The center of the forgotten city stood shrouded in ancient silence. The cracked streets, once full of glory, now led to a weathered altar that emanated a quiet pressure, unsettling even the most confident young warriors.
Liu Chen stood at a distance, his golden eyes glinting with curiosity. He had arrived alone. Although the Liu Clan's elders and guards escorted him to the entrance of the secret space, the young master insisted on entering solo. It was, after all, a trial meant for those under twenty-five.
Inside, the atmosphere was eerily desolate. Jagged stones, collapsed monuments, and the dried remains of long-dead trees spread across the landscape. Everything spoke of an ancient calamity. Only young cultivators moved here, none above the age limit. They ran, leapt, and glided across the barren terrain, none able to truly fly except for the rare Lord Realm talents who could hover briefly using special footwork or artifacts.
Liu Chen's aura drew glances, but no recognition. Most had heard only rumors of the Liu Clan's mysterious young master—tales shrouded in myth, arrogance, and speculation. Few had actually seen his face, and none knew the truth of his physique. As far as the outside world was concerned, Liu Chen was simply an unused card in the Liu Clan's hand.
He stood with arms crossed as several groups gathered before the altar, trying to activate its dormant power. Most attempts ended in failure. Talismans lit up and then flickered out. Qi surged, only to dissipate. Dozens of prodigious talents tested their strength but could not unlock the secret. This altar was far more than just a slab of ancient stone.
"I heard this altar has roots in the Ancient Era."
"Did you see the faint runes on the base? Looks like spatial formations."
"Bah! We've been here all day, and not a single mechanism responded!"
Their voices were tense with both frustration and hope. Then, a sudden murmur spread through the crowd.
"The Blood Valley Sect has arrived!"
A ripple passed over the area as a new group strode in. They wore blood-red robes etched with runes and talismanic symbols that glowed faintly under the light. At their head walked a tall, narrow-eyed youth with crimson hair and an air of supreme confidence. His aura was steady, his gaze cold and piercing. He was the Young Master of Blood Valley Sect, one of the top eastern sects renowned for their mastery over runes and Formation.
"They're here to break the altar?" someone whispered.
"Of course! They're the best at this sort of thing."
The crowd parted slightly as the Blood Valley cultivators inspected the altar. Their young master narrowed his eyes, reading the array's intricacies with practiced ease. He waved his hand, and several of his followers knelt before the altar, placing talismans and embedding spiritual stones into specific runic patterns.
Liu Chen remained at the edge, his expression unreadable. His gaze swept over the young master. 'Confident, but his aura isn't terrifying. Still, that treasure at his waist... a Formation breaking treasure?'
The altar absorbed energy and shone faintly, but once again, the light flickered out. A sigh of disappointment ran through the onlookers.
Then, the Blood Valley young master frowned. "Step aside."
He reached to his waist and drew out a strange rod-like object embedded with a crystal that pulsed with rhythmic energy. "Sky Breaking Edge" someone muttered.
There was a supreme treasure "Heaven Breaking Edge" in Blood Velly sect, that can break and array and formation under the heaven. Sky Breaking Edge is second hand copy of that heavenly treasure. No wonder all of them around were stunned to see this thing.
With a swift motion, he slammed the tip against the altar's center.
Crack—!
For a moment, silence.
Then the runes on the altar glowed green, spinning slowly and interlocking like puzzle pieces.
BOOM!
The altar released a pulse of energy. A spatial ripple spread outward, and a glowing green door materialized, splitting open from the center. Beyond it lay an entirely different world—a lush green paradise full of glowing herbs and drifting mist. It looked nothing like the barren environment outside.
Gasps rang out. Even the young master from Blood Valley took a step back in disbelief.
"It opened?!"
"He actually did it?!"
But those who were more perceptive narrowed their eyes.
Liu Chen stood silently, his gaze piercing through the illusion.
'That wasn't a successful activation... the altar responded to something deeper. This door was waiting to open. It just needed the last push.'
His soul stirred slightly. The Ghost Eye inside his soul sea trembled. He felt a faint resonance as if this space was connected to its origin.
'So, this altar might be linked to the Underworld Clans... no wonder the aura feels similar.'
Meanwhile, the Blood Valley young master looked stunned but recovered quickly, pretending calm. "Let's move. This is a spatial treasure. A divine-grade medicine vault, maybe."
He knew the capability of his Sky Breaking Edge, but with his cultivation and capacity, he should not able to break this array formation
As the door solidified, cultivators surged with anticipation.
From within the ground's green landscape, the fragrance of countless spiritual medicines wafted through the air. And then—
A rustling sound.
A blur shot out of the entrance.
Then another.
And another.
Dozens of radiant plants zipped through the air like birds, each one pulsing with powerful energy and spiritual life. Some had petals shaped like swords; others glowed with blue flame or rippled with water energy.
They weren't just herbs.
They were alive.
"Living spirit medicines!"
"Catch them!"
"Move!"
Dozens of cultivators rushed forward, but Liu Chen remained still, eyes glowing.
The medicines... they had developed spiritual intelligence over countless years.
'This altar was a storage vault for sacred medicine. Over the eras, these medicines cultivated themselves under the altar's unique conditions.'
He smiled coldly, still unmoving.
'I have no need to rush. The true treasure isn't the medicine.'
The wind roared as youths scrambled after the flying herbs.
Liu Chen stepped toward the gate.
The green light bathed his golden-black robes, casting a shadow shaped like an ancient crown.