I walk sideways in the game world

Chapter 143: Glory Sets Sail, Conquering the Unknown

The first rays of dawn pierced the mist, casting a shadow over the vast ruins. After a night of rest, the camp gradually became bustling. Ren Xiaoyao rose early, washed up quickly, and gathered Xia Lin, Master Mo, Pharmacist Li, and others to begin making plans for the upcoming expedition.

"According to the secret manual, the central area of the ruins contains enormous energy, but it also comes with extremely high risks." Ren Xiaoyao unfolded an ancient sheepskin map and pointed to an area in the center marked with a skull. "To reach there, we must pass through the misty forest before us."

"Misty Forest?" Pharmacist Li frowned. "I've seen descriptions of it in ancient books. It's said that the forest is filled with poisonous fog year-round, and is home to all sorts of ferocious beasts. There's even…" He paused, lowering his voice, "You might even encounter ancient heroic spirits guarding the ruins."

"I know this will be dangerous, but we have no choice." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes were firm. "Only by finding the core of the ruins can we unlock the secrets of this continent."

"Xiaoyao is right. We are ready, aren't we?" Xia Lin looked around at everyone, her tone full of confidence.

With her encouragement, the initially apprehensive crowd nodded in agreement. They were all partners who had experienced life and death together, and they had an unwavering trust and understanding between them.

Using the newly acquired secret manual, Xia Lin refined a pill that could resist the poisonous fog, while Pharmacist Li prepared various healing and detoxifying herbs. Ren Xiaoyao and Master Mo carefully studied the map and formations, striving to minimize the risks.

With everything ready, Ren Xiaoyao led the team into the misty forest. The thick fog obscured vision and masked the aura of danger. Everyone took every step with extreme caution, and Xia Lin unleashed her spiritual power to the utmost, constantly alert to any movement around them.

"Be careful!" Ren Xiaoyao, who was walking in front, suddenly shouted in a low voice, and at the same time, he flashed and pulled Xia Lin behind him to the side.

Almost at the same time, a dark shadow flashed past where they were standing, bringing with it a gust of fishy wind...

Almost immediately, a dark shadow flashed past where they had been standing, stirring up a gust of fishy wind. Everyone looked intently and saw a massive wolf appear before them, its scarlet eyes flashing with ferocity, its sharp fangs dripping with sticky saliva.

"It's the Shadow Demon Wolf!" Master Mo exclaimed. "It's a ferocious beast said to be able to control shadow demons, and its strength is comparable to that of a human martial saint!"

The Shadow Demon Wolf howled towards the sky, and an invisible wave spread out. The surrounding trees shook violently, and the thick fog rolled, as if coming alive, turning into countless black tentacles with bared fangs and claws, sweeping towards everyone.

"Everyone be careful!" Ren Xiaoyao shouted, and the long sword in his hand was unsheathed. The sharp sword energy turned into golden arcs of light, cutting off the attacking black tentacles.

Xia Lin took out an ancient bronze mirror, which emitted a dazzling silver light, forming a protective barrier to protect everyone.

Pharmacist Li and Master Mo also used their own methods to engage in a fierce battle with the shadow demon controlled by the Shadow Demon Wolf.

The battle was extremely fierce. The Shadow Wolf was not only powerful but also extremely cunning. It used the thick fog and the cover of the Shadow Demon to constantly change its position, waiting for an opportunity to launch an attack.

While resisting the Shadow Demon's attacks, Ren Xiaoyao observed the situation on the battlefield. He found that although the Shadow Demon Wolf was powerful, it seemed to be subject to some restrictions. Its attack range was always limited to a specific area.

"Master Mo, does this Shadow Demon Wolf have any weaknesses?" Ren Xiaoyao asked loudly while waving his sword to block the Shadow Demon's attack.

Master Mo carefully observed the Shadow Wolf while manipulating runes to resist the Shadow Demons. Upon hearing Ren Xiaoyao's question, he pondered for a moment and said, "Legend has it that the Shadow Wolf's power comes from the Shadow Demons it controls, and the Shadow Demons' range of movement is restricted by some kind of contract. If we can find this contract, perhaps we can weaken the Shadow Wolf's power."

"Contract?" Ren Xiaoyao looked around, but the thick fog obscured everything, making it impossible to find it.

"Brother Xiaoyao, look!" At this moment, Xia Lin suddenly pointed at the ground behind the Shadow Demon Wolf and said, "What is that?"

Ren Xiaoyao looked in the direction Xia Lin pointed, and saw a complex pattern vaguely emerging on the ground behind the Shadow Demon Wolf. The pattern emitted a faint black light, echoing the surrounding Shadow Demon aura.

"Could that be the contract?" Ren Xiaoyao's heart moved. He turned to look at Xia Lin, "Lin'er, can you use your spirit mirror to illuminate that pattern?"

"I'll try!" Xia Lin nodded, forming seals with her hands and manipulating the spirit mirror, shooting an even more dazzling silver light towards the ground behind the Shadow Demon Wolf...

"Awooo—" Sensing Ren Xiaoyao's intention, the Shadow Wolf roared angrily, turned around, and pounced towards Xia Lin...

"Lin'er, be careful!" Ren Xiaoyao's expression darkened, and he transformed into a flash of lightning, blocking Xia Lin's path... The Shadow Wolf's massive body, swirling with a whirlwind of blood, approached in an instant. Its sharp claws traced a black arc through the air, heading straight for Xia Lin. In the nick of time, Ren Xiaoyao swung his sword into an impenetrable golden curtain of light, abruptly blocking the Shadow Wolf's attack.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, Ren Xiaoyao was thrown back several steps, his feet plowing two deep grooves in the ground. But he stood firm and did not retreat a single step.

"Brother Xiaoyao!" Xia Lin exclaimed, her eyes full of worry.

"I'm fine!" Ren Xiaoyao smiled at her, his eyes filled with determination. "Lin'er, concentrate and illuminate that pattern!"

Xia Lin nodded heavily, took a deep breath, and poured all her spiritual power into the spiritual mirror.

"Om-"

The spirit mirror erupted with unprecedented light, illuminating the entire space like daylight. The complex pattern on the ground behind the Shadow Demon Wolf also became clear.

It was a pattern composed of countless strange symbols and lines, emitting a strange aura. Ren Xiaoyao observed it carefully, trying to find a flaw in it.

"Brother Xiaoyao, I feel it! The source of the Shadow Wolf's power lies in this pattern!" Master Mo's voice rang out beside Ren Xiaoyao's ears. "As long as we can destroy this pattern, we can weaken its power!"

"Okay!" Ren Xiaoyao didn't hesitate at all. He flashed and rushed towards the pattern behind the Shadow Demon Wolf.

The Shadow Wolf naturally wouldn't let him succeed so easily, roaring and waving its claws, repeatedly blocking Ren Xiaoyao's steps. However, Ren Xiaoyao's speed and reaction were far beyond its imagination. Every attack was cleverly dodged by him, and the distance between them and the pattern was constantly closing.

"It's now!"

Seizing an opportunity, Ren Xiaoyao leaped up and swung a sword in the air. The golden sword energy was like a flash of lightning, striking the center of the pattern.

"Ow—"

The Shadow Demon Wolf let out a shrill howl, and its huge body began to tremble violently. The thick fog around it also rolled and boiled, as if wailing.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xia Lin, Master Mo and Pharmacist Li also launched their strongest attacks against the Shadow Demon Wolf.

Under the combined attack of everyone, the Shadow Wolf finally couldn't hold on anymore, fell to the ground with a bang, and turned into a ball of black mist and dissipated.

As the Shadow Wolf disappeared, the surrounding thick fog gradually dissipated, revealing the original appearance of the ruins.

"We won!" Xia Lin jumped up excitedly and ran to Ren Xiaoyao, her eyes full of admiration.

Master Mo and Pharmacist Li also came over, with admiration on their faces.

"Brother Xiaoyao, your strength and courage are admirable," Master Mo said sincerely. "It is thanks to you that we were able to defeat the Shadow Demon Wolf this time."

"Yes, Brother Xiaoyao, you are so awesome!" Pharmacist Li also said.

Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and said modestly, "I just did what I should do. This victory belongs to all of us."

After this battle, the tacit understanding and trust between Ren Xiaoyao's team became even deeper. Their deeds also spread throughout the ruins, attracting more like-minded partners to join them.

"Brother Ren, we are willing to follow you and explore the ruins together!"

"We believe that under your leadership, we will be able to uncover the secrets of the ruins!"

……

Facing these expectant eyes, Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination.

"Alright! Let's embark on a new journey together and meet new challenges!"

The disappearance of the Shadow Wolf seemed to unveil a corner of the ruins' mystery. Warm light once again shone, dispelling the haze that enveloped the ruins and illuminating the path forward for Ren Xiaoyao's team.

"Let's go! Conquer the unknown!" Ren Xiaoyao raised the sword in his hand high, and golden light danced on the sword edge, reflecting his resolute face.

The team grew, and in addition to the original companions, more and more explorers came, following Ren Xiaoyao's footsteps and exploring every corner of the ruins. Some longed for treasure, some sought power, but many were attracted by Ren Xiaoyao's indomitable courage and fearless spirit of adventure.

They climbed over ancient mountains, traversed dangerous forests, delved into dark underground palaces, and explored secrets hidden deep within the ruins. With his keen insight and decisive action, Ren Xiaoyao always led the team to overcome dangers, overcoming challenges time and time again and reaping rich rewards.

Time passed quietly during their exploration, and Ren Xiaoyao's team's footprints covered almost the entire ruins. One day, they came to an ancient altar covered by vines.

"Brother Xiaoyao, look!" Xia Lin pointed to a stone slab in the center of the altar. The slab was intricately carved with patterns and emitted a faint glow. "Could this be the key to the core of the ruins we've been searching for?"

Ren Xiaoyao walked forward and carefully observed the patterns on the stone slab. Master Mo and Pharmacist Li also gathered around and studied it carefully.

"These patterns seem to be a kind of ancient writing." Master Mo frowned. "I once saw a similar record in an ancient book. It seems to be a rune of a teleportation array."

Teleportation array?! Ren Xiaoyao's mind moved. Could it be that this stone slab is the key to the deeper part of the ruins?

"Pharmacist Li, can you decipher these runes?" Ren Xiaoyao asked.

Pharmacist Li studied them carefully for a long time and shook his head. "These runes are too ancient. I can only make out some of them. It will take time to fully decipher them."

At this moment, Xia Lin, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly exclaimed, "I know! My family's classics record that this kind of teleportation array requires special spiritual power to activate!"

As she spoke, Xia Lin took out a crystal clear gem from her arms. This gem was the treasure that her family had guarded for generations and possessed powerful spiritual power.

Charlene embedded the gem in the groove in the center of the stone slab. Suddenly, the entire altar vibrated, the runes on the stone slab burst into dazzling light, and a huge teleportation array slowly emerged.

The teleportation array exuded an ancient and mysterious aura, as if it led to an unknown world. Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath and turned to look at his companions behind him, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Everyone, are we ready?"

"Ready!" everyone responded in unison, their voices filled with excitement and anticipation.

Ren Xiaoyao nodded, exchanged a glance with Xia Lin, and they both stepped forward simultaneously, stepping onto the ancient teleportation array...