Alliance: Start Suona, send away the stupid sister Zhou

Chapter 907 Encounter
When passing through a lush forest, the birdsong in the forest suddenly became urgent, as if warning of something. There was an unusual atmosphere in the air, as if nature itself was preparing for what was about to happen.

"Do you feel that there is something wrong with the atmosphere in this forest?" Zhou Lili asked with a frown. Her senses were sharp and she could always detect the subtle changes in the surrounding environment at the first time.

"Indeed, it seems like something is guiding us forward." Zhao Lei tightly gripped the weapon in his hand and looked around vigilantly.

Suddenly, a faint cry for help came from not far ahead. Although the voice was small, it was particularly clear in this silent forest. "Help... Please help me..."

The five people looked at each other and quickly ran towards the source of the sound. After pushing aside the dense bushes, they saw a girl curled up on the ground, her body covered with small scratches, obviously she had suffered a lot during her escape. The girl raised her head, revealing a panicked but lovely face - her big eyes flashed with the light of survival, her small nose trembled slightly, and although there was blood on the corners of her lips, she could still recognize that natural sweetness.

"Are you okay? We are here to help you." Lin Feng squatted down gently, trying to calm her down.

The girl's name was Li Qianqian. She looked at everyone with gratitude, a hint of disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Thank you, I escaped from that...that place." She pointed tremblingly at the distance, where the outline of a castle shrouded in black fog could be vaguely seen, looking eerie and terrifying.

"Where is that place?" Chen Sui asked doubtfully. The Key of Time and Space trembled slightly in his hand, as if he sensed some ominous sign.

"That was the outskirts of the Shadow Abyss, a place called 'Shadow Castle', where lived a group of terrible monsters. I... I managed to escape with great difficulty." Li Qianqian's voice was weak, the fear still not completely gone.

Hearing this, the five people all understood that this unexpected encounter was probably not just a coincidence. Chen Sui looked at his companions, and the eye contact between them conveyed a firm belief - they must help this girl, and at the same time, this may be a clue to uncover the secret of the ancient power.

"Li Qianqian, don't be afraid. From now on, we will protect you." Chen Sui promised, with unquestionable power in his words.

"But...but, they will come looking for me. Those monsters and their masters will not easily let go of anyone who escapes." Li Qianqian seemed more and more anxious.

"With us here, no one can hurt you." Zhao Lei said firmly, the weapon in his hand shining with the light of justice in the sun.

Just as they were about to leave, suddenly, a chilling breath swept in from the depths of the forest, accompanied by a creepy sneer: "Escape? Do you think there is such an easy place to escape in this world?"

Everyone quickly deployed their troops, and the Key of Time and Space in Chen Sui's hand emitted a stronger light, as if warning of the impending threat. At this critical moment, Li Qianqian tightly grasped the corner of Chen Sui's clothes, with fear and trust in her eyes.

"Don't be afraid. We will prove to you that light can always dispel darkness." Chen Sui comforted Li Qianqian softly, then turned around and faced the invisible enemy with a firm tone, "Come out. No matter who you are, we will not back down!"

Before he finished speaking, a figure in a black cloak slowly walked out from the shadows of the forest. His eyes were like the abyss, bottomless. He sneered and said slowly, "Interesting, really interesting. Chen Sui, and your friends, it seems that your story will be more exciting than I imagined."

"Who are you? What's your connection with the Shadow Abyss?" Zhou Lili asked, without any fear in her eyes.

"It doesn't matter who I am. What's important is that you are about to step into an abyss that is far beyond your imagination. Are you ready to meet your fate?" After the black-robed man said this, his figure flashed and he disappeared into the shadows again, leaving behind only a spine-chilling laughter.

"No matter what is waiting for us ahead, we must face it together." Chen Sui turned to look at his companions, and everyone nodded firmly. Even Li Qianqian seemed to draw strength from it, and her expression became more determined.

"Let's go, take Li Qianqian away from here safely first." Chen Sui gave the order resolutely. He knew that the confrontation with the mysterious man in black was only a matter of time. The most important thing at the moment was to ensure Li Qianqian's safety.

Passing through the dense forest, the group, led by Li Qianqian, carefully bypassed the Shadow Castle. Every time they looked back at the castle, they seemed to feel countless eyes watching from behind. The wind around them seemed to be whispering, telling unknown horror stories.

"Do you really believe that... the Shadow Castle contains the key to unlocking the ancient power?" Zhao Lei asked as he walked, his tone mixed with curiosity and worry.

"Whether it's true or not, that's the answer we have to find out," Chen Sui replied, his eyes firm. He knew that since fate had led them to this path, there must be some arrangement.

Li Qianqian walked in the middle of the team, looking back from time to time, fearing that the monsters would suddenly chase her. Lin Feng noticed her nervousness and began to tell some lighthearted stories about the journey, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

"You know, one time Wenjing and I got lost in the mountains and ended up wandering into a small village full of monkeys. Those monkeys even knew how to grill fish! Even though we were chased all over the mountains in the end, it's still pretty funny thinking about it now."

Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard this, and Li Qianqian finally showed her first smile since she escaped. This warm atmosphere seemed to soften the air around them.

As night fell again, they found a relatively secluded cave as a temporary camp. Sitting around the campfire, Li Qianqian finally mustered up the courage to tell more about Shadow Castle.

"The monsters there not only possess terrible power, but more importantly, they can manipulate the fear and despair in people's hearts and make them kill each other. I once witnessed with my own eyes that a brave warrior entered the castle and was driven crazy by his own fear not long after."

Hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought. Li Wenjing said softly: "Inner light is indeed our most powerful weapon, but how to stay awake in such an environment is a challenge."

"Perhaps, the man in black robe just wants to test our will and determination." Lin Feng thought, "No matter what, only if we unite together can we overcome this."

Just as everyone was discussing heatedly, there was a slight sound of footsteps outside the cave, followed by an old and hoarse voice: "Excuse me, everyone, is there a young man named Chen Sui here?"

Everyone stood up alertly, and saw a hunchbacked old man standing at the entrance of the cave, leaning on a cane carved with strange patterns, and his eyes seemed to be able to see into people's hearts.

"I'm Chen Sui." Chen Sui stepped forward and looked directly at the old man. "Excuse me, who are you?"

The old man smiled slightly, and that smile contained too many stories: "I am the Time Watcher, and I have been waiting for your arrival. I know the clues to the ancient power and how to fight against the Shadow Abyss very well."

Everyone was shocked when these words came out. Zhou Lili spoke first: "Please tell us, what do we need to do?" "Before that, I want to tell you an ancient prophecy," the voice of the Time Watcher flowed slowly, like the night wind, "When the five-color light gathers together, the ancient power will awaken. And you are the incarnation of the five-color light."

"Five-colored light?" Li Qianqian repeated curiously, her eyes flashing with longing for the future.

"Yes, Chen Sui, your faith is like an everlasting fire; Zhao Lei, your justice is like a sharp sword; Zhou Lili, your tenacity is like a rock; Li Wenjing, your wisdom is like a bright star; Lin Feng, your courage is like the rage of a violent wind. Each of you is crucial."

As the Time Watcher narrated, an expression of disbelief appeared on everyone's face, and something deep in their hearts seemed to be touched.

"Now," the Time Keeper changed the subject, "the real test is about to begin. The forces of the Shadow Abyss are gathering. Are you ready?"

"We're ready." Chen Sui and the other four said in unison, their voices filled with unquestionable determination.

"Very good. Remember, unity and trust are your most precious weapons. Next, I will guide you to the first trial site. As for that ancient power and how to avoid the disaster it brings, the answer lies in the trial."

"Trial ground? It sounds exciting and dangerous." Li Qianqian said in a low voice, her eyes flashing with curiosity and uneasiness about the unknown.

"Don't worry, Qianqian, we will protect you all the way." Lin Feng patted her shoulder, giving her silent comfort.

The Time Keeper nodded and tapped the ground with his cane. A complex map slowly emerged on the ground. As the light shone, several key locations were marked. "This map will guide you through the dangers and reach the first trial site - the Misty Forest. There, you will face your own inner demons. Only by overcoming them can you grow."

Zhao Lei stroked the weapon in his hand, his eyes firm: "We will not retreat. As long as we can save this world, we will go through it no matter how big the difficulties are."

"Then it's settled. We'll set off early tomorrow morning." Chen Sui held the key of time and space tightly, with a plan in mind. Everyone sat around the campfire, immersed in their fantasies about the future, occasionally exchanging encouraging glances, and the air was filled with an indescribable tacit understanding and expectation.

The next day, at dawn, the group was ready to go. Outside the cave, several villagers passing by stopped and talked about it.

"Look at those young people. They all look very imposing, as if they are going to do something big."

"Yes, especially the young man holding the sword. He looks so heroic and must be someone extraordinary."

"If they can solve the problem of Shadow Castle, our village will be at peace."

Lin Feng inadvertently caught the villagers' whispers. He smiled and said to them, "It seems that we have been given high hopes."

Li Qianqian smiled shyly: "I also hope to do something for my hometown."

As they embarked on the journey, every step seemed extremely heavy, but no one gave up. The entrance to the misty forest was right in front of them, surrounded by mist, and everything in sight was hazy. Zhou Lili took a deep breath and looked determined: "This is our first level, let's work hard together."

“Well, there is nothing we can’t solve.” Chen Sui followed closely behind, holding the Key of Time and Space. The light penetrated the fog and illuminated the way forward for everyone.

In the misty forest, illusions abound, and everyone's inner demons quietly emerge, testing their will and beliefs. Chen Sui faces endless loneliness and self-doubt, Zhao Lei faces the difficulties and sacrifices of justice, Zhou Lili faces the fear of weakness, Li Wenjing faces the curse and pursuit of knowledge, and Lin Feng faces his own courage, whether it is enough to bear everyone's hope.

With each other's support and encouragement, they broke through their inner demons one by one, and their strength and spirit were sublimated simultaneously. Whenever someone wavered, there would always be the voice of their companions to give them strength.

"Chen Sui, your faith is our common torch, don't let it go out."

“Zhao Lei, justice is a heavy responsibility, but we are all here to share the burden with you.”

"Lily, your tenacity is stronger than rock. Don't forget the people behind you."

"Wen Jing, your wisdom is our beacon, guiding us in the darkness."

"Lin Feng, your courage has spread like the wind, keep moving forward!"

After going through trials again and again, when they finally walked out of the misty forest, everyone was no longer the same person they had been before. The key of time and space in Chen Sui's hand emitted a brighter light, as if foreshadowing the beginning of a new chapter.

"We did it!" Li Qianqian jumped up excitedly, tears glistening in her eyes, this time they were tears of joy.

“But this is just the beginning. There is still a long way to go to uncover the truth of the ancient power and to fight against the Shadow Abyss.” Chen Sui reminded everyone, looking towards the distant horizon, where more unknowns were waiting for them.

"Yes, Chen Sui is right. We can't stop here." Zhao Lei put away his sword, his expression serious. "Every victory is a prelude to a bigger battle."

"I want to know what kind of power the ancient force behind these trials has. Can it enable us to fight against the terrifying Shadow Abyss?" Zhou Lili wiped the sweat from her forehead with a firm look in her eyes.

As everyone was discussing, a traveler in a tattered cloak walked out of the forest path. He looked exhausted, but his eyes were full of curiosity and excitement. He walked towards them and said in a trembling voice, "Forgive my intrusion, but I just saw you coming out of the Misty Forest. That is an impossible task! Are you the legendary five-colored light?"