Chapter 664
Chapter 664
The journey to the north was more difficult than expected. The scenery along the way gradually changed from lush to desolate. The snow-covered land was dead silent, and the cold wind blew across the face like a knife. As they went deeper, the temperature dropped sharply, and there was white mist in every breath. Every step had to be taken carefully to avoid slipping on the ice.
"In this frozen world, it feels like time has stood still." Jack wrapped himself tightly in his heavy fur coat, and the hot air he exhaled instantly condensed into frost.
"Stay vigilant. The cold in the north is just the beginning of the test." Zhao Ming's voice came through the cold wind, steady and powerful.
Eunjeong walked at the front of the team, observing the surrounding terrain from time to time: "The terrain here is not favorable for us. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Once we are attacked, it will be difficult to respond quickly."
Just as everyone was immersed in being alert to the surrounding environment, a sharp whistle broke the silence, followed by the sound of a series of arrows breaking through the air and rushing straight towards the team. The team members quickly dispersed and dodged, and the rain of arrows left a series of cracks on the ice.
"There's an ambush!" Su Mo reacted quickly, sword in hand, eyes as sharp as an eagle.
What they faced was not the test of nature, but the enemy lurking in the dark. A group of hunters wearing animal skins and with faces full of vicissitudes carved by wind and snow emerged from the surrounding snow, holding ice weapons and exuding a cold breath.
"We have no intention of fighting, we are just passing by." Su Mo tried to communicate, hoping to resolve the conflict peacefully.
The leading hunter sneered and said in a rough voice: "The North is not a place where outsiders can set foot at will. Either leave all your property behind, or leave your life behind."
"It seems that dialogue can't solve the problem." Li Zixue said in a low voice, gathering light in his hands, ready to fight.
The battle was about to break out, a clash of ice and sword, a collision of light and cold. Although the hunters were agile, they gradually showed their disadvantages under the alliance of the messenger of light. However, at this critical moment, a stronger cold wind swept in, accompanied by a deep voice: "Enough, let these outsiders see the true power of the North!"
As the words fell, a tall hunter leader stepped into the battlefield. There seemed to be a storm in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, the temperature around him dropped to the extreme point, and ice flew around like sharp blades.
"Everyone, concentrate the power of light. We can't lose!" Zhao Ming commanded loudly, with the Heart of Light shining in his palm. The warm light and the biting cold wind formed a sharp contrast.
Just as the two sides were fighting fiercely, a strange vibration came from the ground, the surrounding ice began to crack, and the outline of an ancient and huge building slowly emerged - it was the frozen ruins they were looking for.
"It seems that our destination is just around the corner." Su Mo took the opportunity to suggest, trying to divert the enemy's attention.
The hunters' attack slowed down a bit. The leading hunter narrowed his eyes and examined the ruins that suddenly appeared. "That place does not belong to you, but today, I can let you live as a sign of respect for the unknown powerful force."
The two sides reached a subtle tacit understanding, and the hunters slowly retreated, leaving behind a road leading to the frozen ruins. The messengers of light did not delay and continued to move forward, feeling both apprehensive about the unknown and determined to fulfill their mission.
Entering the ruins, the scene in front of you is shocking. This is a palace forgotten by time. Crystal clear ice pillars support the huge dome. Ancient and mysterious runes are carved on the walls, glowing under the weak light. There is a solemn and sacred atmosphere in the air, as if every inch of space contains ancient wisdom and power.
"This is the place we are looking for." Zhao Ming looked around, with indescribable emotions surging in his heart.
At this moment, a low and melodious flute sound echoed in the ruins, as if leading them to explore deeper. Following this strange melody, the messengers of light passed through the winding corridors and finally came to a magnificent palace.
In the center of the hall, a ray of light rose from the ground. An old and yellowed book was suspended in it, emitting a soft and warm light - that was the legendary "Guide to Glorious Light".
"Finally found it!" Li Zixue's voice was filled with irrepressible excitement.
Just as everyone was about to approach, a hurried sound of footsteps came from the darkness, and several guardians in gorgeous clothes and solemn faces appeared at the door of the hall. Their eyes were sharp, and it seemed that they would not allow anyone to touch the ancient book easily.
"Who are you? No one is allowed to approach the Glorious Guide without permission!" a guardian who looked like the leader said in a deep voice.
"We are messengers of light. We are looking for the mentor of light to save the world from darkness." Su Mo stepped forward, his tone firm but respectful.
"Teacher of Light? The one in the prophecy?" The guardians looked a little surprised. They exchanged glances, as if they were weighing something.
Finally, the leader-like guardian slowly spoke: "Prove your qualifications and pass the trial. The Glorious Guide will judge whether you are the true successor of light."
A new test has quietly begun.
At dawn, the three of them were ready to go and headed for the Forgotten Valley. The journey was long and bumpy, crossing dense forests and climbing over high mountains, and every step was full of unknowns and challenges. Along the way, they helped many trapped travelers, spreading light and hope, and also gained the admiration and blessings from people from all over the world.
Finally, on a full-moon night, they stood at the entrance of the Forgotten Valley. The valley was filled with mist, and the depths of the mist seemed to hide unspeakable secrets. As they went deeper, the surrounding scenery began to change, and fragments of vague memories floated in the air, trying to attract them to lose themselves in the past.
"Be careful, these memory fragments may make us lose our way, we must stay awake." Zhao Ming reminded, and the power of thunder and lightning swirled around him, opening a clear path for the team.
As they walked forward cautiously, a figure suddenly emerged from the mist. It was an old man in a cloak, with an old face but an extraordinary temperament. "Travelers, why did you come to this forgotten place?" The old man's voice was vicissitudes and deep.
"We are looking for the Crown of Hope. Do you know its whereabouts?" Li Zixue stepped forward and asked. The Book of Wisdom in his hand glowed slightly, as if he was also looking for an answer.
The old man smiled slightly, revealing a bit of mystery: "The Crown of Hope is not a physical object, it represents the faith in people's hearts. The Forgotten Valley will test whether you truly understand the meaning of 'hope'. Only by passing the trial can you gain that power."
As soon as the words fell, the scene around them suddenly changed, and they seemed to be in their most desperate moments. Zhao Ming faced endless wars and sacrifices, Su Mo fell into a nightmare of natural destruction and the destruction of all things, and Li Zixue was lost in the ocean of knowledge, facing a mystery that could never be solved.
“Remember, hope is not an illusion of escaping reality, but the fire in your heart that remains burning when facing difficulties.” The old man’s voice echoed in every trial space.
The three struggled and fought, and found their faith on the edge of despair. Zhao Ming slashed his fear with his sword, Su Mo revived his withered life with love, and Li Zixue found the beacon of wisdom in the maze of knowledge. Finally, the trial ended, they returned to reality, and everything around them returned to peace.
"Congratulations, you have found the true Crown of Hope." The old man nodded approvingly, "This power has been deeply rooted in your hearts, enough to fight against any darkness."
The three smiled at each other. They understood that the sword of courage, the shield of compassion, and the awakened hope in their hearts were their most precious treasures. Under the night sky, they set out on their journey again. This time, they had light in their hearts and were fearless.
"No matter how many challenges there are in the future, as long as we are together, nothing is impossible." Zhao Ming's words were full of determination and pride.
"That's true, Zhao Ming." Su Mo chuckled, with a gentle light in his eyes. "The power of nature tells me that the power of connecting hearts is stronger than any magic in the world. The journey of the three of us proves this point."
“Not only that,” Li Zixue added, the book of wisdom gently opened, as if showing past experiences, “every challenge we encounter, every problem we solve, is teaching us how to combine knowledge, courage and love to create miracles that transcend everything.”
Just as the three of them were immersed in the hard-earned peace and strength, the Book of Wisdom suddenly vibrated slightly, as if responding to some unknown call. This sudden change interrupted their thoughts, and the tranquility in the air suddenly became tense.
"What... is going on?" Li Zixue looked at the Book of Wisdom in her hand in surprise. The pages moved without wind, emitting a faint light, as if foreshadowing something unusual that was about to happen.
Zhao Ming looked around vigilantly, lightning swirling around him, ready to respond to any possible threats at any time. "Foreign invasion, or a deeper crisis... We must be alert immediately."
Su Mo closed her eyes and extended her perception to the surroundings. The power of nature surged in her body, allowing her to feel the subtle tremors of the earth. "It's not just the Book of Wisdom. The earth is also warning us that something is approaching, and it's very powerful."
Before he finished speaking, dark clouds gathered in the distant sky, blocking the moonlight, and a heavy and oppressive atmosphere enveloped the entire Forgotten Valley. Then, the ground shook more intensely, accompanied by a deafening roar, and figures broke out of the ground one after another. They were huge creatures made of solid rock, and their eyes burned with ominous red light.
"Stone puppet! How... is this possible?" Zhao Ming's lightning seemed weak in front of the stone puppet, and he shouted in disbelief. These stone puppets were mentioned in ancient legends. They were sealed ancient guardians and should not wake up at this time.
"It seems that we have awakened a power that should not be awakened." Li Zixue frowned and quickly flipped through the Book of Wisdom, hoping to find a way to fight back.
At this critical moment, a voice sounded in the minds of the three people, ancient and majestic: "Foreign invasion is the greatest blasphemy to this land. You must prove yourself and protect this power, otherwise, destruction will follow."
It was the old man who guided them through the trial. The voice seemed to come from all directions, but his figure could not be found.
"Proof? How can we prove it?" Su Mo asked loudly, and the power of nature gathered around her into a protective green. But she knew that defense alone could not last long.
"Guide with the light of wisdom, open with the sword of courage, and protect with the heart of compassion. Your union will be the only way to resist foreign enemies." The old man's response echoed in the wind, and then a strong light burst out from the Book of Wisdom, turning into three rays of light and merging into the bodies of the three people respectively.
Zhao Ming's body was surrounded by lightning, making him even more swift and powerful; a shining sword of nature appeared in Su Mo's hand, extremely sharp; Li Zixue was surrounded by a light blue shield, and the light of wisdom flowed around her, giving her insight into everything.
"Are you ready?" Zhao Ming asked loudly.
"Always prepared." Su Mo and Li Zixue answered at the same time, their eyes full of determination.
As the stone puppets approached step by step, they stood side by side, forming an unbreakable line of defense. The battle was about to break out, lightning and sword light intertwined, mercy and wisdom resonated, every attack was extremely accurate, and every defense was impeccable.
The battle lasted until late at night. After an arduous struggle, the stone puppets finally collapsed one by one under the combination of light and wisdom. The earth returned to peace and the threat dissipated.
When the last rays of afterglow faded, the three were exhausted, but their hearts were filled with unprecedented fulfillment and joy. They knew that this victory was not only a success against foreign enemies, but also a huge boost to their self-belief.
"It seems that we have not only found the Crown of Hope, but also learned how to use it to the fullest." Li Zixue closed the Book of Wisdom with a satisfied smile on his face.
"That's right, as long as we unite as one, there will be no difficulties that we cannot overcome." Zhao Ming clenched his fists, with an unyielding light flashing in his eyes.
"However, this has just begun." Su Mo looked at the dawn in the distance, his tone solemn, "The awakening of that power may just be the precursor to a bigger storm."
"So, where should we go next?" Li Zixue asked, her book of wisdom gently opening, as if expecting new revelations.
"The bright road will never appear before us on its own, but as long as we have hope in our hearts, we should move forward courageously." Zhao Ming's words inspired everyone, and their hearts were closely connected by a common goal.
As the three were discussing their next move, a passing villager happened to hear their conversation. He approached with a look of shock on his face and said in a trembling voice: "You... are you the legendary messengers of light who fight against darkness? I have heard the elders mention that when the world falls into despair, three heroes will come with the light of hope to illuminate the way forward." (End of this chapter)
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