Chapter 431 - The ghostly wails of the eight(Part-3)

It had been a few days since Ryuu and his group had settled in the ruins, they had decided to check the ruins but because of the sheer size of the ruins the process was painfully slow, they were searching through the entire place leaving no stones unturned.

Initially, they had the fear of the Preta Realm crossing over to the level fast and attacking them but Ryuu had assured them that he had placed arrays that were monitoring the gate as such they would be notified, but that did not mean they would relax, they were as vigilant as ever working as fast as they could.

Along with searching for some hidden treasures they kept their eyes and ears open for the location of the next gateway so that when the need arises they can skedaddle, a few amongst them had wanted to place traps but the idea of using lethal traps was quickly scrapped as the Preta were using their captives to search for any traps and there was a high chance for them to die as such it was decided to use traps that were limited to only misdirection and stalling.

But, what they had so far found was incredibly noteworthy, apparently the Sect, or the Super Sect that cultivators have been calling it had its influence on the entire galaxy, they had stumbled upon a couple of scrolls with most of its contents had been a day to day life of a newly ascended Immortal, but unfortunately it did not provide much information to them not even the name of the sect.

The yield had been a bit low it was true that they found various pills and manuals but they were all meant for low level cultivators, yet the steady increase in both quality and quantity of everything ignited a flame of hope that they would find something useful, but once again the sheer size not to mention the dangers surrounding it made it difficult for them to search easily.

Ryuu had formed a team with his friends as they scoured through the ruins in hopes of finding treasures hidden in the area, when all of a sudden they came across a deadly trap.

"It is amazing that even in such conditions the traps are still working."

"There is nothing to be amazed about this True-Spear there are traps that were present even before we were even thought of and they still work."

Ryuu looked towards Amnon as he replied on behalf of True-Spear, "No it is really amazing Amnon, arrays decays with time it may take millions of years but it would decay, but to prevent it a stable source of KI is required so that it could repair and heal itself, a stable source that this place lacks as such it is really amazing seeing the ruins still having arrays that are active."

Amnon frowned as he spoke, "So we could simply try to break a tomb next time whenever we try to enter it."

Ryuu shook his head as he spoke, "No it is extremely dangerous to do so, it is theoretically true that if you damage the tomb the arrays might stop working, but that is only possible for very low level cultivators, for doing so will definitely destabilize the arrays thereby causing a catastrophe to occur, and the end result will be not limited to the loss of treasure inside it but the life as well."

Seeing them deflate slightly at his words he decided to further press on to drive the point so that they might not make such mistake.

"A few million years ago a tomb of an extremely ancient cultivator was found, and it drew cultivators from various places, it even managed to attract Daofathers, and it so happened that while trying to pry open the tomb one of the cultivators used brute force which opened the tomb but it not only opened up the tomb it also bungled up a few very vital arrays destabilizing the entire group arrays, the result was the release of a very dangerous poison that killed everything on that planet within hours, and even after tens of millennia had passed the planet remain uninhabited to a blade of grass would grow on it."

He took a deep breath before continuing again, "As such as I recommended never use brute force where arrays are involved, it can lead to unpleasant results."

As Ryuu recounted the tale, Zywia frowned which increased with each passing second before she spoke with a gasp, "Wait a minute, are you talking about the 'Expedition of Serya?'"

As Ryuu nodded in agreement Zywia spoke with a wince, "I remember about it vividly, it happened long before you were born and I was just a Xiantian, many cultivators died that day not to mention the residents of the planet itself it was a sad day indeed, my brother had coerced dad to take him to see the tomb being reopened but a last minute accident had delayed his departure and thus saving his life."

Ryuu looked at her for a moment before he gave his undivided attention to the array in front of him, he slowly began to work on the array, 'Now if I ….'

~giggle~

~giggle~

A familiar sound of giggling came to his ears followed by the hollow echo of voices, and before long the array let out a sizzling sound.

~bang~

"RYUUU!!!!"

Frost Flames quickly went by his side holding his injured burned and bleeding hand, while Zywia took out some healing ointment in order to treat his injuries.

"I am fine there is no need for you to worry."

"You are not fine, you a bleeding and got injured."

Ryuu gave a sheepish smile as he spoke, "Sorry it was such a wonderful array that I got distracted I hope none of you are injured."

True-Spear did not bat his eyelids as he gave undivided attention to Ryuu before he spoke with a fake smile, "Ryuu we are all fine why don't you take a rest and wait here for us.", he then looked at Frost Flames before as he spoke, "Sister why don't you take care of him we will take a look inside the room, you have already unlocked it."

Ryuu looked ready to protest as Amnon spoke in agreement, "An excellent idea brother True-Spear, brother Ryuu has been working nonstop for us as such he should rest a bit."

The others nodded in agreement forcing Ryuu to acquiesce to their demand though the ladies seemed a bit skeptical at that while Su-Min went and swung open the door and froze, for what lay in front of her was an open destroyed room with nothing in it.

"Another bust let us move on to the next one."

The other could only look dejected at the sight in front of them as True-Spear spoke, "Ryuu please stay here with Frost while we will simply scout ahead okay."

With that group left behind the duo and as they were a out of their earshot Zywia rounded up True-Spear as she spoke, "What was that? Why did you all of sudden suggest Ryuu to stay behind."

"Were you paying attention to him while he was working on his array?"

Zywia was taken aback at his question but before she could speak Amnon began with a frown, "He was distracted, the Ryuu I know is not distracted when he is working on an array, not to mention he looks so worn our and tired."

True-Spear nodded at that as he spoke, "Yes that was the reason I told him to sit back and rest, the Ryuu that I know would not agree to that suggestion without a fight yet he…"

Frozen Ocean narrowed her eyes as she spoke, "Is that why you made your Martial Sister to stay back."

True-Spear nodded at her question as he spoke, "Yes with the hope that she would be able to discover what is eating him up, being distracted will prove fatal too him."

Daniella bit her lips as she spoke, "This place is the cause of it, ever since we approached the ruins he is acting strange but why?"

Su-Min frowned as she spoke, "I hope Sister Flames would find it out."

True-Spear sighed before he spoke, "I hope too, but for now let us move forward."

It had been a few minutes since they had entered a new ruined building that looked promising when all of sudden a scream from Su-Min drew everyone's attention and what followed made speechless.

Meanwhile back with the duo, they simply sat quietly basking in each other's presence though Frost Flames preferred it this way but for the last few days it seemed that Ryuu had been distracted his usual cheerfulness was missing and that alarmed her greatly and as such she could not help but ask out loud, "Ryuu are you alright? Since the day we have arrived here you have been acting a bit strange."

Ryuu gave a weak smile towards Frost Flames as he spoke, "I am fine."

Only to receive a glare in return as Frost Flames spoke, "You are far from fine, always distracted, irritated not to mention you look incredible tired, that means something is wrong with you please tell me what it is Ryuu?"

Seeing the look that was mixed with concern and sadness tore his heart but how would he say that since the moment he had stepped on the broken pieces of the planet he was hearing noises from giggling of children, to someone giving lecture, he was hearing voices, voices that he was unable to recognize, yet those voices felt incredibly familiar, voices which only he could hear and that was driving him insane.

Before he could speak True-Spear approached them with his posture reflecting utmost urgency as such Frost Flames could not help but ask out loud, "Brother is something the matter."

True-Spear decided not to speak with Frost Flames as he immediately spoke, "Both of you come with me now and make sure to be discreet."

Frost Flames and Ryuu both looked at each other as Ryuu spoke, "Is there…"

"I do not have time to waste speaking we have to move fast before others find about it, now come quick."

Frost Flames looked towards Ryuu who simply shrugged, the duo were led towards one of the floating island that seemed to be a bit not only isolated but even more hazardous to approach it, the du never had felt so grateful about the fact that they could fly.

As they neared the floating island Ryuu spotted what seemed to be a statue of a peac.o.c.k that seemed to be broken near its tail, it might have been extremely pretty on its hay day but now it looked extremely worn out.

"Ryuu! Stop gawking at the rubble this way quick."

His attention was drawn away from the peac.o.c.k by True-Spear's shout as he tore his eyes off the peac.o.c.k quickly as he followed after True-Spear with a slight grimace on his face.

True-Spear led them to a completely destroyed room as they entered they were greeted by the rest of the group consisting of Zywia, Frozen Ocean, Amnon, Daniella and Su-Min, they all sat there with serious look on their faces.

Ryuu flashed them a small smile while Frost Flames gave them a small bow as she spoke, "Is something wrong you all seemed a bit tensed."

Zywia narrowed her eyes as she spoke, "Something happened and we decided to involve you two."

"What is it sister Zywia? From the looks on all of your faces the situation feels grim."

"It is better if we show you, especially you Ryuu."

Ryuu looked towards Frost Flames who had stood up from her sitting position, and as did others following her example before she indicated Ryuu towards a certain direction and as he looked at the object in question he could not help but feel his heart stop for a moment.