The voice drifted by, like a whisper. It was as if an invisible figure, lurking in a dark corner, whispered a secret to the crowd. The tone was sometimes deep, as if laden with burdens; sometimes gentle, like ripples on a lake rippled by a breeze. Then, in a trance, the sound seemed to transform into the whistling of wind through the treetops. The wind, like a rambling child, careened through the trees. Branches swayed left and right, clashing against each other and making a creaking sound. The wind whistled, sometimes sharp, as if piercing the sky; sometimes dull, like an angry roar. Listening closely, the sound seemed both a whisper and a whistle, the two intertwined and difficult to distinguish. The human-like whisper seemed to be carried by the wind, appearing and disappearing in the air, elusive. And the whistling of the wind seemed to mimic the human whisper, attempting to convey some elusive emotion. This strange sound echoed in the empty space, making people uneasy. They wanted to try hard to understand the meaning of the sound, but were also disturbed by the unpredictable changes.

Attracted by the mysterious sound, Xiao Yi and the others set out without hesitation in its direction. Their eyes were filled with anticipation and alertness, and each step was carefully chosen. Xiao Yi walked in front, his steps firm and steady, his hand tightly gripping a thick branch as if it were his weapon and support. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his ears perked up, carefully listening for the faint sound, afraid to miss even the slightest change. The others following behind him were also tense and focused. They huddled close together, as if drawing courage and strength from their companions. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, and weeds and thorns occasionally tugged at their trouser legs, but they did not slow down at all. Xiao Yi paused every few steps to carefully determine the direction of the sound, confirming his position before continuing. The trees grew denser and the light dimmed, but their desire to find clues grew stronger. They trudged along this unknown path, clinging to a glimmer of hope, hoping that the source of the sound would hold the key to solving the mystery.

The mysterious voice seemed to be deliberately teasing Xiao Yi and the others, sometimes near, sometimes distant, always elusive. Sometimes, it sounded like a gentle call from a short distance ahead, prompting them to quicken their pace, eager to catch up. But after only a few steps, the voice would suddenly echo from far behind, forcing them to stop and turn back in confusion. Guided by this erratic voice, they unknowingly entered a tranquil valley. The valley entrance was narrow, flanked by towering peaks, like giant guardians guarding this mysterious land. As soon as they entered, a tranquil atmosphere enveloped them. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows like a painting created by nature. A light mist permeated the valley, giving the scene a dreamlike quality. The winding path shimmered between grass and rocks, while wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze, exuding a delicate fragrance. The mysterious sound echoed in the valley, becoming increasingly ethereal and distant, as if it came from another world. Xiao Yi and the others slowed down their pace, holding their breath, fearing that they would disturb the tranquility. At the same time, they were also looking forward to uncovering the secrets hidden behind the sound in this quiet valley.

A mysterious glow had seemingly begun to permeate this tranquil valley. It wasn't a single hue, but a riot of color, a dreamlike fusion of colors. Sometimes it was as soft as a veil, gently fluttering like the hem of a fairy's dancing skirt; sometimes it was as intense as a burning flame, dancing and flickering without a trace of burning heat. The light seemed alive, constantly shifting shapes and colors. Sometimes it coalesced into strange patterns, like ancient runes, imbued with profound secrets; sometimes it dispersed, transforming into countless tiny points of light, like stars falling to earth. The light illuminated every corner of the valley, making the once familiar landscape seem strange and mysterious. Rocks, trees, and flowers all took on strange contours and colors in the light, leaving one to question one's own vision, unable to tell whether everything before one was real or merely a dream. When people try to reach out and touch this light, it slips away from their fingertips like a playful elf, leaving only a trace of warmth. With every step, the surrounding light changes, making people feel as if they are in an ever-changing maze, lost in this wonderful world of reality and fantasy.

Deep in the valley, their eyes were drawn to an ancient ruin. Like a giant forgotten by time, it slumbered silently in this quiet corner. Its exterior was weathered and mottled, with massive stones piled together to form tall, imposing walls. The walls were covered with the marks of time, and moss and vines grew unchecked, like a green cloak. At the entrance, two massive stone doors stood ajar, carved with intricate and mysterious patterns. The bold lines of the designs seemed to tell ancient stories, yet their meaning remained elusive. Entering the ruins, an air of antiquity washed over them. Within the spacious hall, towering stone pillars supported a crumbling ceiling. These pillars were also engraved with symbols and images, some blurred, others still faintly discernible. The floor was paved with stone slabs, with tender grass growing in the cracks between them. In the corners of the hall, broken pottery and rusted metal tools lay piled high, like traces of the people who once lived here. Through the broken windows, one could see the rooms scattered about in an orderly fashion. Some rooms held massive sarcophagi, their lids exquisitely carved; others were filled with books and scrolls, most of which had decayed. This ancient relic, like a dusty history book, awaited Xiao Yi and his companions to decipher its hidden secrets and stories.

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