As time ticked by, the room gradually fell silent. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue, exhausted from a day of rushing around, quickly drifted into dreamland.

The Totem People softly pushed open the door and tiptoed inside. Their footsteps were so light that they barely made a sound. However, just as they were about to approach Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue, Shen Jingqi suddenly opened his eyes. A hint of alertness flickered in his gaze, and he swiftly drew his sword, shielding Lin Yue.

"Who are you? Why are you following us?" Shen Jingqi asked loudly, his voice echoing in the quiet room.

Realizing they had been discovered, the Totem People stopped pretending. The leader of the Totem People sneered and said, "Hand over the Jade Pendant and the Divine Artifact, and perhaps we'll spare your lives."

Lin Yue also woke up, looking at the Totem People in terror, instinctively clutching the corner of Shen Jingqi's clothes.

"Don't even think about it. These items are important to us, and we won't give them up easily." Shen Jingqi said firmly, his eyes exuding a fearless light.

"Then don't blame us for being rude." The leader of the Totem People gestured, and the Totem People behind him immediately charged toward Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue.

A fierce battle unfolded inside the house. Shen Jingqi wielded his sword, its shadow flashing, clashing with the Totem People's weapons, producing crisp sounds. Lin Yue was not to be outdone; she wielded her whip, which moved like a nimble serpent, lashing toward the Totem People.

However, the Totem People were numerous and skilled in combat. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue gradually felt overwhelmed, wounds began to appear on their bodies, and their clothes were stained with blood.

While fending off the Totem People's attacks, Shen Jingqi observed the surroundings. He noticed there was a window at the back of the house, which might be an escape route.

"Let's go through the window," Shen Jingqi said loudly, then rushed toward the window.

They fought and moved closer to the window, and the Totem People seemed to sense their intent, intensifying their attacks. Just as they were about to reach the window, a Totem Person suddenly charged from the side, slashing at Shen Jingqi's back. Shen Jingqi sensed the wind behind him and quickly dodged, but his arm was still cut by the blade.

"Jingqi!" Lin Yue cried out in alarm, her heart tightening, and she swung her whip even more fiercely.

Finally, they reached the window. Shen Jingqi pushed the window open with force and then pulled Lin Yue through it. As soon as they landed, they immediately ran toward the outskirts of the village.

The Totem People pursued relentlessly, their footsteps echoing loudly in the silent night. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue ran desperately, with only one thought in their minds: to shake off these Totem People.

They had no idea how long they had run, but they arrived at a riverbank. The river roared with turbulent waters. Across the river lay a dense forest, which might offer them refuge.

"We need to cross the river," Lin Yue declared, her eyes filled with determined resolve.

Shen Jingqi nodded, and they began searching for a way to cross the river. However, there were no boats around, only some logs floating on the water.

"It seems we have no choice but to use these logs to cross," Shen Jingqi said, then he and Lin Yue began pushing the logs into the water and carefully climbed on.

They paddled with their hands, the logs wobbling in the rushing river. The Totem People reached the riverbank and watched them struggle in the water. The leader of the Totem People said viciously, "Don't let them escape; get in the water and follow them."

Several Totem People jumped into the water, swimming toward Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue. The current was strong, and they struggled to swim. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue paddled the logs while keeping a cautious eye on the Totem People behind them.

Just as the Totem People were about to catch up with them, suddenly, a massive whirlpool appeared in the river. The whirlpool sucked the Totem People in, and they let out screams of terror.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue watched in amazement, filled with doubt. The whirlpool seemed like an invisible monster, swallowing the Totem People without a trace.

"What's going on? Could it be that the heavens are aiding us?" Lin Yue exclaimed in surprise, her eyes full of disbelief.

Shen Jingqi frowned and said, "Perhaps the river is somehow connected to the Jade Pendant and the Divine Artifact."

Seizing the opportunity, they sped up their paddling, finally reaching the opposite bank. They climbed ashore and plunged into the forest.

The forest was filled with a mysterious atmosphere, the trees tall and dense, blocking out the sky. They cautiously walked through the forest, wary of any danger lurking ahead.

"What should we do now?" Lin Yue asked, her voice tinged with exhaustion and confusion.

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Jingqi replied, "Let's find a safe place to rest first, and then figure out the secret of the Jade Pendant and the Divine Artifact. Perhaps we might find some clues in this forest."

They continued walking through the forest when suddenly, they heard a strange sound.

The sound resembled someone sobbing in a dark corner, filled with endless sorrow and despair. It also sounded like a beast hidden in the shadows, roaring with ferocity and menace. The two vastly different qualities intertwined, making one's skin crawl, each hair standing on end.

"Jingqi, did you hear that? What is that sound?" Lin Yue asked in terror, her body pressed tightly against Shen Jingqi.

Shen Jingqi nodded and said, "I heard it. Be careful, let's go have a look."

They walked in the direction of the sound, which grew clearer.

Lin Yue's breathing became rapid, her body trembling slightly, and her steps involuntarily slowed down.

"I'm a bit scared. Maybe we should turn back," Lin Yue whispered, her eyes full of fear and hesitation, as if there was an endless abyss before her, one step would mean no return.

Shen Jingqi stopped and turned to look at Lin Yue, his eyes full of warmth and encouragement.

Lin Yue bit her lip, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

They resumed their steps, heading toward the source of the sound. The surrounding air seemed to grow heavier, filled with a suffocating atmosphere. Suddenly, a cold wind blew, rustling the leaves, as if countless hands were clapping, welcoming them into this unknown realm. Lin Yue couldn't help but shiver, hugging her arms tightly.

Finally, they reached a relatively open area. There was a small clearing, surrounded by several giant ancient trees, and beyond that, dense grass was everywhere.

When they parted a patch of grass, what they saw left them stunned.

Before them was an object emitting a faint glow, the light flickering as if about to go out at any moment. And that strange sound came from this object, like a trapped soul moaning in agony.

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