Alliance: Start Suona, send away the stupid sister Zhou

"Then it's settled." Mo Yan's words were concise and powerful. He looked around, his eyes full of confidence in the future. "Early tomorrow morning, we will set off for the ruined city. Whether it's solving ancient mysteries or facing the upcoming challenges, we will fight side by side."

The fire gradually dimmed, and the night wind brought coolness, but also brought new courage and determination. Among this group of young people, an indescribable force quietly gathered, as if foreshadowing that they were about to embark on a glorious but difficult road.

"Good night, everyone." Zhao Lei said softly. He looked up at the starry sky, his heart full of longing for the future. "May the light lead us forward."

"Good night." The others said in unison, each with anticipation for an unknown journey and faith in a bright future on their faces.

In the night, a traveler happened to pass by the edge of the camp and was attracted by this harmonious and powerful picture. He stopped involuntarily. He was a middle-aged man, carrying a heavy bag, with the vicissitudes of life carved on his face.

"It's great to be young." The traveler murmured to himself. His eyes moved over these young people, as if he saw in them the shadow of his own pursuit of dreams when he was young. "Looking at them like this, I can't help but believe that there is indeed light in this world."

On the side, the conversation by the campfire has not stopped. Lin Feng and Zhou Lili are having an in-depth discussion on the maps and clues in the ancient books.

"Here..." Lin Feng pointed to a marked location on the map, frowning, "If I'm not mistaken, this city ruin should be located deep in the Dark Forest. It is said that ancient guardians live there, and even the bravest explorers have never set foot there."

"Dark Forest?" Li Qianqian's voice was filled with worry. "Legend has it that there are dangers lurking everywhere there, but we have to go there to find the answer."

"No matter what we face, we are no longer fighting alone." Zhao Lei said firmly, his fingers lightly touching his chest, where the glimmer of light fragments seemed to give him endless strength and courage.

A passerby who heard their conversation opened his eyes wide, his surprise evident in words: "Dark Forest?! You...you really want to go to that kind of place?" His tone was filled with shock, but also admiration for the courage of these young people.

Zhou Lili turned to look at the uninvited guest and smiled politely: "Yes, our mission drives us forward. However, you seem to be experienced, do you have any suggestions or warnings about the Dark Forest?"

The traveler was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "You are really bold. Well, if you really want to enter, remember not to make loud noises, so as not to wake up the sleeping monsters. Also, there is a foggy area in the center of the Dark Forest. It is easy to get in but difficult to get out, so be careful."

"Thank you for your advice." Lin Feng nodded gratefully, his words revealing sincerity, "Experience is often more valuable than any treasure."

As the night deepened, the traveler finally embarked on his journey, leaving behind a meaningful message before leaving: "Children, I hope you will find not only strength, but also a heart that leads to light."

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the mist and illuminated the camp, Zhao Lei and his companions were ready to go. They looked at each other, their eyes showing both anxiety about the unknown and trust in their companions and yearning for a bright future.

"Let's go, friends." Mo Yan stepped forward, his back looking particularly determined, "Not only to solve the mystery, but also to become the light that illuminates the darkness."

"Let's go to the dark forest!" Li Wenjing responded. Her bow of light shone with the light of hope, as if swearing her belief in light.

The group started their journey to the dark forest. Along the way, they received more surprises and praises from passers-by, and some even called them "messengers of light" in private. This expectation from strangers virtually gave them more motivation.

As the team went deeper into the dark forest, the light around them gradually dimmed, and the air was filled with a depressing atmosphere. The vines between the trees spread everywhere like living things, and from time to time, strange beast roars could be heard from afar, making people feel uneasy.

"Look, there!" Li Qianqian pointed to a flickering place in front of them. Everyone approached cautiously and found that it was an abandoned small altar with a faintly glowing crystal ball in the center. It emitted a soft light, as if it was a touch of warmth in the darkness.

"This... is this the guidance from the fragment of Heart of Light?" Zhao Lei asked in a low voice, his eyes flashing with excitement and confusion.

“We can only give it a try.” Zhou Lili walked forward and lightly touched the crystal ball. In an instant, the ball shone brightly, illuminating the surroundings like daylight. At the same time, the ground began to shake, and a stone slab slowly rose, revealing a staircase leading to the underground.

"It seems we have found the right place." Lin Feng gripped the hilt of the sword tightly, his eyes determined.

As they went deeper and deeper into the ground, the air around them became colder and colder, until a huge and mysterious underground space appeared before everyone - murals of light and darkness intertwined were carved on the ancient stone walls, and in the center was a huge fragment of the Heart of Light floating in the air, surrounded by complex and exquisite magic circles.

"Unbelievable, this power..." Li Wenjing exclaimed softly, and the Bow of Light automatically appeared in her hand. The bowstring vibrated gently, as if responding to the call of the Heart of Light.

Just as everyone was immersed in the wonder before them, a sneer broke the silence.

"It's not easy to find you." A mysterious man in a black robe walked out of the shadows, holding a dagger that exuded evil spirit. "The fragment of the Heart of Light belongs to us. You so-called 'messengers of light' will sleep here forever."

"You wish!" Zhao Lei shouted, and the Key of Time shone brightly in his hand. Time and space seemed to be distorted under his control.

The battle was about to start, and the collision of darkness and light took place in the underground space. Zhou Lili flipped through ancient books, chanted complex spells, and shot arrows of light at the black-robed man; Li Qianqian waved her staff, and the healing light wrapped around the injured teammates, while releasing a powerful defensive barrier; Lin Feng and Li Wenjing used their speed and accurate archery to constantly harass the enemy.

“Hmph, a mere mortal dares to block the power of darkness!” The black-robed man roared, and the dark energy gathered around him to form a huge shadow beast, which pounced towards everyone.

"With unity, light will prevail!" Zhao Lei shouted. His power of time slowed down the Shadow Beast's movements, giving everyone a chance to fight back.

During the fierce battle, passers-by around - actually elves in the forest, lost adventurers and other hidden observers - were attracted by this contest between light and darkness. They hid in the dark to watch the battle, sometimes exclaiming and sometimes whispering.

"These young people...can they really defeat the darkness?" an elf girl whispered to her companion.

"Looking at their faith and courage, I think it's okay." The sturdy dwarf next to him answered, his eyes flashing with respect for the light side. The battle reached its climax, and when the shadow beast of the black-robed man was defeated by everyone, he himself showed signs of fatigue. Just as he was about to escape, the sword thrown by Lin Feng accurately hit his back, and the power of darkness dissipated.

The black-robed man fell to the ground, revealing a twisted smile: "Even if I lose today, darkness... will not be eliminated so easily."

As everyone was still catching their breath, Zhou Lili walked towards the fragment of the Heart of Light and whispered, "We need your strength to guide us towards the light."

The fragment of the Heart of Light responded to her prayer and turned into a beam of light that was injected into everyone's body. They felt an unprecedented surge of power, and the fire of light in their hearts burned even more vigorously.

"We did it!" Li Qianqian cheered, and the longing in her eyes turned into firm belief.

"But this is just the beginning." Zhao Lei reminded. After absorbing the power of the Heart of Light, his Key of Time emitted a brighter light. "Darkness is still lurking. We have a long way to go."

“Indeed, there are more challenges waiting for us.” Lin Feng put away his sword, his eyes flashing with determination, “But we are no longer fledgling explorers, and light has taken root in our hearts.”

At this time, a weak voice came from the shadows on the side: "Please... please help me..." Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and found a young magician imprisoned by a man in black robes. His hands and feet were bound with chains, his face was pale, but his eyes were full of desire to survive.

Li Qianqian quickly stepped forward and cast a spell to untie the chains: "Don't be afraid, you are safe." After being rescued, the young magician had tears in his eyes: "Thank you, I am Allen, a magician who studies the balance of light and darkness. I wanted to stop that man, but was captured instead."

"Alan, welcome to join us." Zhao Lei stretched out his hand and pulled Alan up. "Your knowledge is a valuable asset to us."

Alan nodded, his presence making the team more complete, and together they walked towards the exit, their hearts filled with new hope and strength.

Back on the ground, the sun shone on their faces again, warm and bright. Passers-by saw them return safely and gathered around them, exclaiming and praising them one after another.

"You are really the messengers of light!" An old man excitedly shook Lin Feng's hand, "I heard about the underground battle. It is the most exciting legend in our village in decades!"

"How did you defeat that terrible shadow beast?" A little boy looked up at Zhao Lei curiously, his eyes full of admiration.

Zhao Lei squatted down and replied with a smile: "It is not our victory alone, but the power of the light in everyone's heart. As long as we believe, there will be no difficulties that cannot be overcome."

The middle-aged traveler who had given them advice at night appeared again in the crowd. He looked at the young people with admiration: "You have not only found the power, but also have the heart to guide the light. This world is different because of you."

Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, a strange light suddenly flashed across the sky, causing everyone to look up.

"What is that?" Li Wenjing pointed at the strange sight in the sky.

Lin Feng stared at the light with a frown on his face. “This light…seems to come from the far north. There may be some secrets hidden there that we don’t know about yet.”

"It seems that our journey is far from over." Mo Yan's eyes were firm. "No matter what challenges lie ahead, as long as we walk hand in hand, light will shine in every corner."

"Yes, we continue to move forward towards the unknown!" Li Qianqian's voice was full of power and passion. Her staff drew a ray of light in the air, as if announcing to the world their unyielding determination.

"You're right, Li Qianqian." Zhao Lei held the key of time tightly, the fire in his eyes burning with determination, "No matter how many unknowns and challenges there are in the future, as long as there is light in our hearts, the road will be clear."

A young girl among the passers-by suddenly plucked up the courage, squeezed through the crowd and walked up to them: "Your story has given me infinite courage. If possible, please let me follow you and learn how to protect the light."

"Everyone who is willing to contribute to the light deserves to be welcomed." Zhou Lili smiled and extended her hand to accept the new partner. The crowd burst into even warmer applause and cheers, as if the seeds of light were quietly planted in everyone's heart.

Just as they were about to set off to continue exploring the unknown northern light, an old and majestic voice sounded among the crowd: "Wait a moment, brave warriors."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw an old man in a gorgeous robe slowly walking out, followed by several equally solemnly dressed followers. "I am the elder of a small town on the edge of the Dark Forest. I think it's time to tell you the secret we have been guarding for generations."

Lin Feng stepped forward and asked respectfully: "Respected elder, do you know the secret of the Northern Light?"

"The secret is buried deep in time, and is only revealed to those who possess a heart of light." The elder's gaze swept over everyone, and finally stopped at the key of time in Zhao Lei's hand. "That light may be related to an ancient prophecy. The prophecy mentioned a key that can balance light and darkness, and that the five chosen ones will open the door to a new era."

Li Qianqian covered her mouth in surprise: "Five chosen ones? Could it be us?"

The elder smiled and nodded. "The appearance of each of you is no accident. Messengers of light, your journey will be more difficult than you imagined, but also more glorious."

There was another uproar among the crowd, a mixture of admiration and awe, and even the wind seemed to carry a breath of anticipation.

“So, Elder, what should we do?” Linley’s question was brief and direct.

"The journey to the north is full of dangers. You need to find the lost ruins of light, where clues to the true power of the Heart of Light are hidden. But remember, darkness will not sit idly by and watch you succeed so easily." The elder spoke earnestly, then took out an exquisite scroll from his arms and handed it to Zhao Lei, "This is an ancient map that will guide you." (End of this chapter)