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墨書 Inktalez
The footsteps grew closer, each one like the tolling of a death knell, heavily striking against Xuan Yang's heart. His heart raced uncontrollably, like a war drum pounding wildly in his chest, vibrating so intensely that it made his eardrums buzz, nearly tearing them apart.
He gripped Qu Si Yang's hand tightly; that once soft and warm little hand was now as cold as a block of ice. A layer of fine cold sweat formed in his palm, sticky and slick, while the veins on the back of his hand bulged like grotesque worms writhing beneath the skin—an outward 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 youthful, and he looked spirited. His dual eyes were sharp as an eagle's, sparkling with an inscrutable light. He wore a faded coarse cloth long gown that seemed out of place in this eerie environment yet radiated 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 never expected to reunite with Lu Zhiyuan under such circumstances and in such a manner.
Lu Zhiyuan did not answer Xuan Yang's question; he merely smiled slightly, a smile laced with amusement, mockery, and perhaps even… cruelty? His gaze was deep as the ocean, like an endless black hole capable of swallowing all light, making it impossible to discern 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 nowhere, awakening like a slumbering giant python. It moved languidly in his hand, exuding an oppressive sense of suffocation.
The vine was dark brown and covered with eerie patterns, emanating an aura of decay and death as if it had grown from the depths of hell itself.
"Be careful!" Xuan Yang's pupils dilated; he instinctively shielded Qu Si Yang behind him, his body taut like a drawn bow ready to unleash a lethal strike. He kept a vigilant eye on Lu Zhiyuan, every muscle in his body tense and every cell filled with wariness.
The withered vine seemed alive under Lu Zhiyuan's control, rapidly growing and twisting like giant pythons dancing wildly 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 forces? Hmph, mere tricks," 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, reminiscent of wailing ghosts—a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines. 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 in the passageway, but that scream left them trembling with fear.
Who exactly is Lu Zhiyuan? Why has he appeared here? His unpredictable methods and that strange withered vine indicate that his strength is far from what it seems on the surface. Just how many secrets is he hiding?
"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 leave them with no better options. While Lu Zhiyuan's strength provided them with a sense of security, his air of mystery also made them wary, like a thorn in their backs.
In the end, they followed him, their steps light and cautious, as if walking on cotton, each movement deliberate and careful.
As they reached the other end of the passage, they were instantly taken aback by the sight before them. It was a scene reminiscent of a paradise, starkly contrasting with the eerie passage they had just traversed—two entirely different worlds.
The lush green grass spread out like a massive emerald carpet covering the entire space.
Various unknown wildflowers bloomed in vibrant colors—red as fire, pink like dawn, white as snow, yellow like gold—each competing for attention and exuding a refreshing fragrance. The air was filled with the earthy scent of soil mingled with 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 awe, 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 Chief throughout generations," Lu Zhiyuan explained, a hint of pride evident 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?
The ancient tree soared into the clouds; its trunk was so thick that it would take several people to encircle it. The canopy shaded the land like a massive green umbrella, providing coolness to this paradise. Its bark was mottled and gnarled, seemingly recording the passage of time.
"This tree is the guardian spirit 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 around, his gaze landing on Xuan Yang. A glint flashed in his eyes—sharp as a drawn sword—seemingly able to pierce through Xuan Yang's very soul.
"Child, you are the reincarnation of the Puppet Master; your destiny is destined to be extraordinary," Lu Zhiyuan's voice was low but 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 slightly and said, “Who I am is not important; what matters is your mission.” His smile held a touch of mystery, an inscrutable depth that made it hard to decipher his intentions.
He paused for a moment before continuing, “The Heart of the Puppet Master lies within this tree; only you can obtain it.” He pointed at the towering ancient tree, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Xuan Yang gazed at the ancient tree, his heart brimming with confusion and expectation. What exactly was the Heart of the Puppet Master? What kind of power did it possess? Why did Lu Zhiyuan say that only he could acquire it?
Lu Zhiyuan extended his hand, gathering a sphere of green light in his palm. The light was soft and warm, pulsating with the essence of life. He slowly infused the glow into the ancient tree, his movements gentle as if cradling an infant.
The ancient tree seemed to awaken, emitting a brilliant light that illuminated the entire space as if it were daylight. A mysterious pattern appeared on its trunk, composed of countless intricate lines and symbols, resembling a gateway to another world, radiating an aura of ancient mystery.
“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 flooded into his mind—memories belonging to the Puppet Master. These recollections surged like waves, intertwining with his own memories and causing him to feel dizzy.
He finally understood his mission and grasped Lu Zhiyuan's true identity.
Lu Zhiyuan was not merely the Village Chief; he was… he was the guardian of the Heart of the Puppet Master, the guide left behind by the Puppet Master in this world!
“What is going on? How does this old man know so much?” Xuan Yang cursed inwardly. He felt like a marionette being led by Lu Zhiyuan’s strings. “Am I really some reincarnation of the Puppet Master? What even is this? Whatever! If I’m here, I might as well embrace it; let them come at me!”
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 Forces are coming!" Qu Si Yang exclaimed, his face pale as paper, his body trembling slightly, clearly terrified 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 learned the secret of the Puppet Master's Heart."
A glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes as he turned to Xuan Yang and said, "Child, you must merge with the Puppet Master's Heart as soon as possible; otherwise, we will all die here!"
Xuan Yang nodded. He understood that time was of the essence and there could be no 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 Master's Heart.
In the distance, a massive cloud of black mist was rapidly sweeping toward them like a clawing demon, exuding 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 Master's Heart is mine! Hehehe..." The laughter was sharp and piercing, filled with greed and madness.
Standing tall before the ancient tree, Lu Zhiyuan's posture was as firm as a pine tree. His gaze was resolute and fearless as he shouted, "Shadow, you will not succeed! As long as I have breath in me, I will never allow you to lay your hands on the Puppet Master's Heart!"
At the end of the passage, a thunderous crash suddenly echoed, as if something had collapsed.
Could it be… that the Shadow Forces have breached Lu Zhiyuan's defenses?
Would Xuan Yang be able to merge with the Puppet Master's Heart in time? Could Lu Zhiyuan withstand the onslaught of the Shadow Forces?
Everything was shrouded in uncertainty…
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