pdf-ebookys Page 434
Page 434
Not long after passing through the tunnel, they arrived at a more open space—a small underground garden surrounded by all sorts of exotic flowers and plants! In the center of this garden, a clear, emerald-green pool of water flowed quietly, emitting a faint glow.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Zhao De exclaimed, quickly running closer. "I wonder what's inside?"
Zhao De, however, seemed more cautious, gesturing for everyone to approach slowly. "Be careful, this place looks a bit strange."
Just as everyone was completely absorbed in the beautiful scenery before them, a series of deep, powerful footsteps suddenly came from the opposite side of the pool. Several burly men, Zhao De, slowly entered their field of vision. They were draped in clothing made of strange animal hides, their faces painted with various colored tattoos, and each held what appeared to be a powerful weapon…
"Hey! Who are you? Why are you trespassing into our sacred elven land?!" the leader demanded in a forceful tone.
Zhao De hurriedly raised his hands and explained, "I'm so sorry! We accidentally came here because we encountered danger. Please don't misunderstand..."
Zhao De added, "That's right. If we've disturbed you, we can leave immediately. We just need directions on how to get out."
Chapter 1281 The Guardians
Chapter 1281 The Guardian.
However, there was no immediate response from the other side; they simply continued to scrutinize the uninvited guests with wary eyes. "Leader," one of the members whispered in the leader's ear, at which point he relaxed slightly. "Since you claim to have no ill intentions, then prove it to us."
As he spoke, the man casually tossed Zhao De a seemingly ordinary but actually incredibly heavy and smooth wooden stick that was difficult to grip: "Try to throw it back into my hand."
The girl hesitated slightly as she looked at the object in her hand. Just as everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see what would happen next, she took a deep breath and then threw it with all her might towards the other person!
The wooden stick traced a beautiful arc before landing precisely back in its original owner's hand. "It seems you were telling the truth, little girl." The man nodded in satisfaction, then turned and led his men in another direction. "Alright, we'll lead you out of this labyrinthine forest. But please remember: never set foot on our territory again without permission."
As the mysterious group slowly departed, Zhao De whispered to everyone, "It seems they are the guardians of this place; we must proceed with caution." Zhao Mei nodded gently, "But at least they are willing to help us leave this place."
The musician, however, wore a thoughtful expression. He gazed at the elves ahead, as if he had noticed something unusual. "Did you notice? Their footsteps are incredibly light, their movements almost silent. This ability is definitely not simple..."
Before he could finish speaking, the lead guard suddenly turned around and looked at them: "You can follow, but remember to keep your distance." He then quickened his pace.
Led by several elves, the group traversed a complex maze of tunnels, where the surroundings grew increasingly strange and mysterious. A faint floral fragrance filled the air, and various fantastical plants emitted multicolored lights. Zhao De frequently looked left and right with curiosity, his eyes gleaming with excitement and longing.
Finally, they arrived at a more open space, where sunlight streamed down through the fine cracks in the roof, illuminating the area like a fairyland. A delicate little bridge spanned the stream in the distance, and on the other side stood several simple yet elegant cottages. "This is the entrance to our village," the guide explained. "Once you cross this bridge, you'll be back in safety."
Just then, an elderly woman dressed in a magnificent gown and carrying a long cane slowly approached. "Wait, please wait, distinguished guests!" The old woman's voice was both gentle and authoritative. "Since you have all come here and passed the test, it must be fate. Would you be interested in visiting my library? Perhaps the knowledge contained within will be of some help to you?"
Hearing this, Zhao De's eyes lit up: "Great! I've always wanted to learn about the history of this continent!" She nodded almost impatiently. In contrast, Zhao De seemed more cautious: "I appreciate your kindness, old lady, but we should focus on getting on our way. Time is of the essence, and delaying too long might lead to unforeseen problems." He looked at his two companions, hoping for their support, but Zhao Mei only showed a keen interest on her face, "I don't think it'd be bad to listen, anyway, we're not in a rush~"
Chapter 1282 Research
Chapter 1282 Research
Faced with his companion's change of attitude, Zhao De sighed helplessly, "Alright, since everyone thinks so... then we'll trouble you, respected elder." He then followed the old woman into a house with a simple yet artistic architectural style.
In the center of the room stood a long table piled high with various books and some rare and precious manuscripts; the walls were adorned with many lifelike map paintings, and every item exuded a rich cultural atmosphere. "This place houses all the knowledge and materials about the changes in the laws of nature, the origins and evolution of races, and so on, from ancient times to the present," the old man said proudly. "Perhaps the answers you are looking for can be found among them."
The three were quickly captivated by these valuable documents. Even Zhao De, who was initially reluctant to participate, was deeply engrossed in a manual detailing the secrets of swordsmanship training. Meanwhile, the old woman who called herself Cassandra stood silently observing everyone's performance, her eyes seemingly holding an indescribable light…
"This book is so interesting!" Zhao Mei suddenly exclaimed, breaking the silence. "It talks about a lot of methods for magical creatures to communicate with each other! If we learn these methods, we'll definitely find them useful on our future adventures!"
"Is that so? Then you should study it carefully." Zhao De replied casually, then turned to the old man and asked, "Senior, may I ask where exactly this village is located?"
“Oh ho ho ho, you’re actually quite far from that maze now. As for the exact location…” Cassandra smiled slightly, “I’ll have someone make a copy of the map for you later. But for now, enjoy this short but precious time—I believe it’s invaluable for everyone on their journey.” She then turned and went back to organizing the books on the shelves.
The group was all captivated by the rich, treasure-like ocean of knowledge before them, reluctant to leave. Only Zhao De quietly walked to the window and gazed at the bright sunlight outside. "It's incredible...it all feels like a dream. But soon, new adventures await us..." the girl thought to herself.
As the sunlight gradually slanted into a soft golden-red, Cassandra handed over several carefully drawn topographical maps. "Alright everyone, it's getting late. Follow the directions on this map to easily return to the main road. Thank you again for visiting my humble abode, and have a safe journey!"
Zhao De took the money and carefully put it away. "We are very grateful. We will be careful." After saying that, he walked towards the door, and the others followed him out of the small village.
As I walked back along the path, the air gradually became fresh and cool. The surrounding scenery changed from the extraordinary to a typical forest landscape, though the occasional birdsong or the distant growls of wild animals could still be heard...
After passing through the last dense grove of trees, the view suddenly opened up. The last rays of the setting sun bathed a wide, flat path, seemingly guiding them forward. Zhao De walked briskly at the front, each step firm and powerful. "I'm so grateful to that old woman! Her book has truly benefited me greatly!" she said, turning to Zhao Mei.
Chapter 1283 Assembling Troops
Chapter 1283 Assembling Troops
Zhao Mei smiled and nodded: "Yes, those methods for communicating with magical creatures are so useful, I'd like to learn more about them."
The musician beside him wore a thoughtful expression, flipping through several thick books. "The contents of these documents are indeed very useful, especially the knowledge about elven history and nature magic. But something about them feels a bit off… Old Lady Cassandra's eyes seem to hold even more secrets."
Upon hearing this, Zhao De immediately became alert. "What did you discover?"
“It’s just a feeling.” The musician frowned slightly. “Perhaps it’s my intuition. I feel that she knows much more than she says on the surface. After all, the architectural style of this forest and the village is very different from that of ordinary human villages, which is obviously an intentional concealment of something.”
Zhao Mei patted the musician on the shoulder to comfort him, "Don't overthink it. At least we're safe for now. We still have a lot to face, so let's focus on the journey ahead."
Just as everyone was chatting enthusiastically, Zhao De suddenly stopped and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. "Listen, it sounds like someone is talking... and it's not far ahead."
Everyone immediately focused their attention, listening intently to their surroundings. Sure enough, a faint, indistinct voice could be heard coming from deep within the woods. "Who would be talking in a place like this?" Zhao Mei asked.
Zhao De gestured for everyone to carefully follow. As they approached the source of the sound, the content of the conversation gradually became clearer.
"These invaders are getting more and more brazen!" an angry man's voice said. "Several villages have been affected by the recent attacks. We must take action!"
“But Chieftain, you know that the enemy is powerful and not so easy to deal with,” another, slightly calmer voice added. “If we blindly engage in battle without a thorough plan, it will only bring us greater losses.”
“That’s right, but we can’t stand idly by any longer.” The man’s tone became firm. “I’ve already contacted the elders of other tribes. This joint operation must succeed, or our land will be lost!”
"So what do we do next? Should we gather our forces?"
"Yes, I've already made the arrangements. At the same time, we need to strengthen vigilance to prevent enemy advance troops from taking advantage of any openings... Wait!"
Hearing this, the people hidden behind the bushes held their breath, only to hear a series of hurried footsteps coming from the opposite direction. Clearly, someone had noticed something amiss and was quickly closing in on their location!
"Damn it, we've been discovered!" Zhao De exclaimed in a low voice. At that moment, Zhao De made a swift decision: "Prepare to engage the enemy! Try to buy some time and find a chance to escape!"
The words had barely left his mouth when several elven warriors appeared in sight, bows drawn and ready to fire. "Halt! Who are you? What are you doing here?!"
Seeing the imposing presence of the other party, Zhao De bravely stepped forward, "Misunderstanding! We meant no offense, please let me explain..."
Before she could finish speaking, the leading samurai waved for the others to remain still. "Take it slow, figure out the situation first." He scrutinized the group of strangers of unknown origin with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
Chapter 1284 An Unfortunate Encounter
Chapter 1284 An Unfortunate Encounter
A tense and oppressive atmosphere suddenly filled the air. What would happen in this unknown forest?
Zhao De slowly stepped forward, his gaze calm and firm: "Sir, please allow me to introduce myself before we proceed. We are a group of travelers and have no intention of infringing upon your territory or provoking any conflict. We simply happened to overhear some information..."
“We’re preparing to cross this forest back to the main road,” Zhao De continued. “We mean no harm. Please forgive us if we’ve disturbed you.”
The leading elven warrior frowned slightly, glancing at the group. The other warriors behind him also watched the unfamiliar faces warily. After a moment, he spoke slowly: "I am Aleister, one of the guardians of this forest. You do not look like intruders, but since you have overheard things you shouldn't have, you cannot let this opportunity pass you by."
Zhao De looked at Zhao De nervously and whispered, "What do we do? They don't seem to believe us..."
Aleister snorted softly upon hearing this, gesturing for his men to wait a moment. "Then tell me, why are you all here? What are your identities?" His tone carried an undeniable authority, clearly indicating that he cared deeply about this matter.
“We were looking for a place called Wind Chime Village, but we got lost there. Then we met an old woman named Cassandra,” the musician continued, explaining, “She showed us the right path and gave us a map…”
Upon hearing the name 'Cassandra,' Aleister's expression clearly changed, becoming more wary. "Cassandra...you mean the witch who lives in a secluded village and is famous for collecting ancient books?"
Everyone nodded, and the musician continued, "That's right, it's her! We did get here with her help... If possible, please allow us to pass, since our goal is simply to get back to safety."
At this moment, a slightly gentle voice interrupted the conversation: "Perhaps we can resolve this matter in a different way." A woman with an elegant face, dressed in a light green robe, slowly emerged from the woods. Her eyes were filled with wisdom and composure, as if she could see through everything in the world at a glance.
Upon her appearance, all the elves present immediately shed some of their hostility, and even showed a hint of awe. "Chief Eileen!" Everyone bowed in greeting, even Aleister. "Please give your instructions."
The woman called Eileen smiled slightly and nodded to the travelers: "Friends who have come from afar, please don't be nervous. What just happened was just a small misunderstanding. We did not intend to block anyone's normal passage."
“Thank you very much for your understanding,” Zhao Mei quickly replied, trying to close the distance between them. “In fact, we knew nothing about the situation in your territory. If it weren’t for the accident, we probably would never have met in this lifetime.”
Eileen gently shook her head, indicating that there was no need to say more, and then looked at her subordinates: "Make way. I think these people are more like harmless passersby than the lackeys of the invaders."
As the order was given, the tense atmosphere gradually dissipated. However, before leaving, Aleister still reminded everyone, "Even so, I hope you will all be careful—the situation is currently very volatile, and even innocent travelers could be dragged into it and affected."
Chapter 1285 The Situation Is Not Optimistic
Chapter 1285 The Situation Is Not Optimistic
Zhao De nodded gratefully. "Thank you for the warning. Actually, what I overheard is part of the answer we're looking for. We've heard that some forces are trying to threaten the peace and tranquility of the entire region... That's why we embarked on this journey, hoping to make a difference as much as we can."
Hearing this, Eileen's eyes brightened with interest. "Oh? It seems you are not ordinary explorers. Since you are interested in protecting others, why don't you come with me to the camp to discuss things in detail? Perhaps we can even reach some form of cooperation!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao De immediately became excited: "Wow, that's fantastic! We've always hoped to find like-minded allies to jointly confront the impending crisis!"
Eileen smiled and nodded, signaling them to follow her. They passed through a dense forest and soon arrived at an open area where several elegant tents were pitched, surrounded by simple defensive fortifications.
“This is our temporary camp,” Eileen said, pointing ahead. “It’s a bit rudimentary, but at least it’s safe. Let’s walk and talk.”
As she took a step forward, Zhao De whispered to Zhao De, "This might be a good opportunity; we must seize it."
Zhao De nodded excitedly, following closely behind Eileen, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Upon arriving at the camp, an elven servant greeted her and bowed respectfully. "Chief, dinner is ready. Shall we begin?"
Eileen turned to look at the travelers behind her and smiled slightly: "Of course, let the guests rest for a while before we begin the formal meal."
"Thank you so much!" Zhao Mei said gratefully.
Afterward, everyone found a place to sit down. Eileen walked to a stone table and sat down, beginning to carefully observe this group of unfamiliar yet friendly humans.
“You just mentioned the answer you’re looking for,” Eileen said softly. “Could you elaborate on what it is? Perhaps we can help each other out.”
Zhao De gathered his thoughts and slowly began, "Recently, we've heard that a mysterious force is trying to control the villages and residents of the entire region. On the surface, they appear to be establishing a new order, but in reality, they are exploiting resources and imposing harsh regulations on the people..."