The male protagonist of the book is poisonous

We cautiously advanced toward the point where the blue light was strongest. Every step felt like treading on the edge of the unknown. My heart tensed like a taut bowstring, and terrifying images flashed through my mind. I stole a glance at Luo Chen beside me. He seemed calm, but his clenched fists betrayed a hint of anxiety.

"Luo Chen, do you think we can find a way to prevent the sect's crisis?" I couldn't help but ask, with a trembling voice.

Luo Chen took a deep breath, as if to encourage himself, "It will definitely work. Since we can come here, it means there is still hope."

Mist permeated the surroundings, damp as a veil. Each wisp of mist brought a chill to my face, sending a chill through me. The figures that appeared and disappeared from the mist were dreamlike, like ancient warriors or imprisoned ghosts. Their outlines were indistinct, yet their movements seemed to speak volumes. Their muffled voices, like the faint whispers of ghosts in the corners of a silent ruin, reached our ears. These voices seemed to come from afar, laden with sorrow and mystery, filling the air with a chilling atmosphere.

I held Luo Chen's hand tightly, the warmth from his palm passing through me, giving me a sense of security in this gloomy atmosphere. I could feel his hand sweating slightly, a sign of nervousness. After all, the place we were in was full of too many unknowns.

"These shadows look so scary. Will they suddenly attack us?" I approached Luo Chen and whispered.

Luo Chen patted my hand and comforted me, "Don't be afraid. They only look like phantoms and have no substance. But it's still better to be careful."

As we drew closer, the blue light grew increasingly piercing, like countless sharp needles trying to pierce our eyes. Each ray of light felt tangible, stinging our eyeballs. Behind that light, a vast secret seemed hidden, one that could shake the entire world. It drew us in like a magnet, yet also filled us with awe. The blue light was as rich as the depths of the ocean, profound and mysterious, as if hiding countless stories and dangers.

Suddenly, a flash of blue light pierced the night sky like lightning. In an instant, the entire world was dyed blue, and everything around us was illuminated by the blue light, as if it were a dream. The surrounding mist, as if driven by a powerful force, instantly dissipated without a trace. A huge circular stone platform suddenly appeared before us, lying there quietly like a giant beast that had slumbered for a thousand years.

The stone platform was densely engraved with intricate patterns and runes. Each rune seemed to have been carved by the finest craftsman, its lines smooth and precise. The runes shimmered faintly, like distant stars twinkling in the night sky. Each rune seemed an ancient symbol, silently telling a story lost in the dust of time. The rhythm of these flickering lights resembled an ancient melody, as if playing a piece of music from ancient times.

I was speechless at the sight, my heart filled with wonder and curiosity. Luo Chen slowly approached the stone platform, his eyes fixed on the runes, his brow furrowed tightly as if he were trying to decipher an extremely complex puzzle. I could see his eyes gleaming with excitement and concentration, as if he wanted to see through these runes and uncover all the secrets within.

"I have never seen these runes before, but I feel that they contain great power." His voice was low and serious, echoing in the silent space, like the sound of an ancient bell. The sound produced a faint echo in the empty ruins, adding a solemn atmosphere.

Unable to suppress my curiosity, I leaned forward, about to examine the runes more closely, when suddenly a strong light shone from the runes on the stone platform. The light was like the scorching midday sun, stinging our eyes. It was a sharp pain, as if countless needles were pricking our eyeballs. We instinctively closed our eyes, and before us was a blinding white, feeling only the intense light piercing our eyelids.

As the bright light faded, we were surprised to discover a three-dimensional image emerging from the stone platform. The elder in the image wore ancient clothing made of what looked like the finest silk, embroidered with exquisite patterns: dancing dragons and phoenixes, mountains and rivers. Every stitch and thread was imbued with artistic beauty, like a flowing scroll. His face was kind and gentle, yet his eyes held a commanding presence, as if he could see through all the vanity of the world. His hair was gray, and his long beard fell to his chest, swaying gently with his movements.

My eyes widened, my heart filled with awe, while Luo Chen's face was solemn. The elder spoke slowly, his voice like a voice that had traveled through an endless tunnel of time and space, carrying the vicissitudes of time and weight. There was an ancient rhythm in his voice, as if telling the changes of history: "Sirs, you have come here because of the crisis of the sect. I am the first generation leader of the sect, and I leave this final message here. That evil power comes from the forbidden area deep within the sect. Our ancestors once tried to seal it, but time was merciless, and the seal gradually loosened under the erosion of time. Now it is beginning to stir again, like a beast about to break free from its cage. Once it completely breaks free, the whole world will be plunged into endless darkness. That evil power is so powerful, it exudes a dark aura, spreading like black smoke. Wherever it goes, life will be devoured, the earth will become desolate, and the sky will be covered with dark clouds."

Hearing this, my heart sank, and a chill ran through my heart. I looked at Luo Chen, and his expression had also turned very ugly. I think we all realized the seriousness of the matter.

The elder in the image raised his hand and waved gently. The movement was graceful and solemn, his fingers long and slender, like an artist's. A map appeared on the stone platform. The paper looked ancient and fragile, with slightly yellowed and torn edges. The map marked some strange locations. The markings at these locations were peculiar in shape, exuding a mysterious aura, as if each mark was a portal to an unknown world. Some of the markings resembled an eagle with spread wings, others a serpent, each of them seemingly possessing a life of its own, emitting a faint glow across the map.

"You must find these places and gather the scattered fragments of the divine artifact. Only by piecing them together can you forge an artifact powerful enough to seal the evil forces once again. But you must know that each place is fraught with danger. Not only are there minions of evil lurking in the shadows, but there are also numerous traps set by our ancestors to protect the fragments of the divine artifact. These traps are like giant nets hidden in the darkness, and the slightest carelessness can lead to being entrapped. These traps were designed by the sect's most brilliant minds, cleverly utilizing the surrounding environment. Some are like hidden arrows in stones, which, once triggered, shoot out like locusts; others are traps on the ground. Stepping on them will plunge you into bottomless pits riddled with sharp thorns."

The elder's image gradually became blurred, like an ancient scroll that was gradually fading. His body gradually became transparent, and finally disappeared completely, leaving only the stone platform engraved with runes and the mysterious map lying there quietly.

Luo Chen stared intently at the map, his eyes filled with solemnity, as if lost in deep thought. His lips pursed slightly, and a faint wrinkle appeared on his forehead, a habit he developed when thinking. After a long moment, he slowly spoke, "It seems our mission is arduous, but for the sake of our sect, we must bravely move forward." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he were making a solemn vow to himself, filled with determination, without a trace of hesitation.

I also plucked up the courage and said, "Luo Chen, let's face it together. Although it is dangerous, we can do it." I know this is our mission. Although my heart is filled with fear, I don't want to back down at this time.

Following the map's instructions, we set off towards the first marked location. Along the way, we passed through a narrow passageway. The walls shimmered with a faint green light, flickering like will-o'-the-wisp, as if countless pairs of eyes hidden in the darkness were watching our every move. The stone walls looked damp, covered in moss, a dark green hue that emitted a faint, rancid odor.

I leaned against Luo Chen nervously, my body trembling slightly, and whispered, "It feels so eerie here, as if something is staring at us in the dark. I can feel that cold gaze." My voice trembled a little, and it was particularly obvious in this silent passage.

Luo Chen gripped the sword tightly. The hilt felt like the source of his strength, the cloth wrapped around it slightly damp with sweat. He surveyed his surroundings warily, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's, never missing a single corner where danger might lie. His gaze, as if it were a substance, searched the darkness for any potential threat.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." His words were short but full of power, like a ray of warm sunshine penetrating the cold and gloomy atmosphere. His voice was steady and calm, which made my nervous heart relax a little.

Just as we reached the middle of the passage, we suddenly heard a sharp whistling sound, like an arrow piercing the air, echoing through the narrow passage, making our ears ring. The sound was so sharp that it seemed to pierce our eardrums. We instinctively looked up and saw a flock of black bats flying towards us. They were small, but there were so many of them, densely packed like a black cloud. Their eyes shone a chilling red, like burning flames, and that red light flickered with bloodthirst. Their mouths were filled with sharp fangs, which gleamed coldly in the dim green light, like the scythes of the Grim Reaper, ready to reap lives. Their wings flapped rapidly, making a fluttering sound, which was amplified in the narrow passage and sounded even more terrifying.

"Be careful!" Luo Chen shouted, his voice resonating like a mighty bell, echoing throughout the passage. The sound was filled with power, as if it could dispel some of the darkness. He swung his sword fiercely at the swarm of bats, the blade gleaming coldly through the air. With such powerful force, the blade, like a streak of silver lightning, instantly rushed into the swarm of bats.

I didn't dare delay, and quickly cast my spell. My hands formed seals rapidly, my fingers dancing in the air like nimble butterflies, and I muttered something. The spell was like an ancient language, imbued with mysterious power. Rays of light shot out from my hands, like bright meteors, towards the swarm of bats. The rays were multicolored, like fragments of a rainbow, and each ray contained my power.

Although the bats were numerous, bearing down on us like a dark cloud, we coordinated well. Luo Chen's sword, like a paddle breaking through the waves, repelled the bats' attacks time and again. Each swing of his sword cut down several bats, their bodies falling to the ground with a soft fluttering sound. My spells also steadily weakened the bats' offensive. When my light struck the bats, they let out a sharp cry and fell to the ground. Gradually, we pushed them back.

After a difficult struggle, we finally emerged from the passage and arrived at our first marked location—an ancient cave. A putrid stench emanated from the cave's entrance. It was a strong, pungent smell, a mixture of death and decay that penetrated our noses, making our stomachs churn and nearly vomit. The odor, like a mixture of rotting corpses, moldy food, and stale blood, was unbearable. Inside, it was pitch black, like a bottomless pit. Nothing could be seen. The darkness was like a vast black curtain, concealing everything within the cave. The darkness was so thick, it seemed substantial, making it feel like even the strongest light could not penetrate it.

Luo Chen pulled a lighting stone from his bosom. It flickered faintly in his hand. He gently tossed it into the cave. The stone arced through the air before slowly landing. As the light from the lighting stone illuminated the cave, we saw stalactites of all shapes and sizes. Some resembled twisted humanoid figures, their bodies bent into strange shapes, as if enduring immense pain. Their heads drooped, their limbs twisted, as if forcibly twisted by an invisible force. Their appearance evoked images of brutal torture. Others resembled enormous animal claws, dangling from the ceiling and walls of the cave. Their claws were sharp and pointed, as if poised to reach out from the darkness and grab us at any moment. The claws were lifelike, each like a freshly sharpened weapon. In the light of the lighting stone, they cast shadows, like ghosts in the darkness, a chilling presence. There were some bones on the ground, glowing palely in the light of the illuminating stones. Some of them still held fragments of clothing that hadn't yet fully decayed. The patterns of these clothes barely revealed the people who had come here from different eras. They might have been brave explorers, or adventurers seeking treasure, but they all met with misfortune in this perilous cave. The color of the clothing fragments had faded, the fabric worn and tattered, and some were stained with dried blood. Their fate seemed a silent warning, calling us to be even more vigilant.

I watched all this, my heart filled with fear and uneasiness. I thought: "Why is this place so terrifying? Can we really find the artifact fragments?"

Luo Chen seemed to see what I was thinking. He said, "Don't be afraid. We have experienced so many difficulties. We can definitely overcome this cave." Although his words gave me some courage, I still couldn't help being nervous.

We slowly entered the cave, each step akin to treading upon unknown danger. Suddenly, a low roar erupted from the depths of the cavern. The sound echoed through the cavern like dull thunder, each rumble making my ears ring. The voice was so deep, like a roar emanating from the depths of the earth, filled with rage and threat. I could feel my heartbeat accelerating, pounding frantically in my chest like a war drum, threatening to burst from my throat. My heart tightened, and Luo Chen stopped walking. We stared intently into the darkness, unblinking, like two wary beasts, ready to face the coming challenge.