Having said that, he was about to launch another attack. His body was tense, like a fully drawn bowstring, ready to shoot a fatal arrow at any moment.
Undeterred, the group prepared to fight again. They knew that only by defeating the enemy before them could they continue their journey toward the Prefect's Mansion and uncover the many secrets hidden behind Xunyang.
Their eyes shone with determination and resolve, like a group of fearless warriors ready to embark on a thorny journey, never retreating even if there were mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead.
Just as tensions were running high, a melodious flute tune suddenly drifted over.
The sound was ethereal and melodious, like celestial music from the heavens. It seemed to possess an invisible power that startled everyone present. The tense atmosphere was instantly broken by the flute music, as if time itself had stood still.
The black-robed men's attack was thus temporarily halted, and they looked puzzled, seemingly searching for the source of the flute music.
As the mist gradually dissipated, an old man in white robes appeared gracefully.
He held a jade flute in his hand, his face serene yet exuding a profound majesty, as if a transcendent immortal had descended to earth, radiating an aura that inspired awe.
"Please stop, everyone. Why cause unnecessary bloodshed in Xunyang?"
The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, like a gentle spring breeze caressing their hearts and easing their tension.
Chen Xiao stepped forward and respectfully asked, "May I ask who you are, senior? And why are you stopping us?"
The old man smiled slightly, looked at Chen Xiao, then at the others, and said, "I have lived in seclusion in these mountains for many years, and I cannot bear to see you fighting like this, disrupting the peace of this place. The truth you seek cannot be solved by force alone."
His voice was calm and wise, like an elder instructing a younger generation, which inspired respect.
Qian Yi's heart stirred, and he asked, "Senior, do you know the inside story of what happened in Xunyang?"
His eyes held a hint of expectation and curiosity, as if he had seen a glimmer of light in the darkness.
The old man nodded gently: "The chaos in Xunyang has far-reaching implications. The mysterious forces you encountered are just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to truly solve the problem, you need to find the root cause, rather than getting entangled with these lackeys."
His words struck like a hammer blow, making everyone realize the seriousness and complexity of the problem.
Chen Xiao was wary, but still asked respectfully, "Please enlighten us, senior, on what we should do?"
The old man raised his jade flute and pointed to a distant mountain peak: "There is an ancient cave in that mountain. If you can go and explore it, you may find something. But the journey there is full of dangers, so you must be careful."
His movements were elegant and composed, pointing everyone towards a new path.
Chao Yuan and Ye Yu exchanged a glance. Although they had doubts about the suddenly appearing old man, they had no better options at the moment and could only choose to believe him.
Ning Yuyuan and Yin Yuyao were whispering to each other, seemingly discussing how to deal with the situation.
After thinking for a moment, Qian Yi said to Chen Xiao, "Perhaps we can give it a try. It's better than blindly fighting these mysterious people here."
His tone conveyed a sense of helplessness and resolve, as if he had made the wisest choice amidst his helplessness.
Chen Xiao nodded in agreement.
After thanking the old man in white, the group headed towards the mountain peak.
Seeing this, the men in black robes tried to stop them, but the old man trapped them with the sound of his flute, rendering them unable to move. They struggled to the sound of the flute, like insects trapped in a spider web, struggling in vain, unable to break free from the invisible restraint.
On their way to the mountain peak, the group remained vigilant, their nerves taut like a fully drawn bowstring.
The road was rugged, and strange noises echoed around from time to time, like mysterious whispers, reverberating in the air and sending chills down one's spine.
As they continued along the winding mountain road, the group felt increasingly the mystery and tranquility of the place.
Ancient trees stand tall on both sides, their branches intertwined, and sunlight can only filter through the gaps to cast dappled shadows, resembling a natural ink painting, full of poetry and tranquility.
The road beneath our feet is rugged and uneven, covered with gravel and tangled tree roots, as if telling the story of the vicissitudes of time. Every stone and every tree root is like a witness to history, silently witnessing the changes of this land.
Upon reaching a steep hillside, Ning Yuyuan slipped and nearly tumbled down.
Her face turned deathly pale instantly, as white as a sheet of paper, devoid of any color.
Yin Yuyao reacted quickly, grabbing her arm and whispering, "You're being too reckless! Be careful!"
Ning Yu stuck out her tongue and said embarrassedly, "This road is really difficult to walk on. I was too busy looking at the scenery around me."
Qianyi stopped ahead and carefully observed the surrounding terrain.
He reached out his hand, sensing the faint energy fluctuations in the air, and said, "There seems to be some kind of restriction here. Everyone, do not proceed rashly."
His expression was solemn, like a cautious explorer searching for a dangerous trap, proceeding with utmost care for fear of triggering it.
Chao Yuan gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, scanning his surroundings warily: "The journey has been fraught with danger; it seems the secrets of that ancient cave are not easily obtained."
Her eyes revealed a hint of worry and determination, knowing full well that the road ahead was full of challenges.
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Xiao said, "Perhaps we can start with the surrounding environment to see if there are any clues to break the restriction."
Her tone was calm and rational, like that of a commanding general searching for a way out of a predicament.
So the group split up and searched carefully around the hillside.
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