As they ventured deeper into the island, they encountered a patrol of outsiders. Conan and the others quickly hid and observed the patrol's patterns of movement.
“These patrols pass through here every so often, and we must find a way through before their next patrol arrives,” Conan said in a low voice.
After some observation, Conan noticed that the intervals between the patrol teams were not long, but there was a brief gap in their patrol route. "We can use this gap to pass quickly, but we must be careful and not make any noise."
So, as soon as the patrol team passed, Conan and the others quickly got up and hurried along the planned route. Just as they were about to cross the patrol area, Lin Yu accidentally stepped on a tree branch, which snapped with a crisp sound.
"Who's there?" Upon hearing the voice, the patrol team immediately became alert and rushed towards the source of the sound.
Conan and the others, realizing they had been exposed, had no choice but to engage the patrol in battle. Ran Mouri was the first to charge forward, her karate prowess proving equally effective on the narrow mountain path, quickly taking down several enemies. Nightshade and Lin Yu were not to be outdone, engaging in fierce combat with the enemy.
Conan, meanwhile, searched for the enemy's weaknesses and directed the battle. After a fierce fight, they successfully repelled the patrol, but also attracted the attention of more outsiders.
"We need to speed things up; more enemies are definitely on their way," Conan said.
They continued onward and finally arrived at a huge cave. A mysterious aura permeated the cave, and strange lights could be faintly seen flickering within.
"The artifact should be inside this cave, but we don't know what dangers are hidden inside," said the indigenous chief.
Conan took a deep breath and led the way into the cave. The cave was dark and damp, with strange symbols and patterns carved on the walls. They carefully made their way along the cave passage when suddenly, a wide river appeared ahead, its waters rushing and roaring loudly.
"How are we going to get across?" Lin Yu looked at the rushing river with a helpless expression.
Conan observed his surroundings and noticed some protruding rocks on both banks of the river that could serve as footholds. "We can use these rocks to jump across, but we must be careful. The current is too strong, and it would be dangerous if we fell in."
Nightshade volunteered, "I'll go scout ahead first." He moved with surprising agility, leaping between the rocks like a black shadow. Once he reached the other side safely, Nightshade signaled to the others that it was safe.
Conan and the others followed suit, jumping over the river one by one. However, just as Ai Haibara was about to jump to the other side, a rock suddenly came loose, and she slipped and fell into the river.
"Ai Haibara!" Conan was frantic and immediately reached out to grab her, but only managed to catch the hem of her clothes.
Nightshade quickly took a rope from his backpack and threw it to Ai Haibara. Ai struggled desperately in the rushing water and finally grabbed the rope. Conan, Nightshade, and Lin Yu worked together to pull Ai Haibara ashore.
"Are you alright?" Conan asked with concern.
Ai Haibara wiped the water from her face and said weakly, "I'm fine, let's continue."
After some twists and turns, they continued deeper into the cave. As they advanced, the light within grew stronger, and they seemed to be getting closer to the artifact. However, an even greater challenge awaited them…
Deep inside the cave, they discovered a huge stone chamber. In the center of the chamber stood a stone platform, which faintly emitted a mysterious light.
"The artifact should be on the stone platform, but the atmosphere around us is a bit off." Ran Mouri cautiously observed her surroundings.
Conan carefully examined the stone chamber and noticed some tiny holes in the walls, seemingly hiding some kind of mechanism. "Everyone be careful, this place might be full of traps."
Just then, the door to the stone chamber suddenly slammed shut, trapping them inside. At the same time, countless arrows shot out from the holes in the walls.
"Get out of the way!" Conan shouted, and everyone quickly sought cover to avoid the arrows.
Arrows rained down, filling the stone chamber with a whistling sound. While dodging, Conan's mind raced, trying to figure out how to solve the puzzle. He noticed a pattern in the arrows' trajectory and strange patterns on the floor, which he suspected might be related to breaking the mechanism.
"Everyone, pay attention to the patterns on the ground. Move in this order, and maybe we can avoid the arrows and find a way to shut down the mechanism!" Conan shouted.
The group struggled to move through the gaps between the arrows, carefully following Conan's instructions and stepping cautiously along the patterns on the ground. After much effort, they finally reached the stone platform.
On the stone platform, a key emitting an eerie light lay silently—this was the legendary artifact. Conan reached out and picked up the key, and just then, the arrows suddenly stopped firing.
"It seems we succeeded." Lin Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
However, before they could rejoice for long, the stone chamber door slowly opened, and a group of outsiders appeared in the doorway. Leading them was a man wearing a black mask, his eyes revealing greed and ferocity.
"Hand over the divine artifact!" the masked man said viciously.
Conan gripped the artifact tightly and replied firmly, "You won't get it! Your plot will not succeed!"
A final showdown over a divine artifact unfolds within this mysterious stone chamber…
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