第22章

Scattered around the stone sculpture were the 林魈.

They were standing still, almost like statues, their black,扭曲 bodies blended with the shadows. But I could see their eyes, reflecting the faint ambient light like pinpricks of malice.

There were dozens of them. Maybe more.

My breath hitched in my throat. I was completely surrounded.

I took a tentative step forward, towards the stone sculpture.

The moment I moved, all the 林魈 turned their ‘heads’ towards me. Their movements were jerky, unnatural, like puppets on invisible strings.

A low, guttural sound emanated from them, a chorus of clicks and soft, wet rustling. The air filled with that sickeningly sweet smell, more potent now.

I froze. My instinct screamed at me to run, to turn back and flee this place.

But the wood雕 in my hand pulsed urgently, drawing me towards the stone sculpture.

I remembered the Lim Ling's words: "You must find the remaining pieces... before the Lin Xiao completely overwhelm the forest."

This was a test. A challenge.

My hands were shaking, but I forced myself to take another step forward.