Chapter 153: Canyon Ruins

“Aries Star Spear?” Tang Tian’s curiosity was instantly piqued. “Sounds formidable.”

“Indeed, it is,” Bing replied solemnly. “I’m not sure about the current state of affairs, but back then, it was the most powerful martial technique of the Aries constellation—very renowned. I never imagined that in this era, it would still be passed down. Meanwhile, the legacy of our Southern Cross Legion has been completely extinguished.”

“That’s not true,” Tang Tian said, puzzled. “Aren’t you and I still around?”

Tang Tian suddenly realized and, feigning displeasure, said, “Could it be, Uncle, that what you taught me isn’t the true ultimate skill of the Southern Cross Legion?”

“You brat, you haven’t even passed basic training, and you talk about ultimate skills!” Bing sneered, though inside he felt a warmth. “But since I’m still alive, the Southern Cross Legion is destined to flourish. Hmph, looks like I need to intensify your training. Otherwise, if this Aries kid surpasses you, I’d lose face!”

Intensify training?

Tang Tian’s face turned pale in an instant. He still bore the psychological scars from the wolf bite on his backside. The image of the ravenous bone-chewing wolves from the Hunger Valley surged in his mind like a tidal wave, and his heart trembled, his backside throbbing faintly.

“Don’t underestimate me!” Tang Tian declared stubbornly. “How could I possibly be outdone by that bastard? I’m his leader!”

“That guy is no ordinary fighter,” Bing said thoughtfully. “The Aries Star Spear is unique and notoriously difficult to master. His spear thrusts carry a powerful spiral force, devastating in attack, and capable of neutralizing enemy energy in defense. Look at him—he can strike thirty times in a second. And all with just his fingers.”

“Huh?” Tang Tian was surprised. It was the first time he’d heard such praise from Bing. Watching Ling Xu’s focused expression, he nodded. “This guy really is strong. His power delivery is unique—using his fingers to spin the spear out. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“The Aries Star Spear I knew didn’t use this method. It seems to be a new development,” Bing mused. “This style is faster and more concealed, impossible for others to detect or predict. The range of movement is minimal, allowing for faster strikes—perfect for unleashing the Starry Sea technique. But this demands unimaginable finger strength. Finger power is minuscule compared to conventional force.”

“Extremely high,” Tang Tian said, his insight deepening. Though he didn’t grasp every subtlety, he estimated the finger strength required: “About forty times that of an average warrior.”

This conclusion startled Tang Tian himself.

Forty times the finger strength of a normal martial artist—still less than his arm strength but astonishing nonetheless. Moreover, this peculiar method drastically reduces the time of each strike, making attacks more sudden, unpredictable, and deadly.

A shorter spear thrust meant Ling Xu’s Starry Sea was denser and more solid.

Lost in concentration, Ling Xu finally stopped.

Sweat soaked his entire body; panting heavily, he only then noticed Tang Tian in the corner.

“Hey, Xiao Xuxu, your Aries Star Spear training is going well,” Tang Tian said with a grin as he approached.

“Aries Star Spear?” Ling Xu was taken aback, then muttered, “You’re mistaken. It’s called Spear Tip Sea.”

“Spear Tip Sea?” Tang Tian was stunned.

“Has the name changed?” Bing was also surprised.

But after thousands of years of evolution, a martial art’s name changing was hardly shocking. Neither Bing nor Tang Tian cared much.

To them, Spear Tip Sea was just another name for the Aries Star Spear.

“Spear Tip Sea or Aries Star Spear, have you finished training it?” Tang Tian was eager. “Let’s have a match!”

“I’m not done yet.” Ling Xu ignored Tang Tian and retreated to the corner, sitting cross-legged to meditate.

Tang Tian stood there, eyes wide, clearly displeased. “Hey…”

Suddenly, a graceful figure entered. “A-Tian!”

“Ah Xue.” Tang Tian recognized the visitor and was surprised. “How do you have time now? Weren’t you busy recently?”

“All done, everything arranged. Finally, I can relax.” Gu Xue smiled. “By the way, the registration is complete. The Star Gate Trial will be held in two months. You’ll set out a month earlier, so there’s plenty of time!”

“That’s great!” Tang Tian was delighted. “Thank you!”

“In that case, just spend a day with me,” Gu Xue said candidly. “I hardly get a break. I want to go out, unwind. Young master, temporarily serve as my bodyguard.”

“Sure!” Tang Tian agreed readily. Gu Xue rarely made requests, and this was a reasonable one. Black Mountain City had been turbulent lately, but with him and Ling Xu around, no one dared harm the Gu family. Still, Gu Xue’s safety was a real concern.

“That’s wonderful!” Gu Xue’s beautiful face lit up, her excitement palpable. “Let’s go! Don’t waste time!”

Watching Gu Xue cheer like a little girl, Tang Tian suddenly remembered that the new head of the Gu family was still very young.

To have endured so much hardship at such a tender age—it truly wasn’t easy.

Shaking off the heaviness in his heart, Tang Tian laughed heartily and suddenly scooped Gu Xue up into his arms and soared into the air.

Caught off guard, Gu Xue’s scream pierced the sky, but soon it turned into a tinkling laugh. The wind brushed her face, and looking at Tang Tian beside her, she silently wished time would freeze right then.

“Hey, where are we going?” Tang Tian shouted into the wind, snapping Gu Xue back to reality.

She steadied herself and called out, “Outside the city, see? There’s a big canyon over there!”

The word “canyon” instantly reminded Tang Tian of Hunger Valley, causing his heart to tremble.

Ahem, how could such a godlike youth be so rattled by a mere Hunger Valley?

Gathering his composure, Tang Tian sprinted forward with all his might. Perhaps still influenced by his recent trials in Hunger Valley, his meridians and dantian ravenously absorbed the surrounding energy.

Energy streamed into his channels, refined into true power, then poured into his dantian pool. The bliss and satisfaction nearly brought tears to his eyes.

Amid this euphoria, Tang Tian led Gu Xue to the grand canyon.

“There’s a ruined site inside this canyon,” Gu Xue had to shout over the fierce wind for Tang Tian to hear. “No one knows how old it is. Adventurers used to come, but all the valuables have been looted. Now it’s just ruins—no one’s been here for years.”

She smiled softly. “This is the only spot in Black Mountain City with a bit of scenery.”

The canyon showed clear signs of neglect—wild grasses grew rampant, and even paths were absent. Tang Tian grasped Gu Xue’s hand and glided effortlessly along the canyon cliffs.

Beyond the canyon, the view suddenly opened up.

A ruin appeared before Tang Tian—scattered broken walls and remnants carved from stone, weathered by time yet still bearing solemn, exquisite patterns.

Tang Tian understood what Gu Xue meant by “nice scenery.” Though ancient and eroded, the wall and pillar engravings retained dignity and delicacy. Brightly colored flowers bloomed amidst the ruins, highlighting their age-old, humble grandeur.

Gu Xue bent down to pick a small blue flower, bringing it to her nose to inhale gently. “When I was little, my father often brought me here to play. No one comes anymore, but he said that thirty years ago, many visitors came, and a powerful treasure was unearthed. The entire ruin was dug up, nothing left except these stone pillars and walls. Seeing how much I liked this place, my father cleared the weeds and planted flowers I loved. He said he wanted to give me a garden.”

Tang Tian listened silently, unsure how to comfort her.

Gu Xue steadied her sadness and smiled warmly again. “Ah, it’s been so long—look how much the grass has grown! Hey, A-Tian, let’s pull weeds!”

“Ha! No problem!”

The two busied themselves. Pulling weeds was second nature to Tang Tian, who had lived alone from an early age and was well versed in practical matters.

“A-Tian, what was your childhood like?”

“I was with my mother. Then she passed away…”

Their voices echoed through the ruins.

Tang Tian worked quickly, answering Gu Xue’s endless questions while pulling weeds. Suddenly, something caught his eye in the soil.

“Huh?” Tang Tian was surprised.

It was a stone-carved hand, its gesture strangely captivating. A simple hand sign, yet for some reason, it stirred an unusual feeling in his heart.

Gu Xue heard his soft exclamation and hurried over. “A-Tian, what did you find?”

Tang Tian pointed. “That.”

Gu Xue looked and suddenly understood. “There used to be many stone sculptures here. There are still many fragments like this. But too many people have dug here before, practically tearing up the place. Most stone carvings were destroyed. Are you interested in stone sculptures?”

“No,” Tang Tian shook his head. “I don’t know why, but this stone hand feels different to me.”

Tang Tian knew his intuition was sharp—thirteen times stronger than usual, far surpassing most warriors.

Gu Xue’s eyes brightened. “Then let’s dig it up!”

Tang Tian agreed. No matter what it was, digging it up would reveal the truth.

He immediately set to work. The loose soil yielded easily.

Before long, a headless, one-armed stone statue emerged before them. (To be continued)