Chapter 132: Descending into the World

Time flowed, and Yi Feng and his three companions grew ever more mature and powerful through repeated trials; their fame spread across the land, becoming a new beacon of hope in people's hearts. Yet worldly peace is always fleeting, and a new crisis quietly arose.

One day, the skies over all regions were suddenly shrouded in an eerie gloom; sunlight could not penetrate, darkness like ink, cold raging. Immediately after, the earth began to tremble violently, ferocious fissures spreading like the approach of doom. Yi Feng and the others sensed the anomaly, quickly gathering to discuss countermeasures.

"Such heavenly and earthly anomalies must be the work of an extremely powerful evil force, likely even more troublesome than the black-robed men we encountered before." Yi Feng frowned, his eyes full of worry.

Ling Xi gazed at the sky choked with gloom, nodded, and said: "I sense that the water sources are also polluted; spiritual energy in the water is chaotic, and many living beings are falling into distress due to lack of water."

Yan Lie clenched his fists, flames leaping around him: "No matter what demons or monsters dare to invade our homeland, I will make sure they never return!"

Yu Ling soothed the restless birds, his expression grave: "The birds bring news that a mysterious dark fortress has appeared in the north, its evil aura shooting up to the heavens—perhaps this is the source of the calamity."

No delay, the four set out at once, heading north. Along the way, all they saw were tragic scenes: crops withered, houses collapsed, faces of the people filled with despair, cries and pleas for help unceasing. These sights pierced their hearts deeply and strengthened their resolve to eradicate evil.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the dark fortress, they discovered the place was heavily guarded, strange runes and traps everywhere, a powerful dark spiritual force forming a shield that blocked all outsiders. Yi Feng tried to break the blockade with the power of the Chaos Spirit Pearl; the pearl shone brightly, clashing violently with the dark spiritual force, producing a deafening roar.

Taking the opportunity, the four forced their way in. The fortress interior was like a labyrinth, dark and damp, reeking of rot. Various bizarre dark creatures lunged, fangs bared—some could spray poison, some had wraith-like forms and incredible speed. Yi Feng and his companions stood back-to-back, cooperating closely: Yi Feng unleashed a fierce sword technique, his blade like a dragon, flinging away close-in monsters; Ling Xi controlled water, shaping it into a whip that lashed all around, washing away the poison; Yan Lie's flames surged like a raging sea of fire, burning the dark creatures to ashes; Yu Ling, aided by the birds' vision, gave early warnings, guiding everyone to avoid dangerous traps.

After a fierce battle, they gradually penetrated the fortress core. There they saw a black-robed old man hovering mid‑air, holding a staff that emitted a faint glow, its tip inlaid with a huge black demon crystal—this was the source continuously releasing dark power, controlling all the calamities.

"Hmph, a few brats dare to invade my territory; today is your death!" The black‑robed old man let out a harsh, manic laugh, waved his staff, and sent streaks of black lightning slashing at the four.

Yi Feng shouted, casting forth the Chaos Spirit Pearl, which hovered before him, blazing with blinding light to block the black lightning. Ling Xi, Yan Lie, and Yu Ling seized the moment to flank from the sides and rear, unleashing their strongest attacks. But the black‑robed old man's strength was overwhelming; though their strikes caused him some trouble, they could not wound his essence.

At the crucial moment, Yi Feng noticed the demon crystal linked to a dark spiritual vein deep underground; if not severed, the old man's power would be endless. He signaled his companions, then, holding the pearl, threw himself onto the ground beneath the crystal, pouring the pearl's power into the earth. With a tremendous boom, the underground dark spiritual vein was shattered, and the crystal's light dimmed abruptly.

The black‑robed old man turned pale with shock, his defenses riddled with gaps in his panic. Yi Feng and the others seized the opportunity, unleashing their full power, finally slaying the old man; the demon crystal shattered with him, and the dark fortress collapsed in a thunderous crash.

Sunlight broke through the clouds again, spilling over the scarred earth. Though Yi Feng and his four were exhausted, seeing the world gradually regain vitality brought relieved smiles to their faces. Thereafter they continued on the path of guardianship, passing on their knowledge and experience to more aspiring youths, letting the flame of protection burn ever brighter, generation after generation. On this land, the heroes' tales never end; as long as evil remains, brave souls will step forward, forging new legends with hot blood and conviction to safeguard the world's peace and beauty.

In the years that followed, Yi Feng and his four devotedly instructed the ambitious young cultivators, imparting their secret techniques, combat experience, and unwavering belief in justice without reservation. The cultivation sect they founded gradually became a pillar of protection for this world, its disciples spread everywhere, always ready to face unknown dangers.

However, as time slowly passed, a strange and hidden crisis quietly emerged. Remote areas began to report that residents were inexplicably falling into deep sleep while their spiritual power waned. At first it was only a few isolated cases, attracting little attention, but soon the phenomenon spread like an epidemic, affecting towns and villages alike, and a pall of panic once again shrouded humanity.

Upon hearing this, Yi Feng felt a dark premonition rise in his heart; he immediately summoned Ling Xi, Yan Lie, and Yu Ling to discuss countermeasures: "Such bizarre symptoms, unprecedented, must be the work of some mysterious evil force lurking in the shadows." Yi Feng's gaze was deep, his tone solemn.

Ling Xi frowned slightly, then nodded in reply: "I tried to probe the spiritual threads of those who fell asleep, and found that within them there seems to be a faint, almost imperceptible black thread slowly devouring their spiritual power—extremely troublesome."

Yan Lie's face flushed with anger as he slammed his fist on the table: "No matter what heretical path this is, if it harms the people, I will surely not let it go!"

Yu Ling gently stroked the birds, his expression worried: "The birds have searched everywhere and found that all cases point to a mysterious ancient ruin; it is said that forbidden secrets lie hidden there, and for years no one has dared to set foot."

No delay, the four again set out on campaign, leading a group of elite disciples toward that mysterious ruin. Along the way they saw many sleeping villagers—some lying sideways by the road, some leaning against their doorsteps—a heart‑wrenching sight. This only strengthened their resolve to unravel the mystery and save the masses.

Upon reaching the ruin's entrance, everyone felt an ancient, oppressive aura wash over them. Strange mist swirled around the ruin, faintly glowing runes flickering within it like warnings to keep out. Yi Feng took a deep breath, gripped the Chaos Spirit Pearl, and stepped first into the mist; Ling Xi, Yan Lie, Yu Ling, and the disciples followed closely.

Inside the ruin, they found it resembled a vast labyrinth, with winding, interconnected passages; the walls were covered in strange patterns recounting events sealed by time. Yet they had no leisure to study them, for from time to time eerie shadow‑like creatures would leap from the darkness—beings of smoke and mist, unpredictable, able to invade bodies directly and disrupt spiritual circulation.

Yi Feng and his companions directed the disciples to form a defensive array while each unleashed their divine abilities against the shadow beasts. Yi Feng's fierce sword technique sent howling blade winds that shattered nearby shadow creatures; Ling Xi shaped water into a shield, protecting everyone from shadow corrosion and simultaneously purifying areas tainted by shadow with water's power; Yan Lie's body blazed with fire, incinerating any shadow creature that came near to ash; Yu Ling, aided by the birds' vision, guided the party to avoid traps and find the correct path.

After a difficult exploration, they finally reached the ruin's depths. There stood a massive black altar in the center, upon which rested a crystal ball emitting an eerie blue light, surrounded by countless black threads that stretched in all directions, linking to the spiritual threads of countless sleeping souls, frantically draining their power.

"Hmph, so it's you ants daring to spoil my plans!" A gloomy voice echoed through the ruin; then a witch clad in black robes, her face withered, stepped slowly from behind the altar, her eyes flashing with an eerie red light, clutching a staff bristling with thorns.

"You wicked hag, using such cruel means to harm the people—today is your death!" Yi Feng roared in anger, casting forth the Chaos Spirit Pearl, which blazed with light, opposing the blue glow of the crystal ball.

Seeing this, Ling Xi, Yan Lie, and Yu Ling quickly surrounded her from three sides, launching their strongest attacks. The disciples shouted encouragement from behind, their spiritual light converging as they all charged at the witch. Yet the witch's power was unfathomable; she waved her staff, easily dispelling their assaults, then seized the moment to command the shadow creatures to counter‑attack, leaving the group momentarily locked in a bitter struggle.

At the crucial moment, Yi Feng noticed the crystal ball linked to a mysterious energy source deep underground; if not severed, the witch's power would be endless. He signaled his companions, then threw himself onto the ground beneath the altar, pouring the Chaos Spirit Pearl's power into the earth. With a tremendous boom, the underground energy source was shattered, and the crystal ball's light dimmed abruptly.

The witch turned pale with shock, her defenses riddled with gaps in her panic. Yi Feng and the others seized the opportunity, unleashing their full power, finally slaying the witch; the crystal ball shattered with her, and those black threads vanished instantly.

With the witch's defeat, the sleeping people across the lands gradually awoke, their spiritual power slowly recovering. Sunshine once again bathed the earth, people cheered and rejoiced, feeling deep gratitude toward Yi Feng and his companions.

After this battle, Yi Feng and his four realized that the path of guardianship knows no end. Returning to their sect, they taught the disciples more diligently, refined their cultivation methods, and remained ever vigilant for new crises that might arise in the world. On this land rich with legend and challenge, the heroes' flame passes from generation to generation; whenever the people need it, the light of justice will forever shine, dispelling all darkness and guarding every inch of land and every happy home.