I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi clutched the Ether Key tightly, their gaze piercing the fading light and shadows, gazing into the mist ahead. As the ethereal realm faded, a new world slowly unfolded before them. It was a mysterious forest, its trees towering and dense, dappled sunlight filtering through the branches. The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and plants, and the breeze seemed to carry a hint of moisture.

"It seems we have reached a new level." Fengxi said in a low voice, with vigilance flashing in his eyes.

Zhang Wanqing nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings, trying to catch any possible clues. "The environment here is completely different from the previous etheric realm. We must be more careful."

They advanced slowly, each step rustling through the thick fallen leaves. Fengxi's staff slashed through the air, stirring up subtle currents, as if searching for something. Zhang Wanqing tapped the ground lightly with the tip of her sword, and she could feel the subtle vibrations of the ground, the rhythm of life in the forest.

Suddenly, a breeze blew by, bringing with it an unusual scent. Fengxi stopped, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "Water," he whispered, "There is the power of the water element here."

Zhang Wanqing's gaze grew sharper, and she gripped the hilt of her sword, ready to respond to any crisis. "Water is invisible, and air is immaterial. Combined, they will be a formidable opponent."

Just then, the trees in the forest began to sway gently, and a stream of water gushed out from the ground, surrounding them. Droplets of water danced in the air, intertwining with the breeze to form curtains of water. These curtains not only blocked their view, but also seemed to guide them in a certain direction.

"Follow him." Feng Xi said, with a hint of determination in his voice.

Zhang Wanqing nodded. She and Fengxi followed the water curtain's guidance, heading deeper into the forest. As they went deeper, the surrounding environment became more humid, and the air became increasingly humid. Their footsteps left deep footprints on the wet ground, and each step seemed particularly heavy.

Finally, they reached a wide, open space. Here, the forces of water and air reached their climax. A vast vortex of water swirled in the air, while the surrounding air formed whirlwinds that swirled around the vortex. At the intersection of these two forces, a vague figure gradually emerged.

"Welcome to my realm, brave adventurer." A voice echoed in the air, like the gurgling of water and the whistling of wind. "I am the guardian of water and air. If you want to pass through here, you must uncover my secrets."

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi exchanged a glance, knowing this would be an unprecedented challenge. Fengxi began chanting a spell, the tip of his staff emitting a soft glow that echoed with the surrounding water vapor and wind. Zhang Wanqing drew her longsword, its blade gleaming with a sharp, cold light in the water.

"Water is invisible and air is intangible, but we can use our strength to perceive them." The voice of Fengxi echoed in the light of water and the sound of wind.

Zhang Wanqing nodded and began to wield her sword. Each swing stirred up a gust of wind, which intertwined with the water droplets, forming streaks of sword energy. These sword energies weaved through the watery light, attempting to locate the guardian's physical form.

The guardian's silhouette swayed in the light of the water and the sound of the wind. It didn't seem to be in a hurry to attack, but rather observed every move of Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi. Its silhouette was sometimes clear, sometimes blurry, as if it was playing a game of hide-and-seek with them.

Fengxi's spells grew faster and faster, the light at the tip of his staff growing brighter. He began to channel the water vapor and wind, trying to find the Guardian's weakness. Zhang Wanqing's swordsmanship also grew more and more fierce. Her sword energy intertwined with the water light, forming a net, trying to capture the Guardian's phantom.

At that moment, Fengxi noticed a pattern in the Guardian. Though its silhouette was blurry, within the flow of water vapor and wind, there was always a moment when its substance would be revealed. Fengxi immediately signaled to Zhang Wanqing, who understood. Her swordsmanship became even more swift, her sword energy weaving through the water light, waiting for that moment to arrive.

Finally, the Guardian's figure revealed itself amidst the shimmering water and the rustling of the wind. Zhang Wanqing's sword energy instantly erupted, aiming directly at the Guardian's heart. The Guardian seemed unprepared for the precision of Zhang Wanqing's attack, trembling in the sword energy before dissipating.

The light of the water and the sound of the wind began to dissipate, and the clearing gradually became clearer. Where the guardian had disappeared, a transparent key was left behind. It emitted a faint light, like the essence of water and air.

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi, clutching the Keys of Water and Air, paused at the edge of the forest. Before them lay a frozen world, a stark contrast to the previous Fire Elemental Trial. The wind bit like a knife, and snowflakes danced in the air, obscuring the entire view. The ice creaked beneath their feet, making each step seem incredibly difficult.

"The temperature here is many times lower than the previous sea of ​​fire." Feng Xi's voice trembled in the cold wind. He tightened his cloak, trying to resist the biting cold.

Zhang Wanqing's brow furrowed. She could sense the power within this frozen world. "The guardian of the ice element must be at the heart of this cold place. We must find it."

They advanced slowly, each step leaving deep footprints on the thick snow. Fengxi's staff slashed through the air, stirring up a subtle current that attempted to dispel the surrounding chill. Zhang Wanqing lightly tapped the ground with the tip of her sword, and she could feel the subtle vibrations of the earth, the rhythm of life in this frozen world.

"We must remain vigilant. The power of the ice element may slow down our movements." Fengxi reminded.

Zhang Wanqing nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings, trying to catch any clues. "The guardian of the ice element might be using the environment here to confuse us. We can't be fooled by appearances."

As they continued forward, the ice around them grew thicker and thicker, the air dropping ever colder. Fengxi began to chant a spell, the tip of his staff emitting a soft glow that echoed with the surrounding ice. Zhang Wanqing drew her longsword, its blade gleaming with a sharp, cold light in the icy glow.

"Although the power of the ice element is strong, we can use our strength to sense it." Fengxi's voice echoed in the ice.

Zhang Wanqing swung her sword once more, creating streams of sword energy. These energies glided back and forth across the ice as she once again searched for the Ice Guardian's physical form. The Guardian's form was hidden beneath the ice, making it difficult to locate. Fengxi, beneath the ice, was in no rush to attack, instead observing Zhang Wanqing's every move and the situation beneath.

Fengxi continued chanting, his voice growing faster and faster. He finally found the guardian of the ice element and tried to find its weakness. Zhang Wanqing's swordsmanship also became increasingly fierce, her sword energy weaving into a net on the ice, trying to capture the guardian's phantom.

At this moment, Fengxi discovered the guardian. He immediately signaled to Zhang Wanqing, who understood. Her swordsmanship became even more swift and fierce, and she thrust it under the ice, striking the guardian in one blow.

Zhang Wanqing's sword energy exploded instantly, piercing the Guardian's heart. Coupled with Fengxi's spell, which he chanted faster and faster, the Guardian could no longer bear it and exploded, turning into a wisp of smoke and disappearing in an instant.

The ice began to dissipate, and the space gradually became clearer. Where the guardian had disappeared, a transparent key was left behind. It emitted a faint light, like the essence of the ice element.

Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi smiled at each other. They knew that they had uncovered the secret of the frozen realm.