I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

Just as everyone was discussing strategy, a figure suddenly appeared in the distance, moving rapidly towards them. "That's..." Jack recognized the person—Ye Qingqing! She ran over with a panicked expression, panting.

"Hurry, hurry up! The situation over there is terrible, there are more and more monsters!" She explained breathlessly, "And I found something is not right..." Without waiting for others to ask, she continued: "The guide just appeared and left behind more strange sources of power. If we don't eliminate the source now, the consequences will be disastrous!"

This statement immediately caused exclamations and discussions all around:

-"What? He has another trick up his sleeve? That's really insidious..." A woman next to her muttered dissatisfiedly.

-"Oh my god, what's going on today? Big news one after another~"

-"It seems that we have really run into a tough opponent this time...Alas~" Another young man seemed very pessimistic.

Yet, no matter how treacherous the external environment, this small team never flinched. "No matter how difficult it is, as long as we work together, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome!" Ivy declared firmly, taking the lead and marching towards her goal. The soldiers following closely behind her also gathered their equipment, their faces filled with determination to fight to the death.

At this moment, several ordinary villagers in a remote corner gathered together to have a heated discussion.

-"Hey, is what that girl just said true? She definitely didn't lie to us, right?"

"Oh my! They risked their lives to come and report the news, how could it be fake? These heroes are truly amazing..."

-"Oh~ That's right. If it were me, I would have been scared to death. So I still have to protect myself and my family~"

-"After all, let's just go home, lock the door, and wait for the results. It's too chaotic outside to meddle in other people's business..."

As the warriors approached the final battleground, tiny glimmers of light gradually emerged from the darkness of the secret passage. Ahead loomed a massive barrier constructed from strange runes. "This is the first barrier we must break through!" Lin Tao declared solemnly, signaling for a brief rest before launching the charge.

Just before this decisive moment, soft footsteps and faint conversations could be heard from another secret passage. "Have you heard? Those brave warriors are about to break through the defenses! I wonder what the outcome will be?" A strangely dressed man with a mysterious expression muttered to himself, his tone as calm as if he had foreseen this.

-"Hehe, do they think this will end everything? Don't dream! The boss has even more powerful trump cards waiting to deal with them!" The female subordinate who followed him sneered, looking quite disdainful.

Just as both sides were ready to attack, a crow on a tree outside the village suddenly flapped its wings and flew away from the branch, and an indescribable atmosphere of murderous intent filled the air...

The warriors in the team had already made their final preparations, their eyes fixed with unwavering determination. Lin Tao raised his greatsword and gently touched the vast barrier formed by strange runes in front of him, attempting to sense the energy fluctuations contained within.

"This barrier is incredibly strong, and it seems to be enhanced by an unknown power." Liu Qingcheng frowned, holding a magic wand in her hand, the tip of which continuously shone with a pale blue light. "We need to find a way to weaken it first."

At that moment, a young villager nearby couldn't help but step forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and admiration. "Warriors... your courage truly touches us!" He took a deep breath and continued, "Although I can't be of much help, I'd be happy to offer you any clues. An elder once mentioned the legend of this barrier... It's said that if you find the right frequency and resonate with it, you might be able to open the door to the inner world."

Jack nodded in agreement. "Sounds like something worth trying." He then turned to the young wizard and asked, "Well, can you deduce the correct frequency based on the information we have?"

The young mage closed his eyes, sweat beading on his forehead. Clearly, this process wasn't easy. "I'll do my best, but you must focus all your energy." As his fingers danced in the air, sketching intricate runic patterns, a faint energy field gradually formed around him. "Now, everyone, please step back a little to avoid any accidental injuries."

After seeing this scene, there were bursts of sighs from the crowd watching:

-"It's amazing! That young wizard actually knows so many advanced spells!"

-"That's right! Our village was saved this time thanks to them~ Yeah, especially that boy who looks so handsome~ Haha." A young girl said secretly to her friend.

-"Hey, sister, please stop worrying about it. Just pray for a quick victory in the battle." Her companion replied jokingly.

At that moment, a hurried messenger appeared in the distance. "Everyone, be careful! The Guide has sent several scouting teams approaching! You must resolve this quickly, or the situation will become even more dangerous!" the messenger said, gesturing with his hands.

"Damn it! Why do these kinds of incidents always happen at critical moments?" Jack waved his arms irritably. "But this is exactly when a hero's worth is revealed!" He then looked at the others, his eyes filled with encouragement and support. "Everyone, we must persevere. We absolutely cannot let this monster harm any innocent people!"

Ivy's gentle yet resolute gaze swept over each of her companions: "As long as our hearts are filled with hope and courage, even the most powerful enemy will not be able to defeat us. Let's fight together! No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead."

Just as the entire team was preparing to initiate the ceremony to break the barrier, two mysterious figures hiding in the darkness continued to whisper.

"It seems these so-called 'righteous men' are more resourceful than expected." The strangely dressed man sneered, "But the mission assigned by the boss won't be disrupted so easily~"

The woman next to him nodded in agreement, "Hmph, as long as they break into the core area, everything will be settled..."

At the same time, in a secluded corner not far away, a small black bird quietly flew to the shoulder of an elderly man in a long robe. The elderly man smiled faintly, "It's almost time. Everything is going smoothly as planned." He muttered softly and slowly stood up. "Next, let me go and greet you personally." With that, he disappeared into the thick fog...

Finally, amidst the tense and solemn atmosphere, as the young mage completed the final step of activating the magic circle, the entire area seemed to undergo a subtle shift. The incredibly solid barrier began to tremble slightly, emitting a chilling sound—a resonant buzzing that resounded through the heavens...