A surging black river roared before them, its torrential currents like an enraged giant beast ready to swallow anything that dared draw near. The air was thick with a nauseating, acrid odor—a byproduct of the leaking malevolent energy from Spirit Illusion Valley—casting a grim pall over the entire riverside. Su Yao, Lin Yu, and Zhao Ya stood at the water's edge, brows furrowed in anxiety as they surveyed the impassable, churning torrent. Lin Yu knelt to examine a massive stone engraved with strange symbols, his expression one of intense focus. He traced his fingers over the markings, attempting to decipher the hidden information within the mysterious carvings.
"These symbols appear quite ancient; they seem related to some sort of archaic formation or spell," Lin Yu said after a moment of contemplation, his voice sounding low against the thunderous roar of the river.
Su Yao stepped forward, using the power of the Spirit Firmament Bead to sense the stone's resonance. Beneath her perception, a faint ripple of energy emanated from the rock, vibrating in sympathy with her bead. "I can feel energy within this stone. It might be linked to a method for crossing the river. Zhao Ya, you have a deeper understanding of runes and ancient texts; come over and see if you can make sense of this," Su Yao said, turning to her companion.
Chapter 142