Chapter 23: Eternal Ruins
BaiShe sat in the room, legs crossed, palms open on his knees. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then exhaled slowly. The Qi flowed smoothly through his meridians, moving through every part of his body like a silent river. He took another moment to stabilize his energy before opening his eyes.
Today marked the opening of the Eternal Ruins.
He slowly stood up, stretching his numb limbs, and cracked his joints. The place was vast and teeming with dangers: monsters whose level nine was comparable to that of a Heavenly King, the Immortal Clan that scorned the ancestral families, traps, and his own family, which was just waiting for the slightest opportunity to eliminate him.
In short, the list of potential enemies was long.
If each were to take their turn trying to kill him, he would need patience. But the ruins remained open for only a hundred years, and this was undoubtedly the only place where he could find clues about the three transcendent treasures of the First Devourer. Not to mention the opportunity to absorb powerful essences and interesting laws.
The rest... treasures, elixirs? They were just superfluous. Once he regained his rightful place within the family, such things would not be lacking.
He walked to the mirror and observed his reflection. His bandaged arm contrasted with his pale skin. At the center of his chest, an inverted cross symbol marked his flesh. He brushed the mark with his fingertips.
It was the only thing left from his former life.
He opened the wardrobe and took out a completely black robe. The sober fabric absorbed the light, creating a contrast with his silver hair. He put on the garment with fluid movements.
On the bed, his gaze fell on the sword his master had given him. He only vaguely remembered it. The last time he had seen it, he was just ten years old. The memories of that time were blurry, like a dream erased by time, leaving only fragments.
He couldn’t even recall his master’s face. Only a silhouette, a distant voice, and the moment the sword was entrusted to him.