Chapter 109: Ravine City

Kyrian gave a command to the eagle.

It responded immediately, tilting in the air and cutting the distance to the great vulture.

The five atop the vulture noticed the approach. The youths frowned, but it was the old man who kept his eyes fixed on Kyrian.

The eagle slowed and hovered just a few meters away.

Kyrian then raised his voice directly.

“Why are so many heading in the same direction? What is happening?”

The old man narrowed his eyes, ready to ignore the youth. But then, his gaze fixed on Kyrian’s eyes and on the clothes he wore.

The arrogance faltered, replaced by cautious respect.

“Oh… if I’m not mistaken, you are from the Verdant Sword Domain.” The old man’s voice sounded slow, yet firm.

“Everyone is heading to the Ravine City.”

Kyrian simply listened, not replying, waiting for the man to finish.

“There are rumors that a supreme treasure has appeared there. However, it is trapped by a barrier. An ancient, strange barrier. But they say it will disappear in a few days,” the elder continued.

The youths behind the old man stirred, as if the mere mention of the treasure inflamed their hearts. The old man only smiled, showing yellowed teeth.

“Naturally, everyone wants to see it. Some to try to claim the treasure… others to try and fish in troubled waters. When so many cultivators gather, there are always opportunities.”

Kyrian remained silent for a few moments.

Treasure… barrier…

His mind slowly returned to the mark on his hand. The constant burning only grew stronger the closer he got.

“Barrier…” he murmured softly.

Kyrian imagined that this must be the natural formation.

He gave a slight nod of thanks, pulling the eagle back away from the vulture.

The eagle then continued its journey.

The sky shifted slowly, and with every beat of wings, Kyrian felt himself getting closer. The mark on his hand burned, but now, unlike the previous days, the discomfort no longer bothered him. It merely guided him, as he had already grown used to it.

A few hours later, something appeared on the horizon. A long wall encircling an entire city.

In the middle of the great city lay an immense ravine that cut through the city’s heart, splitting the ground into two halves. The city had grown around that colossal scar in the earth, divided in half by the abyss of the ravine.

Kyrian tilted his body. The eagle responded, descending in circles until he had a complete view.

The ravine.

The pit was too deep for light to reach its bottom. The edges were filled with constructions that leaned dangerously over the brink. And there were stone bridges connecting one side to the other.

But what drew attention was not the city itself, but the cultivators.

They descended straight from their flying beasts, ignoring the guards and the city’s entrance. Landing directly in its midst, as close to the ravine as possible.

The flow was constant, shadows in the sky landing toward the ravine. None seemed concerned with local rules. All came for the same reason.

Kyrian narrowed his eyes. The eagle landed on one of the edges. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he noticed quick glances in his direction. But they wasted no time and continued toward the ravine.

Kyrian walked to the edge. The ravine stretched ahead, a black void that swallowed sight. Only a stone path descended along the sides, clinging to the rocky wall.

Steps echoed everywhere. Hundreds of cultivators descended.

He then followed them.

The air grew colder as he advanced, but Kyrian walked without hurry. His eyes captured everything, every detail. And as he descended, the voices around revealed rumors.

“They say it’s a millennial herb, a spiritual root capable of transforming the foundation of any cultivator…” someone said suddenly.

“… a common talent could become a supreme genius, both in cultivation and in comprehension.”

“… I heard it could also be used as an ingredient for a rejuvenation pill. With it, old men near death would gain several more years of life.”

Kyrian did not react. He only listened, but in his mind a small thought began to form.

Others then spoke of the barrier.

“It’s at the bottom of the ravine. An invisible wall traps the herb. No one can pass, not even touch the treasure.”

“Perhaps whoever planted the herb placed a barrier to protect it.”

“Nonsense. It is a naturally born herb. Just like the barrier. It is only a natural formation. It protects nothing, it’s merely in the way,” an old man with a scholar’s look said.

The voices mingled. All speculated, but no one had clear answers.

The path narrowed, plunging deeper. Darkness thickened. Soon, everyone began to light their stones to illuminate the descent.

The flames flickered, casting shadows on the walls. Kyrian had no stone, but he had no need. His eyes saw perfectly.

The sound then changed. The sound of explosions, echoes muffled by stone.

Distant rumbles, like far-off thunder beneath the earth. With each step, the noise grew clearer.

After a long descent, the path opened.

Kyrian arrived at the bottom of the ravine. A wide, natural space, like an arena carved underground. There, many cultivators had already gathered.

The stronger ones advanced against a translucent barrier at the center, unleashing blows that made many retreat.

And beyond the barrier, like a solitary beacon, was the herb.

A small plant, yet one that emanated an aura impossible to ignore. Its silvery glow illuminated the surroundings.

The instant Kyrian looked at the barrier, the mark on his hand stopped burning. The flame vanished. The call ceased.

He knew immediately. It was truly what he had imagined.

’The barrier is the natural formation…’ he murmured to himself.

The barrier was not a defense placed by anyone. But a wrong part of the world, like a prison of ancient energy.

Kyrian analyzed in silence.

Most were in the late stage of the Qi Accumulation Realm. The strongest were old men with long beards, all at the peak of the Qi Liberation Realm. No cultivator of the Core Formation Realm. No pressure comparable to Mei Ran.

That made him feel safer. Unafraid of anyone present.

A roar then cut the air, drowning all conversations.

One of the old men, at the peak of the Qi Liberation Realm, rose atop a rock, imbuing his words with Qi.

“If we continue like this, the barrier will never yield!” he shouted, his echo ricocheting off the ravine walls.

“Then this treasure will remain here until someone stronger comes and takes it before our eyes.”

The crowd murmured in agreement.

“Everyone knows rumors travel fast. Other sects and greater forces may arrive at any moment,” the old man continued.

“We must work together. Let us unite our strength and strike the center with a combined attack!”

Murmurs erupted. Many agreed, while others hesitated slightly. But all stared at the barrier, willing to take the risk.

Kyrian, however, cared nothing for the words.

Instead, he walked. His firm steps carried him closer to the barrier, ignoring the old man’s voice and the commotion around.

Immediately, many gazes turned to him. The man at the peak of the Qi Liberation Realm frowned.

“What do you think you are doing, boy?”

Kyrian did not respond, his eyes fixed on the barrier’s center.

And there, something no one else could see appeared before him.

At the heart of the formation, a core. A sphere of intertwined energy, already cracked. Tiny fissures ran across its surface, pulsing as if ready to burst at any moment.

But something was wrong.

Kyrian realized that every attack launched against the barrier did not weaken the core. On the contrary.

Each strike only reinforced the cracks, making the energy concentrate even more.

If they continued attacking, the barrier would not fall. But it would gather more energy and eventually explode.

Taking everyone present with it.

Kyrian took a deep breath. Understanding what the call had been trying to tell him from the start. If he weren’t there, none of those cultivators would have left alive today.

He looked at the crowd watching him strangely and spoke in a calm, steady voice.

“Step back. I know how to open the barrier.”

Silence fell.

Soon after, short laughs, disdain, and mocking voices arose.

“Who is this boy?”

“Too arrogant, does he really think he can break the barrier that everyone has been trying to for days?!”

“Young men truly think they understand more than everyone else.”

Kyrian did not respond. His eyes merely gleamed. Suddenly, sword intent rose, invisible yet sharp.

Some cultivators felt their swords vibrate on their own, trapped in their sheaths. The blades trembled, as if eager to come out.

A chill climbed the spines of those who dared mock.

Kyrian spoke again. Without altering his tone.

“If you keep attacking, the natural formation will explode. The entire ravine will collapse with everyone inside.”

The words echoed. Many recoiled, uncertain. His voice did not sound like a guess but a verdict.

Some still doubted but waited.

The old man at the peak of Qi Liberation narrowed his eyes. He looked Kyrian up and down, sensing what he judged to be a special physique, an unusual bearing. A youth, yet unlike any of those present.

At last, the old man spoke, his voice heavy with authority.

“Very well. Let the young man try. If he fails, we will proceed with the plan.”

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