Seven Mysterious Spaces: My Rise to Power in the Cultivation World

The old man in black let out a strange laugh, and black energy surged in his hand, transforming into a giant demonic claw that reached out to grab Zhuang Yu.

At the critical moment, Zhuang Yu's figure flashed and he mysteriously disappeared from the spot.

The old man missed his target and roared, "Spatial power? You actually comprehended spatial power!" Zhuang Yu reappeared at the entrance of the ruins. He glanced back at the plaza shrouded in demonic energy, pulled up the anxious Wang Yao, and resolutely stepped into the ruins.

The ancient stone gate slowly closed, shutting out the noise from outside.

Inside the ruins, it was dark and deep, and an ancient and mysterious aura wafted over.

Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao proceeded cautiously. The walls on both sides of the passage were covered with strange runes that emitted a faint light, illuminating the path ahead.

"Brother Zhuang Yu, it's so eerie here..." Wang Yao clung tightly to Zhuang Yu, her voice trembling slightly.

Zhuang Yu gently patted her hand and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." As soon as he finished speaking, a strange tremor came from beneath their feet, and the once solid ground instantly turned into quicksand and began to sink.

"Ah!" Wang Yao exclaimed, her body involuntarily sinking downwards.

Zhuang Yu reacted quickly, grabbing Wang Yao's arm and pulling her back.

"Quicksand Formation!" Zhuang Yu's face darkened; this ruin was indeed fraught with danger.

The surrounding quicksand flowed faster and faster, forming a huge whirlpool that seemed to be about to swallow them up.

Wang Yao was pale, gripping Zhuang Yu's hand tightly, her eyes filled with fear.

"Brother Zhuang Yu, what... what should we do?" Zhuang Yu took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

"Don't panic, Yao'er, trust me!" His eyes flickered, as if he had thought of something...

"Yao'er, hold on tight to me!"

Zhuang Yu took a deep breath, his spiritual energy surging within him, preparing to forcefully resist the suction force.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, and he remembered the mysterious old man's profound words before he left: "Go with the flow, and you can break the deadlock." He immediately changed his mind and said to Wang Yao, "Yao'er, relax your body, let's go with the flow!"

Although Wang Yao was puzzled, she had absolute trust in Zhuang Yu, so she immediately relaxed her body and let the quicksand carry her down.

Zhuang Yu was in the same boat; the two of them were like duckweed falling into the water, spinning downwards with the swirling sand.

Ma Wu and Niu Liu, who were following behind, were stunned when they saw this scene.

"Boss, what are they doing? Have they given up resisting?" Niu Liu asked, puzzled.

Ma Wu snorted coldly: "Hmph, they're probably scared out of their wits! This quicksand formation is so difficult that even Foundation Establishment cultivators can't escape it. They're doomed! Let's go down too, and once they're swallowed by the quicksand, we'll go down and pick up the scraps!"

The two jumped into the quicksand triumphantly, mimicking Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao as they relaxed their bodies.

However, they soon realized something was wrong.

The suction of the quicksand was far stronger than they had imagined. They had no control over their bodies and were swept into the depths of the quicksand like kites with broken strings. Their terrified screams echoed through the passage: "Ah! Help! Boss..."

However, after Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao sank to a certain depth, they found that the suction of the quicksand suddenly disappeared.

They landed steadily on a solid platform, and a hidden passage entrance suddenly appeared before them.

A smile appeared on Zhuang Yu's lips. It seemed that the mysterious old man's hint was indeed correct.

This quicksand formation is not meant to devour people, but rather to test whether those who enter know how to "go with the flow".

Only by giving up resistance can we find a real way out.

Watching the hidden door slowly close, Zhuang Yu took Wang Yao's hand and stepped inside.

At the other end of the passage, Liu Tian's face was ashen as he watched his two subordinates disappear into the quicksand. He roared, "Useless! Two pieces of trash!" He slammed his fist against the wall, his eyes flashing with a sinister light.

Zhuang Yu's actions were completely unexpected. Not only did he successfully escape the quicksand formation, but he also caused Zhuang Yu to lose two of his capable subordinates.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He knew this was not the time to act impulsively.

"Zhuang Yu, I must get the secret you possess!" Liu Tian said through gritted teeth, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.

He strode towards the quicksand formation, preparing to enter it himself.

Meanwhile, deep within the passage, Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao were walking forward along a dark tunnel.

Suddenly, Wang Yao stopped, tugged at Zhuang Yu's sleeve, and whispered, "Brother Zhuang Yu, look..."

Zhuang Yu followed Wang Yao's gaze and saw several figures slowly approaching in the distance...

Liu Tian's sinister smile was particularly glaring in the dimly lit passageway.

Liu Tian smiled sinisterly and blocked the passage.

"Zhuang Yu, what a small world! It seems you've found the entrance too. But the treasures in these ruins aren't for just anyone." Behind him stood two new subordinates, burly and imposing, clearly much stronger than the previous Ma Wu and Niu Liu.

Zhuang Yu remained calm and protected Wang Yao behind him.

"Liu Tian, ​​you're like a persistent ghost. I advise you to be sensible and get lost, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Liu Tian interrupted him, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes. "You, a mere early-stage Core Formation cultivator, dare to be so insolent in front of me!" As soon as he finished speaking, his hands quickly formed a seal, and a dark green poisonous mist instantly spread out, carrying a nauseating stench.

"Yao'er, hold your breath!" Zhuang Yu shouted in a low voice, while taking out a bead that emitted a faint fragrance from his mysterious space.

As soon as the bead appeared, the surrounding poisonous fog dissipated as if it had met its nemesis, and the air became fresh.

Liu Tian's expression changed slightly; this bead was clearly no ordinary object.

He snorted coldly and gave a wink to his two subordinates behind him.

The two understood each other perfectly and simultaneously unleashed their magical artifacts, attacking Zhuang Yu from the left and right.

Zhuang Yu moved with agility, weaving between the two like a ghost, dodging their attacks.

He did not rush to retaliate, but instead looked for their weaknesses.

Although their attacks were fierce, their coordination was not smooth enough, giving Zhuang Yu an opportunity to take advantage.

He seized the opportunity and suddenly struck, slapping one of his men in the chest.

The man groaned, flew backward, crashed into the wall, and spat out blood.

Seeing this, another subordinate was terrified and hurriedly retreated, but Zhuang Yu seized the opportunity and kicked him away.

Liu Tian's face darkened; he hadn't expected Zhuang Yu to be so powerful.

He took a deep breath, about to take action himself, when he saw Zhuang Yu suddenly stop, look into the depths of the passage, and a meaningful smile appear on his lips.

"Looks like this is going to be interesting," Zhuang Yu said calmly.

Liu Tian's heart skipped a beat. Following Zhuang Yu's gaze, he saw a figure slowly walking out from the depths of the passage...

During a lull in the battle, Wang Yao looked at Zhuang Yu with eyes full of admiration.

She whispered, "Brother Zhuang Yu..."

Wang Yao's adoring gaze warmed Zhuang Yu's heart, and he returned a confident smile: "With Yao'er here, I won't lose." These simple words seemed to be infused with boundless power, and he charged towards Liu Tian and the others once again.

Just then, the figure emerging from the depths of the passage became clearer and clearer, and an old man in a gray robe slowly appeared before everyone.

The old man had white hair and beard, but he was vigorous and had bright, piercing eyes. A powerful aura emanated from him, revealing him to be a Nascent Soul stage expert!

Upon seeing the old man, Liu Tian's expression changed drastically, and he quickly bowed and said, "Junior Liu Tian greets senior." His two subordinates behind him also hurriedly followed suit.

The old man glanced at everyone, his gaze settling on Zhuang Yu. He nodded slightly: "You are Zhuang Yu?"

Zhuang Yu felt a chill run down his spine; this old man actually knew his name.

He clasped his hands in greeting and said, "This junior is Zhuang Yu. May I ask who this senior is...?"

"I am the guardian of these ruins," the old man said calmly. "The treasures within are not for just anyone to touch. You shall leave at once, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

Liu Tian's face was grim. He knew how powerful a Nascent Soul cultivator was; they were simply no match for him.

But he was unwilling to give up, so he cautiously asked, "Senior, may I...?"

Before he could finish speaking, the old man interrupted, "I have already made it very clear that you are not qualified to enter the ruins!" As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful pressure instantly enveloped Liu Tian and the others, making it difficult for them to breathe.

Liu Tian's face turned pale. He knew that the old man was truly enraged, so he dared not linger any longer and hurriedly led his two subordinates away in a sorry state.

The old man watched Liu Tian and the others leave, snorted coldly, then turned to Zhuang Yu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Young man, your strength is not bad. You were able to force Liu Tian and the others to retreat with your early Core Formation stage cultivation. However, the dangers in this ruin are far greater than you imagine. You should leave as soon as possible."

Zhuang Yu shook his head and said, "Senior, I have come here to find a long-lost martial arts technique. I beg you to grant my request!"

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in the old man's eyes, and he asked, "What kind of cultivation technique are you looking for?"

Zhuang Yu then revealed the name of the cultivation technique.

Upon hearing this, the old man's expression changed slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "This cultivation technique is indeed in these ruins, but obtaining it will not be easy. Are you really determined to try?"

Zhuang Yu nodded firmly: "This junior's mind is made up!"

The old man gave Zhuang Yu a deep look and said, "Since that's the case, then I'll give you a chance. Come with me."

After the old man finished speaking, he turned and walked deeper into the passage.

Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

At the end of the passage was a huge square.

In the center of the square stands an ancient altar.

The altar was covered with mysterious runes, emitting a faint golden light.

The old man pointed to the altar and said, "The cultivation technique you are looking for is on this altar. However, to obtain it, you need to pass the altar's test."

Zhuang Yu took a deep breath, walked to the altar, and prepared to accept the test.

Just then, he suddenly felt a powerful force surging out from the altar and enveloping him.

Images flashed through his mind...

Zhuang Yu suddenly unleashed a new technique, one he had obtained by chance in the mysterious space but had never used before—"Star River Illusion".

His figure flickered, moving like a ghost among Liu Tian and the others, leaving behind afterimages.

Liu Tian's face showed a look of horror; he hadn't expected Zhuang Yu to have such methods.

The Star River Illusion Technique is extremely powerful, and when combined with Zhuang Yu's understanding of spatial power, it becomes even more formidable.

Liu Tian and his men were caught off guard and suffered a series of defeats.

Zhuang Yu successfully repelled Liu Tian and the others, but he knew that the challenges from the guardian spirits of the ruins awaited them. He and Wang Yao continued to cautiously venture deeper into the ruins.