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

"No matter what, we will definitely return safely and with a full load, right?" The boy clenched his fists and looked at his older brother with confidence.

Zhao Yan chuckled and nodded in response, "Of course. No matter what happens, remember that the team will always be your most solid and reliable support."

Even with these words, everyone knew in their hearts that the upcoming trials would not be so easy to overcome. So, what awaited them in the end? Zhao Yan's words seemed to reassure the team, but they all knew that the challenge ahead was far from ordinary. As they approached the top of the tower, the atmosphere grew increasingly solemn, and even the gentle sunset was shrouded in a mysterious aura.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew, lifting dust from the air, forming a misty trail in the setting sun. Meanwhile, a few curious and brave villagers had gathered at the base of the tower. They waited outside, chatting among themselves, hoping to witness firsthand how these brave young men overcame their difficulties.

"It's so spectacular! This ancient tower seems to be able to touch the sky." An elderly village chief stroked his beard, with a bit of excitement in his tone.

Another young hunter added, "Look at what great young people we have in our village! I'm sure they'll become legends in the future!"

At the same moment, the entrance to the tower's summit gradually opened. A blinding light burst forth, causing everyone to squint. When their vision cleared, they saw a vast, yet intricately arranged chamber. The walls were covered in hand-painted murals depicting the glorious deeds of ancient heroes. In the center stood a massive altar, and beside it stood an ancient stone tablet, its surface densely engraved with text, as if telling the story of a lost tale.

Just as everyone was stunned by the scene, a powerful and eerie force began to permeate the entire space. "Is this... a seal?" Genos keenly sensed the fluctuations in the air and immediately warned everyone to be vigilant. "It seems we're really approaching the core area!"

Lina nodded in agreement and quickly looked around for any clues. At that moment, the same mechanical voice from before sounded again, but this time it didn't ask any questions. Instead, it announced the details of the final test word by word:

"Brave warriors, listen carefully. To obtain the true treasure, you must solve the mystery here; at the same time, you must prepare for an unprecedented battle. The victor will receive supreme glory and rewards, while the loser... will be trapped here forever, serving as a warning to those who come after you not to underestimate this place."

After hearing these words, everyone gasped. Clearly, this wasn't just any game or challenge, but a life-or-death test. Especially for the young man who had volunteered to remove the obstacle, the pressure he felt was undeniable.

"Hey brother," Leon walked over and patted him on the shoulder gently, "Don't be too nervous, we are best comrades! No matter what the result is, we must face it with a smile!" After saying that, he did not forget to make a funny expression to try to ease the atmosphere.

"Thank you, Leon." The boy looked at his friend gratefully. "Actually, I'm not worried about myself. I just don't want to put everyone in danger... After all, I'm the only one who knows part of the answer." He explained with a wry smile, but his eyes were unusually firm.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yan had already begun studying the symbols on the walls and the information on the central stone tablet. Time seemed to be running out, and every detail could lead to a completely different outcome.

As everyone was busy preparing, the villagers watching outside began to speculate and discuss:

"Looks like they're really going to get serious this time, right? I heard there are a lot of rare treasures hidden in there. I wonder if they can bring them out safely and let us open our eyes."

Another, calmer elder shook his head and said, "The young men's courage is commendable, but there are many things in this world that cannot be measured by money. I hope these young men can escape unscathed, even if they return home empty-handed."

Just as people were discussing this, waves of vibrations and flashes of light were heard from within the ancient tower, and then a series of thrilling changes began...

Meanwhile, in the room atop the tower, Zhao Yan and his companions finally found a solution—it turned out the true secret hidden within this entire space wasn't a specific item, but rather a crucial lesson about courage, wisdom, and teamwork. "So this is the final trial..." Lina sighed softly. "It seems no matter how powerful one's strength, it's not as valuable as a steadfast and fearless heart."

However, before this realization could be fully expressed in words, the surrounding landscape suddenly transformed, transforming into a strange space composed of countless mirrors. Everyone could see countless versions of themselves reflected in it, and even unprecedented historical scenes were constantly being played out...

"What is going on?" the boy asked puzzledly.

Zhao Yan gripped his weapon tightly. "I'm afraid we're about to face a spiritual challenge. Remember everyone, no matter what the mirror shows you, you must not lose faith. Everything we go through will prove that unity is the most powerful force!"

The story ends here, but the explorers' journey is far from over. Faced with new, unknown challenges, how will they respond? Will this wondrous and arduous experience allow each of them to find their own answers? Everything awaits the next adventure... Just as Zhao Yan finished speaking, a powerful light erupted from the central altar, causing everyone to involuntarily close their eyes. When the light faded, they were surprised to find themselves in an illusory space, surrounded by giant mirrors. These mirrors not only reflected their own selves, but also displayed different scenes: past selves, possible futures, and completely fictional situations.

A brave villager witnessed this miraculous scene from outside the tower. "Look! That light is coming from the top of the tower. They've truly encountered something incredible," he exclaimed, pointing to the suddenly colorful top of the ancient tower, his face filled with shock and awe.

"Is this... magic? It's amazing!" The children next to them clapped excitedly.

At the same moment, the scene inside the tower shifted even more dramatically. A scene from Zhao Yan's childhood training suddenly appeared in one of the large mirrors. The young man was practicing swordsmanship with a serious expression. Though his movements were a bit clumsy, his eyes burned with a burning desire for victory.