"Supreme Elder, you must think this through," Li Ruochu said with a solemn voice.
"Relax. Even if I were to take action, I wouldn't be foolish enough to do so openly."
Li Taiyi paused at that, then added in a meaningful tone, "Ruochu, regardless of where your loyalties lie, do not forget your identity. You are a member of the Li Heavenly Clan — never commit an act of betrayal against your own."
Upon hearing those words, a faint smile curled at the corner of Li Ruochu's lips. "That goes without saying."
The ancient ruins were immense, and naturally, there were far more than one entrance.
Liangqiu Chengfeng had chosen this particular entrance and led everyone inside for good reason. According to his observations, the ruins boasted tens of thousands of entrances, yet only this single one led to the treasure within.
Now the group proceeded along a vast corridor. The ancient aura within was thick and palpable. Exquisitely carved murals lined the walls, and towering palace columns stood with an air that was both refined and imposing.
A single glance down its length revealed no end in sight, filling everyone with a sense of reverence.
Yet this corridor was riddled with hidden traps. Fortunately, with Liangqiu Chengfeng present, both overt and concealed barrier formations were dismantled with ease, failing to so much as scratch anyone in the group.
However, it was then that a massive stone stele blocking their path brought Liangqiu Chengfeng to a halt.
Behind the stele lay two corridors, each stretching into unfathomable depth, clearly leading in two different directions.
Based on the group's past experience with formations, such a scenario almost always represented one path of life and one path of death.
Choose wrong, and there was no turning back.
As a result, no one spoke. They stood in silence, waiting for Liangqiu Chengfeng.
The answer lay inscribed on that stele, but its contents were indecipherable to anyone but Liangqiu Chengfeng. All they could do was wait for him to provide the answer.
"This ruin truly is interesting," Liangqiu Chengfeng remarked after a long pause, a faint smile on his face.
"My Lord, which path is the safe one?" the Wuma Heavenly Clan's Clan Master stepped forward and asked, believing that Liangqiu Chengfeng had already deciphered the stele's inscription.
"Both paths lead to life, yet both also lead to death," Liangqiu Chengfeng answered.
"What?" The group's expressions shifted, bewilderment flooding their eyes. They asked almost in unison, "My Lord, what do you mean?"
"What makes this ruin interesting is that juniors under the age of one hundred will play an absolutely critical role. Without them… no matter how powerful we may be, we cannot break through the formations."
"Take these two corridors ahead. The one on the left may only be entered by those under one hundred years of age, while the one on the right may only be entered by those one hundred years or older."
"According to the stele's inscription, a main formation lies at the end of each corridor. Both main formations must be broken through simultaneously in order to open the gate to the hidden treasure."
"If we succeed, the formations collapse. If we fail…"
"What happens if we fail?" the group asked in unison.
"If we fail, both corridors will seal shut immediately, and a devastating killing formation will run rampant — one that even I would be unable to stop. So… I must give you all fair warning."
"To obtain the treasure, you must enter. But once inside, life and death become uncertain."
"I would advise everyone to consider carefully whether or not to proceed," Liangqiu Chengfeng said.
"This…"
After hearing Liangqiu Chengfeng's words, looks of hesitation appeared on everyone's faces.
"My Lord, will you be entering?" someone asked.
"I was invited here. Even if there is danger, I must walk in — how could I possibly retreat?" Liangqiu Chengfeng replied.
"Are there any among my Wuma Heavenly Clan who would turn back?" the Wuma Heavenly Clan's Clan Master asked.
"There are none," the Wuma Heavenly Clan members present answered as one.
"Since we've already come this far, it would be a waste to leave empty-handed. Wouldn't you agree, Ruochu?" Li Taiyi said.
"What the Supreme Elder says is perfectly correct," Li Ruochu replied with a light smile — one so beautiful it could only be described as a beauty to topple nations and overthrow cities.
After that, members of the other clans also voiced their positions.
In the end, not a single person present chose to retreat.
In truth, they all had confidence in Liangqiu Chengfeng. They believed he would not joke with his own life. If he had chosen to enter, then he must have a certain measure of certainty.