The vicious female supporting role becomes the female lead

Chapter 40: Searching for the "Star Stone" (2)

Chu Qiao's flashlight beam moved slowly across the damp cave wall, her eyes closely following the mysterious symbols and patterns.

These ancient markings seem to tell a forgotten story, and every turn and every branch may be a clue to the Star Stone.

She noticed that there were some recurring symbols in these patterns, like signposts pointing the way. Chu Qiao decided to follow these recurring symbols, hoping they would lead her to the Star Stone.

Her footsteps echoed in the cave, and each step was taken with extreme caution, for she knew that these ancient caves might be full of unknown dangers.

As she went deeper into the cave, the air grew colder, but within Chu Qiao's heart burned an unquenchable fire. Her determination and courage allowed her to ignore the darkness and cold around her, her eyes fixed only on the symbols that might lead her to the Star Stone.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. In the light of the flashlight, she discovered a huge stone door, which was covered with intricate patterns and symbols.

Chu Qiao's heartbeat quickened as she realized this might be the final doorway to the Star Stone. She quickly inspected the stone door, searching for any mechanism or method of opening it.

After some careful observation and experimentation, Chu Qiao discovered that a symbol on the stone gate was similar in shape to the crack she had seen on the mountain wall before.

She touched the symbol carefully, and suddenly, the stone door vibrated slightly, then slowly moved to the side, revealing a hidden passage.

Chu Qiao took a deep breath, knowing she might be close to the Star Stone. She entered a passageway, which ended in a spacious stone chamber. In the center of the chamber sat a stone platform, upon which sat a faintly glowing stone. Chu Qiao's heart nearly stopped. She knew this was the Star Stone she had been searching for.

Chu Qiao's breathing quickened, her eyes fixed on the stone. Its light, though faint, shone brightly in the dim stone chamber. Cautiously, she approached the stone platform, each step seeming to span a thousand years.

When she finally stood before the stone platform, she reached out her trembling hand and gently touched the Star Stone. The stone was just the right temperature, neither cold nor hot, and its light seemed to grow brighter under her touch.

Chu Qiao felt a strange energy flowing out of the stone, warming her palms and spreading throughout her body.

She knew that this stone was not just an ordinary ore, it was the legacy of an ancient civilization and the key to maintaining the balance of the world.

Chu Qiao carefully picked up the Star Stone. It was unexpectedly light, as if it did not belong to this world.

Just as she was about to put the Star Stone into her backpack, a low rumbling sound suddenly rang out from the stone chamber.

Jo looked around warily, realizing that taking the Star Stone might have triggered some mechanism. She quickly put the Star Stone into her backpack and checked the seal of the backpack to ensure the safety of the stone.

As the roar intensified, the walls of the stone chamber began to shake and dust and rubble fell from the ceiling.

Chu Qiao knew she had to leave immediately. She turned and ran towards the passage, but found that the entrance had begun to collapse, and large pieces of rock blocked the way.

Without hesitation, Chu Qiao quickly searched for another way out. She noticed a narrow crack in the corner of the stone chamber, a faint light shone through it. She immediately ran in that direction, pushing away the stone blocking the crack with all her might.

Chu Qiao's heartbeat was like a drum, and every nerve in her body was tense to the extreme. The vibrations in the stone chamber became more and more intense, as if the entire mountain was shaking.

She knew that time was her most precious resource and every second could be the dividing line between life and death.

She rushed to the crack, pushing away the heavy rocks with both hands. Her arms trembled from the effort, but she felt no pain, only a strong instinct for survival.

The stone moved slowly under her push, making a harsh friction sound, and finally a gap appeared that was big enough for her to pass through.

Chu Qiao didn't hesitate at all, squeezing sideways into the crack. The crack was narrow and winding, forcing her to bend over or even crawl to avoid hitting her head on the sharp rocks above.

Her body rubbed against the rough rocks, but she had only one thought in her mind: to escape from this collapsing stone chamber.

As she moved deeper into the crevice, the light gradually grew brighter. She could hear the crumbling of the stone chamber behind her grow louder and louder, like the footsteps of death approaching. Chu Qiao quickened her pace, her breathing rapid, but she dared not pause for a moment.

The passage in the crevice began to steepen, and Chu Qiao practically had to climb. Her fingers were chafed from gripping the rock, but her will was stronger than the rock itself. She knew that if she stopped, she would be buried in this ancient cave.

Finally, the end of the crack appeared. Chu Qiao saw the sky. Although it was just a small circular exit, it was like a window of hope to her.

Using her last bit of strength, she climbed out of the crack, her body rolling onto the overgrown ground.

Chu Qiao lay there, gasping for breath, her body trembling from the exhaustion. But her heart was filled with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. She had done it; she had escaped the brink of death.

After resting for a while, Chu Qiao slowly stood up. Although her body was tired, her mind was extremely clear.

The sky had cleared, and the sun shone warmly on her face. Chu Qiao sat up and checked the Star Stone in her backpack. It was still intact and emitting a faint light.

She knew she had completed her mission, but this was only the beginning. She still needed to bring the Star Stone back safely to ensure the balance of the world.

Chu Qiao stood up and dusted herself off, her gaze determined. Though the road ahead was uncertain, she was ready to face any challenge. She took a deep breath, took the Star Stone, and set out on her journey home.

Chu Qiao stood on the overgrown ground, looking around, trying to determine her location. She remembered the general direction she had taken before entering the cave, but the crack's exit seemed to have taken her to a new place.

She took out her map and compass from her backpack and studied them carefully, trying to find a way down the mountain. The sun shone through the gaps in the clouds, dappling the map and providing her with a hint of warmth.

Chu Qiao's finger slid across the map, finally stopping at a possible path. She knew that this path might be full of unknowns and dangers, but compared to what she had just experienced, these were nothing.

She took a deep breath, put away her map and compass, and began to walk along the chosen path. Her steps were heavy, but each one was firm and powerful.

She walked through the dense woods and crossed the gurgling stream, her eyes always alert to her surroundings and her ears listening for any possible danger signals.

As time passed, Chu Qiao felt her strength gradually returning. She took some dry food and water from her backpack and simply replenished her energy. She knew that maintaining her strength was the key to continuing on. After a short rest, she continued her journey.

As night fell, Chu Qiao found a relatively flat spot to spend the night. She lit a bonfire, its light dancing in the darkness, providing both warmth and light. She checked the Star Stone to make sure it was safe, then leaned against her backpack and closed her eyes to rest.

The forest at night was filled with all sorts of noises, but Chu Qiao was not afraid. She knew that as long as she had the Star Stone in her hands, she would be able to protect it, and herself.

She listened to the howling of wolves in the distance and the chirping of insects nearby, and gradually fell asleep. Under the night sky, Chu Qiao curled up beside the campfire, the flames dancing on her face, reflecting a warm orange.

The howling of wolves in the distance was sometimes high-pitched, sometimes low, as if telling the secrets of the deep forest. The chirping of insects nearby was like a never-ending nocturne, accompanied by the night breeze, gently brushing past her ears.

These sounds cannot be heard during the day. They are exclusive to the night and are another breath of nature in the darkness.

Chu Qiao closed her eyes, letting her mind sync with the rhythm of the forest. She felt a strange sense of peace, a sense of isolation and tranquility despite being in the wilderness.

The crackling of the campfire, accompanied by the howling of wolves and the chirping of insects, formed a unique symphony. Chu Qiao's thoughts drifted away with these sounds. She thought of her past, those busy days in the city, those years of rushing for life.

And now, here she is, so close to nature, so close to her own heart.

She thought of the Star Stone, the mysterious stone now resting quietly in her backpack. She knew it held a vital mission, and she was its guardian. This thought filled her with a sense of responsibility and honor.

As the night deepened, the howling of wolves faded, and the chirping of insects grew sparse. Chu Qiao's body began to relax, her breathing becoming slow and deep. The warmth of the campfire and the sounds of nature combined to create a gentle cradle, rocking her gently into sleep.

In her dream, she saw the Star Stone emitting a dazzling light, which penetrated the darkness and illuminated the entire world. She dreamed that she was standing in a huge square, holding the Star Stone high in her hand, and the people around her were cheering, celebrating her success and return.

The dream was so real that when Chu Qiao woke up, she couldn't tell the difference between reality and dream for a moment. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and smiled softly. She knew that dreams were a reflection of the mind, a reflection of her deepest desires and expectations.

She stood up, stretched her stiff body, and then checked the Star Stone in her backpack again. After confirming that it was safe, she began to prepare for a new day's journey.

Although the road ahead is unknown, her heart is filled with courage and hope. She knows that as long as she perseveres, one day she will be able to bring back the Star Stone, complete her mission, and realize her dream.

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