55: Ingenious mechanisms conceal hidden dangers.

As the mechanisms activated, the Cangyun Ruins instantly plunged into chaos. Hidden passages opened, emitting mysterious light, and ancient defensive weapons like crossbow bolts and giant rocks attacked the Dark Holy Cult members from all directions. The Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult were caught off guard by this sudden turn of events, and screams echoed continuously for a time.

"No, what kind of mechanism is this!" an Elder of the Dark Holy Cult cried out in horror. They had been confident in wiping out Jun Xiaoyao and the others within the ruins, but never expected such an unexpected change.

The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult, while fending off attacks from Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue, glared in the direction of Jun Xiaoyao and the others. "You despicable fellows, how dare you ruin my plan!" He was both shocked and enraged, but unable to Clone himself to stop Jun Xiaoyao and the others.

Jun Xiaoyao seized this opportunity and shouted, "Everyone, follow me closely, go along the passage, and break out!" He was the first to rush into a passage, with West Gate Blows Snow, Ye Gucheng, and the others following closely behind.

However, this passage was not smooth. As they delved deeper, raging flames suddenly burst out from both sides of the passage, blocking their path. "Be careful!" Jun Xiaoyao hurriedly warned everyone. They quickly used their lightness skill, attempting to cross the flames. But the flames were extremely hot and widespread, trapping them in a difficult situation for a while.

"Master, these flames are too fierce; it might not work to force our way through," West Gate Blows Snow said.

Jun Xiaoyao frowned deeply as he looked around, trying to find a way to solve it. Suddenly, he noticed some strange symbols and patterns on the passage walls. These symbols and patterns seemed to have some connection with the clues about the Ancient Seal they had seen in the ruins before.

"Perhaps these symbols are the key to breaking the flames," Jun Xiaoyao said. He carefully observed the arrangement and patterns of the symbols, trying to find a way to deactivate the flame mechanism.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult had shaken off Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue. He knew that if Jun Xiaoyao and the others escaped, his plan to uncover the secrets of the Ancient Seal would be completely ruined. "Chase them, don't let them get away!" He led a group of Cultists, pursuing Jun Xiaoyao and the others down the passage they had taken.

Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue naturally wouldn't let him off easily; the two chased after him again, resuming their fierce battle with the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. "You Devil Head, you won't get away with your evil deeds today!" Qiao Feng roared, unleashing the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms like a tidal wave towards the Cult Master. Fu Hongxue also displayed his sharp Saber techniques, Saber Qi crisscrossing, coordinating with Qiao Feng to try and trap the Cult Master once more.

The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult, while fending off attacks from Qiao Feng and Fu Hongxue, directed his Cultists to find a way around the flame mechanism. "Quickly, look for other passages to bypass it!" He was anxious, worried that Jun Xiaoyao and the others would take the opportunity to deactivate the mechanism and escape.

At this moment, Jun Xiaoyao finally found clues to breaking the flame mechanism from those symbols. Following the instructions of the symbols, he pressed several specific spots on a wall in the passage. With a "boom!" the flames gradually extinguished, and the passage became clear again.

"Let's go!" Jun Xiaoyao led everyone forward. But they hadn't gone far when a group of giant stone figures suddenly appeared in front of the passage. These stone figures were about three zhang tall, exuding a cold aura, and held huge stone axes, blocking their path.

"These stone figures look difficult to deal with," Ye Gucheng said.

Jun Xiaoyao's expression was solemn: "Everyone be careful, these stone figures should be the guardians of the ruins, and their strength should not be underestimated. Qiao Feng, you attack the front, attracting the stone figures' attention; West Gate Blows Snow, Ye Gucheng, you attack from the sides, looking for their weaknesses; I and the others will support from the rear, ready to assist at any time."

"Yes!" Everyone acknowledged the order and quickly took action. Qiao Feng let out a roar, unleashing the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, and golden palm prints slammed towards the stone figures. The stone figures sensed the attack, swung their stone axes, and chopped towards Qiao Feng. The huge stone axes brought with them a whooshing sound, incredibly powerful. Qiao Feng's figure flashed, cleverly dodging the stone axe's attack, and continued to launch his own.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng moved like lightning, rushing towards the stone figures from the sides. Their Sword techniques were exquisite, Sword Qi flashing, trying to find a flaw in the stone figures. However, the stone figures' bodies were incredibly hard, and ordinary Sword moves caused minimal damage.

Jun Xiaoyao, meanwhile, led the others, looking for an opportunity from the rear. He discovered that the stone figures' joints seemed relatively weak, so he shouted, "Attack the stone figures' joints!" Upon hearing this, everyone shifted their attack targets to the stone figures' joints.

After a fierce battle, everyone finally succeeded in defeating the stone figures. The stone figures crashed to the ground, turning into a pile of rubble. Everyone continued along the passage, unaware of what dangers awaited them ahead. And the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult was still in hot pursuit behind them; would they be able to escape the Dark Holy Cult's chase and successfully uncover the secret of the Ancient Seal? The situation in the Jianghu was becoming increasingly complex, and everything was full of suspense...