22: The appearance of a treasure hides a secret.

Inside the ruins hall, everyone gathered around the stone platform, their eyes fixed on the box radiating multicolored light. After a fierce battle, they finally repelled the Earthly Fiend Alliance. With the box now within reach, everyone was filled with anticipation and curiosity.

"This box is so mysterious. What exactly is hidden inside?" Thirteen Swallows couldn't help but ask, his eyes full of inquiry.

"We'll know once we open it." Fu Hongxue stepped forward, reaching out to take the box. The moment his hand touched the box, it burst into bright light, and a powerful Spiritual Energy fluctuation spread outward from the box's center. Everyone quickly circulated their Internal Energy to resist, preventing injury from the impact of this force.

Once the light subsided slightly, Fu Hongxue cautiously opened the box. Inside, a Secret Manual radiating soft golden light lay quietly, next to a crystalline Medicinal Pill shimmering with a seven-colored halo.

"This is..." Shen Lang stepped closer, examining the Secret Manual and the Medicinal Pill carefully, a look of pleasant surprise flashing in his eyes. "This Secret Manual seems to be an extremely profound Cultivation Technique, perhaps capable of helping a Cultivator achieve a Breakthrough in their current Realm. And this Medicinal Pill, judging by its aura, should be able to enhance the strength of Martial Artists below the Land Immortal Realm, and it has a miraculous effect on stabilizing one's Realm."

Everyone was delighted upon hearing this. These treasures were undoubtedly a huge boost to the development of Beyond Heaven. However, the people from Spirit Wind Valley watched the treasures from the side, and although they felt envy, they remembered their previous agreement and harbored no improper desires.

"It is truly fortunate that Beyond Heaven obtained this treasure. We did not come in vain either, having witnessed such a spectacular battle." Lin Feng said with a smile, his words carrying regret but also sincere blessings.

"Brother Lin is broad-minded. If you ever have need in the future, Beyond Heaven will certainly not stand idly by," Qiao Feng said, cupping his fists.

Just as everyone was discussing how to handle the treasures, a violent tremor suddenly erupted within the ruins. The entire hall began to shake, as if it were about to collapse.

"This is bad! It seems we've triggered other mechanisms inside the ruins!" Xiang Shaolong's expression changed, and he shouted loudly.

"Everyone, get out of here first!" The Marshal of the Unruly made a decisive move, leading the crowd toward the outside of the hall. However, a large amount of black mist suddenly surged out from the passage. Terrifying figures faintly emerged in the mist, accompanied by the eerie sounds of ghosts wailing and wolves howling.

"This mist is strange, don't breathe it in!" Li Xunhuan warned. At the same time, he quickly took out some special Pills and distributed them to everyone. "Take this; it might help resist the strange power within the mist."

After taking the pills, everyone continued to rush forward. But the figures hidden in the mist began to attack, firing black beams of light from the mist toward the crowd.

"Be careful, everyone!" West Gate Blows Snow shouted, taking the lead in swinging his long sword and blocking the beams of light aimed at him. Ye Gucheng cooperated seamlessly with him; their Sword Techniques flowed like moving clouds and running water, and their Sword Qi crisscrossed, shattering the approaching beams.

Qiao Feng stood in the center of the group, unleashing the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. Golden palm prints continuously struck out, dispersing the mist ahead. Every palm print carried immense power, and the figures hidden in the mist emitted screams when hit.

"Stick close to me!" Qiao Feng shouted while attacking. Led by Qiao Feng, the group struggled to move toward the outside of the passage.

However, the attacks from the mist became fiercer, and black beams shot out like raindrops. The Unruly formed a defensive formation, using their bodies to shield the others from the attacks, and people constantly fell injured.

"Damn it, what exactly are these things!" Fu Hongxue roared, his long saber erupting with even stronger Saber Qi. The Saber Qi of the Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon crisscrossed, severing the surrounding mist and attacks one by one.

Just as everyone was engaged in a bitter fight, Thirteen Swallows suddenly noticed that the movements of the figures in the mist seemed to follow a certain pattern. After careful observation, he shouted loudly: "Listen up, everyone! These figures move with the flow of the mist. We can use this to find their weak spot!"

Upon hearing this, everyone paid attention to the flow of the mist and the movement paths of the figures. Sure enough, they discovered that when the mist condensed into a vortex, the figures would briefly gather together, and their defenses would expose a weakness at that moment.

"Now!" Qiao Feng seized the opportunity and unleashed "Dragon Seen in the Field" from the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. A massive golden Dragon-shaped palm print slammed toward the mist vortex. The immense power instantly scattered the mist vortex, and the figures vanished without a trace under this strike.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, everyone quickly rushed out of the passage. Finally, they successfully escaped the ruins.

When the group reached the outside of the ruins, they saw that the ruins had begun to collapse. Huge rocks fell from the structure, kicking up dust everywhere.

"It seems that the secrets of these ruins are about to be buried as the treasures have emerged," Shen Lang said with emotion, watching the collapsing ruins.

"Regardless, this trip to the ruins has been very fruitful," Jun Xiaoyao said through special means. "Qiao Feng performed a great service this time, so that Cultivation Technique Secret Manual shall be given to you to Cultivate. I hope you can use it to achieve a Breakthrough in your Realm and add greater strength to Beyond Heaven. The Medicinal Pill will be taken by Fu Hongxue to enhance his own strength."

"Thank you, Master!" Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue knelt on one knee and said gratefully.

"Next, we will return to Beyond Heaven and take a good rest. Although we obtained treasures on this trip to the ruins, we also attracted the attention of many factions, and we will likely face more challenges in the future," Jun Xiaoyao said.

Everyone nodded, knowing well that the path ahead for Beyond Heaven would not be easy. They composed themselves and embarked on the journey back to Beyond Heaven.

On the way back, Lin Feng led the people of Spirit Wind Valley to bid farewell to the members of Beyond Heaven. "It was truly an honor to explore the ruins alongside everyone this time. If fate allows, we shall drink and converse again someday." Lin Feng said, cupping his fists.

"Take care, Brother Lin. We shall meet again," Shen Lang replied.

The Beyond Heaven group continued their journey, but what they didn't know was that the Earthly Fiend Alliance would never let the matter rest after this failed operation. When Old Monster Disha, the Alliance Leader of the Earthly Fiend Alliance, learned that Black Wind Old Monster had been killed and the treasures stolen by Beyond Heaven, he flew into a rage.

"Beyond Heaven, how dare you ruin my plans! I will definitely make you pay a painful price!" Old Monster Disha sat on the Alliance Leader's throne, his eyes flashing with malicious light. "Pass down my order: gather all the experts in the Alliance and prepare to launch a full-scale attack on Beyond Heaven!"

Meanwhile, other factions also began to stir restlessly upon hearing the news that Beyond Heaven had obtained the mysterious ruins treasure. A storm centered around Beyond Heaven was quietly brewing. Could Beyond Heaven once again turn danger into safety and continue its glory in the face of the impending crisis? And how would Jun Xiaoyao lead Beyond Heaven to cope with the covetousness and challenges from all sides? Everything was full of suspense, waiting for them to uncover...