The male protagonist of the book is poisonous

Chu Feng and I fixed our gazes on the mysteriously glowing words on the page. The light held our gaze captivated, unable to avert it. Our minds, like high-speed precision instruments, continuously dissected and analyzed the potential hidden meanings behind the seemingly simple yet ambiguous words "deep within." The library was as quiet as an ancient tomb at night, with only the soft, slightly nervous sounds of our breathing echoing softly in the stillness. The faint light on the page flickered softly in the gloom, like an eager yet timid urging, silently urging us to act.

Chu Feng was the first to break the dead silence. His voice was remarkably clear in the hushed library: "We can't limit our vision to the small world of the library. Perhaps this 'deep' refers to some ancient and mysterious place within the sect. However, before exploring beyond, we should carefully examine the library's lesser-known corners. Perhaps we can unearth some useful clues we've missed." I nodded in agreement, as quickly as a chick pecking at rice. After all, this place is like the entrance to a mysterious treasure trove. It has already provided us with a lot of key information, and perhaps it holds even more secrets that could change the situation.

So, we began a thorough search of the library, leaving no corner untouched that might hold a clue. I bent down, practically crawling on the floor, my eyes fixed on the narrow crevice beneath the bookshelf. Dust piled thickly there, like a gray desert, dense and lifeless. Cobwebs crisscrossed the dust, their threads like fine threads left by time, intricately interwoven, as if telling the story of this forgotten corner's past. Chu Feng, nimble as a squirrel, scaled the upper shelves in a matter of seconds. He carefully searched among the ancient books at the top. Because of their high perch, these volumes were usually overlooked, like concubines banished to the cold palace, rarely visited. Perhaps precisely because of this, they were more likely to contain the crucial information we so longed for.

Suddenly, Chu Feng discovered a small, hidden box hidden in a hidden corner of the top shelf. At first glance, the box exuded an air of antiquity, as if it had drifted from the depths of history, carrying with it the vicissitudes of time and its mysteries. Its surface was covered in intricate patterns, like mysterious ancient runes, each line seeming to tell of a forgotten past. Upon closer inspection, these patterns bore a subtle resemblance to those surrounding the forbidden pattern on the scroll. This discovery, like a sudden flash of light in the darkness, made our hearts race, as if we had touched the edge of truth. Chu Feng carefully lifted the box from its corner, his movements as gentle as if handling the most fragile treasure. We gathered together, our eyes fixed on this mysterious box, searching for the key to its secrets.

The structure of this secret box was peculiar. It lacked the usual obvious keyhole, instead covered in a maze of intricate patterns. These patterns, like a meticulously designed puzzle, were so densely interwoven that even a single glance could make one feel dizzy. Chu Feng frowned, his eyes focused and determined, his lips unconsciously pursed slightly, betraying his caution. He extended his finger, like a sapper navigating a minefield, and slowly traced the patterns. Each movement was tentative, like a subtle dialogue with an unknown, mysterious force. Just as his finger reached a specific spot, a faint flash of light suddenly appeared on the box, like a shooting star in the darkness, fleeting yet striking. Then, a gentle mechanical hum echoed through the silent library, like the humming of an ancient mechanism awakening, and the secret box slowly opened.

A tattered piece of parchment lay quietly in the box. The parchment looked like an old man in his twilight years. The edges of the paper were worn as if gnawed by time, and its color was as yellow as fallen leaves in late autumn, as if silently telling of the long and vicissitudes of life it had experienced. On the parchment was a simple map of the sect. The lines of the map were a bit rough, like the doodles of a beginner, but the general outline of the sect could still be clearly identified. On the map, there was a place marked with a striking red mark. The red was like a burning flame, and like dripping blood, bright and dazzling. Next to the mark was a line of small words: "The source of the artifact, danger, stay away."

Seeing this line of words, my eyes widened in surprise, my mouth slightly open, and I couldn't help but say, "Could this be the key to unlocking the ban? This marked place seems full of mystery, as if it hides a huge secret that could subvert the entire sect." Chu Feng also frowned, his eyes fixed on the map, his eyes filled with confusion and curiosity. He studied it carefully, "This place does look very remote. I've lived in the sect for so long, but I've never seen an area like this. Where is it? We must find this place, even if the road ahead is covered with thorns."

Map in hand, filled with anxiety and anticipation, we followed the directions indicated on the map to find the marked location. Along the way, we passed many familiar places, each a vivid reflection of sect life. In the training grounds, disciples were diligently practicing their martial arts. Their shouts echoed one after another, high-pitched and powerful, like a group of high-spirited warriors charging forward. Some disciples brandished longswords, their blades gleaming in the sunlight, their blades whirring as they sliced ​​through the air, each swing precise and powerful. Others wielded long knives, their blades arcing through the air, their clashes producing crisp, resounding clangs that echoed through the air like battle horns. The herb garden was filled with the rich aroma of a fusion of herbs, a fresh and fragrant fragrance like a gift from nature. The gardeners in the herb garden were meticulously tending the herbs, their movements gentle and skillful, as if they were caring for their most beloved children. One gardener was loosening the soil with a small shovel, careful not to damage the roots. Another was watering the herbs with a kettle. Glistening droplets of water sprayed from the spout like scattered pearls, evenly scattering across the leaves, making them shimmer with emerald green in the sunlight.

As we approached the location marked on the map, the surroundings began to shift quietly, a transformation like the gradual passage from bright, sunny day to the eerie darkness of night. The trees, once lush and verdant, blotting out the sun, became increasingly sparse. The once dense branches and foliage seemed to have been forcibly torn away by invisible hands, leaving only solitary trunks, like defeated soldiers, standing lifeless. The grass on the ground also turned withered and tangled, its leaves shrivelled and lifeless, as if scorched by fire. From time to time, a strange sound could be heard. It was like the wind, but deeper and more eerie, a whistling sound, like a cold wind blowing from the dark abyss, carrying an endless chill. Or it was like the low growl of some unknown creature, a muffled and suppressed sound, like thunder rumbling in the distance, sending a chill down one's spine, making the hairs on the ground stand on end.

We finally arrived at a cave. A light mist enveloped the cave, gently curling around it like a white ribbon. The mist exuded a chill, a chill like an icicle, piercing the very bone, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but wrap myself tightly around my clothes, my body trembling slightly. Strange symbols were carved into the cave's entrance. They twisted and distorted, resembling a group of ferocious monsters, yet they held a unique, mysterious aura. Upon closer inspection, these symbols bore some resemblance to those found in the scrolls we'd previously visited. This discovery reinforced our belief that this place was inextricably linked to the artifact.

Chu Feng said warily, "This place looks very dangerous. You must stay behind me and don't run around." As he spoke, he tightened his grip on the sword, his eyes filled with vigilance. Looking at his serious expression, my heart pounded with nervousness, like a little rabbit in my chest. I quickly nodded in agreement. We slowly walked into the cave. It was pitch black, as if it had been splashed with ink. You couldn't see your hand in front of you. Only a faint phosphorescent light occasionally flickered on the wall. That phosphorescent light was like a ray of hope in the darkness. Although it was pitifully weak, it brought a ray of light to this dark cave. The phosphorescent light flickered unsteadily, as if it would go out at any moment, causing people's moods to fluctuate accordingly.

After walking for a while, we found a massive stone gate ahead. It stood tightly shut, like a towering mountain looming before us, or like a loyal guard guarding the mysterious realm beyond. The gate was engraved with various forbidden runes, each emitting a powerful surge of power. That power, like surging waves, swept toward us in waves, creating an invisible sense of oppression. Simply standing before the stone gate, one could feel the overwhelming force like an invisible hand, tightly gripping one's throat, making it difficult to breathe.

I looked at the runes on the stone door, my heart filled with confusion and curiosity. I couldn't help but ask, "Could this be the final barrier protecting the artifact? If so, how do we open it?" Chu Feng didn't answer me immediately. He took a deep breath, as if to muster up courage, then stepped forward, slowly extended his hand, and carefully touched the runes on the stone door. As soon as his fingers touched the runes, he felt as if he had received an electric shock, and quickly withdrew his hand. He frowned, a pained expression on his face, and said, "The power contained in this rune is very strong. Breaking through it by force could be very dangerous. We can't act rashly."

As we racked our brains trying to figure out how to open the stone door, I suddenly spotted a small groove in the wall next to it. The shape of the groove looked unusual, as if it were custom-made for something. Upon closer inspection, it bore a striking resemblance to the trap box we'd found earlier. This discovery filled me with ecstasy, like a lifeline. I quickly pulled out the trap box and, with a touch of anticipation and nervousness, attempted to place it in the groove.

The moment the mechanism box was placed into its groove, the stone door emitted a low rumbling sound, like the roar of a long-sleeping beast awakened, shaking the entire cave slightly. Then, accompanied by a dull thud, the stone door slowly opened. A powerful force surged from the stone door, a force like a raging wind, roaring towards us. The force was so immense, it felt like countless hands pushing against us. We quickly shielded our eyes with our hands and involuntarily stepped back to resist the overwhelming force.

When the light faded, we lowered our hands. The sight before us left us wide-eyed, mouths agape, faces filled with wonder. Inside, we saw a stone platform, upon which sat an object emitting a soft glow. The light, like the warm sun on a winter day, piercing through the clouds, was gentle and warm, illuminating the entire cave. The object was exquisite, as if crafted from some mysterious crystal. Its shape was strange and graceful, like a work of art, perfectly formed by nature. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, and every line seemed meticulously carved, imbued with an immense power that captivated the viewer.

Chu Feng whispered, "Could this be the legendary artifact?" His voice was filled with awe and wonder. My eyes widened, my heart filled with wonder and curiosity. However, before we could examine the artifact more closely, a sinister laugh suddenly erupted from the cave. It was like the roar of a demon from the depths of hell, filled with evil and terror, echoing through the cave, leaving one's heart trembling and hair standing on end.

A dark figure slowly emerged from the corner. At first, it was just a blur, like a ball of thick, insoluble ink. Slowly, it grew clearer and clearer. Finally, we saw a ferocious-looking man in black appear before us. He was completely clad in black clothing, revealing only a pair of eyes that gleamed coldly, filled with cruelty and greed. The man in black said coldly, "Do you think you can get the artifact so easily? You are too naive. This is all a trap I set, and you've simply walked into it."

Chu Feng and I were shocked when we heard his words. We had never imagined that after all this pursuit, we would unknowingly fall into someone else's carefully planned conspiracy. Chu Feng stood in front of me without hesitation. His body was like a solid wall of steel, giving me a sense of security. He looked at the man in black warily, his eyes filled with vigilance and anger, and his sword gripped tightly. He asked loudly, "Who are you? Why are you doing this?"

The man in black sneered, a laugh that chilled me to the bone, as if I were in an ice cellar. He said, "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you've ruined my plan. This artifact should have belonged to me, it was in my possession, and now you dare to lay your hands on it. You will all die." With that, the man in black pounced on us like a ferocious cheetah. His movements were lightning-fast, and he was in front of us in the blink of an eye.

At this point, we were plunged into immense danger. Not only did we have to face this mysterious and powerful artifact, but we also had to contend with this unexpected enemy. The fate of our sect seemed to be ruthlessly pushed into an even more perilous situation, like a lone boat in a raging storm, perilous at any moment.