Chapter 58: All Disciples Present

A few days later.

This time, nearly all the sects had arrived, and Liu Guang and his companions had emerged from seclusion. Today was the day when the Toba Ruins would open. Not only were these people present, but the Returning Void Sect had also sent a number of additional disciples, arriving one after another. Overall, it wasn’t just the Eagle Alliance members; participants from other alliances were here as well.

Everyone gathered together, and many cast their gaze toward Bai Feiyu. After all, everyone present was a renowned disciple from the Returning Void Sect’s Heavenly Ranking; most had met before. Yet Bai Feiyu was the only one who had risen up so suddenly, so many weren’t familiar with him.

Nevertheless, this did not hinder Bai Feiyu from expanding his connections. Quite a few senior brothers, older than Bai Feiyu, stepped forward to show him warmth and care, offering subtle and sincere gestures. Their purpose was clear: to gain another ally. After all, once inside the Toba Ruins, although everyone was from the same sect, one would still need a reliable companion to lend a hand.

Though young, Bai Feiyu possessed extraordinary strength, so it was only natural that many senior brothers sought to win him over. Most had come here seeking fortune; with a powerful helper, their chances of success would greatly increase.

As for the Old City Lord’s compass, he had personally delivered it the night before. He had also taught Bai Feiyu the secret incantation, quietly advising him not to let too many people know about it. The elders had said that the compass’s secret was far deeper than it appeared. Bringing it into the ruins would surely yield twice the results with half the effort. He hoped Bai Feiyu would treasure it.

Bai Feiyu expressed his respect for this elder. Now that everyone had assembled, they began to make their way together toward the Toba Ruins.

The ruins were not located within the small city, but outside its bounds. The city itself was merely built at the edge of the ruins. Stepping out, Bai Feiyu saw wildlands stretching in every direction. In the northwest, he spotted a pool of water.

It looked like a small lake, yet it was not quite the same. The water was only ten centimeters deep, with no profound depths. Steam billowed from the surface, but there was no sense of heat rising in the air.

This was the Toba Ruins. It was said the ruins would emerge here. Previously, elders from the city had tried to excavate the area with shovels, hoping to unearth the ruins, but their efforts had failed. All they managed to dig up were scraps of worthless metal.

Now, the ruins seemed poised to reveal themselves.

Disciples from every sect were gathered, and Bai Feiyu counted at least a dozen sects participating. So many sects, so many disciples—once inside, there would surely be fierce conflict.

As for the Returning Void Sect, truth be told, the strongest disciples from the Heavenly Ranking were still in seclusion, unable to attend. Thus, most of those present were ranked beyond the top ten.

It wasn’t that the sect didn’t value the event; rather, those disciples were too prideful. So the sect sent those who were available. Besides, it was likely that no sect would send their absolute strongest disciples—the risk of assassination within the ruins was too great, and losing their most talented member would be a devastating loss.

Members of other sects watched each other warily, though few whispered among themselves. Most were strangers, the distance between sects limiting their communication. Still, the top disciples did interact.

In each sect, there was always someone with the highest cultivation, the most seniority, or the broadest connections, who would approach others to discuss and strategize. Some even forged secret alliances between their sects.

After all, none truly knew what lay within the Toba Ruins. If one entered rashly, a moment’s carelessness could mean death. Everyone hoped to minimize losses and return with something to report to their sect leaders.

Bai Feiyu paid little attention to these alliances; he was more concerned with the situation on the Golden Light Sect’s side. He noticed members of the Golden Light Sect occasionally glancing in his direction.

It was clear that the two Golden Light Sect disciples from before had likely already reported the abolition of their young master, as well as Bai Feiyu’s combat prowess, to their senior brothers.

Now, the Golden Light Sect disciples regarded Bai Feiyu with unfriendly eyes. Their displeasure was not on behalf of their useless young master, but stemmed from Bai Feiyu’s youth and exceptional talent—the rivalry between the two sects.

Bai Feiyu suddenly felt uneasy. With so many eyes on him, who could guarantee that once inside the ruins, no one would target him for assassination? No sect wished to see a prodigious talent emerge in another, especially a neighboring sect...

As the senior brothers from the various sects exchanged information, a sudden change swept over the Toba Ruins. The water sank in an instant, followed by a deafening tremor. The ground collapsed, spirit birds scattered in flight, and the area of collapse rapidly expanded.

It was as awe-inspiring as a nuclear explosion from the previous era.

All the disciples were apprehensive—for most, such a phenomenon was unprecedented.

Bai Feiyu stood watching the collapse, puzzled. Was the Toba Ruins about to emerge from underground? It was almost terrifying—an entire city appearing out of nowhere would be hard to believe.

Yet in the next moment, his doubts were dispelled.

He saw that once the ground had collapsed to a certain depth, all the rumbling came from beneath. The area of collapse did not expand further.

This suggested that this was merely the entrance; the Toba Ruins lay below.

Still, Bai Feiyu could not help but wonder why the old monsters of the sect had never come to break open the ruins before. Wouldn’t that have allowed them to enter ahead of time? Then all the treasures would belong solely to their own sect, with no need to share with others.

Why hadn’t the sect done so? Why must they wait for the ruins to open of their own accord?

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