MM Racing Page 398
Page 398
Just then, a strong gust of wind swept up sand and dust, obscuring everyone's view. When the dust settled, the scene that unfolded before them made them involuntarily hold their breath...
Chapter 1117 Fate
Chapter 1117 Fate
A tall figure stood not far from them. Unlike the unsettling aura emanating from typical hostile creatures, this being of unknown origin exuded a sense of peace and power; clad in magnificent armor and wielding a long-handled giant axe, it stood there like a hero from ancient legends, radiating an indescribable charm and intimidation—more importantly, it did not immediately adopt an attack stance, but instead spoke slowly in a gentle and deep voice:
"Brave warriors who have traveled from afar, what fate has led you here...?"
Zhao De stepped forward first, cupped his hands in greeting, and replied, "I am a disciple of the Zhao family. My friends and I embarked on this path in pursuit of the truth. May I ask if you are the resident of this place?"
The tall figure nodded slightly, seemingly appreciating Zhao De's politeness: "You may call me that. I am the guardian of this land, named Zhao De." He paused, then continued, "Few mortals can enter this place and survive, let alone see me in person. You are indeed rare warriors."
Zhao De stepped forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of wariness and curiosity: "Respected Guardian, now that we have arrived here, could you please provide us with some information? We are looking for a friend who has been missing for a long time, and it is said that clues to his whereabouts lie in this ancient and mysterious land."
Zhao De's gaze swept over each person, finally settling on his own face. He slowly nodded: "I can help you, but before that, I need to confirm one thing—are your hearts steadfast? Are your motives pure?"
"No matter what difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, nothing can stop us from moving forward!" Zhao De straightened his back, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. "The person we are looking for is of great importance to me, and for him, we are willing to pay any price!"
Zhao De smiled slightly, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "Very good," he said, "I will guide you, but I must also warn you that this path is full of challenges and unknown dangers."
As he pointed to the distant mountains, he said, “Traversing those mist-shrouded forests, scaling icy peaks, and delving into dark dungeons, each trial is a selection process to sift out the truly trustworthy forces. Only those who pass the trials can reach the place where the answers you seek lie.”
Just as everyone was immersed in thinking about how to begin their new journey, Guo Jing suddenly spoke up: "Then may I ask you, esteemed guard, before we set off, could you answer a question for us: about the real enemy hidden in the shadows that you mentioned earlier—is this related to our journey?"
After a moment of silence, Zhao De said in a deep voice, "There is indeed a connection, but it is not convenient to discuss the specifics at the moment. However, there is one thing I must remind you all to pay attention to—the forces you are about to face are far beyond your imagination, so remember to stay united."
Upon hearing this, Zhao De gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, a resolute glint in his eyes: "No matter how treacherous and tortuous the road ahead may be, it is enough as long as you are by my side, fighting side by side!"
At this moment, a tense yet exciting atmosphere filled the air; everyone knew what thrilling stories awaited them... Suddenly, a gust of wind broke the silence, and then a gentle yet firm voice rang out:
"Then, esteemed Guardian Zhao De, may we depart?" Zhao De broke the silence, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for adventure.
Chapter 1118 Herbs
Chapter 1118 Herbs
Zhao De nodded slightly, his gaze sharp as he looked at them: "Yes, you may set off now. But remember, this land hides countless secrets and dangers, so proceed with caution at every step."
Just then, Zhao De's gaze fell upon a strange plant not far away. It emitted a faint glow, making it appear quite peculiar. "What is that?" she asked softly, her curiosity driving her toward the plant.
“Oh, that’s Star Dream Grass, a very rare herb,” Zhao De explained. “It can restore fatigue and heals wounds, and it’s extremely precious in this ancient land.”
Zhao De turned to look at his companions: "We should bring some, just in case."
“Good idea,” Zhao De nodded in agreement, and pointed to another spot, “There are a few more there, feel free to pick them. But don’t be greedy, after all, natural things should be cherished.”
Just as the three were busy gathering Star Dream Grass, a low, guttural roar suddenly echoed from afar. This sound made the previously peaceful atmosphere oppressive. "Look!" Guo Jing pointed to a large patch of dark clouds appearing on the edge of the sky. "That seems to be some kind of demonic creature gathering..."
Zhao De frowned slightly: "Indeed, the monsters here seem unusually active lately; perhaps something is quietly unfolding." No sooner had he finished speaking than the dark cloud approached at an alarming speed, as if driven by some irresistible force, flying towards their location!
"Everyone, evacuate immediately!" Zhao De commanded calmly and firmly. He turned and charged towards the uninvited guests, his giant axe slicing through the air with a fierce gale. An invisible yet sharp energy blade instantly formed, cleaving the first shadow monster in two. "Protect yourselves, and try to stall for time until they are all dealt with!"
The battle was ever-changing, and in this life-or-death moment, no one hesitated. Zhao De swiftly swung his weapon, drawing arcs in the air; each attack left a trail of nothingness, making it difficult for the enemy to get close. At the same time, the other four also unleashed their respective skills—Zhao De's energy ball, Guo Jing's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, and Zhao De's agile use of various props—the five of them formed a close-knit team.
After a brief but intense struggle, the situation gradually stabilized. Silence returned as the last monster fell. "We were only able to escape thanks to everyone's excellent teamwork," Zhao De said breathlessly, his face beaming with victory despite his disheveled appearance.
“Yes, but what’s even more crucial is the trust and support between us,” Zhao De added, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Only in this way can we unleash our full fighting potential, right?”
Guo Jing nodded in agreement: "That's right, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles we encounter in the future, we will be able to overcome them one by one, right?"
At this moment, Zhao De walked over and interrupted their conversation: "It's a pity that you don't have much time to rest and recuperate," he said, "because the real trial is imminent."
Hearing this, everyone's heartstrings tightened again. "What kind of trial are you referring to...?" Zhao De asked first, looking directly at the other person and waiting for an answer.
The guardian gazed at the distant horizon and slowly spoke: "That is to go to the 'Abyss of Despair' to find and rescue the souls trapped there for a thousand years... It is said that the power to change fate is hidden there."
Chapter 1119 The Direction Forward
Chapter 1119 The Direction Forward
Silence fell upon them, broken only by the soft sound of the wind. "The Abyss of Despair…that legendary place?" Zhao Decai finally spoke, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Yes, and this operation is crucial to achieving your goal," the Guardian replied. "However, the most important thing now is to determine our direction."
Zhao De's words echoed in the air, and a solemn expression appeared on everyone's face. Zhao De was the first to break the silence, "Then, Guardian, may I ask how we should proceed to the Abyss of Despair? Is it filled with even more unimaginable dangers?"
“You’re right.” Zhao De nodded slowly. “The road to the abyss of despair is not only filled with various natural obstacles, but also hides many powerful demons. More importantly, it is dark and gloomy there all year round, making it easy to lose one’s way. We must rely on a special map to guide our way.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao De couldn't help but ask, "Then how can we obtain such a map?"
The guardian smiled slightly. "The map is inside this tower, guarded by my master. But he never leaves the tower, only meeting with specific people at specific times. According to the prophet's prediction, the only chance to find him is when the moon is at its fullest today—that is, in three hours."
“Three hours…” Guo Jing murmured, but his eyes shone with an unprecedented determination. “That’s enough! We must get our hands on this crucial map no matter what!” With that, he clenched his fist, ready to act immediately.
"Alright, since that's the decision, let's get ready to set off quickly," Zhao De suggested, while checking all the items and weapons he was carrying. "Who knows, we might even run into some unexpected good things!"
"Good idea, let's look around for any useful resources or clues," Zhao De agreed, glancing around for anything that might be useful. The sky was gradually darkening, night was quietly falling, and the entire forest was shrouded in a mysterious yet slightly unsettling atmosphere under the dim light.
Led by Zhao De, the four of them began their journey towards their destination. They occasionally encountered low-level monsters along the way, but they easily dealt with them. Just as everyone was focused on their journey, Guo Jing suddenly stopped. "Wait, listen to that sound..."
Following his suggestion, they listened intently for a while and then heard intermittent yet very familiar moans. "Someone must be calling for help!" Zhao De frowned, expressing his concern.
The group nodded in understanding and quickened their pace towards the source of the sound. They eventually found a figure huddled together, shivering, in a small valley hidden by vines. The person was thin, dressed in tattered clothes, and appeared to be injured.
Just as they were about to approach to learn more, the figure suddenly raised its head and looked at them with fear in its eyes, muttering something under its breath...
"Don't be afraid, little friend. Are you in some kind of trouble?" Zhao De crouched down and said gently, trying to comfort the clearly frightened young man. "We're not bad people. Can you tell us what happened? Maybe we can help."
Chapter 1120 Attack by an Unknown Evil Force
Chapter 1120 Attack by an Unknown Evil Force
The young man still looked at them warily, and after a long while, he spoke in a trembling voice, "Are you... really good people? I... I'm a villager who escaped from the north. A few days ago, the village was attacked by an unknown evil force, and everyone was captured. Only a few people managed to escape."
Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped in shock. If even innocent civilians were not spared, then the force behind all this could not be underestimated. "Thank you for telling us this information," Zhao De said in a deep voice. "We will try our best to find out the truth and rescue your villagers."
"But...but...that force is just too strong! Ordinary people have no way to fight against it..." The young man's voice grew weaker and weaker.
"Don't worry, as long as we're here, we won't stand idly by!" Zhao De encouraged, clenching his fists. "But the most important thing right now is to get the map into the Abyss of Despair as soon as possible. Only then can we grasp the key to changing the situation!"
"Well... then you must be careful..." The young man nodded to show his understanding and support, and then, with the help of Zhao De and the others, he temporarily found a secluded place to rest and wait for the rescue forces to arrive.
The group then continued their journey towards the tower as planned. When they finally saw the ancient building after passing through the last dense forest, the moon was at its highest point. "Looks like we made it... Now we'll face unknown challenges," Zhao De remarked, gazing at the magnificent sight before him.
Just as everyone was immersed in the tension of the upcoming challenge, a strange wind blew by, causing everyone to shiver involuntarily. Zhao De looked up at the mysterious symbol shimmering with a faint light at the top of the tower and muttered to himself, "Is this the legendary entrance to the 'Abyss of Despair'? I have a feeling that this place is full of many incredible secrets."
"Let's hurry up," Zhao De reminded them. "The longer we wait, the more likely something will go wrong. The sooner we get the map, the safer we'll be."
The group nodded in agreement and, led by him, cautiously approached the tower gate. As they drew nearer to the target building, a sense of oppression grew stronger—it felt as if an invisible pair of eyes were watching their every move.
Just before the four were about to step into the castle, Guo Jing suddenly stopped, turned around and said to everyone, "If there is any danger inside... you should leave immediately. I will try to get the map I have!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao De immediately retorted, "Are you kidding me? This is a time for teamwork; we must face difficulties together!"
Zhao De echoed, "That's right. Since we've decided to travel together, we've already tied our fates together. We must overcome any difficulties together!"
Zhao De smiled faintly and patted him on the shoulder to show encouragement and support: "Don't worry, since I've chosen to follow you on this trip, I won't give up easily. Besides, with my years of experience and abilities, I should be able to help in some way."
Seeing this, Guo Jing felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He nodded emphatically, looking gratefully at his companions' determined eyes. "Alright... let's go in together then!" he said, leading the way into the tower.
Pushing open the heavy, rusty door, a musty, damp smell hit them, and the walls were covered in cobwebs and moss. The group lit torches and slowly made their way forward, their path lined with statues and murals eroded beyond recognition by time, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Chapter 1121 Seize the Time and Take Action
Chapter 1121 Seize the Time and Take Action.
Suddenly, faint sounds filled the previously dim and silent space, causing everyone to stop in their tracks. "Shh... someone's coming!" Guo Jing whispered, quickly pulling the others to a shadowy corner to conceal themselves and carefully observe their surroundings.
Not long after, several dark figures emerged from the end of the corridor. These people wore long cloaks, their faces hidden under wide hats, making them appear very mysterious.
"Strange, this place rarely gets any visitors," one of the voices asked hoarsely. "Hmm...could it be that the guy who escaped brought these people here to cause trouble?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao De gently tugged at Zhao De's clothes to signal him to listen carefully. The latter nodded silently to indicate that he understood, and gestured for everyone to remain silent so as not to disturb her.
Only after the strangers had left his sight did Guo Jing ask softly, "What were they talking about? Did they mean that others had also broken in here?"
After a moment's thought, Zhao De replied, "That's very likely... but regardless, we must act quickly!"
The four quickened their pace. After several turns, they arrived at a huge library on the second floor, the entire space filled with the distinctive scent of books. In the center of the room sat a map bound with red string—clearly their target!
"Finally found it!" Zhao De said excitedly and was about to take a step forward, but was stopped in time: "Wait, don't rush! This is obviously a trap, we need to be careful!" Zhao De looked around warily, afraid that he might accidentally trigger some mechanism and cause unpredictable consequences.
Just as everyone was racking their brains to figure out how to safely retrieve the items, a sudden, strong tremor shook the entire building, causing dust to fall in a flurry. "Something's wrong, I sense something big is happening outside!" Zhao De said, frowning.
At the same time, a deafening roar pierced the night sky, reaching the depths of everyone's hearts, sending chills down their spines. What powerful and evil being was quietly awakening? What thrilling journey awaited them?
Zhao De looked at the other three and asked, "This voice... it doesn't seem simple. What should we do?"
Guo Jing gripped the sword at his waist tightly and replied, "No matter what, since we've chosen this path, we must continue. And I believe that as long as we are united, there are no difficulties we cannot overcome!"
Zhao De nodded slightly in agreement, then turned to Zhao De for his opinion. "Since everyone says so... then I have even more confidence to face any challenge!" A resolute light shone in her eyes.
“Alright, since that’s the case, let’s face it together. Let’s solve this problem first.” Zhao De said, taking out a pair of gloves from his backpack, putting them on, and slowly approaching the map surrounded by red rope.
Zhao De followed closely behind, a short dagger in his hand, ready to deal with any unexpected situation. "What's your plan?" he asked in a low voice.
“This map is clearly a trap set up intentionally. It’s definitely full of traps. We need to carefully remove these tripwires and hidden weapons,” Zhao De replied softly, his fingers deftly weaving through the red lines like a meticulous sculptor.