The next morning, the group awoke to the sound of birdsong and the soft murmurs of village life beginning to stir. The peaceful morning felt at odds with the storm of emotions and tension brewing within each of them. Lin Xi, Su Qinghe, Shēng Lóng, and Liú Jùn gathered around the fire, their faces set with determination as they prepared to embark on the next leg of their journey.
Su Qinghe rolled out an old, weathered map he had been studying, tracing the path they would take to find the Lost Valley. "We need to start by heading toward the ruins of Lóngshān, one of the ancient Guardian cities. According to the texts, there's a hidden archive there that may contain the clues we need."
Shēng Lóng studied the map closely. "The journey won't be easy. Lóngshān has been abandoned for centuries, and the surrounding lands are treacherous. If Hēilóng Dì is aware of what we're after, he'll likely try to stop us."
"Then we'll be ready," Lin Xi said firmly. She glanced at Su Qinghe, noticing the weariness still etched on his face. "Are you sure you're up for this? After everything you did at the temple…"
Su Qinghe smiled faintly, nodding. "I'll be fine. We don't have time to waste, and I won't let you all face this without me."
The group packed up their supplies and said their goodbyes to the villagers, who wished them luck on their perilous journey. As they set out, Lin Xi felt a weight lift slightly off her shoulders. The road ahead was dangerous, but at least they had a clear goal now.
Days passed as they traveled through the dense forests and rocky terrain that led to Lóngshān. The landscape was eerily quiet, as if the very air held its breath in anticipation of what was to come. At night, they camped under the stars, their conversations growing more somber as the weight of their mission sank in.
One evening, as they sat around the fire, Liú Jùn broke the silence. "I've been thinking about Hēilóng Dì's words during the battle at the temple. He seemed almost... desperate. Like he's running out of time."
Shēng Lóng nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe that's why he's so focused on the relics. There's something about them—some connection to his power."
Su Qinghe looked up from the map, his brow furrowed in thought. "The relics are tied to the Guardians' magic. They were created to protect the balance between light and darkness. If Hēilóng Dì is after them, it's likely because he believes they hold the key to unlocking even more of his power."
Lin Xi shivered at the thought. "Then we have to stop him before he gathers them all."
As the fire crackled and the stars twinkled above, Lin Xi found herself drawn to Su Qinghe's quiet determination. His knowledge of the Guardians, his unwavering commitment to their cause—it was more than just a scholarly interest. It was personal.
"Su Qinghe," Lin Xi began softly, catching his attention. "Why are you so invested in this? I know you've studied the Guardians for years, but this… it seems like more than just a pursuit of knowledge."
Su Qinghe hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering to the fire before meeting her eyes. "I've never told anyone this, but… my family was once part of the Guardian line. We were tasked with protecting these lands, with ensuring the relics were never misused. But over the centuries, that duty was forgotten, and our family fell into obscurity."
Lin Xi's eyes widened in surprise. "You're a descendant of the Guardians?"
Su Qinghe nodded, his expression somber. "I didn't know the full extent of my family's history until I began my research. But now… now it's my responsibility to carry on their legacy. I can't let Hēilóng Dì destroy everything they stood for."
Lin Xi felt a surge of admiration for Su Qinghe. He wasn't just a scholar seeking knowledge—he was fighting to protect a legacy, to honor the sacrifices of those who came before him.
"We're going to stop him," Lin Xi said, her voice firm. "Together."
Su Qinghe smiled, the faintest hint of hope returning to his eyes. "Thank you, Lin Xi."
The next morning, the group finally reached the outskirts of Lóngshān. The ancient city lay in ruins, its once-grand structures now crumbling under the weight of time. Vines snaked through the stone buildings, and the air was thick with the scent of decay.
"Stay alert," Shēng Lóng warned, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. "This place may be abandoned, but it doesn't mean it's safe."
As they ventured deeper into the city, the feeling of unease grew stronger. The shadows seemed to move unnaturally, and every rustle of leaves or creak of stone set their nerves on edge.
Su Qinghe led them toward the center of the city, where an ancient temple stood partially collapsed. "The archive should be beneath the temple," he said, stepping carefully over the broken stones.
The group entered the temple, the air inside heavy with dust and the weight of forgotten history. At the far end of the chamber, a staircase descended into the darkness below.
"Let's hope whatever we're looking for is still intact," Liú Jùn muttered as they began their descent.
The underground archive was vast, lined with shelves of ancient scrolls and relics from the Guardian era. Su Qinghe's eyes lit up with excitement as he began to search through the texts, his fingers tracing the faded symbols.
After what felt like hours, he finally found what they had been looking for—a map, carefully preserved in a hidden compartment. It depicted the path to the Lost Valley, along with cryptic symbols and notes from the Guardians.
"This is it," Su Qinghe breathed, holding the map up to the light. "The path to the Lost Valley."
But before they could celebrate, a cold, familiar voice echoed through the chamber.
"Fools."
Hēilóng Dì's form materialized in the shadows, his eyes glowing with malice. "Did you really think you could find the Lost Valley before me?"
Lin Xi drew her sword, stepping in front of Su Qinghe protectively. "We won't let you have it!"
Hēilóng Dì chuckled darkly. "We shall see about that.