Mark supported Albert and staggered into the valley. The sound of horse hooves behind him was getting closer and closer, shaking the ground slightly. "They are catching up!" Albert panted weakly, with a trace of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. Mark looked around and found a hidden cave deep in the valley. The entrance was blocked by dense vines and was not easy to detect. "Over there!" Mark pointed at the cave and quickened his pace.
The two stumbled into the cave, and Mark quickly covered the entrance with vines. The light in the cave was dim, and the air was filled with a damp smell of soil. Albert slowly sat down against the cold stone wall, his face as pale as paper, and his breathing was rapid and weak. Mark placed the slate in Albert's palm, and energy continued to flow out of his hands and then passed through the slate into Albert's body. The life energy of the slate once again suppressed Albert's tree man energy. As the life energy of the slate was exerted, Albert's face gradually regained a trace of blood color, and his breathing gradually stabilized.
Outside the cave, the sound of horse hooves lingered at the mouth of the valley for a while, and finally gradually faded away. Mark breathed a sigh of relief and took out the book and spear left by Eric from the space ring. The cover of the book was simple and mysterious, with complex runes engraved on it, emitting a faint energy fluctuation.
Mark gently opened the book, the pages were yellow and brittle, and the information about the fragments of the holy stone and "He" was recorded in an ancient text. "'He' is not a god, but a sealed ancient evil spirit..." Mark recited the contents of the book in a low voice, frowning. The book records that "He" has a powerful power, can control people's hearts, seduce believers, and try to break the seal and come to the world. Because of the existence of the holy stone in the past, "He" could not come to this world. Since the soul-stealer Avella broke the holy stone, the world was exposed to "He", so "He" had a way to come to this world with consciousness.
Mark put down the book and picked up the spear. The spear was completely black, and the spear was engraved with the same runes as in the book, emitting a cold and cold light. Mark held the handle of the spear and felt a strong energy wave coming from the spear, flowing through his arm and all over his body. He waved the spear a few times, feeling the weight and balance of the spear, and there were bursts of whistling sounds in the air.
After Albert finished regulating his breath, he slowly opened his eyes and saw Mark practicing with the spear, with a flash of surprise in his eyes. "This... is this the holy spear of Elder Eric?" Albert's voice was a little hoarse.
Mark nodded, "Yes, Elder Eric left it to me." He put down the spear and walked to Albert and sat down.
"How do you feel?"
"Much better," Albert coughed lightly, "The energy of the tree man is getting stronger and stronger, and it is difficult to suppress it now."
He paused, his eyes became solemn, "Mark, I know something about the Rebirth Organization and his believers..." Albert spoke slowly, his tone low and solemn.
"The Rebirth Organization believes in 'Him'. They collect fragments of the Holy Stone everywhere, trying to use the Holy Stone as a carrier to allow 'Him''s true body to descend into this world. Their believers are all over the place, and they are extremely fanatical. They will do anything for 'Him', even sacrifice their lives..." Albert shuddered as he recalled the crazy actions of the believers he had seen. The fanatical light in their eyes was like being possessed, which was chilling. Outside the cave, night fell, the mountain wind was howling, and the shadows of the trees were swaying. Mark listened to Albert's story quietly, and his heart became heavier. "We must find the remaining two fragments of the Holy Stone as soon as possible." Mark said firmly. "Elder Eric said that one is in the Ice and Snow Temple in the Far North, and the other is in the Coral Palace deep in the South China Sea." Albert added, he slowly stood up with the help of the stone wall, stretched his muscles and bones, and although his body was still a little weak, it was no longer a big deal. Mark nodded: "The Far North..." He looked up at the dark night sky outside the cave, thinking back to the time when he found the first fragment in the Far North.
"Let's go to the Far North first." The two discussed the next action plan and decided to leave the valley at night and sneak towards the north.
Mark put the book and the spear into the space ring, and then wrapped the stone slab around Albert before they walked out of the cave together. The night enveloped the valley, and it was quiet and silent, with only the rustling of the wind blowing through the leaves. The two followed the valley path, relying on the faint starlight, and quietly moved forward towards the north.
"Let's go." Mark whispered, taking the lead. Albert followed closely behind, and the two figures gradually disappeared in the night. Mark was in front, and Albert was behind. The two climbed up carefully along the rugged mountain road. The mountain wind was fierce, blowing the clothes rustling. Albert looked back from time to time to make sure there were no pursuers. The mountain road was winding, and the two of them walked forward with one foot deep and one foot shallow in the sparse starlight.
"Go up a little further and you'll reach the top of the mountain." Mark whispered, holding onto a protruding rock with his hand and climbing up with the force.
Albert nodded, took a deep breath, and followed Mark's pace. "We'd better leave this mountain area before dawn."
The wind on the top of the mountain was even stronger, blowing the two of them almost unsteady. With the starlight, you can vaguely see the rolling mountains in the distance, like a sleeping giant.
Mark looked up at the stars in the sky and carefully identified the direction with the faint light.
"The far north should be in this direction." He pointed to the direction of the North Star.
The two continued to move forward along the ridge. The way down the mountain was steeper than the way up the mountain, so they had to slow down and move their feet carefully. After walking for about two hours, the mountain gradually became flat and the trees became dense. The two found a hidden path and continued along the path.
"I feel someone nearby." Albert suddenly stopped and looked around vigilantly.
Mark also stopped, held his breath, and listened carefully to the movements around him. The woods were quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind. "Maybe it's just the wind." Mark whispered, but he also raised his vigilance.