The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

"Then, no matter what difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, we must go." Zhao Ming's eyes were firm, and lightning jumped around him, as if responding to his determination.

As they were discussing, a mysterious traveler approached quietly, his face looking particularly profound in the firelight.

"You are the messengers of light, right?" The traveler said, his voice filled with indescribable vicissitudes. "I have something that may be helpful to your journey."

He took out a jade pendant carved with an ancient totem from his arms and handed it to Zhao Ming.

"This is..." Zhao Ming took the jade pendant and felt a warm and powerful force flowing out of it.

"This jade pendant has been passed down from generation to generation in my clan. It is said that it can guide the holder to find the true path to light." The traveler smiled slightly, turned around and disappeared into the night, leaving only one sentence to drift with the wind, "Remember, the true light comes from the heart."

The next morning, when they were about to leave the village, they found many people gathered at the entrance of the village. They held flowers and food in their hands, their eyes full of gratitude and admiration.

"Please come back and tell us more about the world outside!" The little girl waved her hands, her eyes full of curiosity about the unknown and yearning for heroes.

"We will." Zhao Ming promised. They embarked on a new journey, carrying not only the mission in their hearts, but also the light and hope in the hearts of countless people.

The three of them walked farther and farther away, their backs lengthening in the morning light until they completely disappeared on the horizon.

As the crisis in the village was resolved, Zhao Ming, Su Mo and Li Zixue became heroes in everyone's eyes, but under the calm surface, undercurrents surged. After bidding farewell to the grateful villagers, they took the newly acquired ancient jade pendant and the mysterious words left by the traveler and embarked on a journey to find the holy land, with both expectations and uneasiness in their hearts.

"This jade pendant feels much more complicated than it looks." Zhao Ming observed the jade pendant in his hand as he walked. The warm power seemed to resonate subtly with his lightning power.

Su Mo gently touched the jade pendant, and a hint of surprise flashed in his green eyes: "It seems to be guiding us, just like nature whispering to me."

Li Zixue opened the Book of Wisdom and lightly stroked the yellowed pages with her fingertips: "The book contains very few records about the Holy Land, but it mentions a clue - the Holy Land is hidden deep in a forest whose name has been forgotten, where there live creatures that guard ancient secrets."

As the three were discussing, the sky suddenly became overcast, thunder rumbled faintly, and the air around them became oppressive. "This weather change is too weird." Su Mo frowned.

"I'm afraid we are not alone." Zhao Ming looked around vigilantly, with lightning in his hand ready to deal with unknown threats.

At this time, a huge crow fell from the sky and landed not far from them, and turned into a mysterious man in a black cloak. "Light Messenger, our paths seem to have crossed." The man spoke in a low voice, and under the mask, his eyes were like the abyss, making it impossible to peek into his true emotions.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Zhao Ming asked, with a lightning spear in his hand, ready to guard against any possible attack.

The mysterious man slowly raised his hand, indicating that he had no ill intentions. "I am from an organization with the same mission as yours, called 'Shadow Guard'. Recently, the dark forces have been making moves. From what I know, they are also looking for that holy place, intending to use the power there to bring disaster to the world."

Su Mo frowned: "So, our destination is the same, but our purposes are very different."

"That's right." The mysterious man nodded in agreement. "I am willing to cooperate with you temporarily to fight against darkness together. After all, protecting this world is our common responsibility."

Faced with the sudden proposal, the three exchanged glances. Although they had doubts, the current situation did not allow for hesitation. "Okay, but along the way, we must monitor each other and make sure that we don't become a burden to each other." Li Zixue calmly put forward the conditions.

The mysterious man nodded slightly, tacitly accepting the agreement. Thus, this temporary alliance embarked on a more uncertain journey, with each step full of unknowns and challenges.

A few days later, they came to the legendary forgotten forest. Ancient and twisted trees blocked out the sun, and the forest was filled with an unsettling silence. Suddenly, a group of wolf-like creatures emitting faint blue light rushed out from the darkness and surrounded them.

"The Shadow Beast is a product of dark power." The mysterious man quickly pulled out a pair of sharp daggers and prepared to meet the enemy.

Zhao Ming swung the lightning spear in his hand, and a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, repelling several approaching shadow beasts: "It seems that our road is not smooth."

Su Mo resonated with nature, summoning vines and tree roots to weave into a living barrier, blocking the Shadow Beast's attack. Meanwhile, Li Zixue's Book of Wisdom shone with dazzling light, releasing a series of complex runes to interfere with the Shadow Beast's actions.

During the fierce battle, the four of them cooperated well and gradually suppressed the offensive of the shadow beasts. Just when the battle seemed to be about to end, a darker and more powerful aura came from the depths of the forest, causing all the shadow beasts to stop attacking and bow their heads in awe.

“That is…” The mysterious man’s face was solemn, and his eyes passed through the dense forest, as if he saw something terrifying.

"It seems that the real test has just begun." Zhao Ming clenched the spear in his hand, his eyes burning with an indomitable fighting spirit.

At this moment, a deep and magnetic voice echoed in the forest: "Welcome to the Land of Shadows, Lightbringer. I am the master here and the key to the answers you seek. However, before that, you must pass my test."

After the sound disappeared, silence returned to the surroundings, with only the four people's rapid breathing and heartbeats echoing in the air.

Su Mo looked up at Zhao Ming and Li Zixue, his eyes full of determination: "No matter what lies ahead, we will not retreat."

Li Zixue gently closed the book of wisdom and said with a smile: "That's right, because we are messengers of light and beacons of hope."

The mysterious shadow guard nodded, showing a look of approval for the first time: "Then, let us face this trial together.

"No matter what awaits us, the shadow will never succumb to the light." There was an unprecedented determination in his words.

At this moment, a tall figure slowly walked out of the darkness of the forest, his whole body shrouded in a thin layer of black mist, only his eyes were like bright stars, revealing wisdom and depth. The surrounding shadow beasts automatically separated on both sides, making way for the new figure.

"I am the guardian of the forest, Arthurs." The deep and majestic voice sounded, "For a long time, I have been guarding this land and its hidden secrets. Since you have come here, it proves that you are the chosen ones. However, the road to the holy land is not a smooth one. It is full of trials and dangers."

When the villagers nearby heard about this, they began to talk about it, their eyes filled with shock and awe.

"Oh my God, are they the warriors chosen by God?" a young farmer exclaimed, his voice full of respect.

“Look at them, so young, yet so courageous.” The old woman sighed, tears glistening in her eyes, as if she saw hope for the future of the village.

"If only I had the same power as them..." the little boy murmured to himself, with a gleam of longing in his eyes.

Su Mo, Zhao Ming, Li Zixue and the mysterious shadow guard looked at each other, conveying trust without words. They knew that no matter how difficult the future was, as long as they looked to the light, they would have nothing to fear.

"Guardian Arthurs, we will accept your trial, please show us the way." Zhao Ming took a step forward with a firm tone.

Arthurs nodded slightly, and with a flick of his finger, a soft beam of light penetrated the dense treetops, illuminating a hidden path. "This road will lead you to the first trial site. Only those who truly understand the balance between light and darkness can continue to move forward."

The four set foot on this unknown path, and the surrounding environment gradually became strange and changeable. Sometimes it was a lush flower bush, exuding an intoxicating fragrance; sometimes it turned into a desolate ruin, revealing the heaviness and sadness of history. Every scene seemed to be testing their character and will.

"It's unbelievable that such a place actually exists..." Li Zixue exclaimed, and her book of wisdom automatically turned to a new page, recording the strange scenes along the way.

Zhao Ming's lightning power seemed to be more active at this time. From time to time, subtle electric currents flowed around him, resonating with the elements of nature. "I feel... the power is growing, as if everything here is responding to me."

Su Mo gently stroked the green vines around him. They seemed to have life, gently wrapped around his arms, gentle and powerful. "The power of nature is both a guide and a protection. We are not alone."

The mysterious shadow guard always remained alert, his black cloak fluttering in the wind, his sharp eyes capturing every subtle change. "In darkness, the key to light is often hidden."

Just as they were about to reach the trial site, a melodious song suddenly sounded in the air. The melody was ancient and pure, as if it directly touched the softest part of everyone's heart.

“Who is it…?” Zhao Ming asked doubtfully. There was no sign of anyone else around.

"This is the song of the forest, the soul of nature is singing." Arthurs' voice came from afar, "If you can listen carefully, you will find the answer."

The four of them calmed down, closed their eyes, and let the song penetrate the barriers of their hearts and wash away the dust in their hearts. When they opened their eyes again, a dazzling light gate appeared in front of them, engraved with ancient runes, flowing with the light of life.

"It seems that our first test is to understand the true meaning of this song." Li Zixue said slowly, and the Book of Wisdom in his hand shone even brighter. It automatically turned to a page with a rune similar to the one on the light gate.

"Let's go in together. No matter what is waiting for us ahead, we will face it with a bright heart." Zhao Ming gripped the lightning spear tightly, his face full of determination.

As they stepped into the light gate, a strong light enveloped the four of them, and then everything returned to calm. When the light faded, they were already in a completely new environment. In front of them was an ancient and magnificent palace, with a glowing stone tablet in the center, engraved with: "True light does not eliminate darkness, but allows both to coexist and illuminate every corner of the world."

"It seems that this is the answer to our journey..." Su Mo pondered, with a clear mind that could see through everything in his eyes.

"That's right, Lightbringer. By understanding this, you will be closer to the Holy Land and the power that can change the world."+
"But how do we use this power, and how do we prevent it from falling into the wrong hands?" Li Zixue asked, her eyes filled with both expectation and worry, and the book of wisdom flipped gently, as if silently urging for an answer.

The mysterious shadow guard raised a barely perceptible smile. "This is exactly the purpose of the next trial, to let you learn control and balance. Remember, power itself is neither good nor evil. The key lies in the person who holds it."

As he was speaking, the stone tablet in the center of the hall suddenly burst into an even brighter light. A beam of light shot straight into the dome, and gradually gathered into a series of flowing pictures, showing the story of how countless heroes and wise men in history used the power of light and darkness to maintain the balance of the world.

An elderly villager appeared quietly at the door. With a far-reaching gaze and full of admiration, he said, "I have never seen such a wonder. You must be the chosen ones of God. May the light guide you."

Su Mo turned around and responded with a gentle look: "Old man, you have witnessed this moment and are an indispensable part of our journey. Please rest assured that we will protect this world."

As soon as the words fell, the light on the stone tablet suddenly condensed and turned into runes shining with different lusters, floating towards the four people. The rune that Zhao Ming caught shone with the light of thunder, making the lightning power in his body more pure; Su Mo got a rune as green as jade, and the power of nature formed a stronger shield around him; after Li Zixue got the rune, the pages of the Book of Wisdom in his hand turned automatically, showing unprecedented wisdom and knowledge; and the dark rune in the hands of the mysterious shadow guard made his figure more elusive between light and shadow.

"Is this our guidance?" Zhao Ming clenched the rune in his hand, his eyes flashing with excitement and determination.

"It is not only a guide, but also a legacy of power." Arthurs' voice sounded again, this time it seemed closer, but he was nowhere to be seen. "The road ahead will be even more difficult. Not only will you face external threats, but you will also have to overcome your own inner fears and desires."

The four of them smiled at each other, their mutual trust and determination needed no further explanation. At this moment, the ground of the hall trembled slightly, and a stone door leading to the underground slowly opened, revealing a faint blue light, as if an unknown challenge was waiting for them.

"Then let's set off, heading towards the unknown." Su Mo walked in front, his words full of determination and courage. (End of this chapter)