第17章

“But… the Lin Xiao…” I said, feeling apprehensive.

“The Lin Xiao will try to stop you,” the voice warned. “They fear the restoration of the balance. But you are not alone. The forest is with you, and the villagers will help you.”

“Is there a time limit?”

The voice hesitated for a moment. “The darkness is spreading quickly. You must restore the heart before the Lin Xiao completely overwhelm the forest.”

I felt the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. My holiday had suddenly turned into a quest to save a mystical rain forest from creatures of darkness.

I took a deep breath and nodded. “I understand.”

“Go now, Chosen one,” the voice said. “The path is dangerous, but the fate of the forest rests on your spirit.”

The voice faded away, and the energy from the tree gradually lessened. I was left alone again in the quiet of the forest, with the wood雕 in my hand and a mission in my heart.

I looked at the wood雕. The subtle pull was still there, guiding me. It wasn’t pointing back to the village. It was pointing deeper into the rain forest.