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The footsteps grew closer, each one like a death knell, heavily pounding against Xuan Yang's heart. His heart raced wildly, like a war drum beating frantically in his chest, making his eardrums thrum with a deafening buzz, almost tearing apart.
He tightly grasped Qu Si Yang's hand, which had once been soft and warm but was now as cold as a block of ice. A layer of fine cold sweat broke out on his palm, sticky and slippery, while the veins on the back of his hand bulged like grotesque worms writhing beneath his skin—a manifestation of his suppressed fear.
Suddenly, a faint glimmer of light flickered in the darkness, like a solitary lamp in the depths of despair, instantly capturing everyone's attention. The light gradually expanded, illuminating the figure of the newcomer—it was Lu Zhiyuan! The usually amiable Old Village Chief now appeared as if he had emerged from hell itself, exuding a chilling aura.
His hair was white yet his face youthful, full of vitality. His dual eyes were sharp as an eagle's, glinting with an inscrutable light. He wore a faded coarse cloth robe that seemed out of place in this eerie environment yet emanated an inexplicable mystery.
“Lu Zhiyuan? Why are you here?” Xuan Yang exclaimed, his voice filled with confusion and a hint of barely perceptible unease. He could never have imagined reuniting with Lu Zhiyuan under such circumstances and in such a manner.
Lu Zhiyuan did not answer Xuan Yang's question; he merely smiled slightly, that smile carrying a hint of amusement, a touch of mockery, and perhaps even a trace of… cruelty? His gaze was deep as the ocean, like an endless black hole capable of swallowing all light, making it impossible to fathom his true thoughts at that moment.
He slowly raised his right hand with graceful composure, as if performing some sacred ritual.
Suddenly, a withered vine appeared out of thin air, awakening like a slumbering giant python, exuding an oppressive sense of suffocation as it slowly writhed in his hand.
The vine was dark brown and covered in strange patterns, emanating an aura of decay and death, as if it had sprouted from the depths of hell itself.
“Be careful!” Xuan Yang's pupils constricted sharply; he instinctively shielded Qu Si Yang behind him, his body taut like a drawn bow, ready to unleash a deadly strike at any moment. He watched Lu Zhiyuan warily, every muscle in his body tensed, every cell brimming with vigilance.
The withered vine seemed alive under Lu Zhiyuan's control, rapidly growing and twisting like giant pythons dancing in the air.
In the blink of an eye, it filled the entire passageway, intertwining to form a natural barrier that separated Xuan Yang and Qu Si Yang from the darkness deeper within the corridor.
“Shadow Force? Hmph, mere child's play,” Lu Zhiyuan said nonchalantly, as if discussing something trivial or mocking someone's overestimation of their abilities. His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying an undeniable authority.
As soon as he finished speaking, a piercing scream echoed from deep within the passageway. The sound was sharp and grating, like the wails of vengeful spirits—chilling and hair-raising. The scream reverberated through the narrow corridor, heightening the atmosphere of terror.
Xuan Yang and Qu Si Yang exchanged glances filled with shock and confusion. They had no idea what was happening deeper within the passageway, but that scream sent chills down their spines.
Who exactly is Lu Zhiyuan? Why has he appeared here? His mysterious abilities and that strange withered vine indicate that his strength is far from what it seems on the surface. How many secrets does he truly hide?
"This place isn't safe. Follow me," Lu Zhiyuan said, his tone leaving no room for doubt as he turned and walked toward the other end of the passage, his steps steady and resolute.
Xuan Yang and Qu Si Yang hesitated for a moment, filled with conflicting emotions. They were unsure whether to trust Lu Zhiyuan, but the current situation seemed to offer no better options. His strength provided them with a sense of security, yet his enigmatic presence also made them wary, like a thorn in their backs.
Ultimately, they decided to follow him, their steps unsteady as if walking on cotton, each movement cautious.
As they reached the other end of the passage, they were taken aback by the sight before them. It was a scene reminiscent of a paradise, contrasting sharply with the eerie tunnel they had just traversed—two entirely different worlds.
The lush green grass spread like a vast emerald carpet, covering the entire area.
Various unknown wildflowers bloomed vibrantly—red as fire, pink like dawn, white as snow, yellow like gold—each competing for attention in a riot of colors, exuding a refreshing fragrance. The air was filled with the earthy scent of soil and the sweet aroma of flowers, making one feel invigorated as if stepping into an ethereal realm.
"What is this place?" Qu Si Yang exclaimed in astonishment, her eyes wide with disbelief. She had never seen such beauty; it felt like a dream where everything seemed unreal.
"This is the forbidden area of the village, accessible only to the Village Chiefs of generations past," Lu Zhiyuan explained, a hint of pride in his voice.
He approached an ancient towering tree and gently caressed its trunk. A complex mix of emotions flickered in his eyes—nostalgia, reverence, sadness, and perhaps an imperceptible hint of... fear?
This ancient tree soared into the clouds, its trunk so thick that it would take several people to encircle it. Its canopy shaded the area like a massive green umbrella, providing coolness to this paradise. The bark was mottled and gnarled, as if recording the passage of time.
"This tree is the Guardian Deity of the village and also the source of my power," Lu Zhiyuan's voice was deep and solemn, as if recounting an ancient and mysterious legend.
He slowly turned to face Xuan Yang, his gaze sharp and piercing like a drawn sword that seemed capable of penetrating his very soul.
"Child, you are the reincarnation of the Puppet Master; your destiny is destined to be extraordinary," Lu Zhiyuan's voice was low yet resonated like thunder in Xuan Yang's mind.
Xuan Yang felt a jolt, as if struck by lightning. Lu Zhiyuan actually knew his true identity! How could he possibly know? Had he been observing him all along?
“Who… who are you?” Xuan Yang demanded, his tone laced with hostility and an unmistakable hint of panic. He felt like a child stripped bare, standing exposed before Lu Zhiyuan, with no secrets left to hide.
Lu Zhiyuan smiled and replied, “Who I am is not important; what matters is your mission.” His smile held a touch of mystery, an unfathomable depth that made it difficult to grasp his intentions.
He paused for a moment before continuing, “The Puppet Heart is within this tree; only you can obtain it.” He pointed to the towering ancient tree, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Xuan Yang looked at the ancient tree, filled with confusion and expectation. What was the Puppet Heart? What kind of power did it possess? Why did Lu Zhiyuan say that only he could obtain it?
Lu Zhiyuan extended his hand, gathering a sphere of green light in his palm. The light was soft and warm, brimming with the essence of life. He gently infused the light into the ancient tree, his movements tender as if handling an infant.
The ancient tree seemed to awaken, emitting a brilliant glow that illuminated the entire space as if it were daylight. A mysterious pattern appeared on the trunk, composed of countless intricate lines and symbols, resembling a gateway to another world, exuding an ancient and enigmatic aura.
“Go forth, child; your destiny awaits you,” Lu Zhiyuan said kindly, like an elder encouraging a younger one to fulfill an important mission.
Xuan Yang took a deep breath, striving to calm his racing heart. He approached the ancient tree and reached out to touch the mysterious pattern.
A powerful force surged into his body suddenly, like a torrent rushing through his veins, filling him with strength as if he could shatter a mountain with a single punch.
At the same time, fragments of long-buried memories surfaced in his mind—memories belonging to the Puppet Master. Those memories flooded in like a tide, intertwining with his own recollections and leaving him dizzy.
He finally understood his mission and recognized Lu Zhiyuan's true identity.
Lu Zhiyuan was not merely the Village Chief; he was… he was the guardian of the Puppet Heart, the guide left on earth by the Puppet Master!
“What the hell? How does this old man know so much?” Xuan Yang cursed inwardly. He felt like a puppet on strings, led by Lu Zhiyuan. “Am I really some reincarnation of the Puppet Master? What is going on here? Whatever! If I’m here, I’ll face it head-on; let them come!”
Suddenly, the ground shook violently, as if an earthquake had struck, making it difficult to stand. The ancient trees swayed fiercely, their leaves rustling as if something were about to break through the earth.
"This is bad, the Shadow Force is coming!" Qu Si Yang exclaimed, his face pale as paper, his body trembling slightly, clearly frightened by this sudden turn of events.
Lu Zhiyuan's expression changed dramatically as he exclaimed, "They actually tracked us down here! It seems they have discovered the secret of the Puppet Heart."
A glint of determination flashed in his eyes as he said to Xuan Yang, "Child, you must merge with the Puppet Heart quickly; otherwise, we will all die here!"
Xuan Yang nodded. He understood that time was of the essence and there was no room for delay. "Damn it, let's do this!" he cursed under his breath, closing his eyes and concentrating fully as he began to merge with the Puppet Heart.
In the distance, a massive black mist was rapidly sweeping toward them, like a clawing demon with an aura of destruction that grew closer and closer.
From within the black mist came a chilling voice that hissed like a snake: "Lu Zhiyuan, do you think you can stop me? The Puppet Heart is mine! Ha ha ha..." The laughter was sharp and piercing, filled with greed and madness.
Standing before the ancient tree, Lu Zhiyuan stood tall like a pine tree, his gaze unwavering and fearless. He shouted loudly, "Shadow, you will not succeed! As long as I draw breath, I will never allow you to lay your hands on the Puppet Heart!"
At the end of the passageway, a thunderous sound suddenly erupted, as if something had collapsed.
Could it be... that the Shadow Force has breached Lu Zhiyuan's defenses?
Would Xuan Yang be able to merge with the Puppet Heart in time? Could Lu Zhiyuan withstand the onslaught of the Shadow Force?
Everything was shrouded in uncertainty...
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