Elder Batu was silent for a moment, as if considering how to answer. "Lily is the chosen child, and she has a unique talent." The elder's voice was low and mysterious, "The divine stone can only exert its true power in her hands." Mark stood in Elder Batu's wooden house, and the morning light shone on his face through the cracks, reflecting the curiosity and exploration in his eyes. The flames in the fire pit made crackling sounds, and the aroma of burning firewood filled the air, intertwining with the coolness of the morning, forming a unique atmosphere. "Lily's talent? What talent?" He asked, his eyes full of curiosity. Elder Batu slowly stood up, walked to the wall, and took down an ancient animal skin scroll. The edge of the scroll was a little damaged, and the yellowed animal skin was painted with complex patterns and some words that Mark didn't recognize, exuding traces of time. He carefully unfolded the scroll, pointed to one of the symbols and explained to Mark: "This is a unique symbol of the Lily family. People with this symbol are most sensitive to the energy of the holy stone and have the ability to leave their bodies."
Mark carefully observed the pattern on the scroll. It was an ice beast suspended above a spiral symbol, like a rotating nebula, full of mystery. He stretched out his fingers and gently stroked the lines on the scroll, feeling the ancient energy fluctuations. The texture of the scroll was rough, but it was warm with the passage of time, as if telling an ancient story.
"Leaving the body?" Mark repeated in a low voice, his eyes full of shock. He thought of Avella, whom he had met before. Wasn't she in the state of soul? Could it be that Avella was also from this family?
"Toby and Lily will go to the Holy City with you to investigate the power of the holy stone on your body." Elder Batu looked at Mark with deep eyes, "The energy of the holy stone on your body is extraordinary. For thousands of years in our tribe, no one has been able to absorb the energy of the holy stone into the body. At most, we can use the objects around the holy stone to activate the energy." Elder Batu said meaningfully, "Your energy is as dazzling as a firefly in the dark night in our eyes." Just then, Lily and Toby walked to the door of the wooden house. Lily was wearing a plain animal skin dress, with her long black hair casually draped over her shoulders. She no longer looked like a little beggar before, but looked fresh and refined. Toby was dressed like a hunter, with a bow and arrow on his shoulder and a dagger on his waist, looking very capable. He also held a map with complex routes drawn on it in his hand. Although the material was a bit rough and the corners were worn out, the lines were still clear. Elder Batu motioned them to go into the house, and the three of them sat around the fire, with the fire dancing on their faces, casting swaying shadows. The sound of burning wood was particularly clear in the quiet wooden house, and a faint wood fragrance mixed with the coolness of the morning made people feel particularly comfortable. "The holy city is on the top of the mountains. It is the location of the holy stone and the center of our faith." Elder Batu said slowly, his voice was low and powerful, with traces of time. "The road to the holy city is not easy to walk, you have to overcome many difficulties to get there." Elder Batu explained in detail the location of the holy city and how to get in. He pointed to a mark on the map and said to Toby: "This road is the only way to the holy city. There will be many dangers on the road. You must be extra careful." He picked up another stick and drew a simple symbol on the mud next to the fire. "This is the sign of the holy city. Seeing it means that the holy city is coming soon." Toby took out the map and carefully wrote down the route the elder said. Sometimes he frowned and thought, and sometimes he gestured on the map with his hands, as if he was simulating the route to go forward. The lines on the map were intricate and maze-like, but Toby could clearly identify the direction. He marked some important landmarks on the map and used different colors to distinguish the terrain.
"We will go along this river valley first, then cross two peaks, and finally pass through a dense forest to reach the holy city." Toby pointed to the route on the map and said to Mark and Lily. As he explained, he paid attention to the reactions of the two to make sure they understood. "This journey will take about ten days. We have to hurry every day and try to find a safe place to rest before dark." Mark listened carefully to Toby's explanation and nodded from time to time to show his agreement. He looked at the route on the map, feeling both anticipation and the excitement of the challenge. He knew it would be a difficult journey, but he was ready.
Lily listened quietly on the side, with complex emotions in her eyes.
Finally, the three stood up and said goodbye to Elder Batu. "Elder, take care." Mark bowed deeply, full of respect for this wise and kind elder. "Have a safe journey." Elder Batu looked at them tenderly, his eyes full of blessings. Lily gently hugged Elder Batu, then turned around silently and followed Toby and Mark out of the wooden house.
The three of them walked out of the wooden house, and the morning light shone on them, giving them a layer of golden light. They looked back at Elder Batu's wooden house, then turned around firmly and set off on the road to the Holy City.
"Let's go." Toby took the lead and took a step, and Lily followed him with a little ice beast that had lived with them since childhood. Mark looked at the little ice beast and felt a little familiar, as if it was the one he met on the way back to the tribe with Lily before.