The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

Suddenly, the ground began to shake slightly, and then a crack spread along the ground under their feet. A faint blue light shone through the crack, like the eyes of the abyss, spying on everything on the ground.

"This is..." Before Su Mo could finish his words, he saw a huge stone hand stretching out from the crack, firmly grasping the huge rock next to it, and gently throwing it. The huge rock flew out as light as a feather and smashed into the depths of the dense forest.

"Stone statue guards!" Yueyue exclaimed. This ancient defense mechanism was recorded in her notes. They were set up on key paths leading to the temple to identify the true intentions of visitors.

"How do we get through?" Li Zixue asked nervously. The light of the Book of Wisdom seemed insignificant in front of this stone statue.

"Direct confrontation is probably unwise." The mysterious traveler observed the movement patterns of the stone statues. "These stone statues are usually set up with specific mechanisms or puzzles. If we solve them, we can pass safely."

After careful observation, Yueyue found a line of inscriptions on the base of the stone statue that had been almost worn away by time. The translation was an ancient saying: "Use wisdom as the key to open the door to the ancient times."

"Wisdom..." Zhao Ming thought for a moment and turned to look at Li Zixue. "Can the Book of Wisdom provide us with the answer?"

Li Zixue nodded and gently turned the pages of the book. An ancient rune emerged. She copied the runes one by one on the ground. When the last rune was completed, the ground shook more and more. The eyes of the stone statue suddenly lit up, and then slowly lowered its head, as if in tacit consent. A passable path appeared in the crack.

The five people smiled at each other and carefully crossed the crack. At the end of the road, a magnificent temple stood in the morning light. The sunlight shone on the ancient stone walls, shining with golden light, which was awe-inspiring.

"We did it." Su Mo sighed softly, the tip of his sword lightly touching the ground, as if he was talking to this witness of history.

"But this is just the beginning." Zhao Ming reminded, with a serious tone that could not be ignored, "There must be more unknowns waiting for us to reveal inside the temple."

They walked towards the gate of the temple step by step. As the distance shortened, their heartbeats accelerated. The door opened silently, and it was dark inside, as if it was the entrance to another world.

"Let's be together, no matter what the road ahead holds." Zhao Ming tightly held the hand of the person next to him. This sentence was both encouragement and a vow.

The team stepped into the temple and gradually adapted to the light. They were surprised to find that not only was there a collection of countless wisdom and treasures here, but more importantly, it seemed to be quietly waiting for the person who could truly inherit the guardian's will to come and re-light the world.

"Then, what's next?" Yueyue's words echoed in the empty hall, leaving endless room for imagination.

"Let's go step by step." Su Mo continued with a meaningful smile on his face, "After all, the best stories are always left to brave explorers."

"That's right." Li Zixue nodded in agreement, and the Book of Wisdom gently opened, as if responding to their determination, "Although the unknown is frightening, it also hides the power to change destiny."

At this time, a deep and ancient voice sounded in the temple, as if it came from all directions, making it impossible to distinguish the exact source: "Brave travelers, you have proven your worth. But remember, the real test is the struggle and self-transcendence deep in your heart."

The five people looked at each other, shocked and curious. The voice seemed to be able to see through their minds and strike deep into their souls.

"Who is talking?" Yueyue looked around, holding the pen tightly in her hand, ready to record everything at any time.

"I am the Spirit of the Temple, an eternal being that protects this holy place and knowledge," the voice replied without a trace of emotion.

Zhao Ming took a step forward and said firmly: "In this case, Spirit of the Temple, please tell us, how can we pass your test and unlock the true power of the guardian?"

“The test is not in the outside world, but in your heart.” The voice of the temple spirit slowly said, “You must face your deepest fear, understand and accept it, in order to grow.”

As soon as the words fell, the light in the temple began to change, and the five people found themselves in different scenes, each of which was connected to the memories they were most reluctant to face in their hearts.

"This is... the fire scene of my childhood." Su Mo looked at the burning houses around him in shock, a trace of pain flashing in his eyes.

"I...I felt despair after failing the exam." Li Zixue found herself sitting in an empty classroom with her test paper covered with red crosses.

Yueyue returned to the days when she was laughed at as a "freak", surrounded by the merciless ridicule of her classmates, which was harsh and cold.

Zhao Mingze stood in a desolate land, surrounded by the fallen figures of his comrades. That was a wound in his heart that would never heal.

The mysterious traveler closed his eyes, as if experiencing some kind of indescribable loneliness and wandering, which was the heaviness and loneliness accumulated from his long journey around the world.

"Only by facing our fears can we grow." Su Mo's voice rang out in their respective spaces. Although they were in different scenes, their hearts were closely connected because of this common experience.

"Yes, we are not alone." Yueyue clenched her fists, and the fear in her eyes was gradually replaced by determination.

"I understand." Li Zixue closed the book of wisdom. The soft light emanating from the book brought her comfort and courage.

"We accept the test." Zhao Ming stood up straight. Even in the imaginary battlefield, he was still a warrior.

The mysterious traveler opened his eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "No matter what happened in the past, now, we are each other's light."

After they each overcame their fears and achieved a spiritual breakthrough, the scene in the temple began to fade. The five people gathered again and found that there was a little more determination and calmness in each other's eyes.

“We did it,” Yueyue said excitedly, recording this extraordinary experience in her notebook.

"Yes, we are stronger." Zhao Ming stretched out his hand, and the five people's palms were stacked together, and strength and faith were transmitted between them.

"Next, what awaits us in the depths of the temple?" Li Zixue looked towards the depths of the temple, which was still shrouded in mysterious darkness.

The mysterious traveler smiled and said, "No matter what it is, we will face it together. Remember, true strength comes from the trust and unity between us."

Su Mo nodded, his tone full of confidence: "Go ahead, partners. The unknown journey is the most worthwhile adventure."

As they stepped deeper into the temple, a light suddenly lit up from the center of the temple. It was a warm and powerful light. "Look! What is that?" Yueyue pointed to the source of the light, curiosity and surprise flashing in her eyes.

"It seems to be... the remains of some kind of ritual?" Li Zixue followed closely, and the Book of Wisdom automatically turned pages, revealing ancient records related to the scene before him.

"Yes, according to records, this is the heart of the temple, the source of the guardian's power." The mysterious traveler's words were certain, and he seemed familiar with this.

They slowly approached, and a human figure vaguely appeared in the light. It was the shadow of the temple guard, standing in a solemn posture, holding a shining sword in his hand.

"The guardian's heritage..." Zhao Ming murmured in a low voice, feeling a resonance coming from deep in his blood.

"Wait, listen!" Su Mo suddenly interrupted. Everyone held their breath and only heard a faint and rapid cry for help, as if someone was struggling for help on the other side of the light.

"Someone needs help!" Li Zixue said anxiously. She was unwilling to stand idly by in the face of such power.

"We can't ignore it." Zhao Ming made a prompt decision and led everyone towards the figure in the light.

As they passed through the light, a strange space appeared before them. The scene here was completely different from the outside. In the center was a transparent crystal cage, in which was trapped a young man in strange clothes. He was the source of the cry for help.

"Please, save me!" When the young man saw them, a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

"Don't be afraid, we will find a way to rescue you." Yueyue immediately stepped forward, trying to find a way to open the cage.

"Strange, this lock has no keyhole." Su Mo checked it carefully and shook his head.

"Perhaps, it requires our joint strength." Li Zixue gently stroked the Book of Wisdom, and the pages turned automatically, finally stopping on a page of ancient totem.

"Let's combine our forces and try to activate this totem." The mysterious traveler suggested. The five of them formed a circle and placed their hands on the marks on the ground corresponding to the totem.

"One, two, three!" With Zhao Ming's command, five different forces gathered, the ground trembled, the crystal cage emitted a dazzling light, and then shattered with a loud bang, and the young man staggered out.

"Thank you. I'm a time traveler. I was trapped here because I accidentally touched an ancient trap." The young man said gratefully. His clothes and temperament revealed that he did not belong to this era.

"Time traveler? How is that possible!" Yueyue was so shocked that the notebook in her hand almost fell out of her hand.

"This world is much wider than we imagined." Zhao Ming looked thoughtful with a deep gaze.

"You are the chosen ones. I have an important mission to give you." The time traveler became serious and took out a token shining with a strange light from his arms. "This time and space token can guide you to find the lost artifact, which is the key to fighting against the coming dark force."

"Fight against the dark forces?" Su Mo gripped the hilt of the sword tightly, his eyes determined.

"That's right. A crisis across time and space is about to sweep over. Only by gathering all the divine artifacts can we protect the balance of this world." The time traveler explained.

"We are willing to accept this task." Zhao Ming, on behalf of everyone, solemnly took the token.

"Remember, time is running out. Not only will you have to face external enemies, but you will also have to overcome your inner fears and doubts." The time traveler's figure gradually became blurred, and finally turned into a ray of light and dissipated.

The five people looked at each other without saying a word, but the answer was in each other's eyes. They stepped out of the temple, facing the rising sun, with an unprecedented sense of mission in their hearts.

"This will be an unprecedented adventure, are you ready?" Zhao Ming asked, turning his head.

"We're ready!" the four said in unison, their voices filled with determination and expectation.

Walking on the corridor outside the temple, passers-by cast surprised glances at them. Although they didn't know what this group of young people had experienced, the determination and extraordinaryness emanating from them were enough to attract people's attention.

"Look, those people have light on them." A child held his mother's hand and said in a childish voice, his eyes full of longing for heroes.

"Yes, little one, maybe they are the legendary heroes." The mother responded gently, with admiration also flashing in her eyes.

Passing by a teahouse, the conversation inside involuntarily turned to them:
"See? Those people have extraordinary bearing. They must have come out of the temple." An old man said slowly while sipping tea.

"The Temple? Could it be that we have found the guardian's inheritance?" The person next to him put down the chess piece in his hand, his eyes full of curiosity.

"The guardians have reappeared? This is really good news. I hope they can bring us peace." Another tea drinker exclaimed, and nods of approval could be heard from all around.

The five people left the town and set out on a journey to find the lost artifact. The scenery along the way kept changing, but their determination never wavered.

"Where are we going first?" Yueyue took notes as she walked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity about the unknown.

"There are ancient patterns on the token, which look like mountains pointing to the north." Su Mo carefully studied the time and space token in his hand and said in a deep voice.

"Northern mountains? There's snow all year round and it's full of dangers. It's not a place that can be easily reached." Zhao Ming frowned, but there was no trace of retreat in his tone.

"The more difficult it is, the more important the hidden secret is." There is a sense of detachment in the words of the mysterious traveler, as if he has long been accustomed to traveling through wind and rain.

"No matter what, as long as we are together, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome." Li Zixue tapped the Book of Wisdom lightly, her eyes gentle but firm.

Their conversation attracted the whispers of passers-by, and everyone was talking about them, full of curiosity and speculation.

"Can these young people really find the magic weapon?" A businessman who was on the road stopped and looked at their receding backs, feeling both doubt and expectation in his heart.

"If they succeed, it will be good news for us." A passing soldier whispered to his companion, his tone full of desire and admiration.

As the sun sets, the five people stop at the foot of the mountain and look at the towering snow-capped mountains ahead, where the clue to their first artifact is hidden.

"Tomorrow, we will uncover the first secret." Zhao Ming raised the token. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on his determined face, bringing endless strength and hope to the team.

"Good night, everyone. Tomorrow, we will write a legend together." Li Zixue said softly. Her voice seemed particularly gentle in the night, adding a bit of warmth to the tense atmosphere. (End of this chapter)