The tree is a hundred feet tall and has lush foliage and a faint glow. Zhao Qi guessed that this tree was where the eye of the illusion array was, so he brandished his sword and rushed towards it.

A sharp sword light flashed, and the giant tree fell in response.

As the giant tree fell, so did the beasts and plants around it. Zhao Qi knew that he had successfully passed the first illusion.

However, just as he breathed a sigh of relief, the second illusion immediately appeared in front of his eyes.

This time it was a hellish world filled with mountains of swords and a sea of fire, and countless sharp blades and raging flames attacked him.

Zhao Qi gritted his teeth and brandished his sword to fight these blades and flames to the death.

He had multiple wounds on his body, and blood stained his shirt red. But he didn't give up, and he was confident that he would be able to overcome the illusion.

At his insistence, he finally found the weakness of the second illusion and successfully cracked it.

However, the third illusion was even more strange and dangerous, it turned out to be a world full of Zhao Qi's inner fear and shadow.

In this world, Zhao Qi saw the things and scenes he was most afraid of, and his soul was shocked and challenged like never before.

Zhao Qi knew that this was the greatest test of his will, and he had to overcome the fear and shadow in his heart in order to pass this illusion.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then snapped them open, swinging his sword and rushing towards the fears and shadows.

With his bravery and determination, those fears and shadows dissipated, revealing an exit to the real world.

Zhao Qi walked out of the exit with firm steps and returned to the store.

He felt as if he had undergone a baptism of rebirth, and his whole person became more mature and confident.

The sword in his hand also seemed to have established some kind of special connection with him, and the faint light on the sword seemed to announce to the world that it had a new owner.

The shopkeeper looked at Zhao Qi and nodded with satisfaction: "Congratulations on passing the trial, this sword now belongs to you." ”

Zhao Qizhen put the sword into the scabbard and bowed deeply to the shopkeeper: "Thank you seniors for your advice." ”

He knew that this trial not only gave him a sword, but also gave him a deeper knowledge and understanding of his own heart. This will be one of the most valuable treasures on his future spiritual path.

He knew that he had passed the trial of the sword and became its true master.

"Great! Brother Zhao Qi, you got this sword! Lan Lingling jumped up happily.

Yi Wuxiao also patted Zhao Qi's shoulder and said with a smile: "Congratulations, Zhao Qi!" With this sword, our strength can be improved a lot! ”

Zhao Qi didn't speak, he just quietly stared at the sword in his hand, feeling the wonderful connection between it and himself.

He knew that the sword would be his right-hand man on his future adventures.

The moment Zhao Qi stepped forward to take the sword, he suddenly felt a powerful force surging into his body. He gripped the hilt of the sword and swung it gently, and suddenly felt an invisible sword aura emanating from the sword's body, tearing apart the air around him.

At this moment, there was a sudden commotion outside the door of the store. Immediately afterward, a burly, hideous-looking man burst in, followed by several minions with weapons in hand.

"Haha, Lao Tzu is so lucky today, I actually met a few fat sheep here!"

The big man glared at the three people in the shop, and a cruel smile curled up at the corner of his mouth.

Yi Wuxiao and Lan Lingling immediately leaned together nervously, while Zhao Qi clenched the sword in his hand, ready to deal with unexpected situations at any time. He knew that the first battle of this expedition was about to begin.

Dahan didn't do it right away, he seemed to be waiting for something.

Zhao Qi didn't act rashly, he was observing the other party's movements, looking for the best time to make a move.

At this moment, a crisp voice suddenly sounded in the store: "Several guests, welcome to the shop." I wonder if you are satisfied with the treasures in the shop? ”

Everyone followed the prestige, only to see an old man walking out from behind the counter. He was wearing a green robe and holding a whisk in his hand, which looked quite fairy.

"Old thing, less nonsense!" Dahan glared at the old man, "Hurry up and hand over the most valuable treasures in your store, otherwise don't blame Lao Tzu for being polite!" ”

The old man did not show the slightest fear, he smiled slightly, and said, "Although the small shop is simple, each treasure has its own unique value and significance. Don't know what your guests want? ”

Dahan was choked by the old man's words, he glared and scanned the treasures in the shop, and finally fixed his gaze on the sword in Zhao Qi's hand.

"That sword looks good, I want it!" Dahan pointed to the sword in Zhao Qi's hand and said.

Zhao Qi sneered and clenched the sword in his hand. He knew that the battle was inevitable.

"Want this sword?" Zhao Qi raised the sword in his hand, "Then it depends on whether you have the ability to do this!" ”

As he spoke, his figure flashed, turning into a sword light and rushing towards the big man.

Dahan also showed no weakness, waving the weapon in his hand and fighting with Zhao Qi.

The sound of gold and iron suddenly sounded in the store, and the figures of the two flickered rapidly in the dim light, dazzling to see.

Yi Wuxiao and Lan Lingling were not idle, they used their specialties to play an important role in the battle.

Yi Wuxiao shuttles freely on the battlefield with her agile skills, creating some trouble for the Han from time to time; Lan Lingling, on the other hand, used the spells he was proficient in to carry out long-range attacks on Dahan, although the damage was not high, but it was enough to distract him to deal with it.

The old man didn't sit idly by, he waved the dust in his hand and walked around the battlefield, releasing some strange spells from time to time to support Zhao Qi and the others.

His spells, though unremarkable, are always able to make a difference in critical moments.

After the battle lasted for about a cup of tea, the Great Han finally showed defeat.

His movements became slower and slower, and his attacks became weaker and weaker, apparently exhausted of his stamina.

Zhao Qi grabbed a flaw and stabbed him in the chest with a sword. The big man tried to dodge, but it was too late, and he could only watch as the sword light penetrated his chest.

"You...... You actually ......" The big man stared at Zhao Qi, his face full of unwillingness and anger, but in the end he fell to the ground and lost his breath.

Zhao Qi put away his sword and turned to look at the old man: "Thank you seniors for your help." ”

He knew that without the help of the old man, this battle would probably not be so easy to end.

The old man waved his hand and said with a smile: "Young people's courage is commendable. This sword suits you well, and I hope you can treat it well. As he spoke, he waved the dust in his hand, and the light that had shrouded the sword disappeared immediately.

Zhao Qi took the sword and bowed deeply: "Thank you seniors for the sword!" He knew that this sword meant a lot to him, and with his own strength, he would be able to greatly improve it.

The old man nodded and said nothing more. He turned and walked behind the counter and disappeared into the darkness.

Zhao Qi and the others didn't stay any longer, they walked out of the store and embarked on the road of exploration again.

However, just as they were about to leave, they suddenly felt a mysterious force snooping on them. This force is powerful and hidden, and they feel very uneasy.

"Someone's coming." Zhao Qi looked grim and said in a low voice, "Everyone be careful. ”

The three of them immediately looked around vigilantly, ready for the unexpected. However, the mysterious power did not appear, as if it was just testing their strength.

"Wonder where this power comes from?" Yi Wuxiao said with a frown.

"I don't know." Zhao Qi shook his head and said with a solemn expression, "But I feel that the secrets hidden in Shadow Town are far more complicated than we imagined. ”

The three of them glanced at each other, and their hearts were full of vigilance and anticipation for the unknown.

Zhao Qi put the sword in its sheath and turned to walk out.

Yi Wuxiao and Lan Lingling followed closely behind him, and the three of them walked out of the ancient shop together and returned to the streets of Shadow Town.

The town, where the night is still thick and mysterious, seems to be deeper.

Zhao Qi looked up at the sky, his heart full of expectation and confidence for the future.

As the night darkens, Shadowtown is shrouded in a mysterious darkness. Zhao Qi, Yi Wuxiao, and Lan Lingling quietly touched the core area of the town by the faint moonlight.

Their steps were light but firm, as if searching for an important target in the darkness.

"Brother Qi, are you sure we're coming here?" Yi Wuxiao asked a little nervously, "This is the most mysterious place in Shadow Town, and it is said that ghosts often haunt at night. ”

Zhao Qi glared at him, and the corners of his mouth hooked up a mocking smile: "What, are you afraid?" Either you go back first, and Lingling and I can just go. ”

"Who said I was scared?" Yi Wuxiao immediately straightened her chest, "I'm not afraid of Yi Wuxiao!" I'm just worried about you. ”

Lan Lingling smiled softly and did not speak. She knew that the ridicule between Zhao Qi and Yi Wuxiao was a tacit understanding between them, and it was also a way to ease the tension.

They made their way through a few narrow streets to a deserted clearing.

In the middle of the clearing, stands an ancient temple. The walls of the temple are covered with mottled marks, as if they have been there for a long time. The doors of the temple are closed, revealing a mysterious and solemn atmosphere.

"This is it." Zhao Qi whispered, "This temple enshrines a hideous-looking statue, and it is said that this statue has a close connection to the secrets of Shadow Town. ”

Yi Wuxiao looked around curiously: "It looks like no one has been here for a long time, do we really want to go in?" ”

"Of course you have to go in." Zhao Qi said without hesitation, "Only by finding out the truth can we restore peace to Shadow Town." ”

They pushed open the temple gate, and a biting cold wind immediately hit them.

The interior of the temple was dim and eerie, with only a few flickering oil lamps emitting a faint glow.

On the altar in the center, there is a statue of a god with a hideous face. The idol's eyes were blazing, as if watching their every move.

Zhao Qi stepped forward and carefully observed the statue. He found that the idol seemed to hold an ancient book in his hand.

His heart moved, and he tried to get the tome. However, the moment he touched the idol, a powerful force suddenly poured out of the idol, shaking him back a few steps.

"Be careful!" Yi Wuxiao and Lan Lingling exclaimed at the same time.

Zhao Qi stabilized his figure, secretly vigilant in his heart. He knew that there must be some mysterious power hidden in this temple, and they had to deal with it carefully.

He stepped forward again, and this time he didn't touch the idol directly, but used his spiritual power to gently wrap the tome around it, and then slowly removed it from the idol's hand.

The cover of the tome has been yellowed, and it is engraved with ancient runes and patterns.

Zhao Qi cautiously turned the first page of the classic, and his eyes were immediately attracted by the contents inside.

The tome contains the history and secrets of Shadowtown, including how the Vipers used the town's mysterious powers to their advantage, as well as their relationship with the Serpents.

"It turns out that the Vipers have been secretly controlling Shadow Town." Zhao Qi said in a deep voice, "They use the mysterious power of the town to suppress the residents for personal gain. And the three snakes are just one of their pawns. ”

Yi Wuxiao and Lan Lingling both showed angry looks: "These guys are so hateful! We must uncover their plot and restore peace to Shadowtown! ”

Zhao Qi nodded: "That's right." However, we can't act rashly now, and we must first find a way to find out where the Vipers are hiding. ”

The three of them sat around and began to study the contents of the text.

As they read more, they gradually discover more about the secrets of Shadowtown and the machinations of the Vipers. Their hearts are full of determination and conviction to seek justice for the citizens of Shadow Town!

In the dark night, Zhao Qi, Yi Wuxiao and Lan Lingling sat around the mysterious temple.

The faint candlelight reflected their nervous and solemn faces, and an indescribable solemnity filled the air.

In the center of the temple, a hideous-looking statue of the god stands, its eyes as if staring into the endless void, which makes people shudder.

Zhao Qi took a deep breath and slowly opened the ancient book. As the pages turned, the smell of stale paper came to my nose.

The dense text in the classics records the history and secrets of Shadow Town, and every word seems to carry heavy years.

"It seems that we have found the key." Yi Wuxiao said softly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

Lan Lingling frowned, staring intently at the words on the tome, her lips moving slightly, as if she was silently reciting the contents.

(End of chapter)