Fang Hao was in his Immortal Cave, focused on converting that strand of Chaos Qi, when he heard the soft sound of the Restriction being touched outside. He frowned slightly, withdrew his aura, and sent his Divine Sense outward to investigate.

He saw Liang Ling and Lin Wan standing outside the Immortal Cave, their expressions carrying a hint of urgency.

Fang Hao opened the cave door. "Senior Sister Liang, Senior Sister Lin, what is the matter that brings you here in such a hurry?"

Lin Wan spoke first. "Junior Brother Ning! There’s a huge Opportunity! An ancient ruin was discovered over at the Wolong Mountain Range. I heard the Restriction was just broken, and treasure light is shooting into the sky! People from many Sects and families have already rushed over!"

Liang Ling added, "The news just came back from the market. It’s said the ruin is quite large and is suspected to be left by an ancient Sect. Not many people have gone yet, but once the news spreads, it will surely become a storm. We wanted to invite you to go with us and explore as early as possible."

Wolong Mountain Range? Fang Hao’s heart stirred. This mountain range was two thousand miles from the Azure Cloud Sect. It was remote, but its Spiritual Qi was abundant, and Demon Beasts and ruins occasionally appeared there. Ancient ruins often meant that Opportunity and danger coexisted.

He pondered for a moment. He had just started the Chaos Evolution Dao Art and needed actual combat to hone himself and resources to assist him. Exploring ruins, while risky, was also a path to rapid improvement.

"Alright! When do we leave?" Fang Hao agreed decisively.

"There’s no time to lose, we’re leaving now!" Liang Ling said.

The three of them made brief preparations, bringing enough Medicinal Pills and Talismans, then quietly left the Sect and flew their swords straight toward the Wolong Mountain Range.

To save time and avoid unnecessary trouble, they chose a relatively remote but shorter route that required crossing a dangerous area called the "Mist Forest."

Two days later, the three entered the Mist Forest. This place was shrouded in mist year-round, with towering trees and dim light; even Divine Sense was significantly suppressed.

"Be careful. There are not only Demon Beasts in this forest, but we might also encounter Robber Cultivators," Liang Ling warned, circulating her Ice Heart Art to sense the surroundings.

Lin Wan tightened her grip on her Magical Artifact somewhat nervously. "I heard there’s a ’Black Wind Fortress’ in the Mist Forest that specializes in killing and looting."

Fang Hao nodded, his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes operating at full power to pierce through the mist and alert him to the surroundings. His strength had increased greatly, and with his Formations to back him up, he wasn’t particularly afraid, but caution was always right.

After flying for about an hour, the sound of clashing weapons and shouting suddenly came from ahead, mixed with the roar of colliding spiritual power.

"Something’s happening!" The three looked at each other, withdrew their auras, and quietly approached.

Passing through a dense thicket, the scene before them gave the three of them a start.

In an open clearing in the forest, a fierce battle was taking place. One side consisted of five young Cultivators wearing uniform green Daoist robes, three men and two women. Judging by their Cultivation Techniques, they should be Disciples of some righteous Sect. At this moment, they had formed a sword Formation and were struggling to hold on.

The ones besieging them were seven or eight Loose Cultivators of various appearances and fierce expressions. Most of their cultivation levels were around the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and the leader, a One-Eyed Big Man, was even at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. These people struck ruthlessly and coordinated perfectly; clearly, this wasn’t their first time doing such a thing.

"They’re Robber Cultivators from the Black Wind Fortress!" Lin Wan whispered.

The five green-robed Disciples were clearly at a disadvantage. The sword Formation’s light was dimming, and everyone was wounded; it looked like they wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer. Among them, the youngest and most delicate-looking Female Disciple had her left arm slashed. Blood had stained her sleeve red, and her face was pale.

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister... I can’t hold on much longer!" the girl’s voice carried a hint of crying.

"Hold on! The Sect’s reinforcements will arrive soon!" the leading male Disciple said through gritted teeth, but his eyes were also full of despair.

Fang Hao’s gaze swept across the battlefield, then he looked at Liang Ling and Lin Wan. Liang Ling nodded slightly, and Lin Wan also clenched her fists.

Seeing injustice on the road and drawing one’s sword to help was the duty of the Righteous Path.

"Do it!" Fang Hao shouted low, his figure already shooting out like an arrow from a bow!

Liang Ling and Lin Wan followed closely behind him.

"Dividing Light Sword Shadow!" Before Fang Hao even arrived, nine sharp sword shadows had already broken through the air, heading straight for the Robber Cultivators who were attacking most fiercely!

The Robber Cultivators were caught off guard and were immediately thrown into a panic!

"Who is it? Who dares to interfere in the business of the Black Wind Fortress!" the One-Eyed Big Man roared, splitting two sword shadows with a single blade strike, and looked fiercely at Fang Hao’s group.

"Fang Hao of the Azure Cloud Sect!" Fang Hao announced his name, performing his Divine Spirit Steps to instantly cut into the fray, his Star Shattering Finger pointing directly at a bandit’s wrist!

"Clang!" That bandit’s Magical Artifact fell from his hand, and he retreated in horror.

Liang Ling’s Ice Heart Art circulated, and cold air spread, instantly freezing the movements of two Robber Cultivators. Lin Wan’s Thousand Vine Art was performed, and tough vines burst from the ground, entwining toward the other bandits. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The addition of Fang Hao’s trio instantly reversed the tide of battle! Especially Fang Hao; despite being at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, he displayed combat power comparable to the Late Stage. His finger techniques, sword arts, and movement techniques were all refined, and he further used Formation methods to interfere from time to time, making it impossible for the bandits to defend effectively.

"Hard target! Retreat!" Seeing that things weren’t going well, the One-Eyed Big Man feinted with a blade strike and called to his subordinates to flee.

"Want to leave? Stay here!" Fang Hao snorted coldly, summoning his empty clarity mirror. "Spatial Imprisonment!"

The mirror light shone, and the figures of the One-Eyed Big Man and the others stiffened! In that instant of sluggishness, Liang Ling’s ice-sealing Sword Qi and Lin Wan’s entwining vines arrived!

"No!" the One-Eyed Big Man screamed in terror as he was frozen by the Sword Qi, while the other bandits were also tied up tightly by the vines.

The battle ended quickly. The five green-robed Disciples had escaped death and were now slumped on the ground, gasping for air, casting grateful looks at Fang Hao and the others.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoists, for saving our lives!" The leading male Disciple struggled to stand and bowed solemnly. "I am Chen Feng, a Disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect. These are my Junior Brothers and sisters."

"Flowing Cloud Sect?" Fang Hao remembered that this was a mid-sized Sect on good terms with the Azure Cloud Sect, located on the other side of the Wolong Mountain Range. "So it’s Fellow Daoists from the Flowing Cloud Sect. No need for such courtesy; as fellow members of the Righteous Path, we should naturally help."

Chen Feng smiled bitterly. "We were ordered to come and investigate the ruins, but we didn’t expect to encounter an ambush from the Black Wind Fortress here. If it weren’t for the three of you acting so heroically, I’m afraid..."

The injured girl also stepped forward, her pretty face slightly red as she gave a graceful bow. "This little girl is Liu Yiyi. Thank you, Senior Brother Ning, Senior Sister Liang, and Senior Sister Lin, for saving my life." Her gaze toward Fang Hao carried obvious gratitude and a hint of admiration.

Fang Hao nodded slightly, took out a bottle of healing pills, and handed it over. "Junior Sister Liu’s injuries are not light; you should tend to them first."

Liu Yiyi took the pills, her face turning even redder, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. "Thank... thank you, Senior Brother Ning."

Liang Ling watched from the side, her expression calm, but her eyes flickered slightly. Lin Wan leaned in and whispered into Liang Ling’s ear, "Senior Sister Liang, look at that Junior Sister Liu. The way she looks at Junior Brother Ning, her eyes are practically dripping with affection..."

Liang Ling coughed lightly and glared at Lin Wan.

Chen Feng said, "Are the three of you also here for the Wolong Ruins? Why don’t we travel together? We can look out for each other. We know a bit more about the situation of the ruins than what’s being rumored outside."

Fang Hao and Liang Ling looked at each other and nodded. Since the Flowing Cloud Sect had arrived first, their information was indeed more valuable. Moreover, after this incident, both sides could be considered to have the camaraderie of having fought side-by-side.

"That sounds excellent," Fang Hao agreed.

Everyone briefly treated their injuries, and after imprisoning the Black Wind Fortress bandits and sending a signal to notify the law enforcement teams of nearby towns, they set off together, heading toward the depths of the Wolong Mountain Range.

On the way, Chen Feng shared the information they had gathered: the ruins were suspected to be a secondary residence of the ancient ’Tiangong Sect,’ which was famous for Artifact Refining and Formations. The outer Restrictions of the ruins had been broken, but the core area was still guarded by powerful Formations. Some early arrivals had tried to break them, but the casualties were not small.

"Tiangong Sect..." Fang Hao’s heart stirred. If it really was a ruin of this Sect, it would be of great benefit to his understanding of Formations and even for finding Artifact Refining Materials.

The group increased their speed. As they passed through the Mist Forest, the majestic silhouette of the Wolong Mountain Range was already faintly visible. The closer they got to the mountain range, the more Cultivators they encountered, and the air was filled with an atmosphere of tension and anticipation.

Ancient ruins, unknown opportunities, and hidden killing intent all awaited them ahead.