103: Unexpected opportunities and "poisonous pies"

Just as Lijian Valley was busy preparing for war, as if to confirm the warning from that 'Co-frequency Person,' a sudden 'Opportunity' fell upon the Qingxuan Sect.

It is rumored that deep within 'Dragon Fall Abyss,' thousands of miles away from the Qingxuan Sect, ancient ruins have appeared, with rosy clouds shooting into the sky and exotic fragrances permeating the air!

Furthermore, Cultivators have discovered long-lost Cultivation Technique Jade Slips and rare Spirit Medicine within, and some have even found an ancient Flying Sword that has not lost its spirit!

The news spread rapidly throughout the area surrounding the Qinglan Mountain Range, as if it had grown wings.

In an instant, countless Cultivators swarmed over like sharks smelling blood.

Major Sects, including the Qingxuan Sect, quickly organized elite teams to head to Dragon Fall Abyss for exploration.

Within the Qingxuan Sect, there was naturally a scene of great excitement.

The Mission Hall released high-reward missions to explore Dragon Fall Abyss, with generous contribution points, causing countless Inner and Outer Sect Disciples to itch for action.

Even several Elders who had been in seclusion for years were alarmed and personally led teams to go.

'Dragon Fall Abyss... ancient ruins...' Wen Youyi listened to the news reported by Senior Brother Li, tapping his fingers gently on the table with deep eyes.

He was not unfamiliar with this name.

When Lin Feng told him about the clues regarding the 'star core,' he had mentioned 'Falling Star Lake,' and 'Dragon Fall Abyss' was not far from 'Falling Star Lake.'

This coincidence was a bit too deliberate.

'Boss, this is a great Opportunity!' Zhao Iron Pillar said with some excitement, 'I heard there are many treasures inside. Should we also get involved? Maybe we can find something useful for us!'

Wang Wu was more cautious: 'The Sect's elites are all out, so the competition will inevitably be fierce. Besides... this ruin appeared too suddenly; I always feel there is something suspicious about it.'

Senior Brother Zhang pushed up his non-existent glasses and analyzed: 'According to ancient records, Dragon Fall Abyss is indeed an ancient battlefield, extremely dangerous, but at the same time, it holds countless Opportunities.'

The scale of this anomaly is so great that it is likely of no small significance.'

Wen Youyi remained silent, with the warning from the 'Co-frequency Person' echoing in his mind — 'The child of destiny plan has been activated, the bait is very fragrant, beware of good luck.'

This sudden ancient ruin, this perfectly timed 'Opportunity,' doesn't it look like a carefully arranged... fish pond?

And they, these Cultivators who crave strength and resources, are they the fish attracted by that fragrant 'bait'?

'This pie, I fear, is poisonous.' Wen Youyi slowly opened his mouth.

Everyone was stunned.

'Youyi, do you mean... this ruin is a trap?' Wang Wu's expression changed slightly.

'Not sure, but the possibility is high.' Wen Youyi said in a deep voice, 'Think about it, why specifically at this time? Right after we just received a warning?'

'Moreover, the appearance of ruins is often accompanied by huge risks, but what has been spread this time is mostly about what benefits have been gained; the risks seem to have been intentionally or unintentionally downplayed.'

After his reminder, everyone also came to their senses.

Indeed, the news circulating recently has all been hyping the Opportunities of the ruins, with very little mention of the dangers within, which does not conform to common sense.

'Then we won't go?' Zhao Iron Pillar was a bit disappointed.

'Not going, I'm afraid, won't work either.' Wen Youyi shook his head, 'The Sect's trend is irresistible, almost all the elites have gone. If we remain still, it will appear abnormal instead, making it easier to arouse suspicion.'

'Besides...' A glint flashed in his eyes: 'If this really is a trap, then we must send people even more!'

'Not to snatch Opportunities, but to... see with our own eyes how this trap actually operates! What exactly do 'they' above want to do?'

'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' Wang Wu understood Wen Youyi's meaning.

'Exactly!' Wen Youyi nodded, 'We need to send a capable small team to go under the name of training and gathering resources.'

'But your primary mission is not to snatch treasures, but to observe! Record all unusual details, especially regarding the origins of those so-called 'Opportunities,' and... whether anyone behaves abnormally, such as a sudden surge in cultivation or a drastic change in Heart-Nature!'

He looked at Zhao Iron Pillar and Wang Wu: 'Iron Pillar, Senior Brother Wang, you two will lead the team this time. Iron Pillar is responsible for safety and contingencies; Senior Brother Wang is meticulous and is responsible for observation and recording.'

'The personnel must be absolutely reliable. Their strength does not need to be the strongest, but they must be clever, steady, and... have mastered the basics of 'Star Language' to conduct simple long-distance communication!'

'Understood!' Zhao Iron Pillar and Wang Wu replied in unison.

Although it was a bit of a pity not to be able to go all out to snatch treasures, shouldering such an important reconnaissance mission made them feel a heavy responsibility.

'In addition,' Wen Youyi took out several newly refined, fingernail-sized jade talismans that were flickering with a faint light, 'This is the latest achievement of the Research Hall — 'Concealment Talismans'.'

'After activation, it can shield most of one's aura and spiritual energy fluctuations within a very short time, which should have a certain interference effect on that kind of 'detection.' There aren't many, so take them with you to save your lives at critical moments.'

These 'Concealment Talismans' were exactly the Elementary products that the Research Hall had cobbled together based on those incomplete 'source code' and combined with the energy characteristics of the 'ark.' Although the duration of the effect was short and the range was small, it was of great significance.

Zhao Iron Pillar and Wang Wu solemnly took the jade talismans.

Very soon, a five-person reconnaissance team composed of Zhao Iron Pillar, Wang Wu, and three other clever War Hall Disciples who had initially mastered 'Star Language' quietly left Lijian Valley and blended into the crowd heading to Dragon Fall Abyss.

Wen Youyi stood at the valley entrance, looking in the direction they were leaving, his brows slightly furrowed.

He knew that this would be a dangerous journey.

Those seemingly ubiquitous 'Opportunities' very likely hid fatal poisonous stings.

But he had no other choice.

If he wanted to resist, he must understand the enemy; even if it meant taking risks, he had to go and see for himself how that 'the net' hanging high above was actually hunting.

'I hope... everything goes smoothly.' He whispered to himself.

The storm is brewing, and Dragon Fall Abyss seems to be the first center of this tempest.

(End of this chapter)