I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

They began preparing the ritual necessary to lift the curse, following the instructions in the scroll. They gathered the necessary herbs and holy water, then lit incense and candles on the altar. As the ritual unfolded, the village's silence shattered, and a mysterious power surged through the air.

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi performed the ritual with complete concentration, sweat dripping from their foreheads, but their eyes were filled with determination. With the final incantation, a beam of light rose from the altar, illuminating the entire temple and spreading throughout the village. They thought the villagers were about to awaken, but it was only a false alarm; the light soon vanished.

Undeterred, Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi stood before the altar, continuing the ritual. As the ancient scroll slowly closed before them, the last shred of hope seemed to fade. They meticulously prepared for the ritual, following the scroll's instructions, but the curse still loomed over the village, showing no sign of loosening.

The incense and candles on the altar had burned out, the last wisp of smoke lingering in the air before gradually dissipating. Zhang Wanqing's fingers gently touched the cover of the scroll, her heart filled with confusion and resentment. "Why? Did we do something wrong?" Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with loss.

Fengxi stood beside her, his gaze lingering between the altar and the scroll, his brow furrowed. "No, Wanqing, we did nothing wrong." His voice was low and firm. "The problem may not be with us, but with the curse itself."

Their eyes fell upon the scroll once more, searching for any clues they had missed. The pages were yellowed, the edges frayed, but the symbols and patterns were still clearly visible. Feng Xi carefully turned the pages, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, unwilling to miss a single detail.

Zhang Wanqing observed quietly from the side. Although she was anxious, she knew that what was needed at this moment was calmness and patience. Her eyes wandered between the herbs and holy water on the altar, trying to find new inspiration.

As time ticked by, the village's tranquility gave way to a subdued atmosphere. The villagers slept on, their lives flickering like candles in the wind, poised to die at any moment. Both Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi knew they had no time to waste.

Just when they were about to give up, Feng Xi's gaze suddenly stopped at the last page of the scroll. There was a blurry text there, as if part of it had been artificially erased. His eyes lit up, and he immediately called Zhang Wanqing over.

"Wanqing, look here." Fengxi's voice was filled with excitement. "This text seems to have been deliberately hidden."

Zhang Wanqing leaned in closer to take a look. Her heartbeat quickened, and a new hope ignited within her. "This might be the key to lifting the curse." Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes remained resolute.

They began to decipher the obscure text, examining every symbol and pattern. Feng Xi's fingers glided gently across the scroll, his brow furrowed as he seemed to construct a pattern in his mind. Zhang Wanqing assisted, her memory astonishing, able to quickly recall every detail she had read.

After much effort, they finally deciphered the meaning of the text. It turned out that the ritual to lift the curse required a special sacrifice: a pure heart. This heart had to come from someone willing to sacrifice themselves for the village. Only then could the curse be truly lifted.

Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi exchanged a glance. They knew that this mission was far more difficult than they had imagined. They needed to find someone willing to sacrifice themselves for the village, which was almost an impossible task.

But they didn't give up. They began searching the village, hoping to find the one willing to sacrifice. They questioned every villager, explaining the severity of the curse and the need to lift it. However, every villager remained silent, their eyes filled with fear and hesitation.

Just when they were about to despair, a little girl approached. There was no fear in her eyes, only determination and innocence. "I do." Her voice, though weak, was like a ray of light, illuminating the hearts of Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi.

They were stunned. They had never thought that this little girl would be willing to sacrifice herself for the village. A tear flashed in Zhang Wanqing's eyes, and she gently stroked the little girl's head. "Are you really willing? Do you know what this means?"

The little girl nodded, her eyes full of courage. "I know. I'm willing to sacrifice for everyone." Her voice was weak but firm.

Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi exchanged a glance. They knew they couldn't let this little girl die. They had to find another way, a way that didn't require sacrificing anyone.

They returned to the altar and began to re-examine the books and rituals. They knew that time was running out and they had to find a new solution as soon as possible.

At this moment, Fengxi suddenly thought of something. "Wanqing, what if we understand this pure heart as a symbol, rather than a real need for a human heart?"

Zhang Wanqing's eyes lit up; she immediately understood Fengxi's meaning. "You're saying we need a symbolic offering, something that represents purity and sacrifice?"

Fengxi nodded, his gaze searching the altar until he finally settled on a newly blossoming wildflower. "Although this flower's life is short, its bloom represents the purity and beauty of life," he said with a hint of emotion.

Zhang Wanqing immediately understood Fengxi's intention. She gently plucked the flower and placed it on the altar. "Let this flower represent our feelings, our sacrifice, and our purity." There was a hint of determination in her voice.

They resumed the ceremony, offering the flower as an offering. As the ceremony progressed, a mysterious force surged through the air, and the flower on the altar began to emit a dazzling light. The light grew brighter and brighter, eventually enveloping the entire village.

The villagers who had fallen asleep slowly began to awaken, their eyes filled with confusion and surprise. They looked at Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi with gratitude. The village had returned to life, and the laughter of children and the conversation of villagers filled the village.

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi smiled at each other, knowing that they had successfully lifted the curse and saved the village. They felt relaxed and happy, but they knew that the road ahead was still unknown and countless challenges awaited them.