The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

Chapter 696 Heart
"This place feels mysterious and unsettling," the girl said softly, the staff in her hand glowing slightly, adding a warm glow to the surroundings.

“Uneasyness often means unknowns and challenges, but it is also an opportunity for growth,” the young man encouraged, his words revealing an inexplicable confidence, as if no difficulties could stop them.

Just as they were cautiously passing through a magnificent hall, an old man who looked old but had sharp eyes walked out of the shadows. He was wearing tattered wizard robes and holding a staff inlaid with strange gems.

“Few people dare to set foot here, let alone such a young life.” The old man’s voice was hoarse and deep, and his eyes swept back and forth between the two men, as if assessing their worth.

"We are here to find out the truth about this ancient castle and the legendary great magician." The young man answered frankly without a trace of fear.

The old man smiled slightly. "The truth? Your courage is commendable. But do you know? The truth is often more complicated than it appears, and it is full of costs."

"We are ready to face anything." The girl said firmly. Although her voice was soft, it was full of unquestionable power.

“Haha, then come with me, let me see if you really have the ability to solve this ancient mystery.” The old man turned around, his steps slightly staggering but extremely steady, and led the two to the heart of the castle.

Along the way, they passed through many traps and also witnessed the wonderful magic left in the castle. Every time they overcame a difficulty, they could feel a sense of accomplishment and growth of strength from the bottom of their hearts.

Finally, they stopped in a circular secret room covered with star patterns. In the center of the room, a crystal stone emitting a faint glow was quietly suspended, as if connecting the secrets of the stars and the earth.

“This is…” Before the young man finished his words, the old man raised his staff and chanted a spell. The crystal stone suddenly burst out with dazzling light, surrounding the three people.

In the light, pictures flashed by quickly, the dust of history was lifted off, and ancient memories emerged. They saw the magnificent epic of how the former magician used his life to defend this land from the invasion of darkness, and they also understood that the eternal contest between light and darkness has never stopped.

When the light faded, the old man disappeared, leaving only one sentence echoing in the air: "Remember, true power does not come only from external magic or weapons, but also from inner beliefs and the courage to keep exploring."

"We will never forget." The young man and the girl stood side by side, determination and hope for the future shining in their eyes.

As the two walked out of the castle, it was already dark and the stars were shining. This experience not only allowed them to gain valuable knowledge, but more importantly, it ignited their deeper desire for exploration and determination to protect the world.

"From now on, no matter where our path leads, we must remember the oath we made today." The girl looked up at the night sky, her tone full of expectations for the future.

“Of course,” the young man nodded, his eyes also fixed on the vast stars. “Whether it’s searching for lost treasures, unlocking ancient magic, or fighting against unknown threats, we will stand shoulder to shoulder and become the indispensable light of this world.”

Their conversation was carried away by the gentle wind, as if blending into the night and drifting away. At this time, a couple passing by accidentally heard their conversation and looked surprised.

"Did you hear that? They said they want to be the light of the world!" The girl tugged at the boy's sleeve, her eyes sparkling with a strange light.

The boy smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of admiration: "You should always have dreams, right? Maybe one day, they can really do it."

Although the conversation between the lovers was quiet, it was like a warm current, silently encouraging the young man and the girl who were about to embark on their respective journeys. The two exchanged a look, which contained too much tacit understanding and determination that did not need to be expressed in words.

"Then, starting from tomorrow, we will act separately according to the plan. You go to the north to investigate the root cause of the abnormal climate, and I will go south to find the secret treasure that can enhance our capabilities. Today, one year later, we will reunite here to share our discoveries and growth." The young man put forward a specific plan, with unquestionable determination in his words.

The girl nodded in agreement and reached out to high-five him: "It's a deal! No matter how difficult it is, we will never give up."

Afterwards, they packed their bags and prepared to set off in the morning light. At the entrance of the village, several early risers witnessed this scene and could not help but whisper to each other.

"Look, those two kids said they want to travel separately to find some secret that can change the world." A middle-aged man sighed.

"You are so young and promising. You are really enviable." The aunt next to her said with a gentle light in her eyes.

"The courage is commendable, may the light guide them." An old man walked slowly and left a blessing. Although his voice was low, it echoed in everyone's ears like the morning bell and evening drum.

In this way, the two embarked on completely different journeys with their own missions and dreams. Whenever they encountered difficulties or challenges, passers-by would always look at them with surprise or admiration. Their stories gradually spread from mouth to mouth, inspiring more young people with dreams to have the courage to explore and change.

A year passed in a flash, and the promised day finally arrived. When the two stood under the familiar starry sky again, their temperaments were completely different, and the light in their eyes was brighter, which was the testimony of their experience and growth.

"You look stronger." The young man spoke first, his tone full of sincere praise.

The girl smiled, and her smile contained too many experiences that could not be expressed in words: "You too, that confidence and strength are almost overflowing."

The two told each other about their adventures and discoveries of the past year, and shared each other's growth and insights. Passers-by who occasionally passed by all looked sideways, attracted by this deep friendship and extraordinary aura.

As the night deepened, the conversation came to an end. Just as they were about to rest and prepare for a new journey, a wandering bard appeared from nowhere, strumming his harp and singing a ballad he had never heard of before:

"On the edge where light and darkness intersect, the brave men set sail.

Explore the unknown mysteries and pursue your inner truest desires.

Guided by the stars and accompanied by the wind, they cross the call of mountains and seas.

When they return, the world shines brighter than ever before because of them."

The song echoed in the night sky for a long time, like a prophecy for the two of them, and also like a profound blessing. When the last note fell, the bard smiled mysteriously and disappeared into the night, leaving everyone immersed in the shock and longing brought by the song.

“It seems that our story is no longer just our own.” The girl looked in the direction where they disappeared, with a hint of surprise and pride in her tone.

The young man put his arm around her shoulders and looked into the distance with a determined gaze: "Then let us prove with our actions that every dream is worthwhile. Tomorrow is another new beginning."

Just as Su Mo was intoxicated by the night, recalling the past with his companions and planning the next adventure, a sudden piece of news broke his mind like a thunderbolt - the Ares Sword, a legendary artifact that can cut through all evil forces, was said to have appeared in a remote and dangerous ruin. This news attracted Su Mo like a magnet, and he had only one thought in his mind: find it and use it to protect the world.

The next morning, when the sky was still alight with a few rays of morning light, Su Mo had already packed his bag and set out on his journey alone to find the Sword of the God of War. He crossed forests and rivers, and although the scenery along the way was beautiful, he only had that distant goal in his mind.

In a quiet valley, Su Mo met a girl named Bai Ling. She was wearing a light blue dress, with a few wild flowers in her hair. She was busy bandaging the wound of a wounded fawn with a gentle smile on her face. The sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, making her look like a part of nature.

"Excuse me, do you know how to get to the ruins?" Su Mo asked politely, trying not to disturb the deer.

Bai Ling looked up, a hint of surprise flashed in her clear eyes, and then she smiled and said, "I know, but it's very dangerous there, it's not safe for you to go alone."

Su Mo smiled and explained: "I have reasons why I must go, and I believe I can handle it."

Bai Ling stared at him for a moment, seemed to read the determination in his eyes, and finally nodded, "If you insist on going, I can help you. After all, I am very familiar with that place."

In this way, Su Mo and Bai Ling traveled together. During the journey, the two gradually became familiar with each other. Bai Ling's liveliness and cheerfulness added a lot of fun to this originally lonely journey. She was not only familiar with the terrain, but also able to communicate with the animals in the forest, which amazed Su Mo.

"Can you really talk to these little guys?" Su Mo pointed curiously at a squirrel following Bai Ling.

Bai Ling stroked the squirrel's head and said with a smile: "All things have spirits. As long as you listen carefully, they will respond to you."

One evening, they camped next to an abandoned temple. Under the light of the fire, Su Mo finally spoke about his real purpose of finding the Sword of the God of War. After hearing this, Bai Ling's eyes sparkled with admiration, "So you want to use it to protect this world, that's amazing."

Su Mo scratched his head embarrassedly, "In fact, everyone is protecting something in their own way, just like you are helping those injured creatures."

"We are all part of the world, aren't we?" Bailing responded softly, her voice was particularly pleasant in the night breeze.

In the following days, they faced countless tests together: cunning monsters, intricate mazes, and sudden storms. Whenever they encountered difficulties, Su Mo always showed his excellent fighting skills and wisdom, while Bai Ling used her natural skills and keen perception of the environment to overcome dangers time and time again.

Finally, on a moonlit night, they arrived at the entrance of the legendary ruins. In front of them was an ancient and solemn door, with traces of time engraved on it and a relief of a giant sword in the center, as if quietly telling of the glory of the past.

"This is it." Su Mo's breathing became a little rapid. His wish of many years was about to come true, and his mood was indescribable.

Bai Ling held his hand tightly and gave him an encouraging smile, "Let's go in together. No matter what's inside, we are not alone."

As the heavy stone door slowly opened, an ancient and powerful aura rushed towards them. The interior of the ruins was dark and mysterious, with only a faint light projected from the depths, guiding their direction.

As they followed the path of light, an old and majestic voice echoed in the empty ruins: "Prove your worth. Only those who are truly worthy can touch the artifact."

Su Mo and Bai Ling looked at each other, without any sign of retreat. They knew that the road ahead was dangerous, but as long as they had faith, there would always be light ahead.

"We are ready." Su Mo said firmly, and stepped into the unknown and challenging territory with Bailing, heading towards the end of the light.

The road inside the ruins twists and turns, and every step is based on thousands of years of history. On the walls, long-lost runes are carved, as if whispering the legends of past heroes. Su Mo and Bai Ling move forward cautiously, holding simple torches in their hands. The light and shadows dance on the ancient murals, adding a bit of mystery to this adventure.

"Look over there," Bai Ling said softly, pointing to a mural that depicted the glorious image of the Ares' sword. The hilt was wrapped in light, and the tip of the sword pointed directly into the dark abyss, as if to show the eternal struggle between light and darkness. "This must be the clue that leads us to where the sword is."

Su Mo stared at the mural and pondered for a moment. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind: "These lines seem to be guiding a specific path. If we follow it, we may be able to find the real hiding place of the sword."

As they followed the instructions of the murals and went deeper into the ruins, they encountered a series of mechanisms and puzzles. Some required a combination of physical strength and wisdom, such as pushing a huge stone to unlock a blockade; others tested the purity of the mind, such as distinguishing between reality and illusion in an illusion. Every time they successfully solved a problem, they could feel a resonance of power, as if the Ares Sword was recognizing their efforts.

After passing through a complex maze of light and shadow, they came to a spacious circular hall. In the center was a towering stone platform, and on the stone platform was the legendary Ares Sword, which emitted a soft but unwavering light, and the air around it vibrated because of its existence.

As the two approached in awe, the old and majestic voice sounded again: "Brave travelers, show your determination and courage. Draw your sword, and the trial will begin."

Su Mo walked forward without hesitation, slowly grasped the hilt with both hands, and pulled hard. However, the sword did not fall out of the sheath as he expected. Instead, the entire stone chamber began to tremble, and light patterns appeared on the surrounding stone walls, forming light and shadow warriors one after another, holding various weapons and aiming at them.

(End of this chapter)