Chapter 29 - Ruins

The ruins seemed endless, twisting in ways that made the forest around them feel distant, almost unreal. Jiang Hao moved with casual precision, the faint shimmer of Seal Two energy lingering beneath his skin. Each step reminded him of the pain he had endured in the ambush, a dull throb in his chest that refused to disappear."Senior Brother…" Mei Ling whispered, tugging gently at his sleeve. "You really should let us handle the traps. You're still… fragile."He glanced at her, a faint smile playing at his lips despite the exhaustion. "Fragile? Maybe. But fragile is fun. Makes people fuss over me."She groaned but stayed close, hands glowing faintly as they passed over another cracked stone slab. Lin Xueyao led, blade ready, eyes scanning for residual threats. The faint glimmer of demonic qi beneath the moss grew stronger as they moved deeper."Look," Lin Xueyao murmured, stopping at a half-collapsed wall. Carvings traced intricate patterns, faintly glowing as if reacting to the energy in the air. "This… is a hidden chamber. Carefully. The seals here are delicate but potent."Jiang Hao crouched, brushing his fingers along the carved surface. "Delicate, potent… sounds like a good tea blend. Or perhaps another wine pairing."Mei Ling elbowed him, barely suppressing a laugh. "You are impossible."He smirked faintly. "I prefer the term 'charmingly impossible.'"The chamber's entrance, partially concealed by rubble, revealed a shallow staircase spiraling downward. A faint, eerie light emanated from below, pulsing softly. The demonic qi here wasn't just residual—it was alive. Curious, probing, almost sentient."Senior Brother," Mei Ling whispered, stepping cautiously beside him, "this energy… it's different from the ruins above. Stronger. Older. You sure you want to go down there?"Jiang Hao straightened, veins glowing faintly from Seal Two's lingering power. "Of course. Adventures are better when a little risk is involved. Besides, I like testing my limits… gracefully."Lin Xueyao's lips pressed into a thin line. "Graceful or not, Seal Two hasn't fully healed you yet. Any overexertion—""—I know, I know," Jiang Hao interrupted, smirking. "You've said it at least ten times already. I've memorized it."He descended the staircase first, light footfalls echoing against cold stone. Mei Ling followed, ever watchful, while Lin Xueyao lingered just behind, her senses tuned to every flicker of energy. The mysterious younger girl moved like a shadow, almost dancing between the pillars of the ruin.The chamber opened into a wide underground hall, carved entirely from obsidian-streaked rock. Faint symbols glowed along the walls, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat. Jiang Hao's pulse quickened."Ah…" he whispered, leaning closer to the nearest glyph. "These are old. Very old. Pre-sect, pre-mortals… very classy design though. I approve."Mei Ling blinked. "You're praising ruins while your body still aches from yesterday's fight? You really are unbelievable.""Unbelievable is my brand," he said with a faint smirk. "Now, let's see what secrets you're hiding."A sudden tremor ran through the chamber. Dust fell from the ceiling. The glowing glyphs intensified, reacting to the energy he still carried. Subtle pain flickered through his chest, a reminder that Seal Two was not fully stabilized."Senior Brother… careful," Lin Xueyao warned. "The energy here… it's reading your power. Don't overuse it."He inhaled deeply, letting the faint glow of Seal Two settle beneath his skin without fully releasing. A single pulse of energy, controlled and precise, stabilized the floor and illuminated the chamber. The symbols reacted instantly, flickering brightly, revealing a partially concealed doorway in the far wall."Interesting," Jiang Hao murmured. "A hidden door, reacting to subtle immortal energy… makes me feel appreciated. And curious. Very curious."Mei Ling glanced at him, a mixture of exasperation and affection in her eyes. "Curiosity will get you killed one day, Senior Brother. And I swear I won't save you every time."He smirked faintly, letting her worry wash over him like a warm cloak. "That's the fun part. Keeps life interesting. And keeps you fussing."The younger girl laughed softly from the shadows, stepping closer. "You really are reckless. But… amusing. Maybe that's why you survive."Jiang Hao raised a brow. "Amusing and immortal… sounds like a winning combination, don't you think?"The chamber ahead promised secrets, danger, and discovery. And as they advanced toward the glowing doorway, laughter, teasing, and subtle romantic tension mingled with the faint hum of ancient energy, marking the beginning of another chapter in Jiang Hao's chaotic, charming, and perilous journey.The glowing doorway pulsed faintly as Jiang Hao approached, each step careful yet deliberately casual. The subtle light painted his silver-streaked hair, casting an ethereal glow across his handsome, slightly immortal visage. His companions followed closely, Mei Ling's hands glowing softly, Lin Xueyao's eyes alert to every nuance of danger, and the mysterious girl moving silently alongside them."Careful," Lin Xueyao whispered, sword ready. "These chambers are built to punish the curious. They react to energy… particularly to powerful cultivators."Jiang Hao smirked faintly. "Perfect. I was getting bored of just walking through ruins. Let's make it interesting." He let a controlled pulse of Seal Two energy ripple subtly across the doorway. The glyphs responded, flickering, almost like they were acknowledging him.Mei Ling groaned. "Interesting is not the word I would use… dangerous, maybe. Painful, certainly. Possibly suicidal…"Jiang Hao chuckled softly, ignoring the dull ache pulsing in his chest. "You worry too much. Besides, danger is part of the thrill. Adds flavor to the wine, don't you think?"The chamber beyond the doorway opened into a wide hall, its ceiling vaulted and lined with intricate carvings that depicted ancient cultivators battling demons. At the center, a massive circular seal glowed faintly, etched with runes that shimmered as if alive.The younger girl stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "This seal… it's ancient, older than your Sect, older than the ruins themselves. It will test anyone who tries to pass through."Jiang Hao grinned faintly, veins glowing beneath his skin. "Testing is fine. I like tests… especially the ones that require finesse and style."Lin Xueyao's gaze sharpened. "Style won't protect you from a seal designed to break immortals."He leaned closer, studying the glyphs. Carefully, he released a subtle, controlled pulse of Seal Two energy, enough to interact with the runes without fully triggering the backlash. The seal shivered, as if reacting to a hidden challenge. A low hum filled the hall, vibrating in harmony with his heartbeat.Suddenly, the floor shifted. Hidden panels slid open, releasing whirling blades, arcs of lightning, and faint qi tendrils that reached for them like spectral fingers."Now it's officially dangerous," Mei Ling muttered, jumping back to avoid a snapping blade.Jiang Hao moved like water, a faint glow radiating from his hands, the lingering Seal Two energy bending the attacks aside without fully committing to the power release. Each pulse brought a flicker of pain—a reminder that even controlled use of the seal had consequences. His pulse quickened, vision shimmering slightly."Senior Brother, you're pushing too hard!" Mei Ling shouted, hands glowing as she stabilized the moving floor with healing qi, keeping the group steady.He glanced at her, smirk faint but genuine, eyes twinkling. "Pushing? I prefer to call it… elegantly testing limits. And besides, it's more fun with company."The younger girl chuckled, eyes glinting. "Fun is one word for it. Reckless is another. But somehow, you survive anyway."A particularly vicious spike shot toward him from the walls. With a flick of his hand, the residual Seal Two energy deflected it—but the strain caused a sharp pang across his chest. Pain bloomed, sharp and metallic, reminding him that Seal Two's full power was still dangerous to release casually.He gritted his teeth, voice calm but strained. "See? Even the dangerous ones… taste like victory when you're careful."Lin Xueyao shot him a look, a mixture of exasperation and admiration. Mei Ling muttered under her breath, shaking her head, while the younger girl's gaze sparkled with amusement and curiosity.Step by step, they advanced through the hall. The traps tested their reflexes, their power, and their teamwork. Every subtle release of Seal Two energy brought him closer to the edge, each pulse illuminating the carvings with radiant light.Finally, at the far end of the hall, they reached a chamber sealed by an ancient rune-locked door. It thrummed with power, faintly echoing the heartbeat of the massive seal outside. The air felt charged, almost alive.Jiang Hao stepped forward, veins glowing faintly, lingering pain pulsing across his body. "Ah… secrets waiting behind doors. There's nothing I love more."Mei Ling muttered, half in exasperation, half in awe, "There's nothing you love more than nearly dying, Senior Brother."He smirked faintly. "Not nearly dying. Living… stylishly."The group paused before the rune-locked door. Shadows danced across the walls as the faint hum of ancient energy filled the hall. Somewhere in the distance, faint laughter—playful, teasing, and dangerous—seemed to echo.Jiang Hao's eyes flickered toward his companions, the pain in his chest a dull reminder of Seal Two's lingering effects. Yet beneath the exhaustion, there was anticipation. Adventure, danger, teasing companions, and hidden mysteries… all of it awaited them behind that door.And he, ever charming, ever daring, ever slightly immortal, was ready to face it.