Before the words were finished, several low roars came from afar, startling many people into stopping in their tracks. "What was that sound? Could it be something brought by that black cloud we saw earlier?" The young man's face turned deathly pale.

At this moment, the veteran patted him firmly on the shoulder, "Don't worry, we're not fighting alone. Just look at that young man up ahead." He pointed in Su Ting's direction.

At the same time, Su Ting seemed to sense the commotion behind him and turned around to give everyone an encouraging smile: "Don't worry, everyone. No matter what problems we encounter, I'm here for you!"

These words acted like a shot in the arm, quickly calming everyone down. Even the young man who had been terrified moments before now showed a relieved expression. "Speaking of which, I really envy you, being so composed," he said to his friend beside him.

My friend nodded, his eyes filled with admiration: "Yes, if it weren't for Su Ting, we'd probably be paralyzed with fear by now."

Just as the group regained their composure and continued on their way, a group of seemingly ordinary humanoid creatures, yet exuding a faint magical aura, suddenly appeared ahead. They blocked the path, communicating in a strange language, but it was clearly not a friendly exchange.

Seeing this, the tension within the group immediately reached its peak. Princess Huayao stepped forward, attempting to resolve the issue using her diplomatic skills, "Gentlemen, what should we do to get through here?"

The strange creature at the head stared at her for a while, then responded in an unintelligible voice. Clearly, this was not a pleasant conversation.

Seeing the stalemate, the veteran, who had been silent all along, stepped forward and punched the nearest creature. "Sorry, guys, sometimes violence is the most direct and effective solution."

After being attacked, the creatures retreated and displayed clear hostility. Su Ting quickly directed the team to adjust into a defensive formation. "Are you ready? Once the fighting starts, don't move around randomly. Respond according to the methods we practiced before."

Suddenly, a bright and dazzling light burst forth from the center of the group; it was Murong Yun casting some kind of powerful spell. The previously ferocious creatures were enveloped in the light, their movements immediately slowed. "This is my secret weapon; hopefully, it will give us an advantage," the girl said confidently.

The onlookers were all filled with surprise and even awe. "That's amazing! This girl is as powerful as a legendary magician!" someone exclaimed.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the team quickly overcame the obstacles and successfully reached an open area. Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a rumbling sound came from behind again—the monsters they had just repelled were chasing after them at an even faster speed. "Damn it, we can't stay here any longer!" Su Ting made a decisive decision, "Run to the left front; there's a hidden passage there that leads directly to the underground labyrinth."

Chapter 780 The Explorers' Whereabouts

Chapter 780 The Explorers' Whereabouts

The followers obeyed the order without hesitation and ran. Once they finally found the entrance and safely hid inside, the pursuers lost their target and vanished without a trace.

"Phew..." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and sat down to rest for a moment. Having just experienced a brush with death, everyone's feelings were very complicated. "Fortunately, we escaped in time, otherwise we might really have died here." Princess Huayao looked at Su Ting gratefully, "Thank you for leading us out of danger once again."

"Of course, we're partners together," the latter replied with a smile. "There's still a long road ahead, so everyone needs to be mentally prepared."

Just then, eyes hidden in the shadows quietly locked onto the explorers' movements...

"I have a feeling that something is watching us... I wonder what will happen next?" Murong Yun muttered to himself, which caught the attention of the veteran next to him.

The veteran nodded, his expression grave, and replied, "I also sensed something unusual, but we need to remain vigilant. This place holds too many unknowns and dangers." He looked at Murong Yun, his eyes revealing trust and appreciation, "Your spell just now was very powerful, buying us precious time to escape."

Su Ting turned to look at Murong Yun, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Indeed, thanks to Murong Yun's powerful assistance, we were able to escape successfully. However, everything here is full of uncertainties, and everyone must be prepared to face new challenges at any time." His gaze swept across everyone's face, making sure everyone kept up with him.

"Do you know?" Princess Huayao suddenly spoke, her voice soft yet firm, "I once read an ancient book that mentioned countless treasures and secrets hidden in an underground labyrinth. Legend has it that whoever can unravel the mystery of the labyrinth's core will gain unimaginable power."

Hearing this, many in the group perked up immediately. "Then we need to be even more careful; who knows, we might actually find some treasure!" a young voice said expectantly. These words brought long-lost smiles to the faces of those around them, as if the previous tension had been instantly replaced by a surge of inexplicable excitement.

“However, we must ensure our safety first,” the veteran added. “The layout here is extremely complex, and there is a high possibility that there are more unknown enemies.”

"It's alright," Murong Yun patted her chest confidently, "As long as I'm here, I won't let any harm get close to anyone!" Her words drew a burst of good-natured laughter and made the atmosphere in the group more relaxed.

At this moment, an old hunter who was usually taciturn suddenly stepped forward and said in a steady and powerful voice, "Actually, I've always had an idea: perhaps we should split up. This would not only improve our exploration efficiency but also distract the enemy..."

"No, absolutely not!" the veteran immediately objected. "Dispersing our forces under these circumstances is tantamount to suicide! We must unite to ensure the safety of everyone."

The old hunter frowned, but ultimately said nothing more and silently retreated back into the crowd.

As they continued along the winding path, Su Ting suddenly stopped and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. "Listen..." he said in a low voice. Everyone held their breath and listened intently—faint footsteps could be heard in the distance, as if someone or something was quietly approaching.

Chapter 781 Burial

Chapter 781 Burial

"Are those monsters chasing after us?" the young man asked, somewhat frightened.

Su Ting shook his head, his expression becoming even more focused. "No, it sounds like some kind of creature..." he said, turning his gaze to the veteran, "What do you think?"

“It’s hard to say,” the veteran replied, “but we can’t stay here any longer. Is everyone ready? Proceed according to plan, and react quickly to any unforeseen circumstances.”

With Su Ting's command, the entire team began moving rapidly once again. They occasionally encountered traps or obstacles along the way, but thanks to their excellent teamwork and Su Ting's keen observation skills, they always managed to escape unscathed. After solving each small problem, someone couldn't help but exclaim, "Su Ting is a born leader! If it weren't for him leading the way, we would have died countless times already!"

Amidst this tense yet expectant atmosphere, a massive stone gate finally appeared ahead. It was covered in various strange symbols and emitted a faint glow. "It seems this is the entrance to the depths," Su Ting murmured.

Just as everyone was about to step forward to examine the stone door more closely, a deep voice came from behind them: "Do you think you can get in so easily like this?"

The group instantly went on alert. Su Ting whirled around, his right hand already gripping the hilt of his sword. Murong Yun and Princess Hua Yao beside him quickly assumed defensive stances as well. The veteran soldier stepped forward, his eyes gleaming as he scrutinized the speaker.

A figure slowly emerged from the shadows, his appearance stunning the entire group. This person wore a black cloak and a silver mask, revealing only a pair of deep-set eyes. "I am the guardian of this place, and the last person capable of deciphering the secrets of this door," the stranger declared, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.

"Who are you?" Su Ting asked coldly, his grip on the knife still tight. "We just want to find a way out; we mean no harm."

“I know why you’ve come,” the man in black replied. “Legendary treasures and secrets have always attracted countless adventurers, but I must ensure that only those who are truly worthy can obtain them.”

Princess Huayao gently tugged at Su Ting's arm, signaling him not to act impulsively. "Sir, we can prove that we genuinely want to unravel the secrets of the labyrinth, and we are also strong enough to protect ourselves. Please trust us."

"Hmph," the man in black sneered, "Words are no proof. If you want my trust, you'll have to pass the test I set."

Upon hearing this, the young man in the group immediately became excited. "It's just a test! We can definitely complete it! Whatever it is, bring it on!"

But the veteran shook his head and looked at the young man beside him: "Don't rush, it's not too late to listen to what the other party has to say first."

The man in black seemed intrigued by their reaction, his tone softening slightly. "Very well, since you have such confidence, I will tell you the first test: you must find the 'Heart of Light' at the deepest part of the labyrinth and bring it safely back here. Along the way, you will encounter various traps and monsters; a single misstep will lead to your demise."

Chapter 782 The Heart of Light

Chapter 782 The Heart of Light

“Wait a minute,” Murong Yun interjected, “You’ve been talking for so long, but you haven’t told us who you are. Why should we believe what you say?”

"Because I am the only one in this labyrinth who knows how to activate those mechanisms," the guardian replied with unusual confidence. "Besides me, no one else can make you leave here alive."

“Alright,” Su Ting said after a moment of contemplation, “we accept your test. But before that, please at least tell us something about the ‘Heart of Light’.”

Seeing this, the man in black revealed a satisfied smile. "A wise choice. The Heart of Light is an ancient crystal fragment containing a portion of the labyrinth's core energy. Only by returning it to this stone gate can the path to the next level be opened."

After saying these words, he turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind a group of people who were puzzled but also full of fighting spirit.

"What should we do now?" someone asked, clearly filled with anxiety.

Su Ting glanced back at his companions' determined eyes, then looked again at the gigantic gate emitting a faint glow. "Now that we've made our decision, there's no turning back. Let's all work together; I believe we can definitely complete the mission!"

Led by Su Ting, the team regained their composure and continued their journey through the winding tunnel. Along the way, new challenges constantly arose—complex puzzles, ferocious monsters, and unknown dangers. Whenever difficulties arose, someone would step forward to solve the problem; and each solution would spark another round of admiration for Su Ting and his companions' abilities.

On this seemingly endless adventure, they finally arrived at the center of a spacious hall. In the center of the hall lay a crystal-clear blue gem, surrounded by concentric circles of strange writing. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the dazzling treasure.

"Is this the Heart of Light...?" Princess Huayao murmured in amazement.

Su Ting carefully held up the Heart of Light, feeling a powerful force surging from the gem. However, at that very moment, the entire underground palace suddenly trembled, as if the entire space was repelling the intruder.

"Oh no!" Murong Yun exclaimed, "Look over there!"

Following her gaze, she saw a group of enormous creatures she had never seen before surging in from all directions. Their eyes were filled with a bloodthirsty red light, clearly regarding these uninvited guests as food.

“We can’t fight them head-on,” the veteran said in a deep voice. “Su Ting, take the gems and go back the way we came! The rest of you, come with me and hold off these monsters.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, while Su Ting carefully put away the Heart of Light and prepared to rush towards the entrance. However, just as they had run a few steps, a huge shadow blocked their path—it was the black-clad guardian.

"You found the Heart of Light so quickly?" He looked at the gem in Su Ting's hand, his tone softening considerably. "Indeed, it seems you are capable of completing the remaining tasks."

Su Ting frowned at the other person: "What exactly do you want to say? Are you still not going to let us go?"

The man in black smiled slightly, but did not answer directly: "This is the final step. Hand over the Heart of Light to me, and I can open the exit and send you away."

Chapter 783 Lament

Chapter 783 Lament

The group immediately erupted in discussion, with some in support and others expressing doubt.

Su Ting remained silent for a while, but finally decided to hand the gemstone to the mysterious figure in front of him...

Su Ting handed the Heart of Light to the man in black, who received the gem with a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction in his eyes. But his actions didn't stop there; instead, the instant he received it, he swiftly turned and walked towards the giant gate, as if he had rehearsed this entire process countless times.

"Hey! What do you mean by this?" Murong Yun couldn't help but exclaim, clearly very uneasy about this sudden change. "Didn't you promise to take us away?"

The man in black stopped, not answering immediately, but instead gently touching a seemingly inconspicuous mechanism beside the giant door. With a soft "click," the entire stone door slowly moved inward, revealing a secret passage hidden behind it.

"I said I would send you out, but I never promised not to charge you any price." The man in black spoke with a hint of coldness. "But don't worry, I won't go back on my word."

Just then, a dwarf who had been watching the battle from the sidelines suddenly spoke up: "Hey, you adventurers are really bold, daring to make a deal with the guardian!"

"What did you say? You know who he is too?" Princess Huayao looked at the unexpected new face in surprise.

The dwarf chuckled, seemingly quite proud of what he knew: "Of course, he's one of the oldest and most powerful beings in the labyrinth. It's a miracle we even saw him alive, let alone dared to negotiate with him."

Upon hearing this, everyone present involuntarily gasped. However, Su Ting remained calm. "So, what should we do? Does handing over the Heart of Light to him now mean that the path ahead is closed to us?"

“Not entirely,” the man in black finally looked directly at the crowd. “In fact, this passage doesn’t lead to the outside world, but connects to another, more dangerous place, but also a place with more opportunities. And the ‘Heart of Light’ in my hand is the key to unlocking that area.”

“Even more dangerous…” The young man hesitated, but the veteran said firmly, “Now that we’ve come this far, there’s no reason to give up easily. Whatever lies ahead, we’ll face it together!”

“That’s right!” Hua Yao also stood up to support her, her voice trembling slightly but still full of courage. “As long as we are united, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome!”

Seeing everyone's resolute attitude, the man in black once again showed satisfaction. "Very good, then let's proceed according to the original plan." With that, he took the lead and stepped into the unknown place, leaving behind a sea of ​​bewildered and expectant eyes.

As they passed through the narrow passageway and finally arrived at a new, open area, the sight around them stunned everyone: it was a huge library, with countless books lined the shelves, each emitting a faint yet mesmerizing light...

"My goodness!" Murong Yun was the first to react and exclaim, "Such a large study, how many treasures must be inside!"

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like