Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

The night wind howled through the dense forest, bringing a biting chill. Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan followed closely behind Yunxiao, each step filled with uncertainty and danger. A strange aura hung in the air, as if the entire world held its breath, awaiting the arrival of some irresistible force.

"The entrance to the ruins is just ahead." Yun Xiao's voice was low and alert. He stopped and turned to Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan, "Are you ready?"

"I'm ready." Zhao Shufang nodded slightly, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes. Although she was still uneasy in her heart, she felt more responsibility and belief.

"No matter what lies ahead, we will face it together." Lu Lingyuan's tone was firm, and the sword in his hand was tightly grasped. His figure was like an indestructible fortress, standing firmly beside Zhao Shufang.

Yunxiao looked at them deeply, then turned and walked towards the darkness ahead. Just as he entered the area shrouded in thick black fog, the ground suddenly shook violently, as if the earth was roaring in anger.

"Are we going in?" Zhao Shufang's voice was low, and her eyes followed Yunxiao's back closely.

"Yes." Yunxiao didn't look back, just nodded and continued walking forward.

As the three of them went deeper, the black fog grew thicker, blurring everything around them. The air was filled with a decaying smell, the scent of time and abandonment, as if this place had been forgotten for thousands of years.

After walking for about ten minutes, a golden light suddenly streaked through the dark fog, illuminating the surroundings. The three of them stopped abruptly, their eyes filled with shock and alarm.

"What is this?" Lu Lingyuan whispered, his hand already tightly gripping the hilt of the sword, looking around vigilantly.

"This is the power of the ruins," Yunxiao said in a serious tone. "This light marks the entrance to the ruins. Past explorers disappeared here because they were not prepared enough to face these powers."

"What should we do?" Zhao Shufang looked at Yunxiao, her eyes filled with doubt. "If the light represents the entrance to the ruins, then we must pass through it?"

"Yes, but this isn't just pure light," Yunxiao said slowly. "This is an energy field left behind by an ancient civilization, powerful enough to devour any invader. Are you ready to face their test?"

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath, her eyes firm, "I'm ready."

"Okay." Yunxiao nodded. "We can't stay here for too long. If we miss this opportunity, the power of darkness will revive again. Only by entering it can we find a way to eliminate the darkness."

The three of them looked at each other tacitly, then stepped together and walked into the golden light.

After entering the light, the three of them suddenly felt the air around them grow heavier, as if every breath was being oppressed. The scene before them gradually became clearer. The interior of the ruins was not the ruins they had expected, but an ancient palace with intricate carvings. The walls were inlaid with ancient runes, emitting a faint glow.

"This... is the ruins?" Zhao Shufang looked at the surrounding scene in surprise, with huge waves in her heart.

"Yes." Yunxiao nodded slowly. "This palace was once the core of that ancient civilization, and it holds countless secrets. And these runes are the key to connecting darkness and light."

"These runes look..." Lu Lingyuan squatted down and carefully observed the runes on the wall. "They are not ordinary words, but carriers of some kind of energy?"

"That's right." Yunxiao's expression became more serious. "These runes are more than just words. They were once carriers of power. Now, they still carry ancient energy and can even trigger terrifying reactions."

"Then what should we do?" Zhao Shufang looked at him, "Should we touch these runes directly?"

Yunxiao shook his head. "It's too dangerous to touch these runes. Without sufficient power to control them, we might be devoured. But there is a way to break their power."

"What method?" Zhao Shufang asked, her eyes full of hope.

"We need to find the core within the ruins." Yunxiao pointed deep into the palace. "The key to controlling the palace's energy is hidden there. Only by destroying the core can we completely eliminate the power of darkness."

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath and nodded, "Then let's go to the core."

The three continued their journey deeper into the palace. After a few minutes, they arrived at a large circular hall. In the center, a crystal ball, shimmering with a black light, hovered. The crystal ball exuded a strong, sinister aura, as if it were the source of darkness itself.

"That's the core." Yun Xiao's tone was solemn. "The power it exudes is enough to destroy everything. This is what we want to destroy."

"How do we destroy it?" Lu Lingyuan asked, his eyes fixed on the crystal ball. "This doesn't look easy."

Yunxiao didn't answer, but slowly closed his eyes and stretched his palms into the air. As he moved, a powerful wave of energy suddenly surged through the air, and the temperature of the entire hall plummeted, as if entering a world of ice and snow.

"This is..." Zhao Shufang looked at Yunxiao in surprise, "Is this the power you want to use?"

"Yes." Yunxiao slowly opened his eyes, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes. "This is the power I use to control the ancient runes, but it requires tremendous concentration. If we want to destroy that core, we must use it."

"Then what should we do?" Zhao Shufang asked, a tense atmosphere enveloping her.

"You must protect yourselves while I cast the spell." Yunxiao looked at the two of them. "Once that core is activated, the power of darkness will erupt, and anyone who approaches will be devoured. Therefore, you must find a suitable position to prevent yourself from being devoured."

Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan glanced at each other and nodded. They then quickly stood on either side of the hall, looking at the crystal ball warily.

Yunxiao's fingers began to dance, and runes appeared in the air, emitting a faint blue light. His breath gradually calmed down, and the air around him began to grow tense, as if a storm was about to erupt.

As the last rune was completed, Yunxiao suddenly slapped the air with his palm, sending a powerful wave of vibrations through the air. The entire hall instantly distorted, the crystal ball emitted a piercing hum, and a powerful dark force began to surge, like countless demons crawling out of the abyss, ready to devour everything.

Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan simultaneously drew their swords, ready to face the oncoming onslaught. The dark force before them grew stronger, seemingly threatening to swallow up all their hopes.

"Quick! Destroy it!" Yunxiao's voice almost disappeared in the violent storm, but he still used all his strength to try his best to control the dark power.