is too amazing!" Murong Yu said while dodging.

Zhang Peng frowned, observing his surroundings. He noticed that the stone pillars' attacks seemed to follow a pattern; if he could find the pattern, he could avoid them. He concentrated, carefully observing the rhythm of the stone pillars' attacks, and finally, he found a weakness.

"Follow me!" Zhang Peng shouted, then rushed off in one direction. Murong Yu and Liu Ruoli followed him without hesitation, and following his instructions, successfully avoided the attacks from the stone pillars.

After a difficult trek, they finally emerged from the passage and arrived at a magnificent palace. The palace walls were covered with exquisite murals depicting ancient cultivators battling powerful demonic beasts. In the very center of the palace stood a massive stone platform, upon which rested a box radiating light.

"Could this be the box containing the Holy Crystal of Light?" Liu Ruoli asked in surprise.

Zhang Peng and Murong Yu exchanged a glance, a hint of anticipation flashing in their eyes. They slowly walked towards the stone platform, and just as they were about to reach it, a deep roar suddenly echoed from within the palace. Immediately afterward, a massive guardian beast emerged from the palace's shadows.

This guardian beast was enormous, its entire body covered in black scales, its eyes flashing red light, radiating a powerful aura. Upon seeing Zhang Peng and his companions, it opened its gaping maw, let out a furious roar, and charged towards them.

"Not good, it's a guardian beast!" Zhang Peng's expression changed drastically. He immediately summoned the power of chaos and the power of light to prepare for the guardian beast's attack. Murong Yu and Liu Ruoli also quickly unleashed their magical treasures and spells, fighting alongside Zhang Peng.

A fierce battle unfolded within this ancient palace...