Awakening of the Ancient: Rise of the Fallen

Xu Ming walked behind the Sect Master. After leaving the place, both of them got on the flying beast of the Sect Master.

The beast started flying high in the air.

It flew in the air for quite sometime before the Sect Master commanded it to land on the ground.

Xu Ming noticed that they were far away from the Sect Master's residence and in a place that had no buildings nearby.

The beast landed on the empty grasslands in the middle of nowhere.

The sect master got off the beast, and Xu Ming followed behind him. 

The Sect Master continued walking  ahead as he looked at the ground carefully as if he was looking for something. After some time, he stopped at a certain spot.

There was a hexagonal shape carved at the place on the ground. The Sect Master brought out something from his storage ring that seemed like the badge similar to the one that he had given to Xu Ming. It was slightly bigger than Xu Ming's badge, and it was hexagonal in shape, which seemed to be the same size as the carving that was on the ground.

The Sect Master placed his badge on the ground above the carving. Both to them seemed to be on perfect alignment before the Sect Master pressed the badge lightly.

After he did that, he picked up the badge and placed it back in his storage ring.

Xu Ming looked at everything curiously from behind, wondering what was going to happen. This whole thing felt somewhat new, but he could guess that it was probably a secret method to open some place.

"Follow me," the Sect Master said as he stepped 19 steps forward.

Xu Ming also walked after him so that he was standing close to him. He didn't want to screw anything up at the moment.

The Sect Master stopped after the 19th step and didn't move anymore as if he was done with whatever he was doing. Xu Ming also waited to see what would happen next. He was waiting to see some secret passageway according to his thoughts.

After a few more minutes, Xu Ming heard a noise. He could see the ground shaking slowly which was barely noticeable if someone wasn't careful.

A crack started developing on the ground in front of them, which became wider. After it was wide enough, Xu Ming noticed the stairs inside the cavity.

"Let's go in. Don't be afraid," the Sect Master said to him as he stepped towards the stairs and entered underground.

"This is weird. He wouldn't be sacrificing you, would he?" Valeria muttered with a wry smile on his face.

"It shouldn't be that. I think I have a general idea what he might be doing," Xu Ming muttered as he stepped forth.

He stepped on the stairs as well and went down.

There was a long hallway at the end of the stairs where the Sect Master was waiting for him.

"It's not far now. We'll reach there in 5 minutes," the Sect Master said as he continued ahead.

"You know who that man is?" the Sect Master asked. 

"He is the one that established this sect. He is the founder of the Mighty Demon Sect. My master brought me here when he made me his successor and decided that I would be the next sect master. He told me about the founder and everything I am about to tell you next. I wanted for everyone to grow and reach their full potential before I decided who I would select as my successor, but who would have expected that I would find a grade 10 talent," The Sect Master said as he sighed.

Xu Ming didn't react and just listened.

"There are some things about the founder that no one knows about. Even I wouldn't have known that if my master hadn't told me. The Ancestor of the Mighty Demon Sect was also a grade 10 talent just like you. It had been so many years since he died, but our sect didn't get another grade 10 talent. My master told me that the Ancestor left that box and warned everyone that it should only be given to a grade 10 talent. My master hoped that we would get a grade 10 talent someday to fulfill the Ancestor's wish, and today it will come true," The Sect Master said.

"Xu Ming, Even though this box belongs to the Ancestor, as per his wishes, I would like to give it to you. Go ahead and accept your gift," the Sect Master said.

Xu Ming looked at him for a brief moment before he stepped forward. He stood before the box, but he didn't pick it. He looked towards the portrait and bowed his head.

"Thank you for the gift," Xu Ming said, looking at the portrait.

He moved his hand towards the box and picked it up. He was about to open it, but the Sect Master stopped him.

"Don't open that here. Open it when you're back. I don't want to see what's inside as it belongs to you, and I don't want to be influenced by it," the Sect Master said.

Xu Ming nodded his head.

"Let's leave now that we are done here. This cave has fulfilled its purpose of protecting that item," the Sect Master sighed as he started walking towards the exit.

Xu Ming followed the Sect Master with the box in his hand.

They got on the flying beast of the sect master, which dropped Xu Ming in front of his courtyard.

"Don't tell anyone about the box and the thing inside it," the Sect Master told Xu Ming before leaving.

"Looks like you gained something big. I wonder what it will be," Valeria laughed out loud after the Sect Master left.

Xu Ming walked towards his courtyard and entered. He closed the door before walking to his bedroom.

He placed the box on his bed.

"Open it. Let's see what's inside. It should be a treasure or a skill most probably. Whatever it is, will be helpful to you in most cases," Valeria said.

"Unless it's a Qi crystal. I hope it isn't that," Xu Ming muttered as he shook his head.

"Think happy thoughts. There will definitely be something big inside," Valeria comforted Xu Ming.

Xu Ming reached out his hand and touched the box. He started opening it.