The next day, Nian Lin and the group set out once more.
They were already close to leaving the ruined city.
As they continued walking, Nian Lin silently observed every member of the group.
He wondered how many of them he could defeat in a one-on-one fight.
He was already confident that he could defeat Zang Tian, the burly man with the battle-ax.
However, what about the two cultivators wielding blades?
What about the two archers?
How strong were they?
And what about Senior Mo?
Nian Lin had never seen him truly make a move. During the battle against the Two-Headed Bird, Senior Mo had only displayed a small portion of his strength, yet even that had left a deep impression on him.
The more he thought about it, the more cautious he became.
At the same time, he was sharp enough to notice that as they drew closer to the outside world, everyone's expressions gradually relaxed.
They even began chatting and joking with one another as they walked.
Only the middle-aged man, whom everyone respectfully addressed as Senior Mo, remained silent throughout the journey.
The others treated him with great respect, making Nian Lin increasingly curious about his identity.
After all, he knew nothing about human nature.
Even though they were about to leave the ruins, Nian Lin deliberately kept a suitable distance from the group instead of walking too close to them. At the same time, he quietly listened to their conversations.
When the sky was almost completely dark, Nian Lin suddenly paused.
A warm breeze brushed against his face.
He slowly turned around and looked at the desolate ruins behind him before shifting his gaze toward the world ahead.
It felt as though an invisible boundary separated the two worlds.
Behind him lay the ancient ruins, cold, silent, and filled with death.
Before him stretched the outside world, overflowing with warmth and vitality.
They had finally left the desolate ruins.
Although it was already nighttime, countless stars glittered brilliantly across the sky while a bright moon hung high above.
Even though the land outside still carried traces of desolation, it was nothing compared to the lifeless coldness of the ruins.
Occasionally, the cries of ordinary birds and beasts echoed through the night.
Nian Lin even noticed a rabbit hiding among the distant bushes. It stared at the group warily before disappearing into the darkness.
Everything before him made him feel slightly absent-minded.
This was the first time in years that he had truly stepped out of the ruins.
At this moment, everyone in the group visibly relaxed.
Even Senior Mo's usually knitted brows had eased.
"This trip went much smoother than I expected," one of the cultivators said with a smile.
"I wonder how many contribution points we'll receive after returning." Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
The others laughed and instinctively looked toward Senior Mo.
As they chatted, Nian Lin quietly learned many things.
He discovered that the ruined city was merely one of many dangerous places used by cultivators to temper themselves.
Many sect disciples and independent cultivators entered different ruins, forbidden lands, and ancient battlefields to train, hunt demonic beasts, and search for treasures.
After returning, they could exchange many of the treasures they obtained for contribution points.
Contribution points could then be used to exchange for cultivation techniques, martial manuals, spirit weapons, medicinal pills, spirit herbs, or even the right to cultivate inside spirit caves where the spiritual energy was far denser than the outside world.
The more Nian Lin listened, the more curious he became.
A sect...
He wondered what it would be like to cultivate inside one.
For the first time, the thought of joining a sect appeared in his mind.
Of course, he would never lower his guard.
He had survived all these years by trusting no one but himself.
Even if he were to join a sect in the future, it would only be because it could become a stepping stone on his path to becoming stronger.
Only strength could determine one's fate.
Everything else was secondary.