Multiple Personalities

After a long and arduous search, Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue finally dragged their exhausted yet hopeful bodies to the bottom of the abyss. This place seemed like a corner forgotten by the world, with an eerie and terrifying aura saturating every inch of air. The surrounding rock walls were damp, with water droplets constantly dripping, making crisp yet creepy noises. The breath of death ran rampant, as if it might swallow them at any moment.

In the center of the bottom, a huge altar stood impressively. The altar was constructed from unknown black stones, covered with strange runes emitting an eerie glow. The glow flickered, sometimes bright as daylight, sometimes dim as ghostly fire, as if telling ancient and mysterious secrets.

"The last key must be hidden in this altar," Shen Jingqi's voice was deep and resolute, his eyes revealing an unquestionable determination.

Lin Yue nodded, but her eyebrows were tightly furrowed: "But there is a strong Barrier around the altar, we can't get close directly, we need to find a way to break it."

So the two began to carefully search for a way to break the Barrier around the altar. They moved cautiously, their eyes scanning everything around them without a moment's rest. Every stone, every crevice was scrutinized, as if it hid key clues to solving the puzzle.

Finally, they found some hints on an ancient stone tablet beside the altar. The text on the tablet was blurred, as if eroded by time, but with years of adventurous experience and keen observation, they could still recognize some key information with difficulty.

"According to the hints on the tablet, we need to find three mysterious gems and embed them in the three grooves of the altar to break the Barrier," Shen Jingqi said as he pointed to the pattern on the stone tablet.

Lin Yue looked at the pattern, pondering: "The three gems should be hidden at the bottom of the abyss, but it's so dangerous here, who knows where they might be hidden."

Without much hesitation, they immediately began searching for the gems at the bottom of the abyss. Not far out, a colorful cluster of flowers appeared in front of them. The flowers were stunningly beautiful, standing out in the dim environment. However, as they approached, a pungent smell assaulted them.

"Be careful, there might be something wrong with these flowers," Shen Jingqi warned, covering his mouth and nose with his hand.

Lin Yue also sensed something was amiss, her body slightly retreating. But it was too late, the flowers suddenly began to shake violently, petals opening to release a large amount of toxic gas. The gas spread like black smoke, surrounding them completely.

"This toxic gas is powerful; I'm having trouble breathing," Lin Yue's face turned pale, her voice tinged with fear.

Shen Jingqi endured the discomfort, quickly taking out two wet cloths from his backpack and handed one to Lin Yue: "Cover your mouth and nose, let's charge through."

The two tightly covered their mouths and noses, bowing their heads and rushing towards the edge of the flower cluster. The toxic gas followed them relentlessly, continually eroding their bodies. Their steps grew heavy, vision beginning to blur, but their belief supported them to keep moving forward. Finally, they burst out of the flower cluster, collapsing on the ground, gasping for air.

"Almost left our lives here," Lin Yue said with lingering fear.

Shen Jingqi patted her shoulder: "Don't relax, danger is still ahead."

After resting for a moment, they continued forward. Suddenly, a deep roar emerged from the surrounding darkness, like countless beasts stirring restlessly. Then, a group of dark creatures poured out from all directions. These creatures were indistinct in shape, lacking a fixed form, seemingly formed from darkness. Wherever they went, light was instantly swallowed, leaving only a dead silent darkness.

"What are these things?" Lin Yue shouted in horror, tightly gripping her weapon.

Shen Jingqi's eyes were resolute: "Whatever they are, we cannot let them near the altar. We'll fight back to back."

The two quickly stood back to back, warily watching the dark creatures around them. The creatures surged like a tide, Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue wielding their weapons and fighting desperately. Each attack carried their determination and courage, but the dark creatures seemed endless, continually emerging from the shadows.

"This isn't working, there are too many of them," Lin Yue shouted, sweat covering her forehead.

Shen Jingqi resisted the attacks while thinking of a strategy: "Since these dark creatures can devour light, perhaps light is their nemesis."

Suddenly remembering the torches in his backpack, he quickly took them out, lit them, and swung them at the dark creatures. The torch light illuminated a small area, and when the creatures encountered the light, they issued painful howls, their bodies beginning to disintegrate.

"It's working!" Lin Yue shouted excitedly, also taking out a torch to attack the dark creatures.

Under the torchlight, the dark creatures gradually retreated. The two breathed a sigh of relief, but their bodies were already exhausted to the extreme.

"Didn't expect such dangerous creatures," Lin Yue gasped, sitting on the ground.

Shen Jingqi wiped the sweat off his forehead: "But we can't give up, there's still one gem left to find."

After a short rest, they once again embarked on the quest for the gem. As they walked, they suddenly felt time around them become chaotic. The surrounding scenery changed rapidly at times, and froze at others, their bodies seemingly restrained by an invisible force, movements becoming sluggish.

"What's happening? Time seems strange," Lin Yue said in panic, her eyes filled with confusion.

Shen Jingqi tried to stay calm: "This should be some kind of mysterious power manipulating time, we need to find a way to escape it."

Attempting to step forward, he found his movements slowing unnaturally, as if in slow motion. Meanwhile, the scenery switched rapidly, making people's heads spin.

"At this rate, we'll be trapped here," Lin Yue said anxiously, tears glimmering in her eyes.

Shen Jingqi carefully observed the surrounding environmental changes, suddenly noticing a cyclical pattern in the time changes. He focused intently on the nodes of time changes, quickly pulling Lin Yue forward during a brief moment when time stabilized.

In the whirlpool of chaotic time, they stumbled forward, each step filled with danger. But with their tenacious will and keen observation skills, they finally discerned the pattern of time, successfully freeing themselves from the mysterious power's grip.

"Finally out, that was so dangerous," Lin Yue said with relief and fear.

Shen Jingqi patted her shoulder: "We're getting closer to the goal."

After a difficult search, they finally found the gems.

With the three gems in hand, they excitedly ran towards the altar.