"No matter what awaits us ahead, as long as we walk hand in hand, there will be no difficulty that cannot be overcome." Zhao Ming's voice echoed in the tunnel, which was not only encouragement to his companions, but also persistence in his own beliefs.
As the tunnel went deeper, the air became colder, and the faintly visible ancient patterns on the walls revealed a strange aura under the light of the torch in Zhao Ming's hand. Suddenly, an unknown whisper sounded in the silence, causing everyone to stop involuntarily.
"Did you hear that?" Yueyue looked around nervously. The light of the rune stones was trembling, and she seemed to be affected by this inexplicable atmosphere.
"Yes, it's like...a call from the underground." Li Zixue frowned, and the page of the Book of Wisdom automatically turned to the chapter describing the ancient curse.
Just when everyone was alert, a sound of heavy footsteps came from deep in the tunnel, and then, a figure rushed into the firelight. The man was wearing a pair of strange leather boots with strange gems inlaid on the uppers. , shining with an ominous luster.
"Help...Help!" The person who came was in ragged clothes and had a pale face. There were sparks of fear in his eyes. He was obviously very frightened.
"What's wrong with you? What happened?" Zhao Ming quickly stepped forward to support him and asked.
"Leather boots... those leather boots..." the visitor said intermittently, pointing to his feet with trembling fingers, "They... controlled me and made me do unimaginable things."
After everyone heard this, they all looked at the mysterious leather boots. The light on the surface of the leather boots flickers on and off, as if it contains some indescribable power.
"Leather boots? Do you think these leather boots can control people?" Su Mo stepped forward and tried to use healing magic to stabilize the other person's emotions while examining the boots.
"Not just controlling...but also...allowing me to hurt innocent people...I...I didn't mean to..." The visitor held his head in pain, his voice full of self-blame.
At this time, in the shadows of the tunnel, there seemed to be more whispers gathering into the cold atmosphere slowly approaching, and an invisible force seemed to be ready to move, looking for a new target.
"It seems that we are in trouble." The mysterious shadow guard finally spoke. His sharp eyes had already sensed the hidden dangers around him.
"We must lift the curse of this leather boot and prevent it from continuing to harm others." Zhao Ming clenched his sword tightly, with a determined flame burning in his eyes.
"But, how can we do it?" Yueyue asked, the light of the rune stones in her hand getting stronger and stronger, ready to deal with possible dangers at any time.
"The Book of Wisdom...should be able to find the answer." Li Zixue flipped through it anxiously, and finally, a page of ancient records came into view, "It mentions an ancient magic called 'Soul Shackles', which can bind Cursed item, but requires specific rituals and mediums"
"So, what medium do we need?" Su Mo asked, he was ready to use his magic to support any form of curse-breaking ceremony.
"It's... the water from the Spring of Purity." Li Zixue read out the required information, then frowned, "But the spring is located at the other end of the continent, and water from afar cannot quench the thirst of those near you."
Just when everyone was at a loss what to do, the newly joined traveler slowly spoke: "I know a place, not far from here, with a forgotten holy spring, which may be able to replace the spring of purity."
Everyone's eyes lit up, this was undoubtedly the best choice at the moment.
"Without further delay, let's set off immediately." Zhao Ming made a quick decision, and everyone set off again, taking the victim controlled by the boots in the direction directed by the traveler.
Along the way, they must avoid those unfortunate people who are controlled by the same boots and do evil everywhere. Every time he met someone, Zhao Ming tried his best to persuade them to give up resistance and promised to help them get rid of this evil shackles.
After an arduous journey, they finally arrived at the forgotten holy spring. The spring water is crystal clear, exuding a faint holy light, and seems to have the power to purify all sins.
According to the ancient ritual translated by Li Zixue, Su Mo and Yueyue cast spells together, while mysterious shadow guards guarded the surroundings vigilantly to prevent accidents. Zhao Ming immersed the victim's leather boots in the holy spring. The spring water immediately rippled, and the evil light on the boots gradually dissipated.
"I feel... like I am relieved..." The victim slowly opened his eyes, and his expression returned to clarity.
"Successful!" Yueyue shouted excitedly, and the light of the rune stones was particularly dazzling at this moment.
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to leave the holy spring, a sneer sounded from the darkness: "Stupid guardian, do you think this can stop the plan of the 'Lord of Black Boots'?"
A figure slowly walked out. He was wearing the same pair of mysterious leather boots as before, but they were more gorgeous and evil. He was obviously the source of these leather boots.
"Who are you?!" Zhao Ming stood with his sword in front of his friends.
The man just sneered and did not answer. Instead, he stamped his foot violently, causing the ground to shake. More controlled people came from all directions. Their eyes were empty and their steps were stiff. They were obviously completely controlled.
"Get ready to fight!" Zhao Ming shouted, and everyone stood ready. A battle against evil and to protect the light was about to begin.
"You are hiding in the dark and manipulating all this, do you think you can easily conquer this continent?" Zhao Ming's eyes were like a torch, the tip of his sword pointed directly at the mysterious man, his words were full of challenge and disdain.
The mysterious man raised a sneer on his lips and said slowly: "Conquer? No, I just want the world to witness the true power. You so-called guardians are just mantises blocking the wheel of history."
"History? Your so-called 'power' brings only destruction and suffering!" Li Zixue retorted angrily, the book of wisdom shining with the brilliance of knowledge in her hands.
"Suffering? That is the groan of the weak. Only the strong can leave footprints on this land." Every word of the mysterious man revealed ruthlessness.
"Strong? If you rely on such despicable means to control others, you are not worthy of being called a strong!" Su Mo's voice was calm and firm, his hands condensed with healing light, ready to provide support for the upcoming battle.
"Despicable? Haha, the victors write history, and means are irrelevant." The mysterious man's leather boots shined with an even more dazzling evil light, and the controlled people around him were ready to move, and the air was filled with a tense atmosphere on the eve of the battle.
At this moment, the newly joined traveler took a step forward, his eyes flashing with determination: "Perhaps individual power is limited, but when we unite, light can always dispel darkness."
"Hmph, let me show you the true power of the Lord of Black Boots!" Before the mysterious man finished speaking, the ground suddenly cracked, and countless shadow tentacles stretched out from the cracks and attacked everyone.
"Everyone spread out! Don't let them concentrate their attacks!" Zhao Ming shouted loudly, and the sword in his hand turned into a silver lightning, cutting off the oncoming tentacles.
Yueyue's rune stones glowed brightly, forming a light shield to protect her teammates from the invasion of shadows. Li Zixue quickly flipped through the book of wisdom, looking for ways to restrain these tentacles, while Su Mo's healing power continued to flow, providing support for the injured partners.
"We found a way! It is recorded in the book that these shadow creatures are afraid of pure light." Li Zixue announced excitedly, quickly drawing complex spells with her fingers and chanting ancient spells in her mouth.
As the spell was completed, her book of wisdom released a dazzling light, turning into a pure beam of light that shot straight into the sky, illuminating the entire battlefield. The sudden light caused the tentacles to shrink back, and the figure of the mysterious man also seemed a little shaken under the strong light.
"It's impossible...this light..." The mysterious man's voice wavered for the first time.
"Nothing is impossible. As long as we have faith, the light will never go out!" Zhao Ming took the opportunity to launch an attack, and the sword tip penetrated the shadows accurately, approaching the mysterious man.
At the critical moment, the mysterious man used the power of his boots to teleport away and disappeared from everyone's sight, leaving only one sentence echoing in the air: "The game has just begun, guardians... we will see you soon."
The battle was over, and the figures of the controlled persons fell down one by one and regained their original consciousness. Everyone stood around the holy spring, looking at the water that was gradually returning to calm. They felt both the joy of victory and the vigilance of future battles in their hearts.
"Although we won this battle, the threat of the 'Lord of Black Boots' still exists." Zhao Ming sheathed his sword and looked deeply.
"Yes, but as long as we are together, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome." Yueyue's tone was full of confidence, and the rune stones glowed warmly in her hands, as if in response to this determination.
"Thanks to your information this time, new friend." Li Zixue thanked the traveler with a smile.
The traveler smiled and replied: "We are all fighting for the peace of this continent. The name is not important. What is important is what we should do next."
"Next step, we must find out where the 'Lord of Black Boots' is hiding and completely destroy the source of these evils." Zhao Ming's words were like an oath, making everyone feel shocked.
"Then, let's meet the next challenge together!" Su Mo's proposal was approved by everyone.
"Before departure, we'd better recover our strength and make a detailed plan." Su Mo suggested. He gently touched the fallen controlled persons. The remaining healing energy helped them wake up from coma faster and regain their consciousness. Gradually it becomes clear.
Those who had been controlled slowly sat up, their faces full of confusion and gratitude. Their eyes wandered among the team members, and finally settled on Zhao Ming. "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I might have..." A man's voice trembled, tears flashing in the corners of his eyes.
"You're welcome, we are guardians, this is our duty." Zhao Ming replied gently, his eyes scanning everyone's face firmly, as if making a silent promise: No matter what kind of darkness they face, they will stand up and protect bright.
"Does the Book of Wisdom mention any clues about the 'Lord of Black Boots'?" Li Zixue eagerly turned over the pages of the book, hoping to find a flaw in it. The pages clattered as if ancient wisdom was telling them secrets.
"It is mentioned here that the power of the 'Lord of Black Boots' comes from an ancient ruins. That place is related to the Spring of Purity and is also the source of his power." Li Zixue spoke faster, unable to hide the key information in his tone. of excitement.
"Ancient ruins...sounds like another adventure." Yueyue's runestones jumped in her palms, as if full of anticipation for the upcoming challenges, "Are we sure we can find that place?"
"With a general direction, there is hope." The traveler interjected, a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes, as if the unknown journey also touched some of his memories, "I am willing to lead the way, at least I know something The legend about those ruins.”
"Okay, that's what we have decided." Zhao Ming nodded, his eyes swept over everyone, and finally landed on the traveler, "Thank you for your trust and help. We are a team and fight against the darkness together."
As night fell, the starry sky was bright, and they discussed tomorrow's plans around the campfire. The air was filled with a tense and hopeful atmosphere. In this land purified by the holy spring, their mutual trust and friendship are like the warm fire, gradually integrating into one, becoming the strongest line of defense against evil.
"Tomorrow, no matter what difficulties we face, we will face them together." Zhao Ming's words were like a reassurance, filling everyone's hearts with strength.
"Yes, we are together." Su Mo, Li Zixue, Yueyue and the travelers responded one by one. Their voices gathered in the night sky, firm and powerful.
The conversation died down and the camp fell into silence, save for the occasional rustling of the wind through the grass. At this time, a low but clear voice sounded in everyone's ears, like a ghost's whisper: "Remember, the real power does not only come from external weapons or magic, but also from your inner firm beliefs and An unbreakable bond between each other.”
The sound faded away, leaving only the looks exchanged by the five travelers beside the campfire. The determination and trust shining in those eyes were more dazzling than any starlight. They understand that no matter how difficult and dangerous the road ahead may be, as long as we walk hand in hand, light will eventually dispel all darkness.
"Good night, friends." Yueyue said softly, and the rune stones slowly rotated in her hands, emitting a soft light, as if it was a gentle blessing for this long night.
"Good night." Several other people also responded in turn, each with longing and uneasiness for tomorrow, slowly falling asleep.
The night is getting deeper, the starry sky is clear, and the moonlight shines around the quiet camp, casting a layer of silver gauze on this temporarily peaceful land. In such a quiet night, a dark figure quietly appeared at the edge of the camp, and its eyes flickered in the dark. It was neither kind nor malicious, but more like observing and evaluating. "It's really interesting..." A low and slightly hoarse voice broke the silence of the night, but this voice seemed to only linger on the edge of everyone's dreams and never disturbed anyone, "The guardian and the unknown traveler, and the book of wisdom The book... It seems that this game is more exciting than I expected." (End of this chapter)