The male protagonist of the book is poisonous

The mysterious figure gradually became clearer. It was an old man in a black robe. His robe looked worn, yet it held a mysterious quality, as if every wrinkle held the secrets of time. Runes flickered faintly along the edges of the robe, like ancient spells, emitting a faint glow. They swayed gently with his movements, as if they had life.

His face was hidden beneath the shadow of his black robe, revealing only a pair of eyes gleaming faintly. That gaze was like a materialized, icy blade, capable of piercing our very souls. Every time I met his gaze, it felt like ice water was poured over my head, sending shivers through my body. There were faint dark circles around his eyes, as if from prolonged lack of rest, or perhaps from the erosion of some mysterious force.

Luo Chen spoke first, his voice filled with alarm, "Who are you? Why are you suddenly here?" He hunched his body slightly, his hands clenched into fists, muscles tensed, ready to respond to any attack. His eyes were fixed on the black-robed old man, not missing a single subtle movement.

The black-robed elder let out a deep laugh, a chuckle that seemed to echo from a deep valley, reverberating throughout the small, abandoned hut. The sound carried a strange rhythm, like an ancient ballad, yet tinged with the vicissitudes of life. The air around them seemed to tremble slightly as the laughter played, and dust rustled off the walls. "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you two little kids are exploring things you shouldn't be exploring." His voice was low and hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against wood, each word leaving a faint trail in the air.

I frowned, a wave of dissatisfaction welling up in my heart. "We're just looking for clues about our own past lives, what's wrong with that?" I stood behind Luo Chen, looking over his shoulder with a determined look in my eyes. My hands tightly grasped the corners of my clothes, my fingers turning slightly white from the pressure.

The old man in the black robe shook his head slightly, his robe swaying gently. The movement of the robe stirred a faint breeze, mingled with a hint of decay, like the scent emanating from an ancient tomb long untouched. "Some things remain sealed for a reason. Your insistence on digging will only bring danger upon you." As he spoke, a withered hand emerged from beneath his black robe. The skin was wrinkled like old bark, with bulging veins zigzagging across the back of the hand. The nails were long and black, exuding a sinister aura.

Luo Chen took a small step forward, standing in front of me, and said firmly, "We are not afraid of danger. Whatever the truth is, we have the right to know." His steps were steady and firm, with an unquestionable determination. His hair fluttered slightly in the dim light, and a layer of fine beads of sweat beaded on his forehead, a mixture of tension and determination.

The old man in the black robe was silent for a moment, then slowly raised his hand. His movements were slow, as if every joint was rusted. As he raised his hand, the sleeve of his black robe slipped away, revealing his bony arm. Instantly, a powerful force surged from his hand, like an invisible wall, pressing towards us. The air around us seemed to freeze, every breath like an icy spike, piercing our skin and immobilizing us. I could feel my breathing becoming labored, and every inhale felt like a burst of resistance.

"You are still too young to understand the complexities behind this. But since you are so persistent, I will give you a small hint." The black-robed old man's voice turned serious. His voice carried a chilling quality through the cold air, as if every word could freeze into ice.

With a gentle wave of his sleeve, a scene appeared before us. It depicted a grand ceremony, a vast venue covered in intricate runes. These runes shimmered with golden light and flowed like living things. In the center of the venue stood a massive circular stone platform, upon which lay a variety of exotic objects: crystal balls emitting a blue glow, ancient swords inscribed with runes, and herbs emitting a mysterious aroma.

Many people were around, performing some ancient magic. They wore strange robes, intricately embroidered with designs: some depicted mythical beasts, others stars. They waved their hands, muttering to themselves, their incantations blending into a strange melody. Their faces wore solemn yet mysterious expressions, their eyes gleaming with a fanatical brilliance.

Luo Chen and I also appeared on the screen, though we looked controlled, our eyes hollow. We stood on the side of the stone platform, our hands hanging at our sides, like soulless puppets. We wore white robes stained with faint blood, as if we had been through a brutal battle.

"What...what does this mean?" I asked in terror. My voice, shrill with nervousness, echoed in the small space. My body trembled slightly, trying to escape this terrifying scene, but I was trapped by the freezing force.

The old man in black robe shook his head again: "This is just a fragment. You need to find more clues yourself. Remember, danger is everywhere." There was a hint of helplessness in his voice, and it sounded like a warning.

With that, the figure of the black-robed elder gradually faded. His body seemed shrouded in mist, its outline blurring before it vanished into thin air. The force that had bound us vanished with it, and I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

Luo Chen turned and looked at me, his eyes full of confusion. "Miaomiao, what's going on? This scene gives me a very bad feeling." His face was a little pale, and beads of sweat slid down his cheeks. He walked over to my side, squatted down, and reached out his hand to gently help me up.

I was also bewildered. "I don't know either, but we can't be intimidated by his words. Let's stick to our original plan and investigate from your family's crest." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. My legs were still a little weak, but I forced myself to stand up and dust myself off.

Luo Chen nodded, and we left the abandoned hut with trepidation and walked towards the sect's scripture library, hoping to find clues about the emblem or the ritual in the picture there.