Toby walked at the front of the team, his figure looming in the dense jungle, as if blending into the surrounding environment. He held a sharp machete in his hand, and every swing was extremely accurate, splitting the thorns blocking the road and opening a narrow passage for the team. His steps were vigorous and powerful, and his body was flexible in the mountains and forests, like an agile cheetah, and every jump was full of wild beauty.
Mark followed closely behind, carrying a simple bag, and his eyes were vigilantly scanning the surrounding environment. Although his steps were not as light as Toby's, they were also steady and firm. He always paid attention to his feet to avoid being tripped by tree roots or stones hidden under the fallen leaves. There was a hint of imperceptible tension in his eyes, but more of curiosity about the unknown and desire for adventure.
Lily walked at the end with the little ice abyss beast. The little ice abyss beast was ice blue and crystal clear, like a moving gem. It followed Lily obediently, occasionally making a low whimper, as if responding to Lily's steps. Lily had a faint smile on her face, her eyes were gentle and full of love, and she lowered her head from time to time to gently stroke the head of the little ice beast, and the little ice beast rubbed Lily's palm with its head, as if to express its dependence and trust.
After walking along the winding river valley for a long time, the towering peaks on both sides blocked the sky, and the sun could only shine through the gaps in the leaves, forming mottled spots of light on the ground. The river water was clear and the sound of gurgling water was intertwined with the chirping of birds, forming a natural symphony. The air in the valley was fresh, with the fragrance of soil and plants, which made people feel relaxed and happy.
"There is a flat land ahead, suitable for camping." Toby stopped and pointed to the front not far away. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, and glanced at Mark and Lily to confirm that they had no objection.
Mark put down his bag, stretched his shoulders, and nodded in agreement: "Okay, we've walked for so long today, it's time to rest." He took a deep breath, and the fresh air in the valley made him feel refreshed.
Lily also stopped and gently stroked the head of the little Ice Abyss Beast. The little Ice Abyss Beast made a satisfied low moan and rubbed Lily's palm with its head. Lily took out the water bag from the bag and handed it to the little Ice Abyss Beast. The little Ice Abyss Beast lowered its head and drank a few sips of water, then raised its head and rubbed Lily's cheek with its wet nose.
The three of them came to the flat ground, and Toby began to collect firewood. He was skilled in his movements and collected a pile of dry firewood in a short while. Mark was responsible for setting up the tent. He propped up the tent's bracket, then covered it with animal skin and fixed it. Lily took out food and water from the bag carried by the little Ice Abyss Beast and distributed them to Toby and Mark. The food was simple barbecue and some wild fruits, and the water was taken from the stream in the valley, clear and sweet.
"Let's rest here for one night and set off early tomorrow morning." Toby said while eating barbecue. He looked up at the sky. The setting sun dyed the sky orange-red, and the scenery was particularly beautiful.
Mark also looked up at the sky. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on his face, giving him a layer of golden light. "I hope everything goes well tomorrow." He said softly, with a hint of expectation in his tone.
Lily ate silently. She did not participate in the conversation between the two. She just looked up at the sky occasionally, with a hint of imperceptible anxiety in her eyes.
As night fell, the bonfire burned in the center of the camp, dispelling the cold of the night. The three sat around the bonfire, quietly listening to the chirping of insects around them. Toby and Mark chatted about some interesting things about the tribe, while Lily listened quietly, occasionally showing a faint smile. The little ice abyss beast curled up at Lily's feet and slept soundly.
As sleepiness gradually came, Mark and Lily fell asleep one after another, and their breathing was even and long. Mark glanced at the two sleeping people, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He got up gently, trying not to make any noise so as not to wake them up. He slowly walked to the edge of the camp, step by step, as if walking on an invisible tightrope.
After walking a few miles, Toby stopped and looked around to make sure that no one was following him. There was silence all around, only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the cry of owls in the distance. He took out the sacred stone from his arms, and in the faint moonlight, he could see the complex runes engraved on the sacred stone. He held the sacred stone in both hands, closed his eyes, and his lips moved slightly, as if he was praying in a low voice.
"Great Holy Stone, please guide me, am I doing this right?" Toby's voice was soft and pious, as if he was talking to the gods. His body trembled slightly, as if he was under great pressure.
After praying, Toby put the sacred stone back in his arms and turned to walk towards a hidden cave. The entrance to the cave is hidden in the dense bushes, and it is difficult to find without careful observation. A low roar came from the cave, which was particularly clear in the silent night and chilling. Toby paused for a moment, but he soon regained his composure and walked into the cave resolutely.
Toby took a deep breath, pushed aside the bushes, bent down and went into the cave. The cave was very dark, and he couldn't see his hand in front of him. Toby groped forward, and the uneven rock walls of the cave scratched his hands. The roar was getting closer and closer, and Toby could feel a heat coming towards him.
"Who?" A low voice sounded deep in the cave.
Toby clenched the magic stone in his hand and tried to keep his voice calm, "It's me, Toby."
"Toby? What are you doing here?" The voice was a little puzzled.
"I'm here to see you, Gru." Toby's voice trembled slightly. He paused, swallowed, and continued, "I have something very important to tell you."
"What is it?"
"About the owner of the holy stone energy..."
There was a silence, and only the sound of water dripping echoed in the cave. Toby could feel Gru's gaze, as if he wanted to see through him.
"Come in." Gru's voice finally sounded again.
Toby walked in the direction of the voice, and after about a dozen steps, a ray of light appeared in front of her. She quickened her pace, passed through a narrow passage, and came to a relatively empty cave. There was a burning bonfire in the center of the cave, and the fire illuminated the surrounding environment. A burly figure sat by the bonfire with his back to Toby, and some animal bones and skins were scattered around the figure.
Toby approached the bonfire and saw Gru's appearance clearly. He had a messy red hair, scars all over his face, and a black eye patch on his left eye, looking very fierce. It was the leader who led the team to force Mark to the cliff before. He was using a knife to cut a piece of wood in his hand, and seemed not to notice Toby's arrival.
"Gru..." Toby called softly.
Gru put down the wood and knife in his hand, turned around slowly, and looked at Toby with his one eye. "You are here." His voice was low and hoarse, like an echo in the cave, with a hint of imperceptible coldness. The firelight reflected on his face, highlighting the hideous scars on his face, making him look even more ferocious.
Toby subconsciously touched the sacred stone in his arms, took a deep breath, and tried to keep himself calm. "I... I came to you, I have something to tell you." His voice trembled slightly, his eyes flickered, and he dared not look directly into Gru's eyes. He moved his feet and felt his legs a little weak. The cold and dampness in the cave made him feel very uncomfortable. The cave was filled with a strong smell of mold and burnt barbecue, and some animal bones and residues were scattered on the ground, which made Toby feel nauseous.
"Oh? What's the matter that's worth you coming to me late at night?" Gru raised his eyebrows with interest. His thick fingers gently tapped the stone beside him, making a dull "dong dong" sound, which echoed in the silent cave, adding a sense of oppression.
Toby took out the sacred stone in his arms and handed it to Gru with both hands. "About...about the transfer of the owner of the sacred stone energy..." He stuttered and swallowed nervously. The sacred stone emitted a soft light in his hand, illuminating his nervous face.
Gru took the sacred stone and looked at it carefully. The sacred stone looked particularly small in his rough palm. The light it emitted was reflected on Gru's one eye, flickering, like a jumping flame. A trace of greedy light flashed from Gru's one eye. He stared at the sacred stone closely, and his breathing became rapid. "Sacred stone energy...transfer?" He repeated Toby's words, with a hint of doubt and...excitement in his tone.
"Yes... yes," Toby was shocked by Gru's momentum and took a few steps back involuntarily. He held the stone wall behind him with his hands and barely stood firm. "Batu asked me to take Mark and Lily to the Holy City." His voice became smaller and smaller, almost inaudible.
"Holy City?" Gru stood up suddenly and approached Toby. His tall body was like a hill, casting a huge shadow that enveloped Toby. "That foreigner is going over?" His tone became sharp, and his one eye stared at Toby, as if he wanted to devour him.
Toby was overwhelmed by Gru's momentum and couldn't breathe. He retreated again and again until his back was against the cold stone wall and he couldn't retreat. "Yes... yes, Elder Batu has confirmed it." He uttered a few words with difficulty, feeling as if his throat was blocked by something.
After listening to Toby's explanation, Gru suddenly laughed, and the laughter echoed in the cave, shaking the broken stones on the stone wall. He pushed Toby to the ground, and Toby fell heavily to the ground with a muffled groan.
He held the sacred stone tightly in his hand and walked to a stone platform deep in the cave. The stone platform was carved from a huge rock, with a smooth surface and some ancient runes engraved on it, flashing a mysterious light under the firelight. Gru placed the sacred stone in a groove on the stone platform. The shape of the groove fits the sacred stone perfectly, as if it was tailor-made for it.
"Hahaha!" Gru laughed wildly again, "The sacred stones of the 12 tribes are all mine, and the energy of the sacred stone is also mine. No one can take it away!" He stretched out his hands, feeling the energy emanating from the sacred stone, and a powerful force surged from his body, making him feel extremely excited and satisfied.
"I will make all the tribes submit to me!"
Gru's eyes were filled with black energy. He raised his hands high, feeling the energy pouring in from the sacred stone. A stream of heat surged through his body, and his one eye flashed with a fanatical light. "I will make all those who despise and laugh at me pay the price!" He clenched his fists, and his arm muscles bulged, as hard as steel under the flickering firelight.