Time Travel: Ancient Martial Arts Chronicles

Lin Xiaoxiao, Ye Wuhen, and Bai Zhi trudged forward on the rugged mountain road, heading towards the mysterious and dangerous ruins. The scenery along the way became increasingly desolate, and the whistling wind sounded like the wailing of ghosts, chilling people's hearts.

"This damn place feels like there's danger waiting for us every step we take." Lin Xiaoxiao shrank her neck, her eyes kept wandering around, and she subconsciously clenched the "Qiankun Ancient Martial Arts Secrets" in her hands.

Ye Wuhen's expression was solemn. His "Star Demon-Breaking Sword" had already been unsheathed, and the light from the sword was particularly eye-catching in this dim environment. "Everyone, be alert. There must be many mechanisms and guardian beasts near the ruins. We can't let our guard down at all."

Bai Zhi nodded slightly. The silver needle in her hand gleamed coldly in the sunlight, as if it was the only comfort in this gloomy atmosphere. "Well, we must be prepared to deal with emergencies at any time."

Just then, a low roar echoed from the valley ahead. Like thunder, it resonated through the air, piercing the eardrums. Lin Xiaoxiao's face paled instantly. "What... is that sound? It sounds terrifying."

Ye Wuhen gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, "I'm afraid it's the guardian beast of the ruins, everyone prepare for battle!" He squatted slightly, ready for battle, with a fearless look in his eyes.

Suddenly, a massive molten bird soared out of the valley, its entire body ablaze with flames. Its wingspan stretched dozens of meters, each flap sending a blast of scorching air. Its eyes, like two flaming balls of fire, stared directly at them, as if scrutinizing an enemy who had intruded into its territory.

"It's the Fiery Suzaku! This guardian beast is extremely ferocious, and its flames can turn people into ashes in an instant." Bai Zhi's voice was a little nervous, her eyes fixed on the Moltres, and the silver needle in her hand unconsciously clenched.

The Fiery Suzaku let out a high-pitched cry and swooped down towards them. Ye Wuhen shouted, leaping up, his sword transforming into a stream of light as he lunged at the Moltres. However, the Moltres simply flapped its wings, unleashing a powerful wave of heat that easily neutralized Ye Wuhen's attack and sent him flying backwards.

"Brother Ye!" Lin Xiaoxiao exclaimed, and hurried over to check on Ye Wuhen. Ye Wuhen steadied himself and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, "I'm fine, this beast is not easy to deal with."

Bai Zhi frowned and looked at Lin Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, we have to go together. You use the skills in the Qiankun Ancient Martial Arts to cooperate with us." Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. She took a deep breath, concentrated her mind, and began to transform her internal force into a special form of energy according to the method in the secret book.

Lin Xiaoxiao thrust her hands forward, and a golden light shot out from her palms, flying towards the blazing Suzaku. Seeing this, the Moltres opened its mouth and spewed out a massive column of flame, which collided with Lin Xiaoxiao's golden light. The two held their ground for a moment, but the golden light was eventually swallowed by the flames.

"It's too powerful. Attacking it like this is not a solution." Lin Xiaoxiao said anxiously.

Ye Wuhen looked at the Moltres and suddenly remembered the records in the ancient books, "Its weak point is in its abdomen. There is a reverse scale there. We have to find a way to attack it."

Bai Zhi's eyes lit up, "I have an idea, Ye Wuhen, you attract its attention, and Xiaoxiao and I will find an opportunity to attack its abdomen."

Ye Wuhen rushed towards the Moltres once again, unleashing a set of exquisite sword techniques. Sword flowers danced in the air like blooming silver flowers, successfully attracting the Moltres' attention. It abandoned Lin Xiaoxiao and Bai Zhi and chased after Ye Wuhen, spewing flames from its mouth.

Lin Xiaoxiao and Bai Zhi took the opportunity to circle around to the bottom of Moltres. Lin Xiaoxiao concentrated her internal energy on her feet, leaped high, and punched Moltres in the abdomen. At the same time, the silver needles in Bai Zhi's hand transformed into cold rays, shooting towards the scales on Moltres' abdomen.

The Fiery Suzaku felt the attack on its abdomen and let out a painful scream. It flapped its wings frantically, the flames around it becoming even more intense, trying to escape the attack. Ye Wuhen seized the opportunity and, exhausting all his internal energy, unleashed his most powerful sword move, "Star Slash." A sword light as bright as a star slashed straight at the flame bird's neck.

This series of attacks dealt a heavy blow to the Fiery Vermilion Bird. Its body shook a few times, the flames gradually died out, and it fell from the sky, hitting the ground and raising a cloud of dust.

"Finally solved." Lin Xiaoxiao wiped the sweat from her forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as they were about to move on, Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly heard a slight whimpering sound. She looked around warily, "Did you hear anything?"

Ye Wuhen and Bai Zhi shook their heads; they hadn't heard any unusual noises. Lin Xiaoxiao followed the sound and found a small, snow-white fox behind a boulder. The fox had several wounds on its body and was looking at her pitifully.

"What a cute little fox, it's injured." Lin Xiaoxiao said with heartache, and she gently picked up the little fox.

Ye Wuhen walked over and looked at the little fox. "Why is this little fox here? Is this a trap?"

Bai Zhi observed the little fox carefully. "It doesn't look like a trap, but we still have to be careful. Maybe it was injured by the Fiery Suzaku."

Lin Xiaoxiao gently stroked the fox's fur. "No matter what, let's treat its wound first." She took out the healing medicine from the package and carefully treated the fox's wound. The fox seemed to sense Lin Xiaoxiao's kindness and rubbed her hand with its head.

"It seems that it likes you very much, Xiaoxiao." Bai Zhi said with a smile.

After treating the little fox's wound, Lin Xiaoxiao held it and said, "Then let's take it with us. It's too dangerous for it to stay here."

Ye Wuhen shrugged helplessly, "Okay, but we have to keep an eye on its situation."

They continued to walk deeper into the ruins, however, what they didn't know was that the appearance of this little fox was not accidental. It seemed to be hiding a secret closely related to the ruins, and this secret would cause huge waves in their next expedition.

Not far ahead, a dense thorn bush appeared. The thorns were covered with sharp thorns and emitted an eerie purple light. There was a narrow passage faintly visible in the thorn bush. The passage was filled with thick fog, making it difficult to see what was inside.

"This thorn bush looks problematic, everyone be careful." Ye Wuhen stopped and looked ahead vigilantly.

Lin Xiaoxiao hugged the little fox tightly and said, "This fog is so thick, is there any danger in there?"

Bai Zhi took out a silver needle and threw it towards the thorn bush. As soon as the silver needle touched the thorn, it was instantly corroded and turned black. "These thorns are extremely poisonous, and this fog may be some kind of illusion. We can't move forward rashly."

The three stood in front of the thorn bush, lost in thought. They had to find a way to pass safely, otherwise they would be trapped here. The danger of the ruins did not allow them too much time to hesitate.

(End of this chapter)

[Note: This story is purely fictional. Any similarity is purely coincidental.]