Keyboard Warrior's Otherworldly Adventure

As the shadowy figure drew closer, Li Jin, aided by the faint light from the crystals on the cave wall, could make out the man's appearance. He was a short, hunched old man, dressed in tattered animal skins, leaning on a cane, his white beard almost completely obscuring his face.

"Don't be nervous, young man," the old man said slowly, his voice hoarse and deep. "I'm just a lost old man."

Li Jin looked at the old man with suspicion. The timing of the old man's appearance was too coincidental, and how could an old man appear in this desolate wilderness?

"Old man, who are you? What are you doing here?" Li Jin asked tentatively.

The old man sighed and slowly said, "My name is Old John, and I'm an antique dealer. I came into the mountains this time to look for some rare antiques, but I got lost and encountered that terrible monster." As he spoke, a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

"Antique dealer?" Li Jin's heart skipped a beat. Did this old man know something?

"Old man, what kind of monster are you talking about?" Li Jin pressed.

Old John shook his head. "I don't know what it was either. I just saw a huge black shadow, and then I was knocked unconscious by a powerful force. When I woke up, I was here."

Li Jin and Su Fei exchanged a glance; it seemed the old man didn't know much either.

"Grandpa, do you know how to get out?" Xiaomei asked cautiously, holding Xiaobai in her arms.

Old John pointed to the depths of the cave, "When I woke up, I saw a path over there that might lead outside."

Li Jin hesitated for a moment. He didn't know if the old man's words were credible, but he had no other choice but to take a gamble.

"Okay, we'll go with you," Li Jin said.

Old John nodded, leaning on his cane, and walked unsteadily ahead. Li Jin supported Sophie, and Xiao Mei carried Xiao Bai, following closely behind.

The path deep inside the cave was winding, dark, and damp, filled with a nauseating stench of decay. Li Jin cautiously surveyed his surroundings, fearing he might encounter some further danger.

After walking for about half an hour, a glimmer of light appeared ahead.

"Exit!" Xiao Mei exclaimed excitedly.

The four quickened their pace and walked towards the light.

Stepping out of the cave, a bright and open space suddenly appeared before us.

They arrived at a valley, where lush trees provided shade, birds sang, flowers bloomed, and a clear stream meandered through, making it seem like a paradise.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Xiaomei couldn't help but exclaim.

Li Jin breathed a sigh of relief; he had finally escaped.

"Thank you for showing me the way, sir," Li Jin said to Old John.

Old John waved his hand. "No need to be polite, it was nothing." As he spoke, his eyes flickered, as if he were trying to hide something.

Li Jin keenly noticed the change in Old John's eyes and a sense of vigilance rose in his heart.

"Old man, are you really an antique dealer?" Li Jin asked again.

Old John paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Of course, it's the real deal."

Li Jin wanted to ask something more, but suddenly, the system's voice rang in his mind.

"Ding! High energy reaction detected near the host. Please be careful!"

Li Jin was startled and quickly activated the system scan, only to see that Old John was emitting a powerful energy fluctuation.

"Old man, who exactly are you?" Li Jin asked sharply, his hand already gripping the rusty short sword he had picked up from the cave.

Old John's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling expression.

"You're clever, kid, to have seen through my disguise," Old John sneered. "But now that you know my secret, you must die!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Old John's figure vanished from the spot.

Li Jin felt a blur before his eyes, and a powerful force rushed towards him.

"boom!"

Li Jin was knocked away and crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Li Jin!" Sophie and Xiaomei exclaimed and rushed over to help Li Jin up.

"Cough cough..." Li Jin clutched his chest, coughing violently. He felt as if his internal organs had shifted. This old man's strength was terrifying!

"You two get out of here!" Li Jin pushed Sophie and Xiao Mei aside. "I'll hold him off!"

Sophie and Xiaomei refused to leave, knowing that Li Jin was no match for Old John in his current state.

"Get out of here! You'll only get in the way if you stay!" Li Jin roared.

Sophie gritted her teeth, tears welling in her eyes, "Li Jin, be careful!"

After saying that, she grabbed Xiaomei's hand and turned to run into the depths of the valley.

Watching their departing figures, Li Jin was filled with resentment and helplessness. Damn it, I, a keyboard warrior, was humiliated by an old man!

Old John reappeared in front of Li Jin, looking at him with a mocking expression. "Kid, you'd better just accept your death and avoid suffering any physical pain."

Li Jin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Old man, the outcome is still uncertain!"

As he spoke, he took out a bottle of medicine from the system space, tilted his head back, and drank it down.

A powerful force surged through his body instantly, and Li Jin felt his injuries rapidly healing and his strength continuously increasing.

"This is...?!" Old John looked at Li Jin's change, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Li Jin sneered, "Old man, let me show you the power of keyboard warriors!"

After he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a bolt of lightning and rushed towards Old John...