Chapter 148: Exploring the Ruins

Caili follows Jiangnan's steps, the two slowly move along the dim corridor. The runes on the stone wall seem to emit a faint glow as they pass.

Jiangnan watches the surroundings cautiously, each step taken with extreme care. Caili stays close behind him, occasionally glancing back, fearing any sudden danger.

Suddenly, Jiangnan stops, reaches out to block Caili. He raises his index finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture. Caili holds her breath, focusing her listening.

A vague Buzz— sounds from afar, as if something is rapidly approaching. Jiangnan's brows knit, and he whispers, "Hide."

The two quickly hide behind a recessed stone wall. Jiangnan shields Caili behind him, eyes the tunnel's end warily. The buzzing grows nearer, and a strange aura spreads through the air.

Caili clutches Jiangnan's sleeve tightly, her body trembling slightly. Jiangnan gently pats her hand, silently comforting her.

A pale blue orb of light drifts in from the distance, emitting an eerie glow. It wanders through the tunnel, seeming to search for something. Jiangnan and Caili hold their breath, motionless.

The orb pauses briefly at their hiding spot, then continues drifting forward. Only after the buzzing completely fades do they both exhale.

Jiangnan rises slowly, a thoughtful glint in his eyes: "It seems this ruin isn't simple. We must be more careful."

Caili nods, a hint of worry in her eyes: "Sir Jiang, what do you think that thing was?"

Jiangnan shakes his head, his voice low: "I don't know, but it's certainly not something benevolent. We need to find an exit quickly."

The two continue forward, steps even more cautious. Jiangnan occasionally stops to examine the wall runes, trying to find clues. Caili stays close behind, vigilantly noting any movement around them.

Suddenly, Jiangnan stops, his gaze falling on a stone wall ahead. There, a peculiar pattern is carved, seeming to be a mechanism's switch.

Jiangnan studies the pattern closely, his brows slightly furrowed. Caili, curious, leans forward and asks softly, "Found anything?"

Jiangnan ponders briefly, then slowly extends his hand, gently pressing the pattern. The stone wall suddenly emits a slight tremor, and a hidden Stone Door slowly opens.

The two exchange a glance; Jiangnan steps through the Stone Door first. Caili hesitates a moment, then follows. The Stone Door quietly closes behind them.

Behind the Stone Door lies a vast expanse of ruins.

Faintly, one can see that this place must once have been extremely prosperous!

Jiangnan stares at the ruins before him, silent. Broken stone pillars, collapsed palaces, all testify to the former glory.

Caili whispers, "This place... seems somewhat similar to the fairyland in my clan's legends."

Jiangnan raises an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

"Legend says that Nanjiang once had a fairyland where immortals came and went," Caili says, her eyes shining with longing.

Jiangnan snorts coldly, "Fairyland?"

He points to the mottled bloodstains on the ground: "Look at these; how could they be a fairyland?"

Caili follows his finger, her face turning instantly pale.

Jiangnan continues, "Everywhere here are traces of human sacrifice; there's no sign of any celestial aura."

Caili bites her lower lip, unsure how to rebut.

Jiangnan turns, looking around: "Do you know how to get out?"

Caili shakes her head, "I stumbled here while being chased; I know nothing about this place."

Jiangnan's brows tighten, he falls into thought.

Suddenly, a strange Buzz— sounds from afar.

Jiangnan abruptly grabs Caili, pulling her into the shadow of a nearby stone pillar.

"Shh…" he whispers.

Caili holds her breath, pressed close to Jiangnan's chest. She can feel his strong heartbeat.

The pale blue orb drifts by again,

Jiangnan's gaze is like a blade, fixed on the orb. After a moment, the orb departs.

He looks around, his eyes landing on a broken stone wall.

"Come over," Jiangnan calls to Caili.

The stone wall is covered with strange runes, flickering with a faint light.

Jiangnan studies them, his brows gradually relaxing: "This seems to be some kind of formation."

Caili, curious, leans in: "Can you read it?"

Jiangnan nods: "I can guess a bit. This formation should be related to the exit."

He reaches out, stroking the stone wall, his true qi slowly flowing in.

The runes flare brightly, and the entire ruin begins to tremble.

Caili gasps, clutching Jiangnan's arm tightly.

The trembling gradually subsides, and a light gate slowly opens in the center of the ruins.

A hint of joy flashes in Jiangnan's eyes: "Found it."

Caili looks at the light gate with surprise: "Is this the exit?"

Jiangnan nods, but his eyes remain cautious: "Be careful, don't be careless."

The two walk slowly toward the light gate, Jiangnan reaching out to test.

A powerful suction suddenly erupts, pulling the two inside.

A flash of white light blinds them, and Jiangnan and Caili find themselves in a dense jungle.

"Is this... outside?" Caili says, unable to believe, looking around.

Jiangnan nods, his expression even more solemn: "We must leave here as soon as possible."

Caili looks at him puzzled: "Why?"

Jiangnan says nothing, but lifts her hand, quickening his pace forward.

Caili follows him, her heart full of questions.

Suddenly, Jiangnan stops, raises his index finger to signal silence.

A Rustle— comes from afar, as if something is approaching.

A sharp gleam flashes in Jiangnan's eyes, and he whispers, "Someone's coming."

Caili nervously looked around: "Could they be those Holy Sect people?"

Jiangnan shook his head: "No. The aura doesn't match."

The sound grew nearer, and vague silhouettes flickered among the trees.

Jiangnan shielded Caili behind him, assuming a defensive stance.

The bushes rustled, and a youth in blue clothing staggered out.

Seeing Jiangnan and Caili, the youth's face lit with surprise: "Finally… finally found a living person!"

Before the words finished, the youth collapsed heavily to the ground, unconscious.

Jiangnan frowned and stepped forward to check the youth's condition.

"How is he?" Caili asked anxiously.

After finishing his examination, Jiangnan's expression eased slightly: "He's just exhausted, nothing serious."

Caili breathed a sigh of relief: "Then what should we do?"

Jiangnan pondered briefly: "First, we should take him away from here."

He scooped up the unconscious youth in one arm, turned to Caili and said: "Stay close to me."

Caili nodded, following tightly behind Jiangnan.

The two carried the unconscious youth, hurrying through the jungle.

After an unknown amount of time, a clearing finally appeared ahead.

Jiangnan halted, looking around: "Let's rest here."

Caili nodded and helped clear a flat spot.

Jiangnan placed the youth down and began treating his wounds.

True Qi slowly flowed into the youth's body, repairing his injuries.

Caili kept a vigilant watch beside him, glancing around from time to time.