Following the direction indicated by Old Xie, Xu Fan walked about ten miles or so but still couldn't see any sign of the ruins entrance.

This was Xu Fan's first time in Tibet and also his first time attending the ruins, alone and solitary. Looking around, all he saw was desolation, an endless desert seemingly stretching to the horizon.

"Could that old guy be lying?"

After searching endlessly for the entrance, a hint of doubt began to arise in Xu Fan's heart.

However, at that moment, Xu Fan suddenly straightened his body, his spiritual power ready to erupt.

A rapid sound of wind breaking suddenly came from afar, towards the direction above Xu Fan's head. It seemed like two figures were rushing towards Xu Fan's location!

"Cultivators appearing at this time are likely related to the ruins! Perhaps following them will lead me to the entrance easily."

In an instant, Xu Fan made up his mind.

In the vast desert, if one were to search aimlessly, even if they eventually found the entrance, it might be too late by then!

"Fellow cultivator..."

Before Xu Fan could utter the call, a loud and arrogant shout from the two figures in the sky overshadowed his voice.

"Villager below! Get lost! This is not a place for you!"

Being in an unknown area, Xu Fan was very cautious and did not use spiritual power to speed up, even concealing his divine sense within his spiritual platform.

And obviously, due to Xu Fan's low profile, the other party mistook him for an ordinary person, or even a villager!

The shout rolled like thunder, inspiring awe, and as it rang out, the two figures in the sky finally descended swiftly—a pair, one old and one young.

The elder had a snowy white beard, exuding an air of immortality, clearly having reached his senior years.

While the younger was a burly youth, tall and imposing, with glaring eyes that commanded respect—just like a Heavenly God! Extremely valiant and extraordinary! The rude shout earlier came from this young man!

"Haha, there's been a misunderstanding. I am not a villager but a cultivator here to explore the ruins."

Despite the young man's rudeness, Xu Fan still showed a smile, neither humble nor overbearing.

With the ruins about to open, ordinary people walking nearby might face danger; perhaps the young man's loud shout was not entirely ill-intended.

However, as Xu Fan was contemplating this, the burly young man couldn't help but laugh heartily and rudely point at Xu Fan.

"Hahaha! You?"

"You, a young boy, with no trace of spiritual power waves, not even reaching the minimum requirement of Entering Dao Realm Peak needed for this ruins exploration, yet pretending here to call yourself a cultivator!"

"Besides, if you are indeed a cultivator here for the ruins, why are there no elders from your clan accompanying you?"

Clearly, the burly youth was amused by Xu Fan's serious demeanor.

"Ah Niu! Don't be rude!"

Yet before the youth named Ah Niu could continue mocking, the elder interrupted him with a stern reprimand.

"Young friend, since you are here for the ruins and also from Huaxia, if you don't mind, you may join the two of us."

"Once inside the ruins, as fellow Huaxia cultivators, we hope you'll take care of Ah Niu."

Although the elder spoke quite courteously, his expression was indifferent. It was obvious he spoke out of courtesy, and within the words, Xu Fan sensed a hint of intention to form ties.

All this talk of fellow Huaxia cultivators and taking care of Ah Niu might sound nice, but in reality, the elder wanted to bring Xu Fan under the wing of the burly youth to act as cannon fodder...

Xu Fan's goal was merely to follow the two to the ruins entrance, so casually going along wouldn't cause him any loss.

Besides, once inside the ruins, wouldn't everything be up to Xu Fan?

Therefore, Xu Fan's expression remained calm, his attitude neither humble nor overbearing, as he cupped his hands towards the elder with a slightly respectful smile, and responded nonchalantly, "If so, the younger generation shall follow your lead."

"As fellow Huaxia cultivators, since receiving the elder's care, I shall follow Brother Niu's commands upon entering the ruins."

The elder nodded, seemingly satisfied with Xu Fan's sensible demeanor, yet Ah Niu on the side furrowed his brows again.

"Grandfather, having him as my junior would only hold me back! I don't want that!"

"Such a young boy, clearly relying on family power to get a backdoor entry, bringing such a junior would only embarrass me!"

Listening to Ah Niu's straightforward words, Xu Fan couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.

In the base, Xu Fan was accustomed to being admired and cheered for, yet encountering Ah Niu, Xu Fan was met with disdain, even deemed unworthy as a junior...

This was truly rare for Xu Fan...

Upon hearing this, the elder glanced at Xu Fan's notably young face and furrowed his brows.

"Nonsense!"

"No matter how strong an individual's power might be, it's ultimately limited! This year's ruins exploration will be fraught with dangers! Remember not to act rashly! Understood?"

The elder, though seemingly reprimanding Ah Niu, essentially stated that with the ruins being perilous and fraught with danger, more cannon fodder upfront is beneficial!

"Time is running out! The ruins are about to open! Hurry and follow!"

Without leaving Ah Niu a chance to argue, the elder finished speaking and quickly ascended into the air, speeding towards the direction of the ruins.

"Boy! Once inside the ruins, follow my command! Don't cause trouble for me! Understand!?"

Ah Niu coldly glared at Xu Fan, seeing Xu Fan at least showed "understanding," he too channeled his spiritual power, ascended, and chased after the elder.

Xu Fan shrugged, took steps in a very low-profile manner, closely following Ah Niu.

Xu Fan definitely wasn't some young boy relying on family connections for entry, nor did he intend to act as a junior cannon fodder, but even being forcibly categorized as such, Xu Fan didn't plan to argue.

This year's ruins exploration is deeply perilous, fraught with fatal risks! The fact that Mu Lao and the others trusted to leave Xu Fan here somewhat demonstrates the trip's dangers.

Thus, Xu Fan intended to act discreetly.

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