"Everyone, charge with me!" Ning Yu took the lead, braving the poisonous fog and falling rocks, and broke through the encirclement. The others followed closely behind, fighting desperately to break through.

Although the ambush by "Poisonous Scorpion" was dangerous, Ning Yu was well prepared and eventually led his team to fight their way out. However, the team suffered heavy losses as a result, with less than half of its members remaining.

"Boss, are you alright?" Mu Xue looked at the many wounds on Ning Yu's body caused by the corrosive venom and felt extremely distressed.

"I'm fine, just a minor injury." Ning Yu waved his hand, his gaze fixed firmly on the distance. "Hurry up, the ruins aren't far ahead!"

After several days of arduous travel, Ning Yu and his companions finally arrived at the valley where the ruins were located. However, when they reached the entrance of the ruins, they were stunned by the scene before them.

The entrance to the ruins, which should have been magnificent, was now completely shrouded in a semi-transparent energy barrier, which shimmered with light and emitted a heart-pounding energy fluctuation.

“This is…” Ning Yu’s heart sank, and an ominous premonition surged into his mind.

"It's a seal! This ruin has been sealed!" exclaimed a scholar in the group who was quite knowledgeable about ancient ruins. "Moreover, the power of this seal is extremely strong; I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Mu Xue pressed.

The scholar shook his head solemnly without speaking, but the answer was self-evident.

Ning Yu took a deep breath, walked to the seal, and gently pressed his palm against the energy barrier. A powerful repulsive force instantly surged forth, forcing him back several steps. He steadied himself and tried again, but still couldn't budge the seal an inch.

"As expected..." Ning Yu's face turned pale. He could feel the terrifying energy contained in the seal. In his current state, trying to forcefully break it would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

"Could it be... that we came all this way for nothing?" someone in the group muttered in despair.

Ning Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes, "No, I must open it!"

“But…” Mu Xue wanted to dissuade him, but Ning Yu interrupted her.

"This is our only hope!" Ning Yu said firmly. "Even if it costs me my life, I will try!"

He closed his eyes, summoning the last vestiges of his supernatural power, and began attempting to break the seal… A bone-chilling cold emanated from his fingertips, creeping upwards along his veins like a venomous snake, causing muscles to spasm and bones to feel as if they were about to crack from the cold. Ning Yu groaned, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, leaving clear traces on his dusty face.

"Ning Yu!" Mu Xue tried to step forward worriedly, but Ning Yu stopped her with a raised hand. "Don't come any closer, I'm fine."

His voice was hoarse and trembling, clearly indicating that he was enduring immense pain.

The seal was far more powerful than he had imagined. Each impact felt like it was draining his powers, and his body felt as if it were being torn apart and reassembled. But he had only one thought in his mind: Open it, you must open it!

Only by opening the ruins and obtaining the resources and technology within can we fight against the threat of the "Poisonous Scorpion," protect his companions, and survive in this cruel apocalypse!

"System, assist me!" Ning Yu roared in his mind.

"Warning: The host's physical condition is extremely unstable. Forcibly breaking the seal is life-threatening!" The system's cold, mechanical voice rang in his mind.

"Stop talking nonsense and carry out the order!" Ning Yu's voice was resolute.

"Yes, host."

A warm current surged from the system, flowing through his limbs and bones, relieving the pain. But this relief was only a drop in the ocean; the power of the seal was too strong, and each impact made Ning Yu's vision go black, almost causing him to faint.

But he persevered, repeatedly trying to break through the seal, like a tireless warrior fighting with his last ounce of strength.

"Click"

A soft, crisp sound rang out clearly in the silent valley.

Ning Yu suddenly opened his eyes and saw a tiny crack appear on the once radiant energy barrier...

"It's not over yet..." Ning Yu's lips curled into a bitter smile, his voice weak yet carrying an indescribable determination, "This is just the beginning..."