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

Page 237



Page 237

"Look! That's... Lord Zhao De!" Passerby Ding pointed to the center of the lake, his voice trembling with excitement.

On the lake, Zhao De slowly rose, stretching out his arms. Multicolored energy ribbons wrapped around him, each containing the power of nature—the intensity of fire, the gentleness of water, the lightness of wind, the weight of earth, and an indescribable, mysterious force. These elements intertwined and danced around him, ultimately converging into a radiant sword, suspended in his palm.

Chapter 418 The Power of the Mind

Chapter 418 The Power of the Mind

"This is... the power of the mind, the power that belongs to all of us!" Zhao De's voice echoed throughout the valley, each word like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of everyone and stirring up ripples.

"Unbelievable, he really did it..." Passerby C murmured to himself, his eyes filled with admiration.

Seeing this, the shadowy figure seemed to sense an unprecedented threat and began to thrash violently, attempting a final, frenzied counterattack. But Zhao De did not hesitate at all; he leaped out, wielding the sword of light, and soared straight into the sky, meeting the darkness head-on.

"Come on, whoever you are, today, let us use the power of our hearts to put an end to your story!" Zhao De's voice resounded throughout the heavens and earth. At that moment, everyone believed that what they were pursuing was not just the victory of an adventure, but also the awakening and transcendence of the soul.

Just as Zhao De was about to clash head-on with the shadowy figure, everyone on the lake stared intently at the two points of imminent collision, their hearts pounding, the air thick with tension and anticipation…

"This...is this really a power that humans can possess?" Passerby B's eyes widened, and his hands unconsciously gripped the tree trunk beside him, as if doing so would make him more stable.

"Extraordinary and otherworldly, it's like a legendary deity descending!" exclaimed Passerby A, her voice filled with barely concealed excitement and awe.

Just as everyone held their breath in anticipation, Zhao De and the enormous black shadow collided violently in mid-air. Light and shadow intertwined, unleashing a deafening roar. The sword of light seemed to cleave the night sky with lightning, splitting everything in its path. The black shadow let out a painful howl upon contact, then began to dissipate, retreating like morning mist meeting the first rays of sunlight.

"He did it! He did it!" The cheers of passersby broke the brief silence. People looked at each other, their eyes glistening with tears of joy and hope.

"This is all...unbelievable." A soft voice rang out. It was a little girl in the crowd, her eyes full of longing. "When I grow up, I want to be a hero like Lord Zhao De, protecting everyone!"

“Child, it’s always good to have dreams.” An old man patted the girl’s head kindly. “But remember, true strength comes from the heart, just as Lord Zhao De demonstrated, it is a combination of courage, wisdom and love.”

Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, a crack suddenly appeared in the sky, and an old man wearing a robe draped in stars slowly floated down from it. His eyes were deep, and he looked at Zhao De with admiration.

“My child, your performance has exceeded my expectations. You have not only unlocked your own ‘ancient book,’ but also awakened the power dormant within everyone. Now, a new era is about to begin, and you will become the leader of this era.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao De smiled firmly and said, "I understand that this is just the beginning. But as long as we are united, there is no difficulty that we cannot overcome."

“Well said,” the old man nodded slightly. “However, before the light comes, there will always be a final struggle in darkness. Are you ready to face that unknown challenge?”

"Always ready." Zhao De's answer was concise and powerful, his eyes revealing fearlessness and determination.

As the old man disappeared, the crowd erupted in cheers once more, but their words were no longer filled with only amazement and praise; they also carried a deeper sense of anticipation for the future and profound self-reflection.

Chapter 419 The 'Ancient Book' in My Heart

Chapter 419 The 'Ancient Book' in My Heart

"If he can do it, why can't I?" A boy stared at Zhao De's retreating figure, clenching his fists in secret.

"Yes, everyone has an 'ancient book' in their heart waiting to be discovered. The key is whether you have the courage to open it." A seemingly ordinary middle-aged man sighed with emotion.

In this atmosphere, the lake gradually returned to calm, as if nothing had happened. But everyone's heart had undergone a profound transformation. They knew that a new chapter was about to begin, and they were all among the writers of this legendary story.

"Hey, look at that Zhao De, isn't he the second son of the village blacksmith's family?" In the crowd, a woman tugged at her companion's sleeve, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Who would have thought that this young man who usually just hammers and tinkers around would have such great skills!"

“Yes, life is unpredictable. Perhaps there are still many undiscovered treasures hidden in our village!” her companion replied with a look of longing in her eyes.

Not far away, a group of children stood in a circle, chattering excitedly.

"When I grow up, I want to be like Lord Zhao De and become a great hero!" A chubby-faced little boy jumped up excitedly, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Hmph, you think you can beat me?" The girl with pigtails next to her scoffed. "Learn to read and write first. A hero isn't just about being strong!"

Upon hearing this, the little boy blushed, but was not to be outdone: "Then let's have a contest and see who can awaken the 'ancient book' in their heart first!"

"Let's compete then, who's afraid of who!" The girl raised her chin, her face full of stubbornness.

Their conversation drew soft laughter from those around them, but it also ignited a spark in the hearts of many more. The seeds of dreams were sown unintentionally, waiting for the spring breeze to blow and sprout.

-

Night fell, the moonlight was bright and clear. Zhao De stood alone under the old locust tree at the village entrance, gazing at the starry sky, his mind filled with countless thoughts. Suddenly, a gentle voice broke the silence.

"What are you thinking about, so engrossed?" A young girl quietly appeared beside him, carrying a lantern in her hand. The soft light illuminated her profile. It was the girl next door who had grown up with him since childhood. Her eyes were full of concern and tenderness.

Zhao De smiled slightly and turned to look at her: "I'm thinking about how many unsolved mysteries there are in this world, and how many people are waiting to be awakened. The responsibility is heavy, but I am not alone."

The girl gently placed her hand on his shoulder: "No matter what, you are never alone. We, the whole village, and even everyone in this world, will fight alongside you."

A flicker of emotion crossed Zhao De's eyes as he tightly grasped the girl's hand: "Thank you for your continued support and companionship. In the future, no matter what difficulties we encounter, as long as you are here, I will have boundless strength."

The two exchanged a smile, needing no further words; their feelings were already clear to each other.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded in the distance. An old man from the village came running up in a rush, shouting before he even got close, "Something terrible has happened, Lord Zhao De! Strange black fog has appeared in the forest to the east, and the animals are panicking and scattering in all directions!"

Zhao De's expression hardened; he immediately realized this might be the "final, dark struggle" the old man had foretold. He looked at the girl, his eyes filled with resolve: "It seems the test has arrived ahead of schedule. I must uncover the truth and protect our homeland."

Chapter 420 The Source of the Unknown Power

Chapter 420 The Source of the Unknown Power

“I’ll go with you!” the girl said without hesitation.

Zhao De shook his head: "No, this time I have to act alone. You stay in the village and take good care of everyone. Trust me, I will come back safely."

“But…” The girl wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Zhao De’s firm gaze. He gently patted her hand, turned and strode towards the forest to the east, his steps firm and swift, his back revealing an undeniable determination.

"Be careful!" The girl's voice was filled with anxiety and reluctance. The lantern in her hand seemed to be a bond connecting their emotions, swaying and shining in the breeze.

-

On the way, Zhao De quickly crossed the rice paddies and streams. Upon seeing this, the villagers stopped what they were doing and began to discuss among themselves.

“Look, isn’t that Lord Zhao De from the village? Where is he rushing off to so late?” A farmer put down his hoe and said to the woman beside him.

"I heard there are strange phenomena in the forest to the east. Could it be that we're heading there? That's very dangerous." The woman frowned worriedly, forgetting to pack the vegetables in her basket.

"Lord Zhao De is always like this, always the first to rush to the front lines when something happens. I hope he's safe and sound," the young man beside him remarked, his eyes filled with admiration for Zhao De.

As Zhao De's figure disappeared into the night, the discussions in the village did not stop; on the contrary, they became even more heated, with everyone expressing their concern and expectations for him in their own way.

-

At the edge of the forest, Zhao De stopped. The black mist before him churned and surged like a living thing, the trees appearing and disappearing within it, creating an eerie scene. He took a deep breath, slowly raised his hands, closed his eyes, and focused his mind, trying to sense the source of that unknown power.

"Who dares to challenge the balance of nature?" Zhao De's voice, though not loud, pierced through the layers of mist and echoed through the forest.

From within the black mist, a deep, mocking voice rang out: "Hmph, so you've finally arrived? The chosen one. You think you can stop the spread of darkness all by yourself? How naive."

Zhao De opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them: "No matter who you are, I will never tolerate anyone who disrupts the peace of this land!"

As he spoke, he took a step forward, and the surrounding air seemed to tremble, as if an ancient and powerful force gathered around him.

At this moment, outside the forest, the girl and the villagers still waited, gazing up in the direction of the forest, their hearts filled with unease and prayer.

"Lord Zhao De, please come back safely..." the girl murmured softly, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly.

-

Just as Zhao De was about to delve deeper into the black fog and uncover all the mysteries, a whispered conversation suddenly echoed in his mind, like a voice from beyond the heavens, both strange and familiar.

"Remember, true power comes from the deepest beliefs and love within your heart. When you find that power, even the deepest darkness cannot block your light."

"Who...who is speaking?" Zhao De wondered, but he felt a warm power rising from the bottom of his heart, filling him with an unprecedented sense of determination and strength.

Just then, the black mist seemed to sense Zhao De's change and became even more violent, attempting to devour everything with fear and despair.

But Zhao De smiled confidently, showing no fear of the impending storm.

"Come on, whatever you are, nothing can shake my determination to protect this land!"

Chapter 421 Creatures Hidden in the Black Mist

Chapter 421 Creatures Hidden in the Black Mist

From the depths of the black mist, the deep voice rang out again, tinged with anger: "Ignorant mortals, how dare you challenge an irresistible fate! You will regret it, for what awaits you is endless darkness and despair!"

Zhao De did not answer, but silently raised one hand. The surrounding air seemed to respond to his call, gathering into beams of light that enveloped him, like the most dazzling star in the daytime.

Outside the forest, a gust of wind blew, carrying a few fallen leaves that gently landed beside the girl. The villagers whispered among themselves, their conversation filled with awe and curiosity.

“Look at that light… Lord Zhao De seems to possess power beyond our comprehension.” An old man squinted, his tone filled with disbelief.

"Yes, I've never seen anything like this before. It's like a legendary hero has returned!" a young villager exclaimed excitedly, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

"May the gods protect him..." The girl closed her eyes tightly, clasped her hands together, and prayed devoutly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

-

Within the black mist, with each step Zhao De took, the warm and powerful force grew increasingly pronounced, dispelling the surrounding darkness. Some creatures hidden within the mist, influenced by this light, retreated, daring not to approach.

"What...what kind of power is this?!" The deep voice trembled for the first time, revealing a hint of panic.

A faint smile appeared on Zhao De's lips. He understood that this power stemmed from his love for his homeland, his commitment to justice, and the innocent faces waiting for his return.

"You are wrong, darkness. In this world, there is always a ray of light that exists to penetrate you." Zhao De's words echoed in the black mist, each word like a sharp sword piercing the heart of darkness.

Just as Zhao De was preparing to deliver the final blow to the darkness, an even more ancient and powerful aura suddenly emerged from beyond the black mist, accompanied by a majestic and mysterious whisper: "Child, I have witnessed your courage and determination. But to truly end all this, you still need to undergo a trial..."

Before he could finish speaking, the space in front of Zhao De suddenly distorted, the black mist dissipated, and in its place appeared an unknown and strange scene.

"A trial...?" Zhao De stared at the strange phenomenon before him, his eyes filled with both confusion and determination. "For this land, for all the people I cherish, I accept!"


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