19: With the ruins in sight, various parties are engaged in a power struggle.

After a night of rest, the Beyond Heaven group once again embarked on their journey. The mist in the Misty Forest seemed to grow thicker, and the surrounding trees took on various strange forms, some twisted and winding as if they could come alive at any moment.

"Everyone be careful, this forest is getting stranger and stranger. There might be even greater dangers waiting for us," Marshal of the Unruly reminded everyone, his gaze vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

The group continued forward, maintaining a high level of vigilance all the way. Suddenly, an open space appeared ahead, with an ancient stone platform in the middle. The platform was covered in mysterious runes that shimmered with a faint light, as if narrating ancient secrets.

"This stone platform looks extraordinary. Shen Lang, you have studied mechanisms and ancient texts, come take a look," Xiang Shaolong called out to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang walked forward and carefully observed the runes on the stone platform. His brows were tightly furrowed, sometimes showing confusion, other times deep thought. After a long while, Shen Lang finally spoke: "These runes seem to be an ancient guide. According to their instructions, we are not far from the mysterious ruins. But at the same time, this could also be a trap, luring us in."

"Whether it's a trap or not, we've already come this far. There's no turning back," Fu Hongxue said, gripping his long saber, his eyes resolute.

Just as everyone was discussing how to proceed, a sudden commotion came from afar, sounding like an intense battle.

"Are there other forces in this forest as well?" West Gate Blows Snow's expression tightened.

"Let's go take a look," Jun Xiaoyao commanded through special means.

The group quietly approached the direction of the sound. They saw a group of people dressed in gray robes battling several massive two-headed wolves. The two-headed wolves were powerful, each possessing the strength of the Middle Grandmaster Realm, and although the gray-robed figures were numerous, they struggled under the wolves' attacks.

"These people are Disciples of Spirit Wind Valley. Why are they here?" Zhao Gao recognized the identity of the gray-robed figures.

"Let's observe the situation first, don't act rashly," Jun Xiaoyao said.

Just then, a two-headed wolf seized an opportunity and bit towards the throat of a gray-robed man. The gray-robed man couldn't dodge in time and was about to die in the wolf's jaws. Thirteen Swallows couldn't bear to watch, and with a flick of his long sword, a Sword Qi shot out, hitting the two-headed wolf and saving the gray-robed man.

The gray-robed man looked at Thirteen Swallows gratefully, then rejoined the battle. Under the watchful eyes of the Beyond Heaven group, the Disciples of Spirit Wind Valley finally worked together to kill several two-headed wolves. The remaining wolves, seeing the unfavorable situation, turned and fled.

The Disciples of Spirit Wind Valley breathed a sigh of relief. It was then that they noticed the Beyond Heaven group. A gray-robed man who appeared to be the leader stepped forward, cupped his hands towards the Beyond Heaven group, and said, "Thank you all for your assistance. If not for you, many of our brothers might have fallen today. I am Lin Feng, the Head Disciple under the Valley Master of Spirit Wind Valley. May I ask who you are?"

"We are just Martial Artists passing by. We happened to see you in trouble and lent a hand," Shen Lang said, without revealing the identity of Beyond Heaven.

Lin Feng scrutinized the group, speculating about their origins, but didn't press further. "In that case, I thank you again. However, the Misty Forest is full of dangers, so it would be best for you to leave as soon as possible."

"We also have important matters to attend to, so we shall part ways here," Shen Lang said.

Both sides departed, but Lin Feng harbored suspicions. He felt that the Beyond Heaven group were by no means ordinary Martial Artists and were likely also searching for the mysterious ruins. Thus, he secretly instructed a few Disciples to quietly track the Beyond Heaven group.

The Beyond Heaven group continued towards the mysterious ruins. Before long, they arrived at a wide river. The river water was a strange purple color and emitted a pungent odor.

"This river water is probably poisonous. We can't cross it rashly," Xiang Shaolong said.

Just as everyone was looking for a way to cross the river, a flock of huge flying creatures suddenly appeared in the sky. They were eagle-shaped, but their feathers were blood-red, and their eyes glowed with a bloodthirsty light.

"They're Blood Feather Eagles, their strength is around the Late Grandmaster Realm. Everyone be careful!" Marshal of the Unruly shouted loudly.

The flock of Blood Feather Eagles swooped down towards the group. Their talons were as sharp as knives, and their beaks could easily pierce through a human body. The Unruly quickly formed a defensive formation, using their weapons to fend off the Blood Feather Eagles' attacks.

Fu Hongxue, West Gate Blows Snow, and the others also joined the fray. Sword Qi and Saber Qi crisscrossed, cutting down the approaching Blood Feather Eagles. However, the Blood Feather Eagles were numerous, rushing forward in wave after wave, and the group gradually became overwhelmed.

"This won't do. We must find a way to get rid of them," Ye Gucheng said while fighting.

Shen Lang had a flash of inspiration. He pulled out some special smoke bombs from his Huai and threw them into the air. After the smoke bombs exploded, they released a dense smoke containing special spices that could interfere with the Blood Feather Eagles' sense of smell and sight.

The Blood Feather Eagles lost their way in the smoke and began to fly around wildly. The group took the opportunity to quickly leave, running upstream along the river. After running for a distance, they discovered an ancient stone bridge spanning the river, looking precarious.

"This stone bridge should allow us to cross the river, but it looks very unstable. Everyone be careful when crossing," Marshal of the Unruly said.

The group cautiously stepped onto the stone bridge. Just as they reached the middle of the bridge, it suddenly shook violently. Immediately after, a powerful current surged from the riverbed, impacting the stone bridge.

"Oh no, it's a Water Demon!" Li Xunhuan shouted.

A massive figure emerged from the riverbed. It was humanoid, covered in green scales, holding a trident, and exuded a powerful aura. It was actually a Water Demon in the Heavenly Human Realm.

"Humans, how dare you trespass into my territory? All of you, die!" the Water Demon roared, swinging its trident, and a green water column shot towards the group.

Everyone quickly used their movement techniques to dodge. The water column hit the stone bridge, and several cracks instantly appeared on the bridge.

"Everyone attack together to deal with this Water Demon!" Jun Xiaoyao shouted through special means.

Fu Hongxue was the first to attack, his Saber Qi from Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon slashing towards the Water Demon. The Water Demon dodged sideways, while simultaneously thrusting its trident at Fu Hongxue. West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng also joined the battle, their sword techniques flowing like clouds and water, attacking the Water Demon from both sides. Thirteen Swallows unleashed the Thirteen Swords of Life Taking, with layers of sword shadows blocking the Water Demon's retreat. Li Xunhuan, meanwhile, waited for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the Water Demon with Little Lis Flying Dagger.

Although the Water Demon was powerful, it gradually struggled under the combined assault of the group. It roared repeatedly, continuously brandishing its trident, engaging in a fierce struggle with everyone.

At this moment, the Disciples of Spirit Wind Valley, while tracking the Beyond Heaven group, also arrived at the riverbank. They were startled to see the Beyond Heaven group battling the Water Demon.

"What should we do? Should we help?" a Spirit Wind Valley Disciple asked.

Lin Feng hesitated. On one hand, he wanted to take the opportunity to observe the Beyond Heaven group's strength; on the other hand, he worried that fighting the Water Demon would result in losses among his own Disciples.

Just as Lin Feng was hesitating, the Water Demon suddenly unleashed a powerful Spell. A green light barrier spread out from its body, enveloping everyone. Within the barrier, the current became incredibly turbulent, as if it wanted to devour them all.

"Oh no, this is the Water Demon's trapping and killing Spell. We must break the barrier quickly!" Marshal of the Unruly shouted.

Everyone attacked the light barrier with all their might, but the barrier was exceptionally sturdy and difficult to break for a time.

"Master, what should we do?" Marshal of the Unruly asked Jun Xiaoyao through special means.

Jun Xiaoyao quickly pondered a countermeasure behind the scenes. He suddenly realized that the Water Demon's power came from the river water, and perhaps its connection to the river water could be severed.

"Xiang Shaolong, can you use mechanisms to destroy the energy connection between the river water and the Water Demon?" Jun Xiaoyao asked.

Xiang Shaolong pondered for a moment before saying, "Master, I can try. I have some spiritual power bombs that might work."

With that, Xiang Shaolong took out several spiritual power bombs and threw them towards the point where the river water connected with the light barrier. After the spiritual power bombs exploded, they generated a powerful Impact, successfully severing the energy connection between the Water Demon and the river water.

The light barrier instantly disappeared, and the Water Demon's strength also weakened. The group seized the opportunity to launch their final attack: Fu Hongxue's Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon, West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng's sword techniques, Thirteen Swallows' Thirteen Swords of Life Taking, and Li Xunhuan's Little Lis Flying Dagger, all simultaneously struck towards the Water Demon.

The Water Demon was no longer able to resist, was hit by the group's attacks, and fell into the river, lifeless.

After dealing with the Water Demon, the group smoothly crossed the stone bridge. At this point, they were very close to the mysterious ruins. However, they knew that the closer they got to the ruins, the greater the danger, and they might also encounter competition from other factions.

"Everyone be careful, we are already close to the ruins. We might encounter more dangers and other factions next," Jun Xiaoyao said.

Everyone nodded, their eyes filled with determination. They continued forward and finally saw an ancient palace ahead. The palace emitted a mysterious light, and powerful spiritual energy fluctuations permeated the surroundings. The mysterious ruins finally appeared before everyone's eyes. But what awaited them? Endless Treasure Troves, or even more dangerous challenges? At the same time, what actions would the Disciples of Spirit Wind Valley take after seeing the Beyond Heaven group enter the ruins? Everything was still unknown.