Under the Stars: The Hermit's Path

Lin Yi and the mysterious man were standing in a deep, dimly lit cave. The intense, terrifying battle had just taken place, and neither of them had yet fully recovered from their nervousness. However, at that moment, their gazes were simultaneously drawn to the strange patterns radiating a mysterious light on the cave walls.

With strong curiosity and desire to explore, they couldn't help but slowly approach the wall step by step, as if wanting to uncover the unknown secrets hidden behind these patterns.

When they finally got close enough to see the patterns clearly, they gasped—carved into the stone walls were images of bold, unrestrained lines and grotesquely twisted forms. Some resembled serpentine forms, incredibly agile; others resembled streaks of lightning streaking across the night sky, fierce and awe-inspiring. The entire scene was filled with a primal tension and unbridled energy emanating from ancient times.

Gazing at these enigmatic patterns, Lin Yi and the mysterious figure felt as if they were transported to a distant and unfamiliar world. Those seemingly chaotic lines and shapes seemed to possess some inherent logic and connection, as if silently telling them a distant and legendary mystery. Faced with such a shocking scene, the two couldn't help but feel a deep sense of awe.

"Come and look at these patterns!" Lin Yi shouted excitedly, pointing at one of them, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. Following his finger, the mysterious man slowly approached, squinting his eyes to examine them carefully. After a moment, he nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Hmm, not bad. Judging from the composition and expression of these patterns, they do seem to depict a war on a grand scale."

The two men slowly advanced along the wall, examining each pattern one by one, attempting to decipher more information from it. As they delved deeper, more and more shocking details emerged. It turned out that the two sides in this war were not ordinary humans or common creatures, but beings possessing extraordinary abilities and bizarre appearances. Some towered like mountains, others had wings that blotted out the sun, and still others could manipulate elemental forces like fire and ice. The spectacle was truly spectacular beyond imagination.

"This may be inextricably linked to the origin of that dark power," the mysterious man muttered thoughtfully, gazing at the pattern on the wall. Just as they were absorbed in their study, Lin Yi suddenly exclaimed, "Master, look here! I've found a unique little pattern!"

As if drawn by an invisible force, everyone's gaze instantly focused on that corner. As expected, hidden among the bold, imposing patterns was a small, exquisite, yet exceptionally delicate and intricate design. It shone like a dazzling pearl, quietly emitting a captivating brilliance.

A closer look reveals that the lines of this small pattern are as slender as silk, flowing naturally, each line perfectly outlining a unique shape and contour. The colors are even more vibrant and eye-catching, just like the vibrant and colorful sunset on the horizon. Taken as a whole, this small pattern resembles a masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship, which can only be admired.

However, despite its striking and magnificent beauty, the secrets behind it are still shrouded in a thick fog, and no one can penetrate the mysteries. Everything is unknown, waiting for people to explore and uncover.

"Come and see this!" Lin Yi couldn't help but shout loudly. His voice broke the brief silence and echoed in the cave.

Hearing the call, the mysterious figure quickly stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the small pattern. His brow furrowed slightly, and he gazed thoughtfully at the pattern before him. He spoke slowly, "This pattern may seem ordinary, but it actually holds a profound meaning. Perhaps it holds the key to solving the mystery. It's a pity that we haven't yet been able to grasp its deeper meaning."

Just as the two were absorbed in studying the mysterious pattern, a sudden, violent tremor erupted from the depths of the cave. This tremor, like surging waves, continuously impacted the entire cave. Along with the tremor, an incredibly powerful air current roared in with the force of a tidal wave, sweeping directly towards Lin Yi and the mysterious man.

Faced with this sudden change, Lin Yi and the mysterious man were caught off guard, and the powerful air current blew them back and forth, causing them to stumble and retreat. They desperately tried to steady themselves, but the force of the air current was too strong, making it difficult for them to resist. After finally managing to regain their footing, both of them were already filled with vigilance.

"This isn't good!" the mysterious man muttered in panic, his gaze fixed on the front, his expression growing increasingly serious, and beads of sweat forming on his forehead. At this moment, the entire space began to violently shake, as if the earth were being shaken by an irresistible force.

As the tremors grew stronger, a low, terrifying roar suddenly emanated from the depths of the cave. The sound rolled in like muffled thunder, filled with endless rage and pain, as if a long-dormant beast were awakening and issuing a warning to those who disturbed it.

"What should we do?" Lin Yi, standing nearby, was so frightened by the roar that his face turned pale and his body began to tremble uncontrollably. He looked at the mysterious man in fear, hoping to get some advice from him.

The mysterious man took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and then said: "Don't be afraid, let's retreat to the cave entrance first and see what the situation is. Maybe it's just a false alarm." After that, he took Lin Yi's hand and quickly retreated towards the cave entrance.

However, their speed was ultimately no match for the unknown danger. Just as the two were still some distance from the cave entrance, a massive black shadow burst forth from the depths like lightning. Like a moving hillock, it emanated a terrifying, powerful, and oppressive aura that instantly thickened the surrounding air, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

"What the hell is this?" Lin Yi stared at the massive black shadow in front of him, eyes wide open, and exclaimed in disbelief. At this moment, he felt his legs go weak, and he almost didn't have the strength to run away.

The mysterious figure suppressed his fear and quickly raised the torch, attempting to illuminate a portion of the shadow. By the light, they finally saw its true form. It had a hideous, twisted face, bared fangs, and eyes gleaming blood-red. Its body was immense, muscular, and covered in thick black scales, as terrifying as a demon from the depths of hell.

The shadow seemed to sense the presence of Lin Yi and the mysterious man, and without hesitation, it opened its bloody mouth and pounced towards them. Seeing this, the two men had no time to think and could only use all their strength to dodge to the side.