The frail counselor you said, you fight against three heroes alone?

He quickly formed seals with his hands, and a golden light curtain instantly unfolded, blocking the black lightning.

Those who had recovered their strength also took action.

Luo Xiaoyu waved the whip in her hand like a flexible fire dragon, constantly attacking the black-robed wizard.

Blacksmith Zhao swung the huge hammer in his hand and smashed it at the black-robed wizard with great force, making a deafening roar.

Doctor Zhang continued to cast healing spells to heal his injured companions.

Various skills and powers gathered together to form a powerful energy storm that surrounded the black-robed wizards.

He was caught in a dilemma and unable to cope with it, with a look of horror on his face.

"Impossible! How is it possible that you ants..." the black-robed wizard roared in disbelief.

"Evil cannot defeat good!" Xiao Hong shouted, and the sword in her hand turned into a cold light and pierced the magic shield of the black-robed wizard.

"Crack!" With a crisp sound, the black-robed wizard's magic shield shattered, revealing his terrified face.

"We won!" Everyone cheered, their faces filled with excitement and joy.

At this moment, the man in white flashed to Xiaohong and hugged her tightly.

Xiaohong leaned happily in his arms. The man in white gently kissed her forehead and said softly, "I'm glad you're okay."

When others saw this scene, they all smiled with blessing.

However, just as everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, the black-robed wizard suddenly laughed coldly: "Want to beat me? It's not that easy!" He raised his hands high, muttered something, and a powerful dark energy surged wildly in his body...

The black-robed wizard's sinister laughter echoed in everyone's ears like a death knell from hell.

"Want to beat me? Not that easy!" His hoarse voice was full of madness and unwillingness. He raised his hands high, and thick black mist like ink flowed out from his fingertips. A heart-pounding dark energy surged wildly in his body.

He was like a black hole about to explode. The space around him began to distort and deform, making a teeth-grinding tearing sound.

"Oh no! He's going to self-destruct!" Elder Chen's face changed drastically and he shouted at the top of his lungs. His voice seemed particularly weak amid the black-robed wizard's crazy laughter.

"Quick! Everyone, work together to defend!"

Everyone woke up as if from a dream, and their faces were instantly filled with fear.

Luo Xiaoyu waved the whip, drawing fiery arcs in the air, and hovered in front of everyone like a burning python.

Blacksmith Zhao roared, raised his huge hammer and smashed it hard on the ground. The ground cracked instantly, and cracks spread in all directions like a spider web. He injected strength into the earth, trying to stabilize everyone's foundation.

Doctor Zhang quickly formed seals with his hands, and soft white light flew out from his fingertips, landing on everyone and providing protection for them.

Xiaohong tightly grasped the sword in her hand, her eyes firm and resolute

"It's useless, you all must die!" The black-robed wizard laughed wildly, the dark energy in his body reached its peak, his whole body swelled like a ball that was about to burst, black mist gushed out from his pores, like the gates of hell opening, releasing the breath of death.

At this critical moment, an old and calm voice sounded in everyone's ears: "Keep your mind, use your energy to control your strength, and follow my guidance." The mysterious old man appeared behind everyone at some point. He raised his hand and waved it. A golden light flew out from his hand and instantly merged into the energy of everyone. A powerful force brought everyone together tightly.

Everyone worked together to build a solid defensive barrier.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, the black-robed wizard's body completely exploded, transforming into a dark energy that could destroy the world and poured out madly in all directions like a flood.

The defensive barrier was shaking violently, like a small boat in a storm, which could be torn into pieces at any time.

Everyone's faces turned pale and cold sweat streamed down their foreheads. Their bodies had reached their limits and they could only hold on with great difficulty.

Just as the defense barrier was about to collapse, a mysterious rune suddenly appeared in the sky.

It emits a dazzling light, like a god descending from heaven, carrying with it a powerful and mysterious force.

The runes slowly rotated, emitting an ancient and powerful aura.

Everyone looked at each other, their faces full of confusion and puzzlement.

The rune's light became brighter and brighter, and it produced a strange reaction with the dark energy generated by the black-robed wizard's self-explosion. An inexplicable force surged between the two, making a heart-pounding buzzing sound.

"This...this is..."

The rune's light became brighter and brighter, as dazzling as the rising sun.

Everyone looked at the sky nervously. What kind of miracle would this mysterious rune bring?
It intertwined with the dark energy produced by the black-robed wizard's self-explosion, making a crackling sound, like the collision of fire and ice.

The space around him was violently distorted, as if it would collapse at any time.

Gradually, the power of the runes began to suppress the violent dark energy.

The surge of dark energy gradually subsided, becoming as docile as a tamed beast.

The distortion of space began to return to normal, and the surrounding scene gradually became clear.

The tense atmosphere gradually eased and everyone's breathing became steady.

"Huh..." Xiaohong let out a long sigh, her body softened, and she leaned against the man in white.

She was pale and weak; the battle just now had almost exhausted all her strength.

Feeling the warmth coming from the man in white, her tense nerves finally relaxed, and an indescribable sense of security surged in her heart.

At this moment, a figure slowly emerged from the rune.

She was a beautiful woman, wearing a robe of flowing light, like a fairy descending to earth.

She is the guardian of runes - the rune elf.

"Thank you, rune power, for saving us." Elder Chen bowed respectfully.

The Rune Elf nodded slightly, glanced at everyone, and said calmly: "I help you because you awakened me. But as a price, you need to return some of the treasures you brought out of the ruins."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was stunned.

They had obtained those treasures after going through untold hardships, so now that they had to hand them over, they naturally felt reluctant.

"But..." Luo Xiaoyu was about to open her mouth to refute, but was stopped by Xiaohong.

Everyone discussed in low voices, weighing the pros and cons between the treasure and the power of runes.

Finally, they reached a consensus and decided to return some of the treasures to the Rune Elves.

When everyone took out treasures, the Rune Elf's eyes suddenly became deep, and she slowly said: "Actually..." Everyone took out treasures, treasures that they had obtained after bloody battles in the ruins, but now they had to be handed over to others.

Touching the cold metal and rough stone surface, they seemed to be back in the ruins full of dangers.

The dark passage, the sharp traps, and the sinister laughter of the black-robed wizard are all vivid in my mind.

Each treasure carries a thrilling memory, and everyone is reluctant to lose them.

Xiaohong watched as one of her favorite treasures, a jade pendant emitting a faint fluorescent light, was taken away.

She had worked hard to get this jade pendant. It was not only beautiful, but also contained a mysterious power that had saved her life many times in critical moments.

Now, it is about to leave her, and Xiaohong feels a strong sense of powerlessness in her heart. She can only accept this fact silently.

The atmosphere around was a bit depressing, and everyone was silently accepting this fact.

They thought that after handing over the treasure, they would gain nothing else, and they couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

The treasure was gone, the power of the runes disappeared, and they seemed to be back to square one.

However, the Rune Elf saw the sincerity of the crowd and a smile appeared on his face.

She gently waved the staff in her hand, and the treasure that had been taken away returned to everyone's hands.

Not only that, she also bestowed some new mysterious powers upon everyone. These powers slowly flowed into everyone's bodies like trickles, making them feel more powerful than ever before.

Everyone looked at the Rune Elf in surprise, unable to believe what was happening before their eyes.

This sudden surprise left them at a loss for a moment.

"These powers will help you embark on a new journey..." The voice of the Rune Elf was ethereal and mysterious, "But remember, the use of power..."

As soon as the Rune Elf finished speaking, a warm current flowed into everyone's body.

Xiaohong felt a powerful force flowing through her body, as if it contained infinite possibilities.

She clenched her fists, feeling unprecedented strength, and her heart was filled with confidence.

Luo Xiaoyu excitedly waved the sword in her hand. The sword made a buzzing sound and the sword energy was compelling.

Others also felt this magical power, with excited smiles on their faces.

Doctor Zhang felt that his medical skills had improved to a higher level and he could even feel the subtle flow of energy in the patient's body.

Blacksmith Zhao felt that he could forge stronger weapons and even incorporate the power of runes into them.

They began to try to use this new power. Xiao Hong waved her hand lightly, a red light flashed, and a huge rock in front of them turned into powder in an instant.

Luo Xiaoyu poured his strength into the sword, and the sword glowed brightly. He swung the sword, and a sharp sword energy cut through the sky, cutting a large tree in the distance in half.

The surrounding leaves were driven by the sword energy, making rustling sounds, as if cheering for this powerful force.

The air is filled with the faint fragrance of grass and trees, mixed with the fragrance of soil, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

The surrounding environment also underwent miraculous changes due to the fluctuations of everyone's new power.

The originally dim sky now became bright, with white clouds floating like cotton candy.

The originally withered grass and trees are now full of new vitality and green.

In the distance, the stream is gurgling and the water is clear. The fish in the stream are swimming happily, splashing water.

The breeze brings coolness, making people feel refreshed.

Everyone cheered and immersed in this wonderful atmosphere.

Just when everyone was happy, the man in white walked up to Xiaohong, gently took her hand, looked at her tenderly, and said softly: "Xiaohong, I..." Xiaohong's cheeks turned red in an instant, and her heart beat faster like a deer.

She lowered her head shyly. When everyone saw this, they immediately understood what the man in white meant. They cheered and blessed the newlyweds.

"Congratulations, Xiaohong! Congratulations to the hero in white!"

"I wish you a happy marriage and a long-lasting love!"

"Have a son soon, and have many children and grandchildren!"

Blessings came one after another, and the whole scene was filled with a festive atmosphere.

The man in white held Xiaohong's hand tightly. He took a deep breath and was about to announce their marriage. Suddenly, a burst of hurried horse hooves sounded in the distance, breaking the tranquility and peace...

Before the festive atmosphere faded, Elder Chen, who was highly respected in the crowd, suddenly remembered something. He walked quickly to the mysterious old man, bowed and asked, "Old sir, where will the power of this rune lead us?"

The mysterious old man stroked his snow-white beard, looked into the distance with deep eyes, and said slowly: "The power of runes will guide you to a new mysterious place. There are greater opportunities there, but also greater challenges. Whether it is a blessing or a curse depends entirely on your own luck."

The old man's words were like thunder, exploding in everyone's ears.

A new mysterious place?

Greater opportunities and challenges?

Everyone's mood was instantly stirred by this sudden news.

Excitement, nervousness, curiosity, fear...

Various emotions intertwined together, making them feel both excited and nervous.

Xiaohong held the white-clothed man's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm, and felt a little relieved.

She turned to look at Luo Xiaoyu and found that she was also looking at her. They smiled at each other, and everything was said without words.

Guided by the power of runes, everyone moved forward in an unknown direction.

They passed through dense forests, climbed steep mountains, crossed turbulent rivers, cutting through all obstacles and moving forward courageously.

Along the way, they saw many strange sights.

Towering ancient trees block out the sun, exotic flowers and plants compete for beauty, and birds and animals fly freely.

The clear chirping of birds, the gurgling of water, and the calls of various unknown animals interweave into a wonderful natural symphony.

The air is filled with the faint fragrance of grass and trees, refreshing.

The breeze blows by, bringing coolness and making people feel relaxed and happy.

In the distance, towering mountains stand like giants, majestic and imposing.

As they continued to move forward, the guidance of the rune power became stronger and stronger.

Ahead, a shining portal appeared, emitting a mysterious light.

Mysterious voices came from inside the portal, as if calling them.

"What is that?" Luo Xiaoyu pointed at the door in front, her tone full of curiosity.

Everyone quickened their pace and headed towards the door.

A powerful attraction came from the portal, as if it was going to suck them in.

"Be careful!" Elder Chen warned.

Everyone approached the door cautiously, concentrating and holding their breath, feeling the powerful attraction.

There seemed to be countless secrets hidden inside the portal, waiting for them to explore.

"Should we go in?" Xiaohong asked.

The man in white held Xiaohong's hand tightly and said with a firm look, "Go in!"

The shining portal is like a crack in the night sky, full of light and mysterious.

Everyone stood in front of the door. The powerful attraction was like an invisible hand, gently pulling them and urging them into the unknown world.

The interior of the portal was dim and unclear, which aroused strong curiosity and expectations in everyone.

They held their breath and stared into the depths of the portal, as if trying to see through the mysterious veil.

An old man with white hair and beard and an immortal look appeared beside the crowd at some point.

He looked at everyone kindly, his voice gentle but with an unquestionable power: "Don't be afraid, bravely embark on a new journey! What awaits you ahead is infinite possibilities."

Everyone looked at each other and saw nervousness and excitement in each other's eyes.

They nodded solemnly, as if promising the old man and themselves that they would face all challenges bravely.

There was a tense and exciting atmosphere in the air, like a volcano about to erupt, full of power.

Xiaohong held the white-clothed man's hand tightly, her fingertips were cold and her palms were slightly sweaty.

Although she was full of curiosity about the world inside the portal, the unknown dangers also made her feel a little uneasy.

The man in white held Xiaohong's hand and gave her a firm look, as if to say, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Everyone took a deep breath and stepped into the shining portal.

In an instant, the scene changed.

Everyone found themselves in a huge cave.

Before he could take in his surroundings, a deafening roar filled the entire cave.

A gigantic gatekeeper beast, like a monster from ancient mythology, suddenly appeared in front of everyone.

Its body was covered with hard scales that gleamed with metallic luster, and its pair of huge scarlet eyes were full of ferocity.

Everyone was frightened by the sudden appearance of the giant beast and gasped, and retreated in a hurry.

The beast roared and pounced towards everyone with its huge body.

Everyone scattered and hid, screams coming one after another.

Li the hunter was unable to dodge and was scratched by the giant beast's claws. A deep wound appeared on his arm, and blood gushed out.

"Ah!" Li the Hunter fell to the ground in pain, and the people around him suddenly became chaotic.

At the critical moment, the man in white stepped forward.

He quickly formed seals with his hands and muttered something, and a powerful energy wave emanated from him.

The surrounding space seemed to be slightly distorted by this energy, flashing with dazzling light.

A fierce spell attack hit the giant beast directly. The beast let out a painful roar and its huge body shook slightly.

"Its attacks are becoming more and more fierce..." Elder Chen said solemnly, the staff in his hand flashing.

Each attack of the giant beast was accompanied by a gust of wind strong enough to tear the air apart, making the entire cave buzz.

Its huge claws carved deep grooves in the ground, and each swing carried a heart-pounding force.

Everyone was running around, dodging in a panic, their clothes were tattered, and they had wounds all over their bodies. Their originally full confidence had been gradually eroded by fear and despair.

They knew that if they continued like this, they would be torn to pieces by this giant beast sooner or later.

"No, I... I can't hold on any longer!" Zhao the blacksmith was panting, his face was covered with sweat, and the hammer in his hand became extremely heavy. (End of this chapter)