Courtyard House: Report enemy agents at the start, and you'll take off immediately.

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A girl in an elegant long dress appeared before them, beautiful and graceful, yet exuding a formidable power. "Welcome everyone—I am the elven envoy who governs this territory."

Faced with this unexpectedly beautiful stranger, everyone was momentarily at a loss for words. It was Zhao De who broke the silence first: "So, what does Your Excellency wish to do? To hinder or to help?"

The elf chuckled, "Don't be so defensive... If you're willing to accept the trial and prove you possess sufficient strength and virtue, you'll not only receive my assistance but also have a smooth journey; otherwise, if you're not qualified, I'll have to regretfully send you away~"

"Another test?" Linna muttered impatiently. "Fine, tell me, how are you going to test us?"

The girl looked pleased: "Very good, a straightforward personality is very endearing. Now please follow me—to the depths of the Misty Forest, where a place where treasures are hidden awaits you. Find them and you can pass this level! But remember, time is running out; you must return here before sunset."

After speaking, he turned and walked towards the gate. The team members exchanged glances and then followed him on their new journey. They walked through one mysterious forest after another, their path dappled with sunlight filtering through the dense foliage.

Upon entering the so-called 'Misty Forest,' the situation became even more bizarre—the once bright sunlight became weak and almost completely absent; the surrounding air was damp and cold, making people feel uncomfortable; and most troublesome of all was the omnipresent and unpredictable white mist...

"Can we really find treasure here?" Xiao Zhang asked doubtfully.

Whether we find it or not, we've come this far, there's no turning back. Zhao De responded firmly.

Just as everyone was struggling forward, several dazzling lights suddenly appeared ahead. Upon closer inspection, they turned out to be several glowing objects floating in mid-air, emitting light to guide their way. "Look over there!" Linna shouted excitedly, "Is this what we're looking for?"

That's right, the elf appeared at the right moment and explained: Those gems are the rewards I want to give to the truly brave. Each gem has a special meaning and corresponding effect~ But please note that you must not split up before you have collected them all!

Despite hearing this warning, everyone remained incredibly excited. After all, they were about to achieve their goal and leave this place, so who would care about any potential dangers?

"Let's go!" Zhao De took the lead, stepping forward and leading the entire team into the mist to search for the legendary treasure...

Just as everyone was basking in the joy of their harvest, a deafening roar suddenly echoed throughout the forest. "Oh no! It sounds like a large creature has been attracted here," Linna said nervously.

Chapter 901 Is it pure and flawless?

Chapter 901 Is it pure and flawless?

The surrounding fog grew thicker, severely limiting visibility and making it impossible to see what was approaching. All they could feel was the ground trembling more intensely, causing the branches overhead to sway and rustle in the wind. "Be careful, don't fall behind," Zhao De's voice sounded more serious than ever.

Then, a dark shadow suddenly broke through the thick white barrier and rushed in front of them—it was an enormous monster covered in thick scales, exuding a chilling aura, like a living fossil...

"Wow—what's going on?!" Linna exclaimed and stepped back, but her partner grabbed her wrist firmly to steady her.

"Concentrate! Proceed according to plan!" Zhao De decisively directed his teammates to quickly disperse and surround the enemy, preparing for battle. At the same time, he himself stepped forward, weapon in hand, to draw the monster's attention, making it easier for his companions to launch an attack.

The behemoth roared, causing leaves to fall from the surrounding trees. Its massive body loomed in and out of the mist, each breath releasing a puff of hot air. Zhao De met its gaze firmly, not backing down an inch. "Follow my orders! Linna, prepare to cast a spell for cover. The rest of you, find an opportunity to flank the monster from the side or rear and launch an attack."

"Understood!" Linna nodded quickly in response. Then she began to chant the incantation in a low voice. Clusters of blue light gradually gathered in the air. As the last syllable was uttered from her lips, the energy suddenly surged towards the opposite side, transforming into a sky full of light arrows heading towards the target.

Meanwhile, the other teammates weren't idle either. Upon hearing the captain's instructions, they immediately began tactical maneuvers according to their usual training: Xiao Jie nimbly leaped into the treetops, trying to find the best position to deliver a fatal blow; on the other side, Xiao Mei, skilled in close combat, gripped her exceptionally sharp dagger and slowly circled around to the right, taking cover nearby; as for Lily, the team's support healer, she had already begun preparing potions...

Just as the two sides were about to clash head-on, they suddenly heard the gentle yet undeniable voice of the elf envoy from the side: "Brave warriors, please stop." Although the voice was gentle, it carried an unyielding power, and everyone involuntarily stopped what they were doing.

The mysterious and elegant being slowly approached the behemoth, reaching out to gently stroke its hard, rough skin. "Don't worry, my old friends. They are here to complete the trial, not malicious intruders." Reassured by this, the creature, which had been so aggressive and seemed ready to devour people, immediately quieted down, no longer roaring but nodding obediently as if it understood everything.

Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and lowered their guard, gathering together again. However, after that close call, a complex expression inevitably appeared on everyone's face. "Thank you for your understanding... but may I ask why such a monster suddenly appeared? And what exactly is this so-called 'trial'?" Faced with the sudden situation and unknown information, Zhao De politely inquired, trying to understand more about the truth so that he could make a more prudent decision and successfully complete the mission to return home safely.

The elf gazed at the adventurers from the outside world with eyes full of wisdom and peace, then smiled and explained, "This land does indeed conceal many strange powers and guardians. For outsiders, this could easily lead to misunderstandings or even trouble… But rest assured, since you have successfully found the treasure, it means you have already begun to qualify for challenges! Next, you only need to prove whether your hearts are pure and innocent."

Chapter 902 Impatiently Pressing for an Answer

Chapter 902 Impatiently Pressing for an Answer

After saying this, he waved his hand and conjured a map that shimmered with a faint green light, which he then spread out in front of everyone. He continued, "According to the information recorded on this ancient map, in order to leave this area smoothly, we must first find the four divine stones distributed in the four corners and gather them together to open the door to the outside world."

Upon hearing this, Linna's eyes immediately lit up, and she eagerly asked, "Wow, I see! No wonder those things were so easy to find earlier; they were practically guiding clues! Quick, give me the map so I can see which direction we should go next!" At the same time, the others also showed great enthusiasm, crowding around to study this valuable information together...

"Wait a minute." At this moment, Zhao De, who was usually calm, suddenly spoke up, stopping everyone's eagerness to get things done. He said solemnly, "Don't rush. Let's plan carefully how to allocate tasks and find all the necessary items as quickly as possible while ensuring everyone's safety. After all, we don't know what unexpected situations we might encounter along the way or how strong the enemies we might face!"

This statement immediately garnered widespread approval and response from teammates, who offered their opinions, suggestions, and discussed the specific implementation details until nightfall before finally finalizing the entire plan...

"Alright, it's decided then. We'll set off promptly at dawn tomorrow. Everyone, go back and rest, recharge your energy, and prepare yourselves mentally for a new adventure!" With these last words, Zhao De clapped his hands, stood up, and led everyone back to the camp to await the dawn as they embarked on their unknown journey once more... At that moment, several bright stars in the sky seemed to be watching over these brave young men and women as they were about to begin a new chapter.

The night was as dark as ink, dotted with starlight. Around the campfire, the adventurers sat in a circle, each preparing for the new challenge to come.

Linna studied the map that was flashing with green light with excitement, muttering to herself, "According to the markings on it, these four divine stones should be distributed in the north, east, south, and west, and are protected by the four guardian beasts respectively."

"Guardian beast?" Zhao De frowned. "Did the elves mention it?"

“No.” Linna shook her head, then pointed to a mark on the map. “But look at this mark, it’s clearly not an ordinary thing. And if it were just to let us leave, they wouldn’t have set up so many obstacles.”

“That’s true.” Zhao De pondered for a moment. “In that case, let’s split into four groups. This will save time and reduce the probability of encountering danger.”

At this moment, Xiaoyun, who had been sitting quietly to the side, spoke up: "Dividing into four groups is more efficient, but what about safety? What if there's an emergency..."

“So we need to allocate our forces properly.” Zhao De nodded in agreement with her concerns. “Zhao De and I will go north, which is a dense forest area. Xiao Yun and Lin Na will go south, where the terrain looks complicated. The rest of us will split into two groups to take charge of the east and west respectively.”

"What about me? I want to go with the captain!" Suddenly, someone popped up from behind—David, the youngest member of the team but the most outgoing.

Everyone couldn't help but smile at this. Ever since David joined them, he had always been eager to go on adventures with the strongest members, and his constant enthusiasm added a lot of fun to this arduous journey.

Chapter 903 Next Step

Chapter 903 Next Step

After some discussion, it was decided that the experienced old hunter Uncle Wang would take David to the east side, while the west side would be left to Lina, the female warrior in the team, and her trusted friend Kevin to search.

As dawn broke, the group prepared to depart. Before leaving, they encouraged each other. Zhao De, in particular, solemnly warned everyone to be extremely careful and not to be careless.

"Everyone, our goal on this journey is clear: to retrieve all the divine stones and return home safely!" He looked around with unwavering determination. "No matter what difficulties we encounter along the way, we must unite and help each other. Most importantly, we must remain calm and not panic! Remember, we are one team!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a dazzling streak of light streaked across the sky, drawing everyone's attention. It was as if it were a final, brilliant blessing bestowed upon the group of young men and women.

Finally, as the first rays of dawn touched the earth, four groups of people, heading in different directions, embarked on their journey to find the divine artifact...

The dense forest was filled with the sounds of birdsong, creating an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere. Zhao De walked ahead, carefully parting the layers of vines with his longsword to find a path; close behind him was another Zhao De, bow and arrow in hand, keeping watch on their surroundings, ready to respond to any unexpected situations. The two proceeded in silence, occasionally exchanging glances to confirm their next move…

After walking for about half an hour, a towering stone gate suddenly appeared ahead, blocking their path. "This seems to be one of the destinations, right?" Zhao De asked softly, looking at his companion for his opinion.

“Hmm...it seems correct.” Zhao De nodded and also observed the surroundings. “But it feels like something is watching us from the shadows…”

Before he could finish speaking, a roar suddenly rang out, shaking the leaves. Then, a huge beast leaped out from behind the bushes and stood directly in front of the two of them—it was the legendary bear, the lord of the northern forest!

"Prepare for battle!" Zhao De commanded in a low voice, quickly nocking an arrow, drawing the bowstring, aiming at the enemy's vital points, and preparing to fire...

Just as the atmosphere reached its most tense moment, a clear and loud whistle rang out from not far away, instantly diverting the giant beast's attention as it turned to glare angrily at the source of the sound...

Zhao De swiftly drew his longsword from his waist and assumed a defensive stance. The beast seemed enraged by the sudden whistle, letting out an even louder roar that shook the entire forest. "Is someone trying to rescue us? Or... is this a trap?" Zhao De wondered to himself, his grip on his bow and arrow never faltering.

The whistles sounded again, this time clearer and more frequent, clearly from more than one direction. Suddenly, several agile figures leaped out from all directions, each adorned with strange accessories or weapons that were obviously far beyond ordinary equipment. The woman at the head, wearing a light and ornate cloak and holding a long staff that shimmered with a faint light, was clearly a magic user.

"Hey kids, looks like you're in a bit of trouble," she said with a smile and a slightly relaxed tone, her bright eyes constantly scanning her surroundings. "Don't worry, we'll help."

Hearing the other party address them in such a way, especially with such a slightly contemptuous attitude, made Zhao De somewhat displeased. "Sister, please deal with this big guy in front of you first!"

Chapter 904 Swiftly Launching the Operation

Chapter 904 Swiftly Launching the Operation

The female mage smiled and said nothing more, simply raising her staff and gently waving it at the bear. Immediately, an invisible yet palpable force seemed to gather in the air around her—the temperature plummeted, the air became humid and heavy… As the last syllable fell, a massive ice spike materialized out of thin air and hurtled towards the roaring, furious beast at incredible speed!

The ice spike slammed into the bear's thick chest, failing to instantly defeat it but successfully drawing most of its attention. "Now!" the woman shouted, turning around. At the same time, several team members quickly sprang into action: a tall, muscular man wielding a giant axe charged straight towards the opponent's left, while the other two circled around to the right to prepare for a pincer attack.

Just as the battle reached its climax, faint but unsettling sounds suddenly echoed from the forest. Just as everyone thought new enemies had appeared, they discovered—it was another squad arriving to provide support! "Great! How did you find this place?" Seeing his companions arrive safely, Zhao De was both delighted and puzzled.

The boy leading the other team explained, "We heard a lot of commotion over here, so we rushed over. Luckily, we arrived in time, otherwise it would have been troublesome." He looked at the monster still fiercely fighting and added, "Let's all attack together and end this battle as soon as possible!"

With more help joining the fray, the previously evenly matched situation suddenly changed. Even the mighty bear couldn't withstand the combined attack and finally collapsed after several struggles. Just as everyone was about to relax a little, the female leader of the mysterious team warned them:

"Don't let your guard down. This is just the beginning, and there may be more unexpected things to come... Moreover, what you really want from this trip has not yet appeared."

This statement immediately drew everyone's attention. They re-examined the area, and a sense lingered in their hearts that things were not so simple.

“You’re right, we must remain vigilant,” Zhao De nodded and turned to his teammates, giving them orders: “Check that everyone’s equipment is complete and undamaged, then we will continue our exploration! Remember, be ready to meet any challenge at any time.”

So, after a brief rest, the gradually expanding expedition team once again embarked on the road to the unknown depths, each person carrying a more determined resolve and a higher level of vigilance...

As night quietly descended, stars dotted the sky, and the dense forest grew even more tranquil. Just as the group gathered around the campfire to discuss their next plan, a low, eerie echo drifted from afar—the cry unique to creatures of the night…

"What's that sound? It sounds really strange." Zhao De frowned and said warily.

"Shh—everyone be quiet, watch your surroundings," Zhao De whispered, gripping his longsword tightly and scanning the darkness around him warily. "Perhaps, the real test has only just begun..."

Just as Zhao De finished speaking, the surroundings seemed to grow even quieter, with only the crackling of the campfire occasionally emitting a soft sound. But that sound was like a thorn, making everyone's heart involuntarily leap into their throats.

Chapter 905 Seeking a Solution

Chapter 905 Seeking a Solution

"Captain, do you think the ruins we're looking for might be hidden in here?" Young Li Siyuan asked in a low voice, his eyes filled with both curiosity and worry. "If that's the case, could the unidentified object in the darkness be the Guardian?"

Zhao De shook his head: "We don't have enough evidence to prove that yet, but judging from everything that's happened so far, this is definitely not an ordinary place. We have to be extra careful with every step we take."

As they were talking, a cool breeze swept through the woods, rustling the leaves and sending a shiver down the spines of those gathered around the campfire. Almost simultaneously, in the far distance within their sight, a dark figure silently emerged into the night, its movements so swift that its exact form was impossible to discern, but it undoubtedly added to the eerie atmosphere.

"Look! Over there!" Zhao De, who had been keeping a close eye on the surrounding area, suddenly warned. Before his words even finished, an uneasy atmosphere immediately arose in the seemingly calm place, as if some unknown creature was slowly approaching them.

Immediately afterwards, several indistinct figures rapidly converged from all directions, eventually stopping less than twenty meters away from the expedition team. They did not immediately launch an attack, but instead stared at the intruders with an almost scrutinizing gaze, instantly filling the air with a suffocating sense of pressure.

"It seems tonight is destined to be anything but peaceful." Faced with this situation, the young man, who had led another small team to provide support and was known as "Brother Feng" by everyone, said calmly. He stood up, his bow and arrow already poised to strike, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment.

On the other side, the female leader was equally assertive, calmly issuing instructions: "Maintain formation and closely observe changes in the surrounding environment. If these guys are hostile, ensure your own safety first before looking for an opportunity to retaliate."

As time passed, the tension reached its peak, but unexpectedly, the mysterious creatures did not launch any attack. Instead, after a brief standoff, one of them, seemingly capable of communicating with humans, spoke—though its pronunciation was extremely strange and difficult to understand, all those present with the relevant skills grasped its general meaning: