Chapter 27: Ruins Invitation

Yunluo Li 10003, Summer.

When Aikesi came out of the cultivation room, Kaman had already been waiting at the door for a while.

"My Lord, an urgent letter sent by Sir Huerman." Kaman handed over an envelope with both hands; the envelope was sealed with wax, bearing the Huerman family crest.

Aikesi took the letter and tore it open while walking. Kaman naturally fell back two steps, maintaining a perfectly appropriate distance.

The letter was not long, but the information it contained was substantial.

Huerman wrote in the letter that there was confirmed news regarding the Southern Volcano Ancient Ruins mentioned previously. An expedition team led by a Saint Domain expert had been assembled and was recruiting the final few members. They urgently needed a Fire-type Mage, and Huerman had recommended Aikesi. If interested, reply within three days; assemble and depart at the South Gate of Didu in five days.

After reading the letter, Aikesi paused his steps for a moment, then continued walking forward.

Saint Domain leader. Southern Volcano. Ancient Ruins.

These three words together were enough to make most Level 8 Fashishi tempted, yet also enough to make most people calm down.

Aikesi walked into the study, sat in a chair, and placed the letter on the table.

Kaman followed in and stood at the door: "My Lord, is anything needed to be prepared?"

"No rush." Aikesi waved his hand, "Let me think first."

Kaman nodded, retreated, and closed the door on his way out.

Aikesi leaned back in the chair, his gaze falling on the garden outside the window. Old Tom was watering the Fire Flame Flowers, moving slowly and deliberately, looking utterly at ease.

Southern Volcano Ancient Ruins.

He certainly knew what Ancient Ruins implied. Opportunities, treasures, inheritances, but also danger, traps, and death. In the original work, there were countless similar Ancient Ruins; it was normal for only one in ten who entered to survive. Those who managed to come out alive either had heaven-defying luck or sufficiently hard power.

But on the other hand—

Aikesi stood up, walked to the bookshelf, pulled out the "Biographies of Saint Domain Experts of the Yulan Continent," and flipped to the page recording the Southern Volcano.

The book was written very briefly, stating only that it was a famous gathering place for Fire-type Magical Beasts on the Yulan Continent, with legends of an Ancient Ruins deep within, though never confirmed. Saint Domain experts had once ventured deep to explore; some came out alive, while others remained inside forever.

Those who came out alive mostly broke through their bottlenecks later.

Aikesi closed the book and returned to sit at the desk.

Power is something that can certainly be improved through silent hard cultivation, but it is too slow.

He understood the principle that risk and reward are proportional.

Aikesi picked up the letter and read it again, his gaze pausing on the four characters "Saint Domain leader."

With a Saint Domain expert leading, the danger coefficient would be much lower. Experts of this level would not easily take risks; daring to lead a team inside indicated a basic judgment of the Ancient Ruins' danger level. As long as one stuck close to the team, did not run around recklessly, and was not greedy, the probability of coming out alive was not low.

Moreover, he was a Fire-type Mage, possessing a natural advantage within the Volcano Ancient Ruins. The Fallen Heart Flame was even a supreme treasure of the Fire element; perhaps it could be put to use.

Aikesi placed the letter back on the table and suddenly smiled.

Thinking so much was actually just one question—go or not go.

He stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open. The afternoon hot wind rushed against his face, carrying the scent of flowers from the garden. Old Tom looked up and waved at him, and he raised his hand to respond.

Go.

Once this thought popped up, the whole person felt relaxed instead.

Ten years of transmigration, ten years of signing in, obtaining so many good things; if he still dared not enter an Ancient Ruins led by a Saint Domain expert, that would be too cowardly.

Aikesi turned back to the desk, spread out a sheet of letter paper, and took up a brush to reply to Huerman. The content was very simple—he was willing to join and would arrive on time at the South Gate in five days.

After finishing the letter, he sealed it and handed it to Kaman: "Send someone immediately to deliver it to Sir Huerman's mansion."

"Yes, My Lord." Kaman took the letter but did not leave immediately. "My Lord is about to go on a long journey?"

Aikesi looked at him: "How did you know?"

"A guess." Kaman smiled. "My Lord rarely makes decisions so decisively."

Aikesi also smiled: "Yes, I am going on a long journey, at least one month, at most two or three months. Take good care of matters at home; if there is an emergency, leave a message at the Dawson Chamber of Commerce, and they will find a way to forward it."

"Understood." Kaman paused. "My Lord, be safe."

Aikesi nodded and said no more.

Over the next few days, he began preparations for departure.

First was to inventory existing equipment and supplies.

The staff used was of ordinary quality; although the quality was good, it would be troublesome if it broke. Aikesi thought for a moment and decided to buy a spare one at the market; he did not seek anything too good, just something usable.

Regarding pills, he had accumulated quite a few over these years of signing in. Gathering Qi Pills, Rejuvenation Pills, Barrier Breaking Pills, plus several bottles of Fire Spirit Pills brought back from Ancient Ruins, were enough for a while. He also went to the Magic Guild to buy some ordinary healing and antidote potions, just in case.

Items for saving one's life were the most important.

Ice Barrier could only be used once a day; Teleportation was marked at five points—the Earl Mansion, Ernst Institute, the old site of Fenlai Cheng, the outer perimeter of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and the Magic Guild of the Yulan Empire. If danger was encountered inside the Ancient Ruins, as long as one was not instantly killed on the spot, Teleportation could save one's life.

Aikesi ran through these possibilities in his mind, checked his equipment once more, and only then felt reassured.

On the night before departure, Huerman arrived.

Aikesi was somewhat surprised and invited the man into the study. Huerman, unusually, did not bring wine; after sitting down, he went straight to the point.

"You won't blame me for recommending this matter to you, will you?" Huerman's first words were this.

Aikesi looked at him: "Why do you ask?"

"After all, I pushed you out there; if something happens, my conscience won't allow it." Huerman was unusually serious. "I was thinking you are young, have power, and happen to be Fire-type; this opportunity is rare. But if you feel forced, it is not too late to regret it now; I will go and tell them to change the person."

Aikesi smiled: "No need to regret; I was going to go anyway."

Huerman stared at him for a while, confirmed he was not being polite, and then sighed in relief: "That is good. However, I must make it clear to you—the Saint Domain leading this time is named Kalun. He was formerly a general of the O'Brien Empire, but after breaking through to Saint Domain, he resigned his official post and specialized in taking on such exploration jobs. He is quite upright and has a good reputation. But a Saint Domain is still a Saint Domain; when you go with him, listen when you should listen, do not stand out, do not steal the spotlight; saving your life is paramount."

Aikesi nodded: "I have a clear idea in my mind."

"And the others in the team." Huerman continued. "I inquired, and currently eleven people are confirmed; with you, there are twelve. Most are Level 8 or Level 9; there are two Array Breakers specifically hired, and a brother and sister pair who are Level 9 Warriors, responsible for close combat. The composition is complex, but with Kalun leading, it should not get chaotic."

Aikesi listened and memorized this information.

Huerman gave a few more reminders, nothing more than staying safe and remaining calm in emergencies. Finally, he stood up, patted Aikesi's shoulder, and said: "Come back alive; wait for me to drink with you."

"Good."

After seeing Huerman off, Aikesi returned to the study and organized the information he had collected today.

A twelve-person team: a Saint Domain leader, two Array Breakers, a brother-and-sister Warrior pair; the rest should also cover various professions. As the sole Fire-type Mage, he ought to be a key combatant within the Volcano Ruins; as long as he doesn't drag the team down, he should be able to hold his ground.

As for those two Array Breakers, specially hired to decipher the ruins' traps, this indicates the target ruin this time is indeed no simple matter, possibly guarded by complex Magic Arrays.

Aikesi thought for a moment, pulled a book titled "Basics of Ancient Magic Arrays" from the bookshelf, flipped to the section on Fire-type Arrays, and reviewed it once more. Although cramming at the last minute isn't very useful, it's still better than doing nothing.

Night had fallen; he closed the book and walked to the window.

The night was fine, the sky filled with stars. In the distance, the lights of Didu twinkled like scattered stars, occasionally punctuated by a few dog barks.

Aikesi stood for a while, then suddenly remembered something; his mind stirred.

The system interface materialized in his mind, the check-in button glowing.

Just before this departure, it was a perfect time to check in; perhaps it would grant something useful.

He silently intoned "Check-in."

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining: Immortal Sword · True Essence Body Protection."

A line of small text appeared in his mind—Active Skill: consumes Magic to generate a shield; defense power scales with strength; can save one's life at critical moments.

Aikesi raised an eyebrow.

This was indeed timely rain. Ice Barrier can only block one attack and has a long cooldown. If True Essence Body Protection doesn't consume much, it can serve as a regular defensive measure, greatly improving survivability.

He immediately attempted to activate it.

Magic circulated through his body along some mysterious trajectory, then formed a faint golden light shield on his surface. The shield was very thin, almost transparent, but when he reached out to touch it, he could feel obvious resistance.

Aikesi tested its strength; ordinary force striking it left it unmoving; after increasing the force, the shield trembled slightly but showed no sign of breaking.

Activated with Eight-level High-stage strength, its defense could probably block a full-strike from a Level 9 Initial-stage? He roughly estimated, and now had a clear idea.

True Essence Body Protection plus Ice Barrier, plus Teleportation; another trump card for survival had been added.

Aikesi retracted the shield, feeling quite pleased.

He turned, left the study, returned to the bedroom, and lay down. He must set out early tomorrow and needs to rest well.

Closing his eyes, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

At dawn the next day, Aikesi arrived on time at the South Gate of Didu.

Already gathered on the open ground outside the city gate were more than a dozen people of various professions. A burly middle-aged man stood at the very front, speaking with two people beside him.

Aikesi walked over; the middle-aged man turned his head to look at him.

The instant their gazes met, Aikesi felt a pressure—the oppressive sensation of power overwhelming another; the other party hadn't deliberately released his Momentum, yet the natural presence of a Saint Domain powerhouse was enough to make lower-level cultivators feel awe.

"Aikesi Yan?" the middle-aged man spoke, his voice steady.

"Yes." Aikesi nodded. "I have met you, Lord Kalun."

Kalun sized him up twice, then nodded: "The person recommended by that kid Huerman, Eight-level High-stage, Fire-type. Not bad, promising youth."

"Lord over-praises."

Kalun said no more, turned to the others, and said: "Everyone is here; let's move out."

The team began to move; Aikesi followed behind, silently observing the others.

The two Array Breakers looked quite old; one wore a gray robe, the other a blue robe, both dressed as Mages. That brother-and-sister Warrior pair stood in the middle of the team; the man was tall and burly, the woman radiated heroic spirit; both had large swords hanging at their waists.

The rest also wore various outfits: there were Archers, Thieves, and two people dressed in Mage robes like him—one was Water-type, the other Wind-type.

The twelve-person team advanced southward.

Aikesi walked in the middle section of the team, beside that Water-type Mage. The other party appeared to be in his forties, with a kind face, and nodded toward him.

"First time entering a ruin?" the other asked.

"Yes." Aikesi did not conceal it.

"Then stick close to the team; don't run off." The other smiled. "My surname is Chen; just call me Lao Chen. If anything comes up, you can ask me."

"Thank you, Elder Chen."