Possessed by my father, I was reborn and became the supreme ruler.

The old man still leaned on his wooden cane, his hunched body casting a long shadow in the moonlight, his cloudy eyes seeming to see into people's hearts.

"What do you want to know?" The old man's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of barely perceptible softening.

Ye Yunjian's eyes brightened slightly. Although the old man was mysterious, he was not unyielding. He seized the opportunity and continued, "I have heard of the treasure that you possess, senior. It is related to the rise and fall of my Xuanhuo Sect. I have come here out of necessity. If you can tell me something about it, I will be extremely grateful."

The air seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

The old man remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice as elusive as the night wind, "This treasure... is not as simple as you think. It contains immense power, but also comes with great danger. You young people would be better off not venturing into it lightly."

Ling Yao calmly observed the old man's every expression. She noticed that when the old man mentioned the danger of the treasure, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, as if there was something hidden behind it.

She stepped forward, her voice clear and calm, "Senior, you said the treasure is dangerous, but why did you open this cave and let people in? Isn't that a contradiction?"

The old man's body stiffened, a hint of surprise flashing in his cloudy eyes. He glanced at Ling Yao, then turned back to Ye Yunjian, a complex expression on his aged face. His tone softened slightly, "Fine, I may tell you. This item is called the 'Heavenly Fire Spirit Pearl,' an ancient treasure with world-destroying power, but also accompanied by a powerful curse. Whoever obtains it is destined to suffer endless torment. The reason I let you in is to see if you are qualified."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yunjian's doubts deepened. The old man's words were full of loopholes, and he seemed to be hiding something, but he didn't seem like a completely evil person. What secret was hidden in this?

His gaze hardened; he had to find out the truth about this treasure.

“Senior, since that’s the case, I’m even more determined to find out the truth. My Xuanhuo Sect has already paid too high a price to obtain it, and I must find out the truth no matter what.”

The old man gave him a deep look, said nothing more, and silently turned around, planting his wooden staff in the ground. The staff slowly sank into the earth, leaving only a small hole, as if foreshadowing an endless abyss. The old man said meaningfully, "Young man, remember your choice today. Some truths, knowing them may be more painful than not knowing them." After speaking, the old man turned around again, looking at the gloomy hole, motionless, like a statue.

Ye Yunjian stared at the old man's hunched back, a strange chill rising from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

The cave entrance was pitch black, like a giant beast opening its blood-red maw, ready to devour anything that came near.

He felt like a flying insect caught in a spider's web, the more he struggled, the more powerless he became.

The fate of the Xuanhuo Sect and the expectations of his elders weighed heavily on his shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe.

He could even hear his own heart pounding, each beat like a drumbeat pounding against his eardrums.

From deep within the cave entrance, a chilling wind, carrying a putrid stench, blew against his face, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

Ling Yao felt Ye Yunjian trembling. She gently took his hand, and the soft touch instantly spread throughout Ye Yunjian's body.

She gave him a gentle smile, her eyes firm and warm, like a ray of sunshine in winter, dispelling the gloom in his heart.

Ye Yunjian grasped Ling Yao's hand in return; her hand was slender and warm, which brought him a sense of comfort.

He knew that no matter what happened, Ling Yao would stand by his side, which rekindled his hope.

A faint fragrance of orchids filled the air, Ling Yao's unique scent, which made him feel at ease.

“Believe me,” Ling Yao’s voice was soft yet firm, flowing into Ye Yunjian’s heart like a clear mountain spring, “we will definitely find the truth.” Her eyes were clear as water, reflecting Ye Yunjian’s slightly anxious face.

Ye Yunjian took a deep breath, trying to calm the turbulent emotions in his heart.

He looked at Ling Yao, and her support gave him renewed courage.

He held Ling Yao's hand tightly, as if he were holding the whole world in his hands.

The gloom and pressure of the cave seemed to lessen, replaced by a strange power flowing between them.

Just then, the old man suddenly turned around, a strange light flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Young man, you need to think this through carefully. Some paths, once embarked upon, offer no turning back." His voice was low and hoarse, like a call from hell.

The old man's withered fingers pointed to the cave entrance, and the tiny opening seemed to suddenly enlarge, turning into a hideous ghost face that roared silently at them.

Ye Yunjian took a step forward without hesitation, his eyes resolute. "Senior, my mind is made up."

A barely perceptible sneer appeared on the old man's lips as he slammed his wooden cane on the ground with a dull thud...

Dust flew everywhere, and gravel flew everywhere!

The old man slammed his wooden cane down, and a chilling aura suddenly surged out of the cave entrance. Accompanied by a teeth-grinding scraping sound, a dozen puppets burst out of the ground. Their eyes were sunken and glowed with an eerie green light. Their bodies were stiff but incredibly strong. They brandished rusty swords and pounced on Ye Yunjian and Ling Yao.

Ling Yao's eyebrows furrowed, and with a flick of her slender hand, a soft sword was drawn from its sheath like a serpent, its light flashing and its chilling aura palpable.

She moved nimbly among the puppets, her sword piercing precisely at their joints.

However, these puppets felt no pain and continued to attack fearlessly even after their arms were severed.

Ye Yunjian calmly responded, wielding his longsword to create an impenetrable net of swords, deflecting each incoming attack.

Each collision produced a deafening metallic clang and sparks flew everywhere.

He felt a tingling sensation in his hand; the power of these puppets far exceeded his imagination.

Although the puppets' attacks were completely haphazard, they were perfectly coordinated, advancing and retreating in an orderly manner, trapping Ye Yunjian and Ling Yao within them.

Ye Yunjian's eyes sharpened as he noticed that although the puppet's movements were independent, they seemed to be guided by some kind of force, and the source of that force was the old man leaning on his wooden cane!

His mind raced, and a bold plan took shape in his mind.

He deliberately created an opening, luring several puppets closer, and then suddenly exerted his strength, rushing towards the old man at an astonishing speed.

Ling Yao understood immediately, and her sword flashed like rain, covering Ye Yunjian's breakout.

Despite the puppet's attacks, Ye Yunjian rushed to the old man, his long sword pointing directly at the old man's throat.

"Senior, please forgive me!" he shouted sternly.