The Jiang family's flying boat slowly approached.
Jiang Chen noticed another elderly figure standing on the deck, the Third Grandfather. He smiled faintly and said,
"So the Third Grandfather is here as well. It seems that with the Yin Ruins appearing, the world has become quite lively."
"There may be a great inheritance within the Yin Ruins, but danger follows opportunity," the Third Grandfather replied indifferently. He didn't even look at Jiang Chen, instead turning toward Jiang Jue and the others. "You'll all move together later. Don't act recklessly."
"Old Third!"
The silver-haired Sixth Grandpa frowned slightly.
He knew the Third Brother had developed opinions about Jiang Chen recently, but for an elder to deliberately ignore a junior's greeting was still inappropriate.
"Ah?"
The Third Grandfather pretended to snap back to attention, turning his head with feigned surprise.
"Brother!"
"Brother Jiang!"
"Brother Jiang Chen!"
The younger generation on the flying boat hurriedly greeted Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen merely nodded. His gaze briefly swept over the Third Grandfather, then Jiang Jue beside him. Without saying anything further, he stepped lightly and returned to the Donglin Sect's flying boat.
"Hmph!"
The stubborn and pedantic Third Grandfather snorted coldly, his expression dark.
All the Jiang family's juniors were present, yet Jiang Chen still chose to stand with the Donglin Sect. It was clear where his heart lay. In his eyes, such a person was no longer suitable to inherit the ancient Jiang family.
---
On the Donglin Sect's flying boat, the atmosphere was completely different.
"Senior Brother!"
"Big Brother!"
"Eldest Brother!"
Facing those sincere, joyful smiles, Jiang Chen nodded gently. His gaze soon shifted to the gray barrier ahead as he murmured softly,
"It's weakened. It'll open in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
"Yes."
Elder Wang He stood nearby, nodding, though worry lingered in his eyes.
"This journey is extremely dangerous. After entering, remember, do not force opportunities beyond your reach."
Jiang Chen remained silent, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
Time passed.
A cup of tea went by.
"Buzz"
The gray barrier trembled slightly, as if a layer of ancient dust had been shaken loose. Its aura visibly weakened, and joy instantly appeared on the faces of cultivators from all factions.
"It's open!"
"Swish!"
In an instant, figures shot forward one after another, sinking into the ruins. The barrier that once blocked everything now allowed these young cultivators to pass freely.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
"Let's go."
Jiang Chen spoke calmly, leading the Donglin Sect disciples through the barrier and into the Yin Ruins.
The scene before them was cold, and shocking.
A dim sky hung over a vast, ancient city. Timeworn buildings stood in silence, green tiles cracked and broken, exuding an oppressive aura that made breathing itself feel heavy.
"Buzz… buzz… buzz…"
A thick gray fog rolled in, swallowing everything.
Only then did the Donglin Sect disciples realize,
"No wonder we couldn't see the sect masters outside. This fog can block even divine sense. What we saw from outside was probably an illusion."
Several people nodded in agreement.
Da.
Da.
Da.
Before anyone could speak further, uniform footsteps echoed through the fog.
Everyone froze.
Footsteps… like a military formation.
Moments later, vague silhouettes emerged within the fog, a patrol of soldiers, neatly aligned, advancing mechanically. They wore ancient armor that should have been bronze or silver, yet time had stripped away all color, leaving only eternal black.
Their expressions were numb, but murderous intent clung to them like frost.
"All… all of them are at the King Realm!"
"The leader is in the Venerable Realm!"
Junior Brother Lu whispered in shock.
In the outside world, Venerable Realm cultivators were pillars of the six great holy lands. Yet here, in the Yin Ruins, such a figure was merely a patrol captain.
Even more terrifying,
The footsteps were still echoing when, within a few breaths, the entire patrol vanished into thin air.
Gone.
As if they had never existed.
The Donglin Sect disciples felt their scalps go numb.
"Were those… people, or ghosts?"
Even Jiang Chen's pupils shrank slightly.
Though his master had warned him that the Yin Ruins were dangerous, witnessing such a bizarre scene firsthand still sent a chill through him.
He turned to the disciples behind him and said calmly,
"Do you want to follow me, or search for opportunities on your own?"
"Follow Senior Brother Jiang!"
"Follow Senior Brother!"
"Follow Senior Brother!"
Any thought of exploring alone vanished instantly.
When danger struck, Senior Brother would never abandon them. And if there were benefits, he would share them fairly. Following him was the safest choice.
"Good."
Jiang Chen nodded.
Soon, more footsteps echoed through the fog. After recognizing them, Jiang Chen showed a trace of surprise, it was the Tianji Sect, who seemed to have chosen to explore independently.
Along the way, they also encountered many lone cultivators.
Clearly, most factions had decided to scatter and search for their own fortunes. If someone encountered great luck, they might even leap into prominence and become a Holy Son.
The Donglin Sect, however, was simple in thought.
With Jiang Chen here, what Holy Son?
One hand suppression was enough.
As they continued deeper, some Donglin Sect disciples began to feel puzzled.
This path didn't lead toward the palace ruins, but toward the outskirts of the city.
Though confusion appeared on their faces, no one dared question Jiang Chen aloud.
Suddenly,
"I found a relic!"
"There's an inheritance here!"
"There's a Venerable-level magic weapon inside!"
A mansion stood with its gates wide open, divine light circulating within. The disciples' eyes burned with excitement. Most of them were only at the King Realm, Venerable-level weapons were already priceless to them.
"Swish!"
Yet Jiang Chen didn't even pause, walking past without a glance.
Disappointment flickered across several faces.
As they continued, they passed more inheritance mansions, some even containing Human Emperor–level treasures.
Still, Jiang Chen walked on, never stopping.
Finally, unable to resist temptation, some disciples chose to leave the group and head toward those inheritances.
The farther they went, the fewer people remained.
By the time they neared the edge of the city, fewer than five people were left.
Then,
Jiang Chen's eyes lit up with uncontrollable excitement.
"This is it."
"Senior Brother… do you know what place this is?" Junior Brother Lu asked, confused.
Jiang Chen didn't answer.
His gaze burned intensely.
This, was the true turning point of the Yin Ruins.
Closing his eyes, he recalled the life simulation.
In the original trajectory, Ye Chen had grown quietly within the Donglin Sect, advancing step by step until reaching the Venerable Realm right under his nose, yet Jiang Chen still couldn't deal with him.
The turning point of everything,
Came from the Yin Ruins.
"There is a great inheritance in the Yin Ruins."
In the original fate, Ye Chen obtained it here.
Ironically, Jiang Chen had once deliberately suppressed Ye Chen, expelling him from the ruins and preventing him from approaching the palace. That decision had instead allowed Ye Chen to stumble upon this place, and obtain the true inheritance of the Yin Ruins.
There were three items here.
Each one, world-shaking.
The Great Huang Scripture
A supreme cultivation technique of the Yin Dynasty, capable of allowing one to fight far beyond their realm.
The Zhenguo Sword
The ancestral weapon of the Yin Dynasty, capable of suppressing national fortune and defending against enemies. It had gathered the dynasty's luck for thousands of years, its value immeasurable.
The Mysterious Inheritance
The most precious of them all.
The true reason the Yin Dynasty was destroyed.
For this inheritance, forces from beyond the Eastern Region descended, annihilating the dynasty overnight. They searched every corner, yet never found it.
Who would have thought it was hidden in such an inconspicuous place?
These three treasures,
Had allowed Ye Chen to rise completely.
His foundation, cultivation, and battle strength eventually rivaled even surpassed, Jiang Chen's, laying the groundwork for Jiang Chen's future defeat.
But now,
After witnessing the life simulation, this destiny-defining opportunity of Ye Chen had been intercepted.
By him.
A smile slowly appeared on Jiang Chen's lips.
----
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