Time Travel: Ancient Martial Arts Chronicles

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at the corroded silver needle with a lingering fear, "This poison is too strong. We have to find a way to bypass it or break this thorn bush and the illusion array."

Ye Wuhen's eyes were as sharp as torches as he searched for a possible breakthrough point around the thorn bush. "Ancient books may have records on how to crack this kind of mechanism. Let's recall it carefully."

Bai Zhi stared at the strange purple light on the thorns, trying to analyze the composition of the poison. "This poison doesn't seem to be an ordinary poison. It may be related to the power of this relic itself."

Just as they were thinking hard, the little fox in Lin Xiaoxiao's arms suddenly struggled, jumped to the ground and walked towards the thorn bush.

"Little fox, come back! It's dangerous there!" Lin Xiaoxiao shouted anxiously, trying to catch it.

The little fox didn't stop. It came to the edge of the thorn bush, and a soft white light shone on its body. Wherever the light touched, the purple light on the thorns gradually dimmed, and the thorns seemed to become much softer.

"This... this little fox can actually resist the poison of thorns?" Ye Wuhen said in surprise.

The little fox looked back at them, its eyes gleaming with intelligence, as if signaling them to follow. Then it turned and walked into the foggy passage among the thorn bushes.

"It seems to be leading the way for us. Let's follow it." Bai Zhi said, and followed first.

Lin Xiaoxiao and Ye Wuhen exchanged a glance and hurried to follow. As they entered the thick fog, the surrounding illusion array began to activate, and all sorts of terrifying scenes emerged before their eyes. Hideous demons pounced with bared fangs and claws, and past failures replayed themselves, shocking them deeply.

Ye Wuhen gritted his teeth, silently reciting the sword technique formula in his mind, steadying his mind, "Everyone, don't be affected by the illusion, this is all fake."

Lin Xiaoxiao clutched her head tightly, the memories of her failure nearly bringing her to a state of collapse. But she saw the white light of the little fox ahead, like a beacon in the darkness. "We must catch up with the little fox. It is our hope."

The silver needles in Baizhi's hands flew, dispelling the approaching evil ghosts and illusions one by one, "Focus and move forward."

Led by the little fox, they finally made their way through the thorn bushes and the illusion array. Before them appeared an ancient stone gate, engraved with mysterious runes and emitting an ancient and powerful aura.

The little fox walked to the stone gate and touched it with its claws. The runes on the stone gate flashed, as if identifying something.

"This stone door seems to require specific conditions to open. The little fox seems to know what's going on." Lin Xiaoxiao looked at the little fox curiously.

Suddenly, the white light on the little fox became even stronger, and its body slowly rose up, transforming into a beam of light that shot towards the stone door. After absorbing the little fox's light, the runes on the stone door slowly opened, revealing the deep passage inside.

"Little fox...how could it be like this?" Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes were red, and she was a little worried about the little fox.

Ye Wuhen patted her shoulder and said, "Perhaps this is its mission. We cannot let it down."

They walked into the passage inside the stone gate. The walls on both sides of the passage were inlaid with glowing gems, illuminating the way forward. As they walked, they heard the sound of gurgling water, and an underground river appeared in front of them.

The underground river water is dark blue and exudes a mysterious atmosphere. There is a stone bridge on the river, but the stone bridge looks shaky.

"Can this stone bridge bear our weight?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked worriedly.

Ye Wuhen walked forward and stepped lightly on the stone bridge, which made a creaking sound. "It doesn't look very strong. We have to be careful when crossing it."

When they stepped onto the stone bridge and were halfway there, the river suddenly began to churn, and a huge water monster emerged from the river. The monster had a huge body and sharp claws, and it opened its bloody mouth and pounced towards them.

"Oh no, it's the Water Abyss Demon Crocodile!" Bai Zhi exclaimed.

Ye Wuhen drew his sword and rushed forward, "You cross the bridge first, I will hold it back!" His sword collided with the water monster's claws, splashing water.

Lin Xiaoxiao and Bai Zhi quickened their pace and ran to the other side, while Ye Wuhen gradually lost the upper hand in the battle with the water monster, as the monster was too powerful.

"Brother Ye!" Lin Xiaoxiao was extremely anxious. She stopped and wanted to go back to help.

"Don't come over, Xiaoxiao! You guys go away!" Ye Wuhen shouted, his eyes determined. Even if it meant a life-and-death battle, he would hold back the water monster.

Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes were filled with tears. She knew that Ye Wuhen's sacrifice could not be in vain. "Sister Bai, let's go quickly and find a way to save Brother Ye!"

After they ran to the other side, Lin Xiaoxiao looked around for something that could help Ye Wuhen. She saw some huge rocks and ancient mechanical devices on the shore. She ran to the mechanical device and tried to activate it to fight the water monster.

Bai Zhi shouted towards Ye Wuhen, "Ye Wuhen, hold on! We'll come to help you right away!"

At this critical moment of life and death, they must find a solution as soon as possible, otherwise Ye Wuhen will die in the mouth of the water monster, and their exploration of the ruins will be aborted.

(End of this chapter)

[Note: This story is purely fictional. Any similarity is purely coincidental.]