Chapter 75: The Ancient Ruin II

Chapter 73: The Ancient Ruin II

General Ashford slammed his palm against the table.

BOOM!

White Qi spread through the room, forcing the rising pressure back down.

"This meeting will not become a battlefield," he said coldly. "If any of you want to fight, leave the meeting first."

No one answered.

The projection above the table continued rotating silently.

After a moment, Estelle spoke.

"The ruin cannot belong to one faction. It is too dangerous, too valuable, and too important to the future of humanity."

Lemo scoffed.

"And you suggest we divide the resources equally?"

"No," Estelle replied. "I suggest we explore it together and distribute the discoveries according to contribution."

"That would give your family an equal claim despite having nothing to do with its discovery."

"Your people failed to enter it," Roan said. "Perhaps you should be grateful we’re still offering cooperation."

Lemo’s eyes flashed.

General Ashford raised one hand before the argument could intensify again.

"The ownership dispute can wait."

Lemo turned toward him. "It can?"​

"Yes," Ashford replied. "Because none of us currently possesses the strength to claim the ruin."

He changed the projection.

A black shape appeared around the palace.

"It is protected by a formation that even our strongest researchers cannot identify. The formation reacts to cultivation level."

The image showed several figures approaching the ruin.

The higher-level cultivators were immediately forced backward by an invisible pressure.

Then the projection shifted to several younger cultivators.

They stepped closer.

The formation remained still.

Nyren’s gaze sharpened.

"The formation rejects stronger cultivators?"

"Not exactly," General Ashford said. "It appears to suppress anyone whose cultivation exceeds a certain limit."

Roan leaned forward.

"What limit?"

"Level 7."

The room fell silent again. General Ashford continued.

"Our strongest cultivators cannot enter the inner ruins. The formation either repels them or attacks them directly."

Lemo’s expression turned unpleasant.

"And the younger generation?"

"Level 5 and Level 6 cultivators can pass through the outer boundary.

We confirmed this when several members of the first expedition attempted to retreat. The lower-level soldiers were able to enter, but the Level 7 commander could not."

Estelle’s eyes narrowed.

"So the ruin is restricting the cultivation level of those who enter."

"Exactly."

General Ashford looked toward the younger cultivators standing behind the faction leaders.

"That is why we are sending the younger generation."

Jules folded his arms.

"You’re saying the strongest people in the country are useless?"

"I’m saying the ruin has given us no alternative."

The General pointed toward the projection.

"Those below Level 7 can enter, but they must still possess sufficient strength to survive. That means the expedition team must consist of cultivators who are powerful enough to fight inside the ruin, but not so powerful that the formation rejects them."

His gaze moved across the room.

"Nyren, Oren, Asher, Adrian, Justin, Jules, and the strongest members of the Azure Wind Sect will form the core team."

Jules raised an eyebrow.

"You want us to risk our lives while the elders remain outside?"

"The elders will establish a defensive perimeter and maintain communication with the expedition team," General Ashford said. "If the ruin releases hostile creatures or the formation collapses, we will be there to respond."

"And if we discover something valuable?" Lemo asked.

"Every faction will receive a share based on the contribution of its members."

Lemo’s expression hardened.

"That still doesn’t resolve ownership."

"It resolves access," General Ashford replied. "If we cannot enter the ruin, ownership is meaningless."

Roan nodded slowly.

"The Blackwood family accepts."

Estelle smiled faintly.

"The Azure Wind Sect agrees."

All eyes turned toward Lemo.

For several seconds, he remained silent.

The Heavenly Thunder Sect had the most powerful offensive ability among the four factions, but even they couldn’t afford to enter the ruin alone. If the other factions began the expedition without them, the Drackars could lose their chance to claim the strongest treasures.

Finally, Lemo leaned back.

"Fine."

His voice was cold.

"But if one of our members discovers the core inheritance, we will not surrender it simply because the others contributed a few kills."

"That can be discussed after the discovery," General Ashford replied.

Lemo narrowed his eyes.

"You’re very confident for someone sending his daughter into danger."

General Ashford’s expression became colder.

"My daughter is stronger than most of the people in this room."

Nyren remained silent, her expression calm.

She could feel several gazes turning toward her.

Some were curious. Some were hostile. Others were evaluating her.

But she didn’t care.

Her mind was already focused on the ancient ruin.

An unknown civilization.

Ancient formations.

Resources capable of changing humanity’s future.

And perhaps answers about the strange changes taking place across the world.

General Ashford activated the Array again, causing the projection to shrink into a small rotating sphere.

"The expedition team will depart tomorrow morning."

No one objected.

"You’ll be given the rest of the day to prepare weapons, healing resources, and emergency supplies.

Once we enter the ruin, we may not be able to return immediately."

He looked around the table.

"Do not underestimate the danger. The first expedition lasted less than four minutes."

His gaze settled on the younger cultivators.

"Tomorrow, you will enter a ruin that may be older than human civilization itself."

The meeting room remained silent.

Then Nyren slowly stood.

"I’ll be ready."

Asher rose after her.

"So will I."

Adrian and Oren followed.

Justin adjusted his sleeves, a sharp smile appearing on his face.

"I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of treasures are hidden inside."

Jules smirked.

"Just make sure you don’t slow us down."

The young woman behind Estelle stepped forward, wind stirring around her sleeves. She was Aniella Argon, the eldest daughter of Estelle Argon.

"We’ll be ready as well."

One by one, the members of the expedition team agreed.

By the time the meeting ended, the ownership dispute remained unresolved.

But one thing had been decided.

At dawn, the younger generation of the Four Great Families would enter the ancient ruin.

And whatever waited inside would determine the future balance of power in Country B.​