"This is it." The old man stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary stone door and said calmly, "Open it, and you will understand everything."
What lies behind the stone gate? Hope or disaster? No one knows the answer, but they know that only by moving forward can they find a future.
“Let’s get started.” Su Ting looked at Han Lie and the others who were with him. “No matter what happens next, remember: we are a team.”
After the old man finished speaking, he stepped aside, and Su Ting stepped forward to examine the stone door closely. The surface of the stone door was covered with strange patterns and runes, and it looked very ancient and mysterious.
"Everyone, stand back a bit." Han Lie ordered the others to step back a distance, just in case anything went wrong. "Be careful, this thing doesn't look simple."
Su Ting reached out and gently touched the ancient runes, immediately feeling a faint yet distinct fluctuation emanating from his palm. As if guided by something, his fingertips naturally slid along certain specific paths. Suddenly, the entire stone gate emitted a deep rumble, then slowly parted to both sides!
A blinding light immediately poured out, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. Once their eyes adjusted to the light, the sight before them astonished them—a vast underground palace lay before them, its magnificent and exotic decorations eliciting gasps of admiration from all.
"Where...is this place?" one of the underlings couldn't help but ask, his voice filled with shock and awe.
Chapter 490 Sedatives
Chapter 490 Sedatives
Just then, the old man beside him spoke up: "This place was once a secret treasure trove built by a powerful martial artist a thousand years ago. He possessed the power to change the world, but ultimately chose to live in seclusion here. It is said that anyone who can find this place and pass the trial can obtain all of his power."
Hearing this, everyone showed eager expressions. Su Ting and Han Lie exchanged a glance, both having made their decision. "Since we're here, we can't leave empty-handed," Han Lie said firmly. "We have to find a way to obtain this power!"
So, after ensuring there was no immediate danger, the group began exploring the magnificent underground palace. The corridors were lined with numerous precious works of art and rare treasures, each capable of eliciting gasps of wonder from ordinary people; the walls were adorned with lifelike bas-relief murals depicting various battle scenes and the glorious deeds of the legendary warrior.
Just as everyone was immersed in the beautiful scenery before them, a young voice suddenly broke the silence: "Hey, look over there!" In the corner stood a small statue, which, unlike the other objects, emitted a faint blue light and looked extremely peculiar.
"What's that? Why is it so special?" another companion asked curiously.
"I don't know either..." The young man who found the treasure shook his head, indicating that he didn't know, "but it's definitely a good thing."
Just as everyone crowded around to examine the strange statue closely, Su Ting noticed a hidden path not far away, leading to an even more secluded part of the palace. "Never mind that for now," he said. "We should keep going. The real test may not have even begun yet."
Sure enough, after traveling some distance along the road, they encountered their first real challenge: a barrier composed of flames and ice blocked their path. The sea of fire was mixed with a biting wind, and the two intertwined and collided, creating an extremely terrifying atmosphere that made even a battle-hardened man like Su Ting feel uneasy.
"What should we do? How are we going to get through this?" Several timid people in the group had already started to feel scared.
However, at that moment, the young man who had just discovered the special statue stepped forward: "I remember reading about a similar situation in the book, saying that a pure heart is needed to break such a seal."
"Do you have a solution?" Han Lie asked, his gaze drifting to the glowing statue in Su Ting's hand. "Could it be..."
The young man nodded and stepped forward, attempting to place the statue at the balance point between the flames and the ice. A burst of intense light erupted upon contact, and the previously insurmountable obstacle vanished completely!
Everyone was utterly shocked by this sudden miracle, and even the old man who had been silent all along couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
“Alright, let’s move on.” Although he had successfully passed the first test, Su Ting remained highly vigilant. “Who knows what will happen next?”
Su Ting's words acted like a tranquilizer, reminding everyone to remain calm. Although the miracle had just occurred and many breathed a sigh of relief, this was only the beginning, and they knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy.
Chapter 491 The Way to Deal with It
Chapter 491 The Way to Deal with It
Continuing along the path, the surroundings grew increasingly silent and mysterious. An ancient aura permeated the air, and each step felt like traversing the river of time, returning to a glorious era. Faint sounds occasionally drifted from all directions, like ancient whispers or echoes of distant battles, creating a particularly unsettling atmosphere in this vast emptiness.
Suddenly, a fork in the road appeared ahead, leading to three different paths. "Which path should we take?" a young man asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
“How about we split up?” another suggested. “That way we can find the treasure faster.”
But Su Ting shook his head: "It's too risky to do that. There are many traps here, and no one can say for sure what kind of danger we might encounter. It's better if we stick together."
"Brother Su is right," Han Lie nodded in agreement. "And I believe the real trial isn't just a simple contest of strength; there must be other, more important things waiting to test us."
Just as everyone was engaged in a brief discussion, an ordinary-looking old man broke the deadlock: "According to ancient books, there are three gates on the road to the final treasure vault: the Gate of Courage, the Gate of Wisdom, and the Gate of Faith. Only by passing through all three gates can one reach the core area and obtain the inheritance."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up—there was such specific information to follow! So, under the old man's guidance, they quickly determined their next direction: to try to open the so-called "Gate of Courage".
Although there were occasional close calls along the way, everyone worked together to overcome them. Finally, when they arrived at a gate guarded by two enormous statues, they all realized that this was the legendary first test.
The two statues, each holding a spear, stood with solemn expressions, exuding a strong sense of oppression. A large inscription on the door read: "Only the truly brave dare to challenge the unknown; only those fearless of death can reap the rewards."
“It seems we have to break through head-on,” Su Ting said after a moment of contemplation. “However, I think in addition to courage, we also need strategy; blindly charging in could very well backfire.”
Just as he was pondering how to deal with it, a man who was usually inconspicuous stepped out from the crowd and said confidently, "Since it's a test of courage, let's face it in the most direct way!"
He then launched a fierce attack on one of the statues, but to everyone's surprise, it actually moved! The huge stone statue, which had been motionless, instantly came to life, brandishing its spear and lunging at the challenger. The man nimbly dodged the deadly attack and seized the opportunity to counterattack, actually managing to knock one of the statues back a few steps after several exchanges.
This scene shocked everyone, even the usually composed Su Ting couldn't help but show an admiring look. "You've really been hiding a lot of strength, kid," he said. "Looks like this test won't be a problem for you."
Having received approval, the young man broke into a bright smile. "Don't worry, brother, I'll take care of this for everyone." With that, he bravely faced another attack from the statue. As the battle intensified, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Chapter 492 Fear and Struggle
Chapter 492 Fear and Struggle
Just when things seemed to be going very well, a sudden change occurred—one of the statues, which had been at a disadvantage, suddenly stopped moving and slowly opened its enormous eyes…
As everyone held their breath in awe, a deep voice suddenly came from the statue: "Not bad... your courage is commendable. But a true hero also needs a broad mind and a spirit of sacrifice."
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire scene transformed. What appeared before them was no longer a gate or two guards, but a devastated battlefield. The sky was gray, and all around them were scenes of utter devastation, with cries of agony and the ravages of war.
"Where is this?!" someone exclaimed in surprise. "We were just inside the palace..."
The old man sighed and explained, "This is part of the inner structure of the Gate of Courage. It tests the fear and struggle in everyone's heart in the form of illusions."
"What should we do?" a woman asked Su Ting with concern. "What should we do now? Do we really have to get involved in this war?"
Su Ting was silent for a moment, then said firmly, "If running away is not the way to solve the problem, then let's face it together. Remember, no matter what, maintaining inner peace and unity is the most important thing."
At that very moment, news arrived from the distance that the enemy was about to attack, filling everyone with uncertainty. But they all knew that only by bravely facing everything could they possibly find the answer to the next step.
"Let's move forward," Su Ting said softly, then took the lead and walked towards the front line, with the others following closely behind...
Just as everyone was preparing for the impending test, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out in the distance. Amidst the rising dust, an elite force gradually came into view. The leader was clad in golden armor, his face dignified and resolute.
"That's..." someone whispered, "Could it be another new enemy?"
The leading general reined in his horse, glanced around at the group, and said, "I am the captain of the guards here, responsible for maintaining order. I heard you want to enter the next area, so follow me."
Su Ting frowned slightly upon hearing the words of the man who claimed to be the guard captain. The surrounding crowd also looked wary, as this sudden turn of events was truly unexpected.
"You say you're the captain of the guard?" Su Ting stepped forward and asked, "But this is a testing ground, how come there's still a guard team here?"
The captain smiled and pointed to the team behind him: "We are the test-takers here. We have passed all the previous tests and volunteered to stay and assist the other challengers before entering the next gate. Of course, it is also to better test those who harbor ill intentions."
These words immediately sparked a murmur of discussion among the crowd. "Does someone like that really exist?" "It's unbelievable!" Several young people whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with envy and admiration.
Seeing this, Su Ting nodded slightly, "Understood. Then, please lead the way." With that, he prepared to follow the golden-armored man to their next destination. Although the others still had some doubts, they all followed closely behind.
Just as they were moving forward, a voice suddenly rang out from the side: "Wait! I have some questions I'd like to ask..." The speaker was none other than Li Yun, the young man who had previously challenged the statue alone and performed admirably. At this moment, he appeared exceptionally serious.
Chapter 493 A Heart That Treats Others Sincerely
Chapter 493 A Heart That Treats Others Sincerely
The man in golden armor turned to look at Li Yun, seemingly unperturbed by his curiosity. "What is it?"
"Why is it designed this way? We thought we were going to prove ourselves in battle, but in the end, it's people like you who appear and guide the way. Doesn't this contradict the saying that 'only true heroes dare to challenge the unknown'?" Li Yun asked sincerely.
Upon hearing this, the guard captain smiled appreciatively: "Good question. In fact, not everyone can face difficulties without fear like you. Courage often needs to be inspired, rather than simply achieved through personal will. That's why we designed this scenario to let you experience true fearlessness. And when we determine that some people have strong enough hearts, we will naturally appear to guide them."
Upon hearing this, not only Li Yun, but also the onlookers fell into deep thought, as if everyone had gained some kind of enlightenment at that moment. Even the usually calm Su Ting nodded thoughtfully, clearly these words had touched the depths of his soul.
Then, led by the captain of the guard, the group passed through the simulated war scene and arrived at another, seemingly more mysterious gate. Inscribed on the gate were the words: "The wise recognize opportunity, the foolish err."
Just as everyone was pondering how to open the door, a sudden gust of cold wind swept through, filling the air with an eerie atmosphere. Then, faint footsteps echoed from afar, as if something terrifying was slowly approaching…
"What is that?" A young woman hid behind Su Ting in fear, clutching his clothes tightly.
"Don't be afraid," Su Ting reassured her. "Since it's a test of wisdom, it must have its purpose."
Sure enough, not long after, a group of figures that looked somewhat illusory but full of hostility appeared. The ghostly figure at the head of the group spoke in a low and shrill voice: "You mortals dare to come here to challenge us, how utterly foolish... But it doesn't matter, as long as you can solve my riddle, perhaps I will consider letting you live!"
The crowd tensed up immediately, looking at each other for answers, unsure of what to do. At that moment, Li Yun stepped forward again, bravely looking at the ghost: "Alright, please state your question."
The ghost sneered and said, "What is it that can't be seen during the day but is clearly visible at night?"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought. Time passed slowly until Su Ting slowly spoke: "The answer is—astronomy. Because the sun is too bright to see the stars during the day, but they are visible at night due to the darkness."
The ghost's expression changed instantly, then it vanished into thin air. The door swung open with a roar, and light poured out. Just as everyone was about to step forward, the captain of the guard suddenly called out to them…
Wait a minute, what lies ahead is an even more difficult and complex test. Are you really prepared? Remember, there, strength and intelligence alone may not be enough; sometimes, a sincere heart is even more essential.
Su Ting turned to look at him, her eyes resolute, and said, "We will overcome all obstacles. Thank you for reminding me; we will keep that in mind."
Chapter 494 Hidden Dangers
Chapter 494 Hidden Dangers
The captain of the guard nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Very good. I hope you are all as steadfast as you say. Well then, good luck."
The gate slowly opened, letting in a burst of light that caused everyone to instinctively shield their eyes. As their vision adjusted, they discovered a winding stone path ahead, lined with exotic plants that emitted a delicate fragrance. The path ended in a thick fog, making it difficult to discern the end.
"Is this what they call a tough test?" Li Yun asked softly. "It doesn't seem to have anything special about it."
As soon as he finished speaking, a strange sound came from all directions, like the distant tolling of bells mixed with the whistling of the wind through the trees. Su Ting listened intently, as if trying to glean some important information.
"Better safe than sorry," Su Ting cautioned. "There are bound to be many dangers hidden along this road, so we can't let our guard down."
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