After the two recovered from their injuries, the team immediately continued to delve deeper into the ruins, only a final stretch away from the entrance to the fifth level.

Ye Qingzhou and the others quickly found the hint marked in the Profound Secret Celestial Destiny Book—this was a place resembling an underground cavern like a botanical garden.

Looking up, they found the ceiling was a mass of jagged rocks, with the crevices of the rocks being very moist, thus overgrown with various mosses. As for the area beneath the botanical garden, it was a large expanse of vine-like ground-covering plants with lush leaves and branches.

A large number of feather-shaped leaves gathered together densely, layered upon each other, completely covering the ground. From the gaps in the branches and leaves, yellow-green weeds could be vaguely seen growing.

This place was rather humid and carried a sultry heat, akin to an island in the tropics, with a strange mix of root decay and the fragrance of leaves permeating the air.

Gu Minghui’s combat armor had a research analysis module, and after observing the feedback report from the smart brain, he reminded everyone, "There is a special toxin in the air here, though it can at most affect Martial Arts Masters, everyone should still be cautious."

"Indeed, we can’t be careless. Next, let’s continue holding our breath to prevent inhaling too much unknown toxin and overturning in the gutter."

Xuanwu glanced at Gu Minghui and Vermilion Bird; the three immediately entered a tortoise breath state—rapidly slowing the rise and fall of their chests, with the Martial Arts True Qi within them beginning to fulfill the role of oxygen in their blood, providing stable and continuous energy for the body to sustain physiological functioning.

After cultivating to the realm of Martial Saint, Martial Artists’ physiques had long surpassed mortals, and their life force was akin to that of a god; breathing was no longer a necessary physiological action.

In a certain sense, being able to absorb and convert various cosmic rays without the need to breathe made Celestial Spirit Martial Saints barely considered as having stepped into the cosmic-level realm of strength.

At least, they wouldn’t suffocate to death in outer space due to inability to breathe.

"Let’s go."

Gu Minghui signaled to Ye Qingzhou, and Ye Qingzhou nodded back to him.

"Wait."

Ye Qingzhou raised his hand, and suddenly thrust his five fingers into the cave wall beside him. Then, with a grip, he directly dug out a large chunk of rock.

Weighing it in his hand for a couple of times, Ye Qingzhou flicked his sleeve and sent the rock flying away.

Instantly breaking the sound barrier in mid-air, the rock smashed into the cavern floor covered by plant roots and stems, producing a thunderous roar.

Several more rocks quickly flew past, smashing through layers of green leaves, revealing black-yellow soil underneath.

"There should be no traps or ambushed unknown creatures, safe for now."

Ye Qingzhou led the way, walking at the forefront.

Everyone then entered the botanical garden, approximately the size of five bird’s nest stadiums, but unlike the treacherous Divine Burial Wood Hall, this botanical garden seemed set up for viewing purposes, with no mechanisms or traps.

Six people traversed through the dense exotic flowers and grasses, soon forcibly making their way out along a fragrant, deep pathway.

Unexpectedly, things quickly took a turn!

All the plant roots on the ground started to twist curiously like snakes, moving rapidly, flashing deep green light in the air.

These vines rotated around Ye Qingzhou and the others, with poisonous thorns growing out from within, emitting a dim blue light, clearly holding poison lethal at the touch, even posing a threat to Martial Saints.

Thus it could be seen that even a botanical garden for viewing was still very dangerous for non-Feather Race individuals.

The special mutant plants resulted from genetic modification not only had exquisite appearances, with great ornamental value, but would also actively attack any non-Feather Race intruders.

Clang~

Facing the surge of vines and roots, Ivan the Terrible’s Sword emitted a cold gleam. As it struck, the sword light suddenly spread out hundreds of meters, the sharp Sword Qi cropping countless vine roots, splattering juice.

Simultaneously, the chilling aura spread centered on the six, freezing everything alive as it extended outward.

Ivan the Terrible was one of the greatest emperors of the Slavic Race, and the divine weapon he ordered forged was naturally out of the ordinary.

In Karelin’s hand, the divine weapon’s blade was wide, reaching an astonishing two meters in length. The edge had a faintly appearing silver-white flowing water pattern, with the ripple subtly pulsing, rotating at high speed akin to an electric saw.

The gentle flowing water, once fast enough, could still be invincible, cutting through everything!

And one of the features of Ivan the Terrible’s Sword was ’Flowing Water,’ with each swing of the handed-down enormous sword from Karelin, a refined sword beam cut through the air, tearing and slicing the surrounding plants.

Originally considered very resilient, the vine roots appeared fragile as tofu before Karelin’s divine weapon, breaking upon contact without providing the slightest impediment.

Finally, the six easily left the fifth level, arriving at the sixth underground level of the Dark Tower.

As for the botanical garden, after Karelin’s disturbance, only a mess remained.

In the fifth level of the ruins, a pitch-black tunnel appeared in front of everyone.

Ye Qingzhou once more took the lead, entering without hesitation, his silhouette disappearing in the thick and viscous darkness.

Karelin and Andre hesitated slightly, then followed Gu Minghui, Xuanwu, and Vermilion Bird into the tunnel.

Gurgle~

Clear water sounds reached Ye Qingzhou’s ears, the air carrying a damp smell; the entire tunnel was connected to an underground river.

"It’s Weak Water again, capable of severing Divine Sense detection. It seems this barrier is meant to conceal the secrets of the sixth level of the ruins."

Gu Minghui was already eager to uncover the final mystery of the sixth level.

The six quickened their pace, abruptly stopping after several turns.

The tip of a shoe nudged a stone at the end of the exit, which plopped into the relentlessly downward flowing underground river, without stirring a ripple.

Ye Qingzhou looked left and right; this was a rock layer tunnel eroded by the underground river, with a diameter of seventeen point five meters, and the river water rushing powerfully from left to right.

"According to the Profound Secret Celestial Destiny Book’s instruction, the last area we want to explore is right here."

Gu Minghui pointed to one of the regions marked on the map, his tone slightly excited.

"Wait..."

Ye Qingzhou’s eyes flashed: "Something is coming, very fast..."

Hiss hiss~

As soon as the words fell, a torrent of dark red blood surged forth like a fountain behind them, the sticky liquid rushing along the river like a flash flood.

These blood waters seemed to have life, exuding strong spiritual light.

Hum hum~

The air vibrated, with seemingly human, seemingly bird-like creatures emerging on the surface of the blood waters as if an invisible large hand was wielding a hidden brush, and drawing terrifying monsters that seemed to hail from the depths of hell out of nowhere.

Layer upon layer of muscle and bone contours quickly formed from nothing.

Even a thick layer of keratin swiftly covered their entire bodies, forming armor filled with bone spikes.

A pair of dark red arms, enveloped in thick shells, radiated a terrifying pressure.

Garuda Warriors!

These terrifying creatures born for battle were one of the outstanding results of Feather Race’s genetic modification! 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

They stood over five meters tall, with dark red flesh and a layer of armor as black as ink growing on top, the gaps between resembling wild grass as they robustly sprouted, the edges looking fierce with a hint of sharpness.

In a short time, thirteen Garuda Warriors stood up from the flood of dark red blood, each possessing the Martial Saint Peak cultivation.

Thirteen pairs of scarlet eyes cold and ruthless, all staring at Ye Qingzhou and the six, the red glow in their pupils growing increasingly intense.