pdf-ebookys Page 223
Page 223
They decided to temporarily avoid the group of explorers and continue their exploration at their own pace. Shortly after they left, a pair of passing travelers on the outskirts of the flower field witnessed everything and couldn't help but stop and discuss it.
"That old man just now, could he be the legendary elemental guardian? That's incredible!" The young man's eyes were filled with shock.
The woman covered her mouth and chuckled, "It seems that what those young people are doing is not just finding the key; their journey may change the world."
"Hey, what do you think? Should we go and join the fun?" the man said, half-jokingly.
The woman patted him on the shoulder. "You should worry about your own adventure first. But witnessing a moment like this is truly exhilarating."
The two smiled at each other and continued their journey, their hearts filled with a growing longing for the unknown adventures ahead.
Meanwhile, in the direction Zhao De and his companions were heading, even more challenges and adventures awaited them. The mysteries of the elemental keys, the harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity—all the answers seemed to lie in that distant and mysterious destination.
"What we're pursuing isn't just the key itself, but the meaning it represents," Zhao De said to his companions in the sunset, while Zhao De held his hand tightly, his eyes filled with trust and expectation.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the vast land. They passed through a dense forest, and suddenly the landscape opened up before them, revealing the ruins of an ancient city. The city walls were made of unknown black stones, covered with the marks of time.
"Where...where is this?" a young mage in the group muttered to himself, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"It looks like the ruins of an ancient magical civilization. Hidden in such a secluded place, it must have something special about it." Zhao De's eyes were sharp as he quickly scanned his surroundings, trying to find clues to enter.
Just then, a deep chanting sound drifted from inside the city gate, accompanied by a slight tremor, as if an ancient incantation was awakening dormant power. Zhao De frowned and immediately became alert. "Everyone, be careful! Prepare for battle!"
The group quickly dispersed, forming a defensive formation, each person's expression serious and focused. However, the city gate slowly opened, but instead of the expected monsters or traps, an old man in a long robe slowly walked out.
The old man had a kind face, but his eyes held an unfathomable depth. "Welcome to the Forgotten City, heroes. I am the guardian of this city, and for a long time, I have been waiting for the destined one."
A passerby, a merchant who happened to be passing by, stopped and whispered to the person next to him, "What's going on? Are there still people alive in the city?"
Passerby B shook his head, his face full of surprise. "I've traveled all over the country for so many years, and this is the first time I've seen something so amazing. It seems that the fates of these young people are truly extraordinary."
Chapter 358 The Truth About the Elemental Key
Chapter 358 The Truth About the Elemental Key
Zhao De stepped forward and bowed politely. "Guardian, we have come here in search of the Elemental Key and have no intention of disturbing the peace here. May I ask, is this city related to the key?"
The Guardian smiled slightly, as if he knew everything. "The Elemental Key is indeed one of the reasons that led you here. But more importantly, it is the purity and perseverance in your hearts. The Forgotten City holds many unsolved mysteries. Perhaps, solving these mysteries is the key to your path to the Key."
Zhao De stepped forward and said firmly, "We are willing to accept any test in order to find the truth and protect the balance of this world."
The guardian nodded in satisfaction, and with a flick of his finger, a floating map appeared out of thin air in front of everyone, marked with several key locations. "This map will guide you to the four holy sites of the Forgotten City. Each holy site guards the secret of an element. Only by understanding and fusing these elemental powers can you get closer to the truth of the Elemental Key."
Outside the crowd, the passing travelers stopped to watch again. The young man exclaimed, "Look! This is the choice of fate! They will become legends!"
The woman smiled, her gaze gentle. "Yes, sometimes courage and faith are more powerful than any magic. I hope they succeed."
Zhao De took the floating map and felt an ancient and mysterious power surging within it. The others in the team also showed expressions of excitement and determination.
"Valley of the Wind, Heart of Fire, Abyss of Water, Wall of Earth, the four sacred lands... Our journey begins now!" Zhao De's words were like a war drum, igniting everyone's fighting spirit.
Just then, the guardian's voice rang out again, seemingly echoing through time and space, "Remember, heroes, every sacred land holds trials. You must rely on wisdom, strength, and trust in one another to pass through them. And I will be here awaiting your good news."
As the guardian's figure gradually faded away, the surrounding scenery seemed to become clearer. Sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the ruins of the Forgotten City, making everything seem both mysterious and full of hope.
Zhao De turned to face his teammates, each with a determined look on their faces. "Comrades, let's split up and each take charge of a sacred site. Our goal is not only to find the elemental key, but also to uncover the secrets of the Forgotten City and protect this world from the corruption of dark forces."
The teammates nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with trust and determination. After a brief assignment of tasks, they each embarked on their journeys, heading towards the four sacred sites.
In the Valley of the Wind, on a vast, boundless meadow, a fierce wind howled. Zhao De stood alone at the valley's entrance, his trench coat fluttering in the wind. A shepherd boy, herding sheep, approached curiously and asked in a childish voice, "Big brother, are you here to challenge the Valley of the Wind?"
Zhao De smiled and nodded, bending down to look the shepherd boy in the eye. "Yes, young man, do you know what you should be careful about here?"
The shepherd boy thought for a moment and answered seriously, "The village elders say that there is a whirlwind tower in the center of the Valley of the Wind, where the wind spirit lives. It tests everyone who enters this place to see if they have reverence in their hearts. Only those who truly respect nature can receive the blessing of the wind."
Zhao De patted the shepherd boy's head gratefully. "Thank you for reminding me. I'll remember it."
Chapter 359 Heart of Fire
Chapter 359 Heart of Fire
Watching Zhao Deyuan's departing figure, the shepherd boy murmured to himself, "How amazing! I want to be an adventurer like that too."
Meanwhile, at the crater of the Heart of Fire, teammate Li Na is talking to an old man collecting volcanic rock.
"Old man, are there any special signs near this crater? I've heard that the secret of the fire element is hidden here."
The old man chuckled, the wrinkles on his face seeming to tell the story of time. "Young lady, is that the flame that never goes out you're looking for? Legend has it that the souls of all warriors throughout history are hidden there, and only those who hold the fire of justice in their hearts can approach it without being devoured."
Zhao De's eyes lit up, and respect welled up within him. "Thank you for your guidance. I understand."
At the edge of the abyss, Zhang Wei faced a deep and unfathomable body of water. An old fisherman fishing nearby spoke slowly: "Young man, beneath this abyss dwells the spirit of water. She can see into the deepest secrets and desires of people's hearts. If your heart is pure enough, she may guide you in the right direction."
Zhang Wei pondered for a moment, then bowed deeply. "I will keep my heart pure and face her test."
Meanwhile, in the desolate area of the Earth Wall, Wang Hao was talking with a scholar who was excavating the ruins: "Professor, why do you think this land has remained so hard?"
The scholar adjusted his glasses and smiled mysteriously, "This land is said to be the incarnation of the ancient earth god, and it has witnessed the rise and fall of an era. Only those who truly understand the weight of the earth and feel the roots of life can touch its secrets."
Wang Hao gazed into the distance, already having made up his mind...
-
As the sun set, the four heroes, having completed their respective trials, reunited in the central square of the Forgotten City. Each of them radiated different elemental light, and their eyes sparkled with new insights.
Zhao De looked around, filled with emotion: "Although we went our separate ways, we eventually came together here. This is the power of teamwork. Now, we are not only one step closer to the Elemental Key, but more importantly, we have a better understanding of ourselves and everything we are meant to protect."
Just as everyone was basking in the hard-won sense of accomplishment, the guardian's voice rang out once more: "Very good, heroes, you have taken a crucial step. But the real challenge has only just begun..."
Before Zhao De could finish speaking, the surroundings suddenly darkened, and the once bustling square began to panic. A beam of light descended from the sky, shining on the four of them and forming a halo of light that isolated them from the outside world.
"What's going on? What kind of magic is this?" a young woman exclaimed, dropping the flowers in her hand. The surrounding crowd also stopped in their tracks, staring at the halo of light with surprise or fear.
"Look! It's the trial of the heroes!" A child jumped up excitedly, tugging at his mother's clothes. "Mommy, they'll protect us, right?"
The mother gently stroked her child's head, but her eyes were filled with worry about the unknown: "Yes, child, they will protect us."
Within the circle of light, the four exchanged a glance, their expressions resolute. "It seems a new challenge has arrived," Li Na said, gripping her short sword tightly, her eyes blazing.
Zhang Wei's fingertips lightly touched the water's surface, causing ripples to spread, echoing his resolve: "No matter the challenge, we will fight side by side."
Chapter 360 Things I Don't Know?
Chapter 360 Things I Don't Know?
Wang Hao closed his eyes, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath his feet. An unprecedented power surged within him: "The earth will be our strongest support."
Zhao De smiled slightly, flames dancing in his palm, radiating a warm yet dignified aura: "Then, let us rise to the challenge and begin this adventure!"
Just as they were about to step out of the light, a gust of wind blew by, stirring up dust and sand, and a figure slowly emerged. The person wore a tattered robe, had an aged face, but his eyes shone with wisdom.
"Brave warriors, I am Saruman, the wise man of the City of Elements." The old man's voice was deep and powerful. "I have been waiting here for a long time, just to reveal the truth of destiny to you."
"The truth?" Zhao De asked doubtfully. "Is there something we don't know?"
Saruman nodded, his expression grave: "The Elemental Key is not merely a tool to open the treasure gate; it is the key to maintaining the balance of this world. If it falls into the hands of evildoers, the world will be plunged into an unprecedented catastrophe."
Li Na frowned: "A villain? Who is it?"
Saruman sighed: "The Dark Lord Morgans has coveted the Key of the Elements for many years, attempting to use its power to destroy the world and rebuild order. Your journey will be more difficult than you imagine."
The surrounding light seemed to dim further as the topic became more somber, and whispers of unease and worry rose from the crowd.
“However,” Saruman’s tone shifted, a glimmer of hope appearing in his voice, “the Heart of the Elements has chosen you for a reason. As long as we unite and uphold justice, light will ultimately triumph over darkness.”
"We won't let him succeed." Zhao De clenched his fist, and the flames leaped higher. "For the peace of this world, for every innocent life."
“Well said!” A voice rang out from the crowd. It was Zhao De, holding a longbow, his gaze resolute. “My name is Lin Feng, and I am willing to contribute my arrows to this cause of justice.”
“Me too.” A lithe female swordsman stepped forward, her sword reflecting a dazzling light in the sunlight. “Eileen, my sword will forever protect the truth.”
The crowd responded enthusiastically, their vows echoing in the air and igniting the passion in everyone's hearts. At that moment, an elderly woman gently clapped her hands, tears glistening in her eyes, "Look at these young people, they are our hope."
"Yes, I never expected to see such a heroic scene in this day and age," the old man next to him remarked, his wrinkles etched with the marks of time. "It's so good to be young, to dare to face the unknown challenges."
Saruman nodded in satisfaction and turned to face the crowd: "Now, let me give you your first guidance. Head east, through the Shadow Forest, where the first secret about the Elemental Key is hidden. But remember, the forest is fraught with danger, so do not be careless."
“Shadow Forest…” Zhao De repeated, his heart filled with both anticipation and trepidation.
The team was all ready to go, and just as they were about to set off, a little girl ran over, holding a wildflower in her hand, and looked up at Zhao De, "Big brother, are you a hero?"
Zhao De bent down and gently accepted the flowers. "Everyone can be their own hero, little sister. Protecting this world is also protecting you."
The little girl's eyes lit up, and the people around her wore warm smiles. It was as if, at that moment, even the air became exceptionally fresh.
Chapter 361 Resonating with the Runes
Chapter 361 Resonated with the Runes.
With a resounding bugle call, the group embarked on their journey, with the blessings and expectations of their departing followers behind them.
-
After several days of travel, the Shadow Forest finally came into view. The dense trees formed a massive barrier, obscuring the sky and making the forest's interior dark and mysterious. The group proceeded cautiously, the occasional birdsong and roars of animals breaking the silence, reminding them that they were not alone.
"Look over there!" Li Na pointed to a spot where ancient runes were carved on the trunk of a giant tree, emitting a faint light.
Upon closer inspection, Zhao De reached out and touched the runes. The flames leaped and resonated with the runes. "This is... a clue to guide us to the next location."
Just as everyone was engrossed in their study, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence, and a group of figures clad in black robes suddenly appeared and surrounded them.