Lord Shenxiu

"Kunlun Ruins, we've arrived!"

Sun Yuan, dressed in outdoor gear and holding a trekking pole, looked like an outdoor sports enthusiast as he arrived at a vast plain.

This was the place Professor Xiang had mentioned, where Kunlun Mountain was supposed to be.

But as far as the eye could see, the land was extremely flat, without even a small mound, and there was no sign of the so-called Kunlun Mountain.

"They say... after the ancient immortals disappeared, Kunlun Mountain vanished too..."

Sun Yuan murmured to himself. Initially, he had regarded it as mere stories and jokes, but now, he felt it might just be true!

"Moving mountains and filling the sea, is this the power of the ancient immortals?"

He spread his arms wide, filled with a sense of yearning.

Although at this moment he only mastered a little of spellcraft, somehow, a sense of transcendence emerged within him.

"Indeed... humans are greedy. Ordinary people aspire for extraordinary power, and the extraordinary wish to become immortals... I'm no different, so it's understandable why the Longevity Sect does what it does."

Sun Yuan shook his head, and just then, a sudden roar reached his ears.

In his sight, a small black dot appeared at the horizon, growing larger and accompanied by the rumbling sound of an engine.

It was an off-road vehicle!

The rugged car was painted military green, with a high chassis, unfazed by rough terrain and sharp stones.

The off-road vehicle came to a stop beside Sun Yuan, and a person jumped out—it was Zhong Shenxiu: "Hello there, it's you again!"

"What are you doing here?"

Sun Yuan's mouth fell open.

"I'm here for a trip," Zhong Shenxiu replied with a smile.

But Sun Yuan didn't believe a word.

Even though there were many trekkers here, didn't Zhong Shenxiu previously claim to be an ancient scholar?

Why had he suddenly appeared here? Could it be... he was following him?

At that thought, his expression turned a bit dangerous, but the sensation he got made him hesitate.

In his senses, Zhong Shenxiu on the opposite side possessed no extraordinary power, just an ordinary person!

'In such a situation, either the person is extremely ordinary, or exceedingly dangerous!'

Sun Yuan bit his lips, suppressing the thought of directly using spellcraft.

He didn't dare to take the risk!

At this moment, his smile was somewhat forced: "A trip, yeah, this place sure has splendid scenery..."

"Indeed, but I can't compare to you, so involved in hiking and off-road adventures, impressive!"

Zhong Shenxiu said with a laugh.

"I..."

Sun Yuan rolled his eyes, suddenly having a thought, he asked: "By the way, have you seen anyone else?"

"Haha, this is a prime spot for soul journeys, are you perhaps looking for some hitchhiking girls?" Zhong Shenxiu spread his hands: "Unfortunately... no! But on my way here, I saw an archaeological camp, doing archaeology in such a wilderness, isn't it laughable? Could it be possible that a grand tomb might be found in such a place?"

Upon hearing this, it was as if a lightning bolt struck through Sun Yuan's mind: "The Under-Empire City, Under-Empire City! Yes... this capital could have been built underground! Or perhaps, it's been buried!"

"Under-Empire City? You mean the legendary city beneath Kunlun Mountain?"

Zhong Shenxiu rubbed his chin: "Hearing you say this, I'm quite interested as well. After all, I am an ancient scholar..."

'You? A scholar?'

Sun Yuan inwardly rolled his eyes: 'I feel like I'd believe it more if you told me you were a leader of the Longevity Sect!'

...

Wilderness campsite.

The moment he saw it, Sun Yuan realized he had found his target.

That extraordinary sensation, it could not be false!

Moreover, he sensed that the number of extraordinary people in that camp was quite significant, perhaps even some were like him!

This made him feel intense danger. Lying in the grass, watching the camp from afar, he did not dare to show himself.

"Xiao Sun, I don't think you're here for a trip, but rather as an undercover agent."

Zhong Shenxiu lay beside Sun Yuan, holding a pair of binoculars: "So... is this a tomb raiding group disguised as an archaeological team?"

"Very likely!"

Sun Yuan replied without turning his head.

His eyesight was excellent, able to see the large pit surrounded at the center of the tents.

But clearly, those from the Longevity Sect hadn't made any discoveries.

Even though they dug very deep, they hadn't found any artifacts or ruins of an ancient city.

Yet it appeared that wasn't their goal either.

Suddenly, Sun Yuan's face changed.

He saw twelve people in black robes, dressed like cultists, emerge and form a circle.

Their faces were obscured, but they began chanting strange spells.

While chanting, they herded several living people into the pit, raising ceremonial daggers.

Thud!

Blood flowed...

"This... this is an ancient sacrifice, using humans as offerings!"

Sun Yuan felt a cold sweat break out on his back: "These cultists have lost their humanity!"

As he spoke, he unconsciously glanced at Zhong Shenxiu.

He couldn't shake the feeling that Zhong Shenxiu's timing was too coincidental.

Moreover, just as they arrived, the cultists commenced the ritual. Could it be a coincidence?

Anyway, Sun Yuan was the first not to believe it!

"Oh, it's truly an ancient spell!"

Zhong Shenxiu watched the cultists forming a circle, a look of appreciation on his face.

"You, know spells?" Sun Yuan's expression changed. Was this man about to lay his cards on the table?

"Yes, after all, I am an ancient scholar!"

Zhong Shenxiu said earnestly: "The power of spells is beyond your imagination. Those ancient mighty ones could use spellcraft to move through the void, even travel back in time, reverse the future, let their souls leave their bodies, move mountains and seas... almost anything!"

"I don't believe it!"

Sun Yuan replied bluntly.

"Well... actually, I have studied some ancient history. This plateau might indeed have been where Kunlun was located in ancient times... but later, Ancient Cultivators used spellcraft to hide Kunlun, perhaps... into an alternative dimension..."

Zhong Shenxiu assumed an archaeological expert demeanor: "So... no matter how we search this space, we can't find any trace of Kunlun... To get there, you must find a key."

"Is this the purpose of the cultists' ritual?"

Sun Yuan could already sense an evil power lurking beneath the campsite, like a dark abyss, exuding profound despair...

It was a vortex composed of numerous spellcasters and the resentment of sacrificed offerings!

"Don't underestimate spells; they can accomplish so much..."

Zhong Shenxiu laughed.

Suddenly, a look of terror appeared on Sun Yuan's face.

He felt it... that vortex... had erupted!

Rumble!

The ground shook as if an earthquake was happening; amidst the rumbling earth, the ground suddenly cracked open, swallowing the archaeological campsite!

The fissure that spread open resembled the gaping maw of a monstrous beast, extending all the way to where Sun Yuan was hiding.

Caught off guard, Sun Yuan plunged downwards suddenly, letting out a terrible scream...