"Speaking of which, where are Jack and the others now? Could they be getting close to the location of the next relic?" The young traveler leaned against the window, his gaze piercing through the dark night, as if trying to penetrate mountains and rivers to see the figures of the brave explorers.
“Who knows,” the middle-aged man with round-framed glasses shook his head. “According to the clues in the legend, each relic is an ultimate test of the treasure hunter’s will and wisdom. Jack and his companions’ journey is probably beyond our easy imagination.”
“I’ve heard that in the frigid north, there’s an ancient city sealed by ice and snow, which holds important clues about the Gate of Eternity.” A new traveler joined the discussion, his voice trembling slightly, as if he had an unspeakable awe for that place. “If Jack and his companions really go there, it will require not only courage, but also a complete gamble with their lives.”
“The Arctic City…” the old man murmured, his gaze deep, as if recalling a distant past. “It is a place where even the bravest warriors would hesitate, where countless secrets and deaths are hidden beneath the ice. If Jack chose this path, then his determination and will are far stronger than we thought.”
A moment of silence fell over the teahouse as everyone processed the information, imagining Jack and his companions battling the cruelty of nature amidst the endless snowstorm, searching for even the slightest glimmer of hope.
"May they have enough wisdom to unravel those ancient mysteries," the woman prayed softly, her knitting needles beginning to dance again, each stroke seemingly weaving a blessing for the traveler far away.
“Speaking of wisdom, I’ve remembered something.” The young apprentice’s eyes suddenly lit up as he eagerly shared his newfound information. “In the Wisdom Forest of Southern Xinjiang, there is a secluded library that is said to hold the key to unlocking the secrets of all relics. If Jack and his companions can find it, perhaps all the problems will be solved.”
“Wisdom Forest…that’s a place full of magic and miracles.” The old man nodded slightly. “Every book there contains endless knowledge. If you could get their help, it would undoubtedly be a great asset.”
"Then, can our town do something for them too?" The little boy asked earnestly, clenching his fists as if he wanted to do his part for his hero.
“Doing our best is the greatest support we can give them.” The old man patted the little boy’s head, his smile warm. “Maintaining peace in the town, sharing their stories, and letting hope and courage take root in everyone’s heart.”
As the night deepened, the lights inside the teahouse shone like a lighthouse in the darkness, guiding people home. Just as everyone was preparing to leave, the teahouse door was suddenly pushed open, and a traveler dressed in peculiar clothes, his face weary yet unable to hide his excitement, stumbled in.
"I just came from the East Coast and witnessed it with my own eyes..." Before he could finish speaking, he was surrounded by a crowd. Their eager gazes forced him to catch his breath and gather his thoughts to continue, "A huge whirlpool rose from the sea, and from it flew a radiant spaceship straight into the sky. Some say that Jack and his crew found some ancient technology and are heading towards the entrance to another world..."
The teahouse erupted in excitement once more, everyone speechless with shock at the news. The old man listened quietly, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He slowly stood up and said to everyone, "Whatever awaits them ahead, Jack and his companions have embarked on an unparalleled journey. Their story will be our eternal legend."
Night had fallen, and the teahouse slowly returned to tranquility. The last words of conversation were spoken softly by the proprietress: "Wherever they are, may the starlight guide them to the ends of the earth."
“The guidance of the stars is indeed a beautiful wish.” In a corner, the mysterious traveler who had been listening silently finally spoke. His voice was deep and magnetic, drawing curious glances from the people at the surrounding tables. “But beyond the stars, there is an even more vast universe. Jack and his companions’ journey may extend far beyond this world.”
"What do you mean by that?" the young apprentice leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Could it be that Jack and his companions have really found the gateway to other worlds?"
The mysterious traveler chuckled softly, shook his head, and did not answer directly: "The world is vast and full of wonders. In ancient legends, relics not only contain keys to unlock mysterious powers, but also contain secrets that transcend boundaries and connect different dimensions. If, as you say, the spaceship Jack and his companions are traveling on is a product of ancient technology, then they may have already touched upon the most forbidden knowledge in this universe."
"This...how is this possible?" The new traveler's face showed even greater awe, he could hardly believe his ears. "If this is true, wouldn't Jack and his companions become legendary explorers, traversing galaxies and seeking the unknown?"
“Yes,” the woman stopped weaving, a hint of longing in her eyes, “it sounds like the heroes in those ancient epics, challenging the impossible, just to seek truth and freedom.”
“Freedom…” The middle-aged man with round-framed glasses pondered. “This reminds me of an ancient prophecy: ‘When stars and destiny intertwine, explorers will break boundaries and lead the world to a new dawn.’ Could it be that Jack is the prophesied leader?”
Inside the teahouse, the conversation gradually became more lively. Everyone was infected by this sudden reverie, as if they themselves had become a part of this legend.
“However,” the old man’s voice rang out at the right moment, calming some of the noise, “no matter how thrilling their journey was, all we can do is protect this land, pass on their stories, and let future generations learn courage and perseverance from them.”
The little boy nodded vigorously, his face full of determination: "I will remember Jack and his friends' story, and when I grow up, I want to be an adventurer like them!"
"Haha, that's ambitious!" The young traveler patted the little boy on the back. "Remember, a true adventurer must not only be brave, but also have a gentle heart to protect all the good things in this world."
Just then, hurried footsteps approached, and a postman rushed into the teahouse, clutching a letter with slightly worn edges. "Excuse me, is this Mr. Jack's hometown? I have urgent mail that I need to deliver to him or his relatives."
The teahouse fell silent. All eyes were fixed on the letter, which seemed to carry an unknown weight.
"I...I'm Jack's cousin." The little boy timidly raised his hand, walked quickly to the postman, and took the letter. His hands trembled slightly, as if he could feel the distant and mysterious power conveyed in the letter.
"Thank you," he said softly, then turned back to the crowd and carefully opened the envelope.
The letter was short, just one sentence, yet it was so profound: "When the stars shine, do not forget the way home. — Jack."
A complex look flashed in the little boy's eyes, a mixture of pride and worry, but he finally raised his head firmly and loudly recited the words to the villagers in the room, as if conveying Jack's promise.
"No matter which world they are in, no matter what challenges they face, the legend of Jack and his companions will forever illuminate our path." The proprietress gently took over the conversation, her gaze piercing through the walls of the teahouse, as if she could see the distant stars and those brave travelers traversing the Milky Way, pursuing their own glorious future.
The night was deep, and the people in the teahouse left with their own thoughts, but their longing for the unknown and their admiration for heroes lingered like the brightest star in the night sky.
"Tomorrow will be another new day. Perhaps there will be more news about Jack and the others..." The little boy clutched the letter tightly, looked up at the starry sky, and was filled with anticipation.
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