The morning mist had not yet cleared when Lu Chen followed Brook into the vast, boundless forest. Towering trees blotted out the sky, and sunlight filtered only through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow on the ground.
"Mr. Brook, where are we going?" Lu Chen hurried to keep up with Brook's pace and asked curiously.
Brook did not look back, merely saying in a muffled voice, "You'll see when we get there."
Along the way, Brook remained reticent, focusing intently on leading the way ahead. Although filled with doubts, Lu Chen had no choice but to patiently follow behind.
After walking for about an hour, Brook stopped in front of a giant redwood tree. Pointing to an inconspicuous mark on the trunk, he said to Lu Chen, "See this mark? It's our tribe's symbol; only our people know what it means."
Looking closely, Lu Chen saw that the mark was painted with a special pigment in a very complex pattern, resembling some kind of ancient totem.
"Follow me," Brook said, walking around to the back of the redwood tree and parting the dense bushes to reveal a hidden path.
Following Brook onto the path, Lu Chen found that it meandered and wound deep into the forest.
"This path is our tribe's secret, known to only a few," Brook explained as they walked. "Many precious herbs and fruits grow here. This is our treasure trove."
Only then did Lu Chen understand why Brook had brought him here. Looking around, he saw that this place was indeed different from the outer forest. All sorts of exotic flowers and rare plants bloomed in competition, and the air was filled with unique fragrances that refreshed the spirit.
Brook led Lu Chen through the forest, introducing the names, properties, and harvesting methods of various plants along the way. Lu Chen listened very attentively, knowing this knowledge would be invaluable to him.
"This herb is called Purple Gold Vine, and it's used to treat external injuries and stop bleeding," Brook said, pointing to a vine-like plant. "Crushing its leaves and applying them to a wound stops bleeding and reduces swelling very quickly."
Lu Chen nodded, committing Brook's words firmly to memory.
Continuing onward, they arrived at a clearing filled with small white flowers.
"These flowers are called Snow Ganoderma, a very precious medicinal ingredient used to refine medicinal pills," Brook said, pointing to the small white blossoms. "However, Snow Ganoderma has extremely harsh growing conditions and can only thrive where spiritual energy is abundant."
Gazing at the snow-white flowers, Lu Chen felt a surge of curiosity. It was his first time hearing about medicinal pills, and he wondered what kind of magical properties they possessed.
Seeming to sense Lu Chen's confusion, Brook smiled and said, "Medicinal pills are a unique kind of magical medicine in our world, used to enhance cultivation, cure illnesses, and even prolong life."
Lu Chen was dumbfounded; he never imagined such magical things existed in this world.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Brook said, looking up at the sky. "We should head back."
Although Lu Chen still felt a bit unsatisfied, he knew better than to be greedy. He followed Brook back the way they came, his heart full of anticipation. He believed that with Brook's help, he would surely survive in this world and find a way back home.
By the time they returned to the village, it was already dusk. Brook did not say much, simply patting Lu Chen on the shoulder before turning and leaving. Looking at Brook's retreating figure, a warm current surged in Lu Chen's heart. He knew he had found someone he could trust in this unfamiliar world. And the secret deep within the forest was like a new door slowly opening before him...
On this day, Lu Chen ventured deeper into the forest than usual. A strange energy seemed to draw him toward a secluded area sheltered by ancient trees and overgrown vines. Pushing aside a curtain of hanging moss, he stumbled upon a clearing dominated by a massive, moss-covered stone slab. Its surface was adorned with complex carvings weathered by time, hinting at a forgotten history.
Lu Chen cautiously approached the stone slab. The carvings were unfamiliar yet strangely captivating, depicting bizarre creatures and symbols he had never seen before. As he traced his fingers along the lines, trying to decipher their meaning, a faint hum emanated from the slab. The air around him crackled with an invisible energy.
He realized this was no ordinary stone. It was some kind of relic, a remnant of a forgotten era. What secrets did it conceal? What mysteries lay hidden beneath its mossy exterior? A surge of excitement, mingled with a healthy dose of fear, stirred within his heart. This relic could well be the key to understanding this world and finding his way home...
Just as he prepared to explore further, a sudden, urgent birdcall echoed from afar. Lu Chen's heart tightened—this was the danger signal Brook had taught him! Instantly alert, he carefully identified the direction of the birdcall, which seemed to come from... the direction of the town where Cana was!
Could something have happened in the town? With no time to overthink, Lu Chen immediately set off, sprinting toward the town. The secret of the ancient ruins would simply have to wait... Just as Lu Chen prepared to investigate further, the communication crystal hanging at his waist suddenly flashed with an urgent red light. Cana had given it to him before he left, telling him it was only to be used in emergencies.
His heart tightened, and a sense of unease spread rapidly. Unable to dwell on the secrets of the stone slab any longer, Lu Chen quickly crushed the crystal, and Cana's anxious voice immediately sounded in his ear: "Lu Chen, where are you? Come back quickly! Something has happened in the town!"
Cana's voice came in snatches, mixed with panic and chaotic background noise, sounding as though something was crashing against walls. Lu Chen's heart leaped into his throat. "Cana, what happened? Calm down and tell me slowly!"
"I... I don't know. Suddenly, all the animals in town went wild, running amok everywhere and attacking people! Everyone is hiding now, and I can't reach anyone else on the communication crystal. Please come back!" Cana's voice carried a sob; she was clearly terrified.
Lu Chen took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Cana, listen to me. I'm heading back right now. Find a safe place to hide, stay inside, and wait for me!"
Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and sprinted back the way he had come. Dense branches whipped relentlessly across his cheeks, but he paid them no mind, his mind fixed on a single thought: get back to the town as fast as possible!
Along the way, he noticed the atmosphere in the forest was indeed abnormal. Normally docile herbivores fled in blind panic, and even the birds in the trees let out shrill cries, as if foreshadowing something terrible about to happen.
The sense of unease grew stronger, and Lu Chen's pace quickened. He did not know what had happened in the town, but he knew that Cana and the other residents were in danger, and he had to get back as quickly as possible!
Finally, after running for nearly an hour, he caught sight of the town's outline. However, the scene before him made him freeze: the once-bustling streets were now empty, doors and windows were tightly shut, and an eerie silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional distant roar of an animal that sent chills down his spine.
An ominous premonition washed over him. Lu Chen quickened his pace further, gripping the dagger in his hand as he vigilantly surveyed his surroundings, his heart filled with questions: What on earth had happened to turn this once peaceful and serene town into what it was now?