The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

"Zixue!" Yueyue screamed and the pen in her hand fell to the ground. She rushed over to check on Li Zixue's condition, only to see an arrow that looked like it was made of twisted branches deeply inserted into Li Zixue's shoulder. A strange black color began to appear around the wound and spread rapidly.

"Tree spirit, it's the evil tree spirit of the dark forces!" The mysterious traveler recognized the identity of the attacker. He quickly pulled out his dagger and looked around vigilantly. In the dense woods, pairs of green eyes were slowly emerging.

"They took advantage of the night, we must act immediately!" Zhao Ming commanded loudly, and at the same time squatted down and tried to pull out the strange arrow, but the arrow seemed to have taken root and did not move at all.

"Don't touch it, Zhao Ming, this arrow carries a curse." Li Zixue endured the pain, and the book of wisdom automatically turned the pages, revealing an ancient healing spell. She tried to recite it, but due to the severe injuries, her voice trembled and almost stopped.

"Hold on, Zixue! We will find a way." Yueyue was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. She picked up the pen that had fallen on the ground and suddenly had an idea. She quickly drew symbols on the paper one after another. They were emergency signals for help, hoping that they could be conveyed to the wise men of the tribe through special teleportation magic.

"Spread out and buy some time for Yueyue." Su Mo commanded calmly. The four of them went in four directions, each dealing with the approaching tree spirit. An arduous battle began.

"You can't hurt us. The light of justice will always illuminate the darkness!" Zhao Ming brandished a shining sword, and every strike dispelled the shadows around him. However, the number of tree spirits seemed endless. They were agile and cunning. They used the woods as cover and constantly launched sneak attacks.

The mysterious traveler was like a fish in water in the darkness. He used his sensitivity to the environment to avoid fatal attacks and fight back time and time again. However, every time the tree spirit fell, it would turn into a ball of black mist and condense into shape again, and the battle came to a stalemate.

"We must find the root cause, otherwise this is not a solution!" Yueyue finally completed the last symbol, and the paper turned into a stream of light and shot up into the sky. She prayed that the message could be delivered in time.

While everyone was fighting hard, a melodious song suddenly came from the forest. The song was pure and holy, like the first ray of sunshine in spring, dispelling all the haze and fear. As the song got closer, a huge phoenix spread its wings and came. Wherever its wings covered, the tree spirits retreated and the black fog dissipated.

"Great guardian, you heard our call!" Yueyue knelt on the ground, her eyes full of gratitude.

The phoenix circled the field and finally stopped beside Li Zixue. It spit out a ball of warm flame from its mouth, gently covering the cursed arrow. After the flame, the arrow slid down silently, and the black gas at the wound also dissipated, replaced by a warm healing light.

Li Zixue slowly opened her eyes, weak but determined: "We... haven't lost yet."

"Yes, as long as we have hope in our hearts, light will always come." Zhao Ming helped Li Zixue up. Their backs looked particularly strong against the backdrop of the phoenix.

"The attack of the tree spirit is obviously manipulated by someone. The mastermind behind this must be found out." Su Mo sheathed his sword with a deep look in his eyes.

"Moreover, the appearance of this phoenix is ​​probably not accidental." The mysterious traveler joined the discussion. He looked up at the phoenix hovering in the sky, with a hint of thought in his eyes. "It chose to help us, which may mean that we are closely connected with the fate of this land."

"I seem to hear guidance from the phoenix's song." Li Zixue stroked the Book of Wisdom. After the treatment just now, its cover shone with a softer light. "It says that to find the source of light, you must go to the deepest darkness."

Yueyue picked up the pen and wrote down carefully: "The guidance of the Phoenix may be the key to solving all the mysteries. We should follow this clue and explore further."

At this time, a survivor who had just joined, a thin but determined young man, timidly said: "I... I know a place. Legend has it that it is the heart of darkness, but it is also the place where the ancient relics of light sleep."

When everyone heard this, they all showed expressions of strong interest.

"Lead the way." Zhao Ming gave the order briefly and forcefully, while casting a trusting look at the young man.

Led by a new member, the team set foot on a more hidden and dangerous road. As they went deeper, the surrounding scene became more bizarre, and even the air was filled with an oppressive atmosphere.

"Is there really...an ancient relic in this place?" A middle-aged woman in the team asked nervously, holding a child.

"Legends don't come out of nothing. Since we have come so far, we must believe them." Su Mo responded while paying attention to the movements around him, his sword ready to be unsheathed at any time.

Just as they were about to reach their destination, suddenly, a deafening roar broke the silence and the earth shook.

"Is this... an earthquake?" People panicked and looked for shelter everywhere.

“No, this is not a natural phenomenon.” The mysterious traveler’s face was solemn. He pointed to the distance and saw a huge black cloud rolling in, containing suffocating malice.

"The power of darkness is so strong." Li Zixue pursed her lips, and the Book of Wisdom in her hand automatically opened to a page that depicted an ancient sealing rune.

"Everyone, get ready, the real battle is about to begin!" Zhao Ming waved his sword and pointed it at the black clouds. His voice echoed in the wind, inspiring everyone.

Just as the team was on high alert, a figure slowly walked out of the dark cloud. He was wearing a gorgeous black robe, his face was blurry, but he exuded a sense of oppression that could not be ignored.

"I am the Lord of the Shadow Council. I am impressed by your courage. However, trying to challenge the abyss of darkness is like hitting a rock with an egg." The man in black robe spoke slowly, his voice was empty and indifferent.

"We are not here to challenge, we are here to protect light and peace." Li Zixue stepped forward, there was no fear in her eyes, only firm belief.

“Light? Humph, that’s just an illusion of the weak.” The man in black robe sneered. He raised one hand, and suddenly the air around him became heavy.

"Then we will use our actions to tell you that the light is never far away." Zhao Ming shouted and led the charge, with others following closely behind. Thus began a battle between light and darkness.

Just as the two sides were fighting fiercely, a low and solemn voice sounded, as if it came from heaven and earth:
"Enough, let this endless struggle end. True strength comes from the light within, not from the imposition of the outside world."

As the voice fell, a crack suddenly appeared in the sky, and a huge light poured out, illuminating the entire battlefield like daylight. In that dazzling light, there seemed to be an invisible force that gradually dispelled the dark clouds and calmed the anger of the Shadow Council Lords.

People watched this scene in astonishment, and the fear and despair in their hearts were replaced by an unprecedented hope.

"Look, the light really exists." Yueyue murmured to herself, tears flashing in her eyes.

"This...is this a miracle?" the young survivor asked in disbelief, his voice trembling.

"No, this is the power formed by the beliefs that everyone holds in their hearts." Su Mo said softly. He looked at the black-robed man who was gradually disappearing in the distance, with deep meaning in his eyes.

"We can't relax yet. Although the darkness has retreated, its root cause has not been eliminated." The mysterious traveler reminded. He has a long-term vision and seems to have foreseen that the journey ahead will be long and difficult.

"He's right," Zhao Ming nodded. His gaze lingered on everyone's face, finally settling on the young survivor who had just joined. "The ancient relic you mentioned may be the key. Lead us to find it. Perhaps there is a way to completely defeat the darkness."

The young man swallowed, but his eyes were more determined than before: "Okay, follow me."

Led by the young man, the team continued to go deeper into the unknown. On the way, they encountered more challenges: maze-like caves, moving stone statues and even the vortex of time. Every step was full of unknowns and dangers. However, with the cooperation and wisdom of the team, these difficulties were overcome one by one.

"There's a light ahead..." Yueyue pointed at the faint light ahead, her tone filled with disbelief.

As they approached, the light gradually expanded, eventually revealing a glowing altar, on top of which lay a sword emitting a soft glow, the legendary Sword of Light.

"This is... what we have been looking for!" Li Zixue said softly. She felt the Book of Wisdom trembling slightly, as if it resonated with the sword.

Just as everyone was approaching with hope, the ground suddenly shook, and a huge black shadow jumped out from the shadows. It turned out to be a giant beast strengthened by the power of darkness!
"Protect the Sword of Light!" Zhao Ming shouted, swinging his sword to fight back. The battle was fierce and dangerous, and everyone tried their best. Even the weakest members contributed in their own way.

"Why are we fighting?" the mysterious traveler asked loudly in the melee. His words seemed to have magic, making everyone's actions more decisive and the fire in their hearts burn more vigorously.

"For light! For the future!" The voices of the crowd gathered into a torrent, with great momentum.

With everyone's concerted efforts, the beast gradually retreated, and finally turned into ashes in a dazzling light. The Sword of Light automatically flew into Zhao Ming's hand, and the warm light emitted by the sword enveloped everyone, healing their wounds and igniting the fire of hope in their hearts.

"We did it..." Yueyue wiped away the sweat, tears and smiles intertwined.

"But this is just the beginning." Zhao Ming held the Sword of Light in his hand, his eyes determined. "The power of darkness is still lurking. We must find its source and eradicate it completely."

"So where do we go next?" asked the young survivor. He had grown from his initial timidity to become brave and decisive.

"The Phoenix guided us here, and I believe it will guide us again." Li Zixue lowered her head, and the Book of Wisdom automatically flipped, revealing a line of glowing words: "In the Land of Oblivion, there is a door that leads to the source of light and darkness."

"The Land of Oblivion..." Su Mo pondered, "It's a mysterious place. It is said that few people who enter it come out again."

"No matter what lies ahead, we will not retreat." Zhao Ming turned around and faced everyone, his voice full of power, "Because we are the messengers of light and the hope of this continent."

“Then let us head towards the forgotten land and uncover all the secrets.” The mysterious traveler tightened his cloak, his eyes passing through the fog, as if he could see through the future journey.

The group set out on their journey again, this time with hope in their hearts and the Sword of Light as their pillar of faith. The villagers along the way heard about their deeds and came to bless and encourage them.

"It's incredible, messenger of light, may you always be lucky on your journey!" An old man held Zhao Ming's hand tightly, with tears in his eyes.

"If we can really find a solution to the darkness, our children will be able to run freely in the sunshine, right?" The young mother hugged the baby tightly in her arms, with anticipation in her eyes.

The team left the village, and each step became heavier. On the way, they rescued many small towns trapped in the darkness, and each victory made more people believe that light is coming.

"Look, those are the heroes who defeated Shadow Beast!" the child shouted excitedly, attracting amazement and admiration from those around him.

"They are real heroes, just like in the stories!" The children gathered around, vying to catch a glimpse of the heroes, while the adults looked at them with gratitude and respect.

By chance, they rescued a wise man who was imprisoned by a black magician. The wise man said to them: "The Forgotten Land is indeed full of dangers, but it also hides ancient knowledge and power. To find that door, you must pass the test of the three guardians."

"Trial? Please tell us the details, Master." Zhao Ming asked sincerely.

"The trial is about courage, wisdom and sacrifice. Remember, purity and firmness of heart are more important than any weapon." The wise man left these words, which turned into a ray of light and dissipated, leaving everyone with infinite thoughts.

Finally, after going through countless hardships and dangers, they arrived at the entrance to the Forgotten Land. What they saw before them was a desolate land with ghostly whispers echoing all around.

"In this place, it feels like even the air has been forgotten." Yueyue sighed softly, the pen in her hand trembling, but she still insisted on recording it all.

“Don’t be afraid, we are together.” The young survivor held Yueyue’s hand, giving her courage and proving that he had grown into an indispensable member of the team.

Just as they were about to take a step forward, a gust of wind blew by, bringing a familiar and mysterious voice: "The real challenge begins now. May the light guide you forward."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ground suddenly cracked open, and three different paths appeared before them, each leading to an unknown trial field.

"It seems that we have to act separately." Su Mo analyzed calmly, his eyes sweeping over everyone, "Each of us has trials that we must face. Believe in each other, and we will meet again on the other side." (End of this chapter)