The Lingxu Market gradually recovered its vitality through orderly rectification and development. The newly built buildings were well-arranged, the defensive arrays were sturdy and powerful, and cultivators were busy practicing in every corner. The market was once again full of energy and hope. However, deep in an ancient forest far away from the Lingxu Market, a mysterious change was quietly taking place.

This forest is shrouded in mist year-round, eerie and sinister, and ordinary cultivators dare not venture into it lightly. Recently, strange fluctuations of spiritual energy suddenly emanated from the depths of the forest, as if a powerful force was awakening. Some perceptive cultivators noticed these fluctuations, and the news gradually spread throughout the cultivation world.

The Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence network also picked up on this news and quickly reported it to Lin Yang. Upon learning of it, Lin Yang immediately convened a meeting with the heads of various factions to discuss the matter. "This mysterious fluctuation of spiritual energy may conceal a tremendous opportunity, but it may also be accompanied by unknown dangers. Should we send someone to investigate?" Lin Yang's gaze swept over everyone, his expression serious.

The president of the Linghe Chamber of Commerce stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "If we can obtain rare spiritual materials, magic treasures, or cultivation manuals from this, it will greatly benefit the development of the Lingxu market. However, we must proceed with caution and first send a group of elite spies to investigate the situation."

The Pavilion Master of Wanbaoge nodded in agreement: "That's right. The Pavilion is also very curious about this spiritual energy fluctuation. Perhaps we can find new inspiration for refining magical artifacts from it. We can provide some tracking and defensive magical artifacts to our spies to ensure their safety."

The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect said solemnly, "The sword cultivators can also send out a few agile and experienced disciples to assist the scouts in their investigations. If there is any danger, they can respond in time."

After discussion, the group decided to first send an exploration team consisting of intelligence agents from the Linghe Chamber of Commerce, disciples from the Wanbaoge Pavilion, and sword cultivators from the Lingjian Sect to the mysterious forest. This team consisted of twenty people, each with exceptional skills. They carried tracking magic items, defensive talismans, and other items provided by the Wanbaoge Pavilion, and entered the mysterious forest with both anticipation and caution.

Upon entering the forest, the fog grew increasingly thick, reducing visibility to almost nothing. The team members struggled to orient themselves, relying on the faint light emitted by their tracking artifacts. Strange noises echoed around them intermittently, as if countless eyes were watching them from the darkness.

"Everyone be careful, stay alert. This forest is eerie," an intelligence officer from the Linghe Merchant Guild whispered a warning. Everyone nodded, gripping their weapons tightly, their spiritual energy circulating around them, ready to respond to any unexpected situations.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the strange fluctuations of spiritual energy grew stronger. The light from their tracking artifact also became more dazzling, guiding them towards the source of the energy fluctuations. Suddenly, an ancient stone gate appeared ahead, its surface covered with mysterious runes that shimmered faintly, as if telling an ancient story.

"Could the source of the spiritual energy fluctuations be behind this stone gate?" a Wanbaoge disciple asked curiously.

A sword cultivator from the Spirit Sword Sect stepped forward and carefully examined the runes on the stone door: "I have never seen these runes before, but I feel that they contain powerful energy. Opening them rashly may be dangerous."

Just as everyone hesitated, the stone door suddenly roared and slowly opened. A powerful surge of spiritual energy rushed out, and everyone quickly circulated their spiritual energy to resist it. After the spiritual energy dissipated, they cautiously stepped through the stone door.

Behind the gate lay a vast plaza, in the center of which stood an ancient tower. The tower radiated a mysterious light, and was surrounded by statues of various shapes and sizes. These statues were so lifelike that they seemed ready to come to life at any moment.

"This place doesn't look simple. Everyone, spread out and look for clues to see if you can discover any secrets," said the team leader sent out by Lin Yang.

The crowd dispersed and began searching the plaza and tower area. A disciple of the Wanbao Pavilion discovered a stone tablet with inscriptions beneath a statue. He quickly called the others over. The group gathered around the tablet, carefully deciphering the writing.

After much effort, they finally deciphered the inscription on the stone tablet. It turned out that this was the ruins of an ancient cultivator, and within the tower lay a powerful magical artifact called the "Chaos Spiritual Pivot." This artifact was said to possess the power to reverse fate and greatly enhance the user's strength. However, to obtain the artifact, one had to pass numerous trials within the tower.

"This 'Chaotic Spiritual Pivot' sounds incredibly powerful. If we could obtain it, it would greatly enhance the strength of the Spirit Ruins Market," an intelligence agent from the Spirit Union Chamber of Commerce said excitedly.

"But the test will definitely be very difficult, so we must be fully prepared," the sword cultivator from the Spirit Sword Sect reminded him.

Just then, the statues in the square suddenly came to life. They moved with heavy steps, surrounding the crowd. These statues held weapons and emitted powerful spiritual energy fluctuations.

"Oh no, we're under attack!" someone shouted.

The group quickly formed a battle formation. The sword cultivators of the Spirit Sword Sect unleashed exquisite swordsmanship, their sword energy crisscrossing as they attacked the statues. Disciples of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion manipulated their magical artifacts, releasing various spells. The "Flame Dragon Curse" engulfed one statue in flames, while the "Ice Soul Cold Light" transformed into ice shards that shot towards the other statues. Meanwhile, the intelligence agents of the Spirit Harmony Merchant Guild assisted from the sidelines, casting support spells to enhance their teammates' strength.

Although the statues moved slowly, their defenses were extremely strong. Sword cultivators' sword energy only left shallow marks on them; magical artifacts and spells could only cause them to pause slightly.

"This can't go on. We have to find the statue's weakness," the team leader said anxiously.

Just when everyone was in trouble, a disciple of Wanbaoge suddenly realized that the statue's eyes seemed to be its weak point. He quickly reminded everyone: "Attack their eyes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone adjusted their attack direction. The sword cultivator from the Spirit Sword Sect seized the opportunity, striking a statue's eye with pinpoint accuracy. The statue, struck in the eye, let out a muffled roar, its body swayed, and then collapsed with a crash.

Seeing this, the other team members followed suit. After a fierce battle, they finally defeated all the statues. However, before they could even catch their breath, the tower's doors slowly opened, and an even more powerful surge of spiritual energy emanated from within.

"It seems the real test is yet to come. Is everyone ready?" The team leader looked at everyone with a determined gaze.