After successfully repelling the attack from the Shadow Cult, the Alliance entered a period of relatively peaceful development. Su Yao knew that they could not be content with the status quo. To establish a long-term foothold in this apocalypse and explore a way out for humanity's future, they had to delve deeper into the secrets hidden behind the crystal cores. Therefore, she searched for clues in ancient documents and finally identified a mysterious ruin that seemed to contain high-level crystal cores and powerful supernatural abilities.

Su Yao and her parents packed their belongings, carrying ample supplies and unwavering determination, and set off for the ruins. It was an ancient region buried under yellow sand, where howling winds and raging sandstorms seemed like natural barriers designed to hinder their progress. However, Su Yao used her spatial abilities to create a stable passage, allowing the family of three to safely traverse the sandstorm-stricken area.

Stepping into the ruins, an ancient and mysterious aura enveloped them. The interior was filled with intricate passages and various traps and mechanisms. Su Yao walked at the forefront, her mental abilities highly focused, cautiously probing for any dangers around her. Suddenly, the stone slabs on the ground began to move, shooting out sharp stone spikes. With lightning speed, Su Yao formed hand seals, instantly releasing her ice-based abilities, freezing the stone spikes into ice pillars.

Continuing deeper into the passage, they arrived at a vast hall. In the center of the hall sat a golden crystal core, radiating dazzling light, surrounded by powerful energy fluctuations that seemed to proclaim its extraordinary nature. However, several guardian beasts also resided around the crystal core. These guardian beasts were enormous, strangely shaped, and exuded powerful auras of supernatural abilities.

A guardian beast resembling a Qilin launched the first attack, spewing out a blazing flame that swept towards Su Yao's family like a giant dragon. Su Yao remained calm, activating her space-time ability to redirect the flames into another dimension. Her father swiftly used his earth-based ability, manipulating the rocks on the ground to form a giant fist, which he slammed towards the guardian beast. The beast easily leaped away, dodging the attack, and then pounced on her father with its sharp claws.

Just in time, Mom intervened, transforming her healing ability into a defensive shield to protect Dad. Taking advantage of this opening, Su Yao activated her mental ability, attempting to communicate with the guardian beasts. After some effort, she finally established contact with them, learning that these guardian beasts were the guardians of the ruins, and only by passing their tests could one obtain the golden crystal core.

The test was to withstand the attacks of the guardian beasts for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Su Yao's family exchanged glances, nodded, and then formed a defensive formation. The guardian beasts launched a furious barrage of attacks, their various supernatural abilities intertwining, plunging the entire hall into chaos. Su Yao continuously used her spacetime and ice-based abilities for defense and counterattacks, while her father's earth-based abilities became increasingly proficient, creating various defensive fortifications and offensive methods. Her mother, meanwhile, focused on ensuring everyone's physical strength and injury recovery.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Su Yao discovered that while the guardian beasts' attacks were powerful, there were slight gaps in their coordination. Seizing the opportunity, she gathered all her supernatural abilities and unleashed "Space-Time Flame Blast," blasting it towards the gaps in the guardian beasts' attacks. The powerful energy burst impacted the guardian beasts, disrupting their attack rhythm.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the guardian beasts ceased their attack, acknowledging the strength of Su Yao's family. The golden crystal core slowly flew to Su Yao, who reached out and grasped it, a vast surge of energy flowing into her body. Su Yao guided this energy through her body, significantly increasing her ability level and also gaining some new abilities. She shared some of the golden crystal core's energy with her parents, helping them also improve their abilities.

While exploring other areas of the ruins, Su Yao discovered some ancient murals and written records. These records revealed the origin of the crystal nuclei and a deeper connection between humans and the crystal nuclei. It turns out that the crystal nuclei were products of a cosmic catastrophe in ancient times, containing the essence of cosmic energy. Humans gradually adapted to the energy of the crystal nuclei during their evolution, which led to their supernatural abilities.

However, just as they were about to leave the ruins, the ruins suddenly trembled violently. Su Yao sensed through her mental abilities that the Shadow Cult had launched an attack outside the ruins, attempting to seize the golden crystal core they had just obtained.

Su Yao and her family rushed to the entrance of the ruins, only to find a large force of the Shadow Order surrounding them. The leader of the Shadow Order, seeing the golden crystal core in Su Yao's hand, revealed a greedy smile: "Hand over the crystal core, or today will be your death day!"

Su Yao looked at him coldly: "You can forget about getting the crystal core. This is something we obtained with all our might. It is the alliance's hope for becoming stronger!"

Tensions were high, and a new battle was about to erupt outside the ruins. Su Yao knew this battle would be far more difficult than before, as the Shadow Order was clearly well-prepared. But she was fearless. She believed that with her family's strength and the enhancements they had gained within the ruins, they could once again repel the Shadow Order and protect the golden crystal core and the future of the Alliance. In the raging storm of this apocalypse, Su Yao and her family would once again rise to the challenge, fighting for humanity's hope and writing their own heroic chapter.