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

Page 253

“Thank you for your blessing, sir.” Zhao De responded with a smile, his eyes warm and firm. “We will bring back the story, not just to tell it, but to prove that nothing is impossible.”

As the trio embarked on their journey once more, the passersby they encountered along the way produced a variety of reactions:

"Look at those guys, are they another group of warriors going to challenge the Shadow Forest? I wish them good luck."

"A challenge? I think it's more like suicide! Very few people who go into that forest ever come out."

"Hey, maybe they can really do something big! After all, heroes always come from ordinary people."

As they ventured deeper into the forest, every step was fraught with unknowns and dangers, and their conversations became their strongest support for each other.

"Zhao De, do you think this gemstone will be the key to unlocking some secret?" Lin Xiao asked as they walked, clutching the faintly glowing gemstone tightly in his hand.

Zhao De frowned and pondered for a moment before replying, "Whether it's the door or the mechanism, it must be related to the core of the Shadow Forest. Isn't that exciting?"

Zhao De chuckled and interjected, "Don't forget, we have an even more important mission—to find herbs that can cure our people's illnesses. That's the original purpose of our trip."

"Of course I remember." Lin Xiao nodded, a determined light shining in his eyes. "However, if we could uncover the secrets of the forest while completing the mission, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"

Just as the three were discussing, the surrounding scenery suddenly changed. The originally dark and dense trees gradually thinned out, and beams of sunlight pierced through the canopy, shining on an ancient ruin.

"This is..." Zhao De was shocked, but even more excited.

Lin Xiao sighed softly, "It seems we really have found it."

“This is not just about finding it, Lin Xiao. We may be the first humans to set foot here in hundreds of years.” Zhao De’s eyes gleamed with a thirst for exploration.

The three walked slowly towards the ruins. The ancient stone steps were covered with moss, and each step seemed to echo with the sounds of history. At that moment, a low humming sound rose in the air, making everyone uneasy.

"What's that sound?" Lin Xiao looked around alertly, her hand unconsciously reaching for the short sword at her waist.

Zhao De stared at a stone tablet in the center of the ruins, the buzzing sound seemingly emanating from it. "The stone tablet, let's see what's engraved on it." He slowly walked forward, his fingers gently tracing the ancient characters, as if trying to decipher their secrets.

“‘At the boundary of light and darkness, a trial of courage and wisdom. Unravel the mystery of a thousand years and awaken the sleeping power.’” Zhao De read the inscription on the stone tablet word by word, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. “It seems that our arrival was not accidental, but fate that guided us here.”

“Courage and wisdom… So, what should we do?” Lin Xiao asked, noticing that the gem in her hand shone even brighter in the buzzing sound, as if it were guiding something.

Just then, a gust of wind blew by, seemingly carrying words; upon closer listening, it turned out to be the whispers of the surrounding plants and trees.

"Brave warriors, only a pure heart can comprehend the true secret."

"The test is both a trial for you and a redemption for this land."

A passerby walked by in the distance, curiously watching this scene, muttering to himself, "These young people, can they really communicate with nature? This is beyond my comprehension."

Chapter 486 Secret

Chapter 486 Secret

Zhao De took a deep breath and looked at his companions: "No matter what, there's no turning back. Since fate has chosen us, let's face it together."

Lin Xiao nodded, her gaze firm: "That's right. No matter what lies ahead, as long as the three of us are together, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome."

Zhao De gripped the map tightly, having made up his mind: "Alright, then let's follow the clues on the stone tablet and use our courage and wisdom to uncover the secrets of this place step by step."

As the three worked together, they began exploring the stone tablet, each movement executed with extreme caution. Just then, the gem in Lin Xiao's hand suddenly emitted a beam of light, pointing directly at a crack in the ruins.

"It seems the answer lies here," Zhao De said, taking the first step.

"Go for it, young generation! The whole forest is cheering you on!" Whispers echoed around them again, filled with encouragement and anticipation.

Just as the three were about to step into the depths of the crevice, a conversation came from the other side of the ruins, suggesting that others had also arrived.

"Have you heard? A group of young people recently went into the Shadow Forest, saying they're looking for some treasure."

"Treasure? Hmph, I think they're courting death. But if they actually find something, should we go and try our luck?"

Zhao De smiled slightly, turned to Lin Xiao and Zhao De and said, "It seems that our story has begun to circulate outside. No matter what others think, the important thing is that we believe in ourselves."

Lin Xiao and Zhao De exchanged a smile; their hearts were in sync, needing no further words. They stepped into the crevice and vanished into the unknown darkness, leaving behind only a resolute echo and increasing astonishment and speculation from the outside world.

Inside the crack, it was cold and damp, filled with an ancient and mysterious atmosphere. A faint light filtered through the crack overhead, barely illuminating the path beneath his feet. Zhao De held a torch, lighting the way ahead, each step cautious, afraid of triggering some mechanism.

"There are so many murals in this crack, they seem to be telling a story," Lin Xiao said softly, her gaze drawn to the mottled yet lifelike patterns on the wall.

“Yes, it seems this place was once a prosperous civilization. I wonder why it disappeared,” Zhao De replied, his tone tinged with regret.

They continued on their way when suddenly, a slight mechanical hum broke the silence. Then, a huge stone slab slowly rose up, revealing a staircase leading downwards.

"It seems the real challenge has only just begun." Zhao De smiled, his eyes gleaming with the excitement and eagerness of an explorer.

As they ventured deeper, a magnificent underground palace gradually came into view. In the center, a colossal stone statue stood majestically, and in its eye sockets, two dazzling gems shimmered as if they were alive, as if telling a story.

"Look there!" Zhao Xiao pointed at the stone statue, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

The three approached the stone statue. Zhao De reached out and touched the cold stone surface. A strange energy flowed through his fingertips, causing him to involuntarily take a step back.

“This energy… feels both ancient and powerful; we must be careful,” he warned.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the palace, and footsteps grew closer, clearly indicating that the people outside had tracked them down.

Chapter 487 The True Hero

Chapter 487 The True Hero

"They've arrived so quickly, what should we do?" Zhao Xiao asked nervously.

"Don't be afraid. Since we're here, let's show them our strength." A determined glint flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes.

Amidst a commotion, several figures appeared at the palace entrance. Leading them was a burly man with a fierce face. He looked around before his gaze finally settled on Zhao De and his two companions.

"Haha, it seems the rumors about the treasure are true. Little guys, hand over the stuff obediently, and I might spare your lives."

Zhao De sneered and slowly stepped forward. "We came here not to search for treasure, but to uncover the truth of history. If you've come only for wealth, then you've come to the wrong place."

The burly man was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a response, and the people around him began to murmur amongst themselves.

"What an arrogant brat! Don't think you can stand up to us just because you have a little courage," the tall, thin man next to the burly man sneered.

Just as tensions were rising, the palace floor suddenly trembled, and a beam of light shot from the gem in the stone statue's eye, illuminating the entire space. A gentle voice echoed in everyone's hearts: "True heroes are not tempted by treasure; they seek knowledge and truth..."

Everyone was startled. The group of outsiders looked at each other, seemingly sensing some indescribable power.

"It seems there is indeed a secret hidden here..." the big man muttered to himself, his attitude softening noticeably.

"Whether you stay or leave is your choice, but please remember, some doors, once opened, can never be closed again." After saying this, Zhao De turned to Lin Xiao and Zhao Xiao, their eyes filled with a longing for exploring the unknown future.

"No matter what lies ahead, we'll face it together," Lin Xiao said firmly. The three of them clasped hands tightly, turned their backs to the group, and stepped into the deeper maze.

"Hey, you lot, do you really think you can uncover some big secret? Don't dream!" A short, stocky man behind the big man sneered, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the whispers of the others. Clearly, the mysterious light and voice had shaken many people.

As Zhao De and his companions ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the surroundings gradually grew dark and eerie, with only the occasional flickering fluorescent light on the stone walls guiding their way. Their footsteps echoed through the empty corridors, each step seemingly treading on the threads of history.

"What do you think that light and sound were?" Lin Xiao asked softly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Zhao Xiao shrugged, his face full of excitement: "Who knows? Maybe it really is a test from the ancient guardians, proving that we are qualified to know the secrets of this place."

Suddenly, a faint humming sound rang out around the three of them. Then, an ancient stone door opened silently, revealing a secret chamber emitting a faint blue light. The three exchanged a glance and stepped inside without hesitation.

Inside the sealed room, a strange machine stood in the center, its ancient form exuding a high-tech aura. Scattered around it were some seemingly ancient documents and totems. Zhao De gently touched the text, as if he could feel the breath of a civilization from a thousand years ago.

"Look, these symbols... I feel like I've seen them somewhere before..." Lin Xiao pointed to a stone tablet next to the machine, his voice filled with excitement.

Chapter 488 Extremely Similar to the Records in Ancient Books

Chapter 488 Extremely Similar to the Records in Ancient Books

“Yes, this is very similar to what is recorded in the ancient book passed down in my family. It is said to be able to reveal the ultimate secrets of the world…” Zhao Xiao followed up, his eyes shining with unprecedented enthusiasm.

Just as the three were immersed in the joy of their exploration, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside. Clearly, the burly men who were chasing after wealth had also been attracted by the strange changes here and followed them in.

"Hmph, looks like you've found something good. Don't even think about keeping it all for yourself!" The burly man stormed into the secret chamber. After looking around, his gaze fell on the strange machine, a flash of greed crossing his eyes.

“Ignorant fool, everything here is far beyond your imagination.” Zhao De coldly replied, his finger lightly pressing a button. The machine roared, and a holographic projection slowly rose, displaying a series of astonishing images—the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, the manifestation of unknown forces, and a prophecy about the reconstruction of the world…

"Is...is this true?" The tall, thin man beside the burly man stared in disbelief, and even the surrounding followers were shocked. They began to realize that everything here might be far more than just a treasure, as Zhao De had said.

"Now, you have two choices: either come with us and become a part of witnessing history, or leave and bury what you have seen today deep in your hearts." Zhao De's voice was firm and powerful, and everyone present could feel his unwavering determination.

“We…we are willing to try,” the burly man said after a moment’s hesitation, a look of awe appearing in his eyes for the first time.

At that very moment, a deep resonance emanated from the depths of the secret chamber, as if it were the ancient machine's approval and an invitation to these brave explorers.

"Then, let's uncover the truth of this world together." Zhao De said, leading everyone towards the ever-changing holographic projection, behind whom lay a new era about to begin...

"Hey, have you heard? There's a shocking secret hidden in that abandoned castle!" Two vendors whispered to each other at the market, their voices filled with disbelief.

"What secret? Stop keeping me in suspense and tell me!" An old man carrying a load on a shoulder pole stopped and interrupted curiously.

"It's said that a group of people found an ancient artifact that can reveal the ultimate secrets of the world, and they even gave a live demonstration! A holographic projection—that's something from an ancient civilization!" Vendor A described vividly, and the surrounding crowd gradually gathered, discussing it animatedly.

"No way, this sounds like one of those exaggerated tales that circulate in taverns." A richly dressed lady scoffed, but a hint of curiosity was also evident in her eyes.

"It's true! I have a relative who was in that group as an attendant. He saw it with his own eyes! The scenes he described were more fantastical than the stories told by the best storytellers," the vendor B retorted earnestly, causing an uproar among the surrounding crowd.

"Now, our little place is going to become famous," the old man said with a sigh, his eyes sparkling with longing for the unknown.

On the other side, Zhao Xiao and Zhao De were sitting in a teahouse, surrounded by whispering customers whose surprised or envious glances were frequently directed at them.

"It seems our discovery has become the talk of the town," Zhao Xiao said with a wry smile, stirring his tea.