The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

"We will do our best to uncover all the secrets, General." Su Mo answered firmly, with a determined light in his eyes.

While they were talking, a scout came running over with a nervous look on his face: "General, urgent intelligence! According to reports from the front line, abnormal energy fluctuations have appeared in multiple areas, which are suspected to be related to ancient ruins."

Hearing this, everyone's expression froze, and an ominous premonition filled the air. Zhao Ming clenched the bow in his hand and asked in a low voice: "Could the man in black robe be related to this?"

"It's very likely." The general nodded. "It seems that our battle has just begun."

"Then, we have no reason to hesitate." Su Mo looked at his companions, whose eyes were also burning with the fire of fighting. "No matter how difficult the road ahead is, as long as we unite as one, there will be no difficulties that we cannot overcome."

“Yes, unity is strength!” Yueyue shouted with her arms raised, her little face filled with courage and determination beyond her age.

"Okay, let's go back to the alliance and formulate the next action plan." The general gave the order decisively and turned to Su Mo and the others, "Your bravery and wisdom are our greatest reliance."

As the team set out on their return journey, the sun shone through the clouds and shone on their determined and optimistic faces. Although the road ahead was unknown, the support from their companions and passers-by made them more determined.

"What kind of adventure awaits us next?" Zhao Ming said as he walked, his tone full of curiosity and anticipation.

"No matter what, I have nothing to fear with you guys by my side." Li Zixue smiled gently, her eyes sweeping over Su Mo, Yueyue, and the mysterious shadow guard who was always following her.

Just as everyone was on their way back home with hope and anxiety about the future, a more shocking turn of events quietly occurred, breaking their brief tranquility. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the group walked on the road back to the Alliance, thinking about what had just happened, but they did not notice that the figure of the guardian following them was gradually becoming darker and deeper, as if being swallowed by an unknown force.

"Guardian, what's wrong with you?" The mysterious shadow guard who was walking at the end was the first to notice something was wrong, and his low voice was filled with a bit of alertness. The guardian stopped walking, and an indescribable black aura was entangled around him. He turned to face the crowd, and his eyes no longer had the previous kindness, but were replaced by indifference and strangeness.

“Power, I need more power.” The Guardian’s voice became hoarse and distorted, as if another personality had taken over his body. “What you got should have belonged to me.”

"This... how is it possible?" Su Mo looked at everything happening in front of him in disbelief. The guardian's sudden transformation caught him off guard.

"It seems that we are too naive." Li Zixue frowned and flipped the book of wisdom in his hand unconsciously, looking for any possible answers or solutions.

"No matter what happens, we will not let you hurt our companions!" Zhao Ming quickly assumed a fighting stance, with the arrow on the string, ready to deal with unknown threats at any time.

Yueyue tightly grasped the gem that emitted warm light, with determination written all over her face, "We believed in you, but now, we have to protect ourselves!"

The guardian sneered, and the dark energy around him became even stronger. He stretched out his hand, and the invisible force gathered into a dark energy ball, rushing straight towards Su Mo. "Test? Now is the real test!"

"Get out of the way!" The mysterious shadow guard shouted and jumped up suddenly, trying to intercept the energy ball. However, the guardian's strength was far beyond their imagination. Even he could only slow down the speed of the attack.

At the critical moment, Su Mo's potential was stimulated. He dodged the fatal blow, but was still injured by the aftermath. He staggered back with blood oozing from the corners of his mouth.

"You are no longer our guardian!" Zhao Ming roared and shot arrows continuously, but they were all easily resolved by the guardian. The dark force seemed to have the ability to devour all light.

"You ignorant children, this world is much more complicated than you can imagine." The guardian approached step by step, and the atmosphere around them became extremely depressing.

At this critical moment, noisy footsteps were suddenly heard all around, and the alliance’s reinforcements arrived!

"What happened?" A middle-aged general who looked like a team leader rushed to the front and was shocked when he saw the scene in front of him.

Passersby and soldiers exclaimed:

"The Guardians attacked them?! What's going on?"

"They clearly have the Guardian's approval, why is this happening?"

"What else in this world is trustworthy..."

"Everyone, don't panic!" The general quickly calmed down and commanded the team, "Surround the guardian, but don't act rashly!"

Faced with the sudden reinforcements, the guardian seemed to be afraid. The black air retracted and his figure became blurred again. He whispered, "I'll let you go this time, but our game has just begun." After he finished speaking, he turned into a black shadow and disappeared from everyone's sight.

Su Mo and his group were quickly sent to the medical room. On the way, they heard passers-by talking:
"What did they go through? It looks so tragic."

"Su Mo and the others are our heroes, how could they..."

"Did the guardian really betray me? This is really shocking."

In the medical room, Su Mo and the others were out of danger after simple treatment, but the shock and confusion in their hearts had not subsided.

"Why is all this happening?" Yueyue's voice was choked with sobs. She couldn't accept this series of sudden changes.

"What we once thought was light might just be an illusion hidden behind the darkness." Li Zixue slowly closed the Book of Wisdom with a deep look in his eyes.

"No matter what, we can't give up. We do this to protect each other and for the truth of this world." Su Mo said firmly, his eyes moving among the crowd, looking for resonance.

"Yes, the guardian's betrayal reminds us that the real test has just begun." Zhao Ming clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

The room was silent except for the sound of breathing. Suddenly, the mysterious shadow guard spoke, breaking the silence: "Behind the darkness, there are often bigger secrets. We must unite, expose all this, and find the true light."

"That's right," Su Mo nodded, and turned to look out the window at the gradually sinking night. "No matter how bumpy the road ahead is, as long as we fight side by side, there will be no obstacles that we can't overcome."

"Yes," Li Zixue said, the Book of Wisdom glowing gently in her hands. "Knowledge is power. We should not only look for answers, but also learn to use this power."

"And I," the mysterious shadow guard said in a cold and firm voice, "will be your strongest shield and will not let any shadow touch our light."

Yueyue wiped away the tears from her eyes and clenched her fists: "I want to become stronger and protect the dreams and hopes of all of us!"

The four people exchanged glances, conveying trust and determination without words. Outside the door, although the members of the alliance did not know the details of the house, the unyielding will was enough to make them feel awe.

"They are the ones who always shine the brightest in desperate situations." A young soldier whispered to his companion beside him, his tone full of admiration.

"Yes, Su Mo and the others are our beliefs." Another person echoed, following the busy figures of the medical staff coming in and out.

Just as everyone was immersed in their own thoughts, an old man in a white robe quietly walked into the room. He had silver hair, a kind face, and his eyes sparkled with the wisdom of seeing through the world. The old man gently walked to Su Mo's bed, stretched out his wrinkled hand, and patted Su Mo's shoulder: "Children, true trials are often accompanied by pain and doubt, but it is these experiences that forge the soul of a hero."

Su Mo sat up straight. Although he was weak, his eyes were very firm. "Master, you are right. We will find the answer and reveal the truth of all this."

"Remember," the old man looked around and fixed his eyes on everyone, "On the road to seeking the truth, it is crucial to keep your heart pure and kind. Sometimes, the most powerful weapon is not force, but the human heart."

After saying that, the old man slowly left the room, leaving the four young men in deep thought. As the night deepened, the stars twinkled, as if silently witnessing this epic that had not yet ended.

"So, what should we do next?" Zhao Ming broke the silence, his tone full of urgency.

"We must first understand the origin of this gem and why it attracts the guardian's greed." Li Zixue suggested, the Book of Wisdom slightly opened in her hands, as if guiding the direction.

"At the same time, we have to improve our abilities and prepare for the upcoming battle." Su Mo continued, with a strategy forming in his eyes.

"Also, regarding the guardian's rebellion, we must find out the reasons behind it. Perhaps we can find the key to solving the problem." The mysterious shadow guard's voice was low, but every word was powerful.

“Well, we have to face it together. There is nothing we can’t solve!” Yueyue interrupted, her small body revealing great courage and determination.

"Yes, we are a team. No matter what the road ahead holds, we must hold hands and keep our hearts connected." Su Mo smiled. This sentence was both an encouragement and a promise.

At this point in the conversation, their hearts were more closely connected. They were no longer afraid of unknown challenges, but instead were filled with a desire to explore.

"Then, starting tomorrow, we will split up." Su Mo made the final decision, his tone firm, "Zhao Ming and I will investigate the guardian's clues, Li Zixue will be responsible for studying the gems, Yueyue and the shadow guards will be more vigilant to ensure our safety."

"It's settled." The four of them said in unison, their voices full of firmness and determination.

As the plan was finalized, the night was deep, and although the four were physically exhausted, they were more excited than ever before. They knew that although the road ahead was full of thorns, it was the only way to the truth.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the mist and illuminated the square of the alliance, Su Mo and his party were already ready to go. The members of the alliance cast admiring glances at them, and the soldiers and citizens passing by could not help but whisper to each other:
"Look, that's Su Mo and the others. I heard that last night..." "Yes, the guardians actually rebelled. It's unbelievable!" "But they are still so brave. I really hope I can be a hero like them."

Su Mo turned around, smiled at the gazes, and then turned to Zhao Ming: "Let's go, time waits for no one."

"Wait, Su Mo." Yueyue suddenly stepped forward and handed him the warm gem. "Take this with you. If anything goes wrong, it might help you."

Su Mo took the gem and felt the power contained in it. A warm current surged in his heart: "Thank you, Yueyue. We will be careful."

Li Zixue stood aside, and the Book of Wisdom closed gently: "I will find out the secret of the gem as soon as possible, and you also have to be careful."

The mysterious shadow guard nodded without saying much, but his determined eyes told it all—he would protect them until the last moment.

Two people work in a group, each doing their own job. Su Mo and Zhao Ming go deep into the city, from the common people to the hidden second-hand bookstores, trying to dig up clues about the guardian's past. Wherever they go, they always cause a big sensation. Passersby are either surprised or curious, and they talk about it:
"Are they really investigating the Guardian?" "Looking at their momentum, they must have discovered some important clues!" "I wish I could go on an adventure with them."

Li Zixue was in the Alliance's research room, devoting herself to the study of gemstones. From time to time, scholars from the Alliance would come to inquire about the progress or discuss with her:
"The origin of this gem is indeed suspicious, Zixue, what do you think?" "I am trying to decipher the ancient inscription on it, and I believe there will be a breakthrough soon."

Yueyue and the mysterious shadow guard were patrolling around the alliance. Although few people saw them, their calmness and vigilance made passers-by feel at ease:

"That's Yueyue and the shadow warrior, right? With them around, the alliance will be safe." "Yeah, I've been worried since I heard about what happened last night... but I feel much better now."

As the sun sets, a day of investigation and research comes to an end. The four reunite to share their findings. Su Mo and Zhao Ming bring back some clues about the Guardian's past, Li Zixue makes initial progress in her research on gems, and Yueyue and Shadow Guard report that the surroundings are safe.

"We discovered that the guardian had an abnormal desire for a certain power a long time ago." Zhao Ming said, spreading the collected information on the table.

"And this gem is very likely related to that source of power." Li Zixue added, the book of wisdom slowly opened, and the pages of ancient totems seemed to tell unknown secrets.

"We need to find the source of that power so that we can completely uncover the true identity of the guardian." Su Mo said after thinking for a moment.

"But we must also be prepared," the mysterious shadow guard made a rare suggestion, "that power may be extremely dangerous." (End of this chapter)