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

"Stop! Everyone, be quiet," Zhao Yan, perceptive enough to sense something was amiss, whispered. Just as he finished speaking, a petite figure suddenly darted out from around the corner. It was a little girl, seemingly no more than ten years old, dressed in worn but clean clothes, her face etched with curiosity and alarm. "Who... who are you? How did you find this place?" the child asked, her voice trembling but forced with courage.

Everyone exchanged glances, clearly not expecting to encounter such a unique being. "We're explorers, what about you, little girl? Why are you here alone?" Li Wen said gently, trying to ease her guard.

The little girl hesitated for a moment before answering, "I... I grew up here. My grandfather said this place holds a big secret that must not be obtained by bad people."

Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this. "I see. Then do you know where this legendary and important object we're looking for is?" Ferrens interrupted, his eyes gleaming with eagerness.

"I won't tell you! You might be the so-called 'bad guys'!" The child said the answer firmly with his hands on his hips.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, the man in black sneered and suggested, "Let's just get it over with—bring her back and interrogate her." However, this suggestion was immediately met with strong opposition from Raynald and several other upright individuals. "Don't harm the innocent!" They protested in unison, even preparing to fight to protect this unexpected friend.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the arrogant man had to stop for a while: "Okay, but remember, if our plan fails because of showing mercy, don't blame me for being rude." Then he turned around and left angrily to look for other clues.

After dealing with this emergency, the team adjusted their mood and continued to move forward, but this time they had a new companion - the little girl who called herself Lin Xi offered to lead the way for her new friends in return for saving their lives.

After passing through countless dark and winding tunnels and avoiding several waves of mechanisms and traps, they finally arrived at a spacious and bright hall. There stood a huge stone tablet carved with strange runes, emitting a dazzling and mysterious atmosphere.

"Is this the protected place that grandpa talked about? But... where is the entrance?" Looking at the scene in front of him, Lin Xi muttered in confusion.

"Perhaps we need some special method to unlock its true identity." Raynal replied thoughtfully, gazing at the stone tablet and slowly reaching out to touch the strange symbols on it...

At that moment, all the lights in the hall suddenly lit up, and a powerful and strange energy wave filled the air. "Be careful! Something's coming!" Someone exclaimed...

As the ground trembled slightly and the air roared, a powerful and majestic voice echoed throughout the space:

-"Who dares to trespass into our sacred land?"

Faced with the sudden challenge and perilous situation, Reinard took a deep breath, calmly stepped forward, and addressed the unknown being. "Respected Guardian, we are not intruders with malicious intent. Please listen carefully to my explanation..." Following Reinard's calm explanation, the powerful voice fell silent for a moment, as if moved by the young explorer's sincerity and courage. Then, the turbulence in the air gradually subsided, and the light gradually softened. From one end of the hall, a figure shrouded in a golden halo approached. Though its features were unrecognizable, the overwhelming pressure emanating from it involuntarily instilled in everyone a powerful aura from ancient times.

"You have passed my first test—honesty and courage," the guardian said in a gentler but still unquestionable tone. "However, to gain true recognition, you must prove your righteousness and determination."

At this time, Lin Xi, who had been hiding behind the team, mustered up the courage to step forward: "Respected sir, can I...can I give it a try?" There was a firm and innocent light flashing in her clear eyes.

Some people around immediately raised doubts, "You want to take the test, little girl? You're kidding!" But many others offered encouraging glances. "Go for it, little girl!" a seemingly rough but actually kind-hearted man whispered.

Faced with the mixed reactions, the Guardian simply nodded, not directly refusing. "Well, in that case, let's see the strength within you," it said slowly.

Immediately afterwards, the entire area began to undergo strange changes: the solid ground beneath their feet gradually transformed into a soft and unpredictable sea of ​​mist; a massive vortex-shaped portal emerged in the sky, emanating a dazzling and indescribable energy light...

Meanwhile, in another hidden corner, the man in black who had left earlier reluctantly observed all this unfolding. "These idiots actually let a little kid take the test... Just wait and see. When the time comes, this legendary treasure will be mine!" He sneered to himself, secretly planning his next move.

Inside the testing ground, Lin Xi was already standing at the door to the unknown world, ready to take the most important and dangerous step in his life. At this critical moment, a deep voice suddenly rang out:

-"Don't worry, little girl. Let me accompany you, okay? It will be safer this way."

Everyone turned around and saw Zhao Yan, smiling and extending a warm hand to Lin Xi. "We're a team, so of course we have to stand together," he added.

"Thank you!" Lin Xi looked at this older brother-like presence with gratitude, and then took the hand that Zhao Yan offered without hesitation, "Let's go!"

The moment they stepped through the mysterious door, the scene before them suddenly transformed into a completely unfamiliar yet incredibly beautiful world—a vibrant and vibrant scene, the air thick with magic. Beyond, a magnificent, fairytale-like city loomed in the mist...

"It seems our journey has just begun, my friends," Ferens exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented excitement and anticipation. Little did they know, behind this brand new stage lay even more unknown secrets and challenges, waiting to be uncovered.

Just as everyone was immersed in the novelty and excitement, the little girl Lin Xi, who had been silently following the entire incident, suddenly stopped and said, "Wait! Did you hear that? There seems to be a sound coming from over there..."