The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

"No matter what awaits us ahead, as long as we work together, there will be no difficulties that we cannot overcome." Zhao Ming's voice echoed in the tunnel, which was not only an encouragement to his companions, but also a persistence of his own beliefs.

As they went deeper into the tunnel, the air became colder and colder. The faintly visible ancient patterns on the wall revealed a strange atmosphere under 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 talisman was trembling, as if it was also affected by this inexplicable atmosphere.

"Yes, it's like... a call from the ground." Li Zixue frowned, and the pages of the Book of Wisdom turned automatically without wind, turning to the chapter describing the ancient curse.

Just as everyone was on alert, a heavy sound of footsteps came from deep in the tunnel, and then a figure staggered into the fire. The man was wearing a pair of strange leather boots with strange gems inlaid on the boots, flashing an ominous luster.

"Help... Help!" The man who came was ragged and pale, with sparks of fear flashing in his eyes. It was obvious that he had suffered a great fright.

"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 his fingers at his feet with trembling hands, "They... controlled me and made me do unimaginable things."

Hearing this, everyone looked at the mysterious pair of leather boots. The light on the surface of the boots flickered, as if it contained some indescribable power.

"Leather boots? You said these leather boots can control people?" Su Mo walked forward and tried to use healing magic to stabilize the other party's emotions while examining the pair of boots.

"Not only did you control me... but you also made me hurt innocent people... I... I didn't mean it..." The visitor held his head in pain, his voice full of self-blame.

At this time, in the shadow of the tunnel, there seemed to be more whispers forming a cold aura slowly approaching, and an invisible force seemed to be stirring, looking for a new target.

"It seems that we are in trouble." The mysterious shadow guard finally spoke. His eyes were sharp and he had already sensed the potential crisis around him.

"We must lift the curse of these leather boots and stop them from continuing to harm others." Zhao Ming gripped the sword tightly, with a flame of determination burning in his eyes.

"But how can we do it?" Yueyue asked. The light of the rune in her hand became brighter and brighter, ready to deal with any possible danger at any time.

"The Book of Wisdom... should be able to find the answer." Li Zixue anxiously flipped through the pages, and finally, an old page of records came into view. "It mentions an ancient magic called 'Mind Shackles' that can bind cursed objects, but it requires a specific ritual and medium."

"So, what kind of medium do we need?" Su Mo asked. He was ready to use his magic to support any form of curse-breaking ritual.

"It's... water from the Pure Spring." Li Zixue read out the required materials and then frowned, "But this spring is located on the other side of the continent. Water from far away cannot quench thirst nearby."

Just when everyone was at a loss, a new traveler slowly spoke up: "I know a place not far from here. There is a forgotten holy spring that may be able to replace the Pure Spring."

Everyone's eyes lit up. This was undoubtedly the best choice at the moment.

"Let's set off without further ado." Zhao Ming made a prompt decision and everyone set off again, taking the victim controlled by the boots and heading in the direction indicated by the traveler.

Along the way, they must avoid those unfortunate people who are controlled by the same leather boots and doing evil everywhere. Every time they meet someone, Zhao Ming tries his best to persuade them to give up resistance and promises to help them get rid of this evil bondage.

After a difficult journey, they finally arrived at the forgotten holy spring. The spring water was crystal clear, emitting a faint holy light, which seemed to have the power to purify all sins.

According to the ancient ritual translated by Li Zixue, Su Mo and Yueyue cast a spell together, while the mysterious shadow guards stood guard around vigilantly to prevent any accidents. Zhao Ming dipped the victim's leather boots into the holy spring, and the spring water immediately rippled, and the evil light on the boots gradually dissipated.

"I feel... like I'm relieved..." The victim slowly opened his eyes and his expression became clear again.

"Success!" Yueyue shouted excitedly. The light of the talisman stone seemed 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: "Foolish guardian, do you think you can stop the plan of the Lord of Black Boots in this way?"

A figure walked out slowly. He was wearing the same pair of mysterious leather boots as before, but they were more gorgeous and more evil. He was obviously the source of these boots.

"Who are you?!" Zhao Ming stood with a sword in his hand, blocking his companions.

The man just sneered and did not answer. Instead, he stomped his foot violently, and the ground began to shake. More controlled people came from all directions. Their eyes were empty and their steps were stiff. It was obvious that they had been completely controlled.

"Prepare for battle!" Zhao Ming shouted, and everyone was on high alert. A battle against evil and to defend light was about to begin.

"You hide in the dark and manipulate everything. Do you think you can conquer this continent easily?" Zhao Ming's eyes were like torches, the tip of his sword pointed directly at the mysterious man, his words full of challenge and disdain.

The mysterious man sneered and said slowly: "Conquer? No, I just want the world to witness true power. You so-called guardians are nothing but mantises blocking the wheel of history."

"History? Your so-called 'power' has only brought destruction and suffering!" Li Zixue retorted indignantly, the Book of Wisdom shining with the light of knowledge in her hands.

"Suffering? That is the moan of the weak. Only the strong can leave footprints on this land." Every word of the mysterious man revealed his coldness and ruthlessness.

"Strong? If you rely on such despicable means to control others, you don't deserve to be called a strong man!" Su Mo's voice was calm and firm, his hands condensed with healing light, ready to provide support for the upcoming battle.

"Despicable? Ha, the victors write history, the means are irrelevant." The mysterious man's leather boots shone with an even more dazzling evil light, the controlled people around him were ready to move, and the air was filled with the tense atmosphere on the eve of the battle.

At this moment, the new traveler stepped forward, his eyes flashing with determination: "Perhaps the power of an individual is limited, but when we unite as one, light will always be able to dispel darkness."

“Hmph, then let me show you the true power of the Lord of Black Boots!” Before the mysterious man finished speaking, the ground suddenly cracked open, and countless shadow tentacles stretched out from the cracks and attacked everyone.

"Everyone disperse! Don't let them concentrate their attack!" Zhao Ming shouted loudly, and the sword in his hand turned into a silver lightning, cutting off the oncoming tentacles.

Yueyue's rune shone brightly, forming a light shield to protect her teammates from the shadows. Li Zixue quickly flipped through the Book of Wisdom, looking for a way to restrain these tentacles, while Su Mo's healing power continued to flow, providing support for the injured partners.

"I've found a solution! The book says that these shadow creatures fear pure light." Li Zixue announced excitedly, quickly drawing complex talismans with his fingers and chanting ancient spells.

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 retreat one after another, and the figure of the mysterious man also seemed to be a little shaken under the strong light.

"Impossible...this light..." The mysterious man's voice wavered for the first time.

"Nothing is impossible. As long as we have faith in our hearts, the light will never go out!" Zhao Ming took the opportunity to launch an attack. The sword accurately penetrated the shadow and headed straight for 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 controlled people fell one by one and regained their consciousness. Everyone stood around the holy spring, looking at the water surface that was gradually returning to calm, with both the joy of victory and the vigilance for future battles.

"Although we won this battle, the threat of the 'Lord of Black Boots' still exists." Zhao Ming sheathed his sword with a deep look in his eyes.

"That's right, but as long as we are together, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome." Yueyue's tone was full of confidence, and the rune stone glowed warmly in her hand, as if responding to her determination.

"This time, thanks to your information, new friend." Li Zixue smiled and expressed her gratitude to the traveler.

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, we have to 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, which made everyone feel shocked.

"Then, let us face the next challenge together!" Su Mo's proposal was agreed by everyone.

"Before we set off, we'd better recover our strength and make a detailed plan." Su Mo suggested. He gently touched the fallen controlled people, and the remaining healing energy helped them wake up from coma faster, and their consciousness gradually became 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 fixed 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, and this is our duty." Zhao Ming answered gently, scanning everyone's face with a firm gaze, as if silently promising: no matter what kind of darkness they face, they will stand up to protect the light.

"Does the Book of Wisdom mention any clues about the 'Lord of Black Boots'?" Li Zixue eagerly turned the pages, hoping to find a clue. The pages rustled, as if the ancient wisdom was telling them a secret.

"It is mentioned here that the power of the 'Lord of Black Boots' comes from an ancient relic. That place is related to the Fountain of Purity, and it is also the source of his power." Li Zixue spoke faster, and his tone could not hide his excitement at discovering key information.

"Ancient ruins... sounds like another adventure." Yueyue's rune stone jumped in her palm, as if she was looking forward to the upcoming challenge. "Are we sure we can find that place?"

"With a general direction, there is hope." The traveler interrupted, a complex emotion flashing 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 some legends about those ruins."

"Okay, that's our decision." 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, fighting the darkness together."

As night fell and the starry sky shone, they discussed tomorrow's plan around the campfire, with a tense and hopeful atmosphere in the air. In this land purified by the holy spring, their mutual trust and friendship gradually merged into one, like the warm fire, 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 gradually died down, and the camp fell into silence, with only the occasional rustling of the grass in the wind. At this time, a low but clear voice sounded in everyone's ears, like the whisper of a ghost: "Remember, true power does not come only from external weapons or magic, but also from your firm belief in your heart and the unbreakable bond between you."

The voices faded away, leaving only the glances exchanged by the five travelers beside the campfire. The determination and trust in their eyes were brighter than any starlight. They understood that no matter how difficult and dangerous the road ahead was, as long as they walked hand in hand, light would eventually dispel all darkness.

"Good night, friends." Yueyue said softly, the rune stone slowly spinning in her hand, emitting a soft light, as if it was a gentle blessing for this long night.

"Good night." The others responded one after another, and each of them slowly fell asleep with anticipation and anxiety about tomorrow.

The night deepened, the sky was clear and the moonlight sprinkled around the quiet camp, covering this temporarily peaceful land with a layer of silver. In such a quiet night, a dark shadow quietly appeared at the edge of the camp, and the eyes flickered in the dark, 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 did not disturb anyone, "The Guardian and the Unknown Traveler, and the Book of Wisdom... It seems that this game is more exciting than I expected." (End of this chapter)