Courtyard House: Report enemy agents at the start, and you'll take off immediately.

"Old Li and I also ran into a wall," Zhao De sighed helplessly.

Finally, only Old Wang remained who hadn't spoken. Seeing this, he slowly began to speak: "Well... actually, I've discovered something very special."

"What's going on? Tell us." Everyone immediately gathered around him, eager for an answer.

Old Wang revealed a barely perceptible smile: "There are actually quite a few precious minerals hidden inside this passage! And what's even more interesting is that I also found a strange metal plaque with 'The Road to Truth' written on the front and complex totem symbols on the back... Perhaps it is the 'key' we are looking for."

"The path to the truth?" Li Tao's eyes lit up, and he immediately moved closer to Old Wang, wanting to see what it was all about. "Let me see that metal plaque."

Old Wang took a small plaque that emitted a faint blue glow from his pocket and handed it to Li Tao. Engraved in the center of the small metal plaque was an ancient inscription: "The only path to the core." On the back was a pattern composed of interwoven lines.

Li Tao frowned. "These patterns don't look like any symbolic system we're familiar with. We need to find a quiet place to study them properly." He then suggested that everyone return to the more spacious area to discuss their next steps.

The four returned to the original intersection. The surroundings remained silent, save for the occasional faint echo from afar. Zhao De surveyed the area and confirmed, "This is indeed a suitable place to discuss our plan." They then sat down in a circle.

Zhao Dexian spoke first, saying, "Now that Lao Wang has discovered such an important clue, I think we should focus our efforts on solving this problem, rather than blindly scattering ourselves to explore other routes."

Chapter 1390 The Mysterious Voice

Chapter 1390 The Mysterious Voice.

Liu Feng nodded in agreement, expressing his support: "Agreed. Moreover, according to the information shown on the map, the road on the right, though seemingly treacherous, actually hides a great deal of undiscovered secrets."

Just as everyone was discussing this, a sudden gust of cold wind swept in, causing everyone to shiver involuntarily. "There seems to be another force in this maze," Li Tao said warily.

“In any case, let’s see if we can unlock the secret of this plaque.” With that, Zhao De reached out and gently stroked the intricate patterns on it. Just as his fingers touched a specific spot, a strange fluctuation seemed to be triggered in the air—faint outlines began to appear in the previously dim space, gradually coalescing until finally revealing a three-dimensional image!

Everyone was stunned: what appeared before them was a huge and detailed model construction diagram, which contained all sorts of complex and difficult mechanisms and path settings.

"So this is the true nature of the right path," Old Wang murmured to himself in amazement.

“It seems this road is indeed very tricky.” Li Tao stared at the scene before him for a moment and then said, “But as long as we follow this guide, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

After careful discussion, everyone decided to proceed according to the instructions. "Let's go, everyone! Let's head towards the finish line now!" Zhao De announced with great enthusiasm, leading the way onto the newly discovered path.

Although they encountered several dangerous moments along the way, the four of them always managed to turn danger into safety by working together. In particular, on one occasion when they needed to pass through a narrow space full of traps and hidden weapons, they were saved from injury thanks to Li Tao's quick thinking in making a temporary protective device with ropes.

As time passed and after overcoming numerous trials, they finally arrived at the interior of a hall that resembled the center of a maze. The interior was lavishly decorated and resplendent in gold, with a uniquely designed altar placed at its very center.

"This should be it!" Zhao De said excitedly as he stepped forward to investigate. The others followed suit. "So what's next? What do we need to do?" Liu Feng asked.

Just then, a beam of light shot out from above the altar and slowly descended, enveloping the entire team. "Congratulations on successfully reaching this location. As a reward..."

A deep, mysterious voice emanated from the light, as if from another world: "You will obtain the final key to uncovering the truth."

Zhao De cautiously looked around, confirming that this sudden change was not a trap. "So, what should we do next?"

The voice spoke again: "You are very close to the truth. Now all you need to do is unravel the mystery here. Observe this altar carefully and find the hidden key."

The four exchanged a glance and then quickly sprang into action. Li Tao walked to the altar and carefully examined the various symbols and patterns carved upon it. Before long, he discovered a mechanism—a small, seemingly ordinary stone embedded in a corner that could actually rotate.

“I think this is the key.” With that, Li Tao gently turned the stone, and immediately a soft but clearly audible mechanical hum filled the hall. “Looks like I’m right!”

Chapter 1391 A Shocking Secret

Chapter 1391 A Shocking Secret

As the mechanism was activated, the entire altar began to slowly sink, eventually stopping in front of a newly appeared entrance. Without hesitation, Zhao De stepped forward and opened the door to the secret chamber below. "Let's go in and take a look!" he said.

The group entered the hidden space one by one. The interior was simply furnished yet exceptionally clean and tidy. In the center sat an old map and a book with strange markings on its cover. "These things look very important," Liu Feng remarked.

Zhao De picked up the map and unfolded it. It showed a complex route and marked some special locations in red ink. "It seems this is the key to the ultimate secret."

Zhao De carefully opened the ancient book. The text inside was ancient and complex, seemingly recording the secrets of a lost civilization. "We need to carefully study the information in this map and book," he said. "This may be the key to guiding us to solve all the mysteries."

Liu Feng took the book and began to study it word by word, while Li Tao carefully examined the map, searching for clues. Old Wang looked around, as if checking if there were any omissions in the secret room.

“Look here, there’s some information about ancient ruins,” Liu Feng pointed to a passage in the book. “It mentions a place called the ‘Forgotten City,’ which is said to hide a shocking secret. And the markings on this map… I think they must be related to that place.”

Just then, the entire secret chamber suddenly trembled slightly, and the seemingly ordinary patterns on the four walls suddenly lit up, forming mysterious symbols. Zhao De looked up at the ceiling and saw a projection device activated, slowly displaying images depicting a majestic city and the astonishing secrets behind it.

As the scene before him gradually became clearer, Li Tao suddenly realized, "I know! This is a secret passage leading to the 'City of Oblivion.' If we can find the right way to decipher these symbols, perhaps we can get in there!"

The group immediately began an in-depth discussion around the map, trying to find a specific route to the 'Forgotten City'. They encountered numerous difficulties along the way, but through their collaborative efforts and excellent teamwork, they gradually pieced together a preliminary direction.

Just as they were about to sort out their thoughts, Old Wang noticed a subtle difference—a small piece of paper hidden between the pages of the book. It had only one line written on it: "The true treasure lies in the direction of the heart."

After a moment of silence, everyone raised their heads in unison, a determined glint in their eyes. "No matter what awaits us ahead, as long as we are united, there are no difficulties we cannot overcome," Zhao De said firmly.

Following the newly acquired information, they readjusted their route and embarked on the road to the 'Forgotten City'. Along the way, they encountered various challenges that tested their minds and courage, and experienced several life-or-death moments, but they successfully overcame each crisis through mutual trust and support.

After several days of arduous trekking, Zhao De and his group finally arrived at the entrance to the "Forgotten City." Here lay the ruins of an ancient city hidden in a valley, its walls weathered and worn, revealing the vicissitudes of time.

Chapter 1392 Story Scene

Chapter 1392 Story Scene

"It seems that no outsiders have come to this place for many years." Old Wang said as he brushed the dust off the stone tablet, revealing the words carved below: "City of Oblivion".

Liu Feng looked around, trying to find more clues. "According to the map, we should go further into this alley to avoid most of the traps."

Following the winding path deeper, a huge and ancient stone gate soon came into view. "This doesn't look simple..." Li Tao said as he approached to examine it. "It's engraved with all sorts of complex symbols and patterns, it feels like some kind of seal."

Zhao De stepped forward and carefully examined the strange symbols. "This is a complete set of totem writing. I've read about it in books before, and the way to decipher it is..." Before he could finish speaking, he began to rotate the statues in different positions on the door frame according to his own understanding.

With the final adjustment in place, a loud rumble rang out, and the heavy stone door slowly opened, releasing an old, musty smell along with billowing dust.

The four exchanged smiles and stepped into the long-dormant city. The scene before them exceeded their expectations—despite its long period of abandonment, every building remained remarkably intact, its carvings intricate and its colors vibrant. Even more astonishing was the presence of life still lingering in this abandoned city—schools of fish swimming in the ponds, birds singing merrily in the treetops…

Just as everyone was immersed in the wondrous scenery, a strange sound suddenly came from not far away. "Who's there?!" Old Wang tensed up and became alert, simultaneously drawing back his bowstring in preparation for battle.

A young man emerged from the bushes, sword in hand, and looked at them warily. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Li Tao stepped forward first to express goodwill, "We are not enemies, we just want to find some secrets about this ancient city. Can you help us?"

The other party seemed to relax slightly but remained cautious. "My name is Zhou Xiang, and I am a descendant who guards these ruins. If you want to know anything, please answer one question first—what is your purpose in coming here?"

Liu Feng told the truth without hesitation: "In order to explore a mystery about an ancient civilization and the wealth it may have left behind."

After hearing this explanation, the young man who called himself Zhou Xiang nodded and said, "Since your purpose is clear and your attitude is sincere, I can give you a tour. But you must abide by the rules: you cannot damage anything, and you cannot take anything that does not belong to you."

Having received permission, the five embarked on a new exploration. They crossed a large open space at the end of the street and arrived before a towering ancient temple. Two statues, each holding a spear, stood guard at the entrance, their faces solemn and dignified.

“This is one of the core areas of the ‘Forgotten City.’ Legend has it that a catastrophic catastrophe once occurred here, causing the entire city to be abandoned overnight,” Zhou Xiang slowly began, recounting the historical background. “Only a very few families who know the truth have guarded this place for generations.”

Upon entering the interior, the layout became even more intricate. Various statues of deities in different forms lined the corridors, and several walls were covered with strange murals depicting scenes from different stories. "According to oral tradition passed down through generations, an extremely important treasure is hidden here."

Chapter 1392 The Key Item

Chapter 1392 The Key Item

As they spoke, they arrived at what appeared to be an ordinary room. It was not particularly special compared to the other places, except for a symbol resembling a yin-yang symbol carved on the small wooden door.

Upon seeing this mark, Zhao De's eyes lit up. "Perhaps this is where the answer we've been searching for lies!"

Just as everyone was about to reach out and touch the door, a strong tremor suddenly came from beneath their feet, followed by a thick fog filling the entire room...

At that moment, the stranger's voice rang out again from outside the door, "Don't move, or don't blame me for being impolite!" His tone was full of hostility and vigilance.

The newcomer was a mysterious woman dressed in a veil, who held a staff tightly in her hand and exuded a powerful and undeniable aura.

Faced with this sudden turn of events, everyone stopped what they were doing. After calming down, Zhao De asked, "Who are you? And why are you stopping us?"

The woman's sharp gaze swept over everyone in the room. "I am the true guardian, and I will not allow anyone to touch this sacred power," she replied coldly.

Upon hearing this, Li Tao frowned and questioned, "But as far as I know, this power exists to benefit everyone! Why are you preventing others from coming into contact with it?"

The mysterious woman's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure. "Some things are not as simple and beautiful as they seem on the surface. Behind them lie enormous risks and even catastrophic consequences. If, as you say, you are truly considering the well-being of all people, then you need to be even more careful in dealing with them."

The mysterious woman's words plunged the room into a brief silence. Everyone pondered the deeper meaning behind her words.

"So what exactly do you mean by 'huge risk'?" Liu Feng broke the silence and asked. He didn't completely trust this woman, but at the same time, he realized that what she said wasn't without merit.

The mysterious woman paused slightly, seemingly weighing whether she should reveal the truth. "Hidden here is an ancient source of energy. It can bring endless benefits, but it could also cause unprecedented chaos. My ancestors swore to protect this power from being misused for personal gain."

Zhao De nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. That's why you've been preventing outsiders from getting close. But now that we're here, aren't you willing to let us witness firsthand just how powerful that energy really is? Perhaps we can be of assistance."

Seeing this, Zhou Xiang stepped forward and agreed: "Yes, none of the people here are bad. I believe we can find a suitable solution to prevent the disaster from happening."

A flicker of hesitation crossed the mysterious woman's eyes, but she firmly shook her head. "This isn't simply a matter of trust. Once that power is released, the consequences are unpredictable. But... I can consider giving you a chance—"

She suddenly raised her staff and waved it a few times. The thick fog in the air gradually dissipated, and the room became clear again. "If you truly want to prove your worthiness for this arduous mission, please come with me. I will put you through a final test."

Guided by her, the five people walked along a winding, dark corridor. After passing through a narrow passage, they finally arrived at a spacious and brightly lit hall, where a crystal tower about ten meters tall, emitting a soft white light, stood. "This is the legendary source of core energy," the woman said, pointing ahead, "but it is also a trap—only those with pure hearts and noble motives can cross the barrier to reach its center and obtain the key."

Chapter 1393 An Even More Exciting Adventure

Chapter 1393 An Even More Exciting Adventure

After saying this, she slowly stepped back a few paces and stood at the doorway. "Now it's up to you all to perform. Remember, any evil thought will lead you to utter ruin."

After hearing the explanation, they exchanged glances. Although it sounded dangerous, they had no other choice. "Alright!" Li Tao mustered his courage and took the lead towards the target, with the others following closely behind.

Just as they were about to approach the luminous object, an indescribable pressure suddenly descended. It felt like being in the eye of a storm, with invisible yet incredibly heavy pressure pressing down from all sides. Then, everyone began to see what they feared or loathed: Old Wang saw his past mistakes resurface before his eyes; Liu Feng's mind conjured images of potential future failures and predicaments…

Just when everyone was about to give up, Zhao De suddenly shouted, "Don't be afraid! These are just illusory temptations! What we need to do is firmly believe in our original intentions!" His words were like a wake-up call, instantly invigorating everyone. Immediately afterward, the others gritted their teeth, adjusted their mindset, and moved forward until they finally stood at the center of the radiant pagoda.

Just as everyone held their breath, eager to unravel its mysteries, a deep, resonant voice echoed throughout the space. "Congratulations on passing this test. The crucial step to truly begin your journey is yet to come..." Before everyone could calm down, a bronze key slowly descended from the sky. "Use this to open the mechanism to the lower level! But remember, the path ahead will become increasingly treacherous..."