54: The predicament of ruins, the opportunity to break the deadlock

When Jun Xiaoyao and the others heard the noise coming from outside the ruins, they immediately realized the situation was critical. The people from the Dark Holy Cult had arrived so quickly, clearly well-prepared.

“Master, the Dark Holy Cult comes with ill intent this time. What should we do?” Qiao Feng clenched his fists, looking at Jun Xiaoyao with a determined gaze, ready to face the enemy at any moment.

Jun Xiaoyao quickly thought of a strategy, knowing he could not panic at this moment. “Let's not act rashly first. The internal situation of these ruins is complex, and we are relatively familiar with the terrain, which is our advantage. Everyone stay alert and look for an opportunity to break out or repel the enemy.”

Everyone nodded and found their positions to hide, waiting for the Dark Holy Cult members to enter the ruins. Before long, a group of experts from the Dark Holy Cult, led by the Cult Master, aggressively barged into the Cangyun Ruins.

“Hmph, people of Beyond Heaven, let's see where you can run this time!” The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's voice echoed within the ruins, filled with arrogance and triumph.

“Cult Master, the light inside these ruins is dim; they might be hiding in the shadows. We need to proceed with caution,” an Elder reminded.

“What is there to fear? They cannot escape today even if they grew wings! Search for me! We must find them and stop them from continuing to uncover the secrets of the Seal.” At the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's command, the cultists scattered and began searching everywhere within the ruins.

Jun Xiaoyao and the others remained hidden in the dark, observing every move of the Dark Holy Cult members. Fu Hongxue said in a low voice, “Master, let's take the initiative. While they are scattered, we can take them down one by one.”

Jun Xiaoyao shook his head slightly. “Don't be in a hurry. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult is powerful, and they have many people. If we strike prematurely, we might fall into danger. Let's wait a bit longer for a better opportunity.”

Just then, a Dark Holy Cultist walked toward the position where Jun Xiaoyao and the others were hiding. Qiao Feng's eyes sharpened, ready to act. Jun Xiaoyao reached out to stop him, signaling to observe a bit longer.

The cultist walked closer and closer. Suddenly, he seemed to sense something, stopped in his tracks, and looked around vigilantly. Just as he was about to call out to his companions, Fu Hongxue's figure flashed, appearing behind him like a ghost. With a swing of his long saber, he covered the man's mouth, dragged him into the shadows, and swiftly dealt with him.

“We can't wait any longer; if we do, we might be discovered,” Fu Hongxue said.

Jun Xiaoyao nodded. “Alright, let's move. Qiao Feng, Fu Hongxue, you two focus the attack on the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult to draw his attention. West Gate Blows Snow, Ye Gucheng, you lead the others to attack the scattered cultists and disrupt their formation.”

“Yes!” Everyone took their orders and quickly moved into action. Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue charged at the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult like tigers descending a mountain. Qiao Feng unleashed the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, golden palm prints blasting toward the Cult Master like cannonballs. Fu Hongxue swung his long saber, the Saber Qi of the Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon crisscrossing as it attacked the Cult Master from the flank.

“Hmph, overestimating yourselves!” The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult snorted coldly, waving his Magic Staff. A pillar of black flames met Qiao Feng's palm print while his body flashed to evade Fu Hongxue's Saber Qi.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng led the experts of Beyond Heaven, weaving through the Dark Holy Cultists like ghosts. West Gate Blows Snow's swordplay was sharp, every strike piercing the enemy's vitals. Ye Gucheng's sword moves were elegant, skillfully pinning down the enemies. Under their assault, many Dark Holy Cultists fell one after another.

However, the Dark Holy Cultists quickly reacted and began to concentrate their defense. They formed a Sword Array, cooperating with each other to withstand the attacks from West Gate Blows Snow and the others.

“This can't go on; we have to find a way to break their Sword Array,” West Gate Blows Snow said.

Ye Gucheng thought for a moment. “I have an idea. We two will launch attacks from different directions to disrupt their rhythm, then take the opportunity to break through.”

West Gate Blows Snow nodded in agreement. The two of them flashed, charging at the Dark Holy Cult's Sword Array from the left and right sides respectively. West Gate Blows Snow unleashed a sword technique as fast as lightning, his sword shadows so numerous they dazzled the enemies. Ye Gucheng utilized exquisite movement techniques, weaving freely through the Sword Array to find its weaknesses.

Under the coordination of West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng, the Dark Holy Cult's Sword Array gradually began to loosen. At that moment, Jun Xiaoyao saw the opportunity and unleashed a powerful sword technique. His swordplay fused many exquisite moves, and with Sword Qi surging, he charged directly at the core of the Sword Array. With a 'Boom!', the Sword Array was finally broken.

Seeing the Sword Array broken, the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult was furious. “You bastards, how dare you ruin my plans!” He increased the intensity of his attacks on Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue, attempting to eliminate these two threats first.

Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue felt immense pressure, but they did not retreat an inch. Qiao Feng unleashed the strongest form of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, 'Divine Dragon Swings Tail,' as a massive golden dragon shadow surged toward the Cult Master. Fu Hongxue also unleashed the ultimate Profound Truth of the 'Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon,' his Saber Qi transforming into a black screen of light that blocked the Cult Master's path of retreat.

While both sides were in the heat of battle, Jun Xiaoyao suddenly discovered a hidden Mechanism on the wall of the ruins. His heart stirred, feeling that this might be the key to breaking the deadlock. “Everyone listen, I've found a Mechanism that might be in our favor. Qiao Feng, Fu Hongxue, continue to pin down the Cult Master. Everyone else, follow me to activate the Mechanism!” Jun Xiaoyao shouted.

Hearing this, everyone immediately acted according to Jun Xiaoyao's instructions. Jun Xiaoyao led West Gate Blows Snow, Ye Gucheng, and the others, quickly running toward the Mechanism. Seeing this, the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult wanted to intercept them, but he was held back firmly by Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue, unable to break away.

Jun Xiaoyao and the others arrived before the Mechanism and carefully studied how to activate it. After some searching, Jun Xiaoyao finally found the method. With a 'Boom!', the Mechanism activated, and the ruins suddenly underwent a change. Some hidden passages appeared, while some ancient defensive weapons began to attack the people of the Dark Holy Cult.

“This is our chance, let's take the opportunity to break out!” Jun Xiaoyao shouted.

Can everyone successfully break out and shake off the entanglement of the Dark Holy Cult? What changes will the activated Mechanism bring? Will the secrets of the Ancient Seal be further revealed in this chaos? The situation in the Jianghu is becoming increasingly tense, everything is full of unknowns, waiting for Jun Xiaoyao and his companions to explore...