Chapter 204: Exploration Journey, Unexpected Gains

After Qin Feng and Wang Hao reunited, they learned that a mysterious force was rising on the continent, which aroused their high vigilance. Although they had just finished a fierce competition, they realized that the real challenge had just begun. Therefore, Qin Feng decided to embark on a journey of exploration with Wang Hao to uncover the truth hidden in the darkness.

In the early morning, Qin Feng stood on the high platform of the academy, looking at the mountains in the distance. The sunlight shone on him, making him feel a warm power.

"Brother Feng, did you not sleep well last night?" Chu Tian walked forward and asked with concern when he saw Qin Feng's slightly tired expression.

"I was thinking about the next action last night." Qin Feng sighed softly, "This matter may be more complicated than we thought."

"Are you talking about that mysterious power?" Ye Li also came over with a trace of worry on her face, "Should we really investigate?"

"That's right." Qin Feng nodded. "The activities of the Dark Sect are already enough to give us a headache. If we add this unknown force, we must be prepared in advance."

"Brother Feng, don't worry. No matter what the enemy is, we are not afraid!" Zhang Meng strode over and patted Qin Feng on the shoulder. "With you here, we can definitely handle it!"

"Is everyone ready?" Wang Hao's voice came from a distance. He was in high spirits and obviously ready to set off.

"Of course!" Chu Tian said with a smile, "I'm waiting for you, Iron Fist King!"

Wang Hao walked forward with a big laugh and patted Chu Tian on the shoulder: "Boy, you are still so cunning."

"Hehe, I'm used to it." Chu Tian scratched his head, "But I have to go with you to see the fun."

"Don't worry, you'll be indispensable this time." Qin Feng said with a smile, "We may encounter a lot of trouble in this operation, but it's also a good opportunity to exercise."

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Zhang Meng waved his fist excitedly, "I can't wait!"

After several days of trekking, the group finally arrived at the destination Wang Hao mentioned - a mysterious forest. This forest is located on the edge of the continent and is shrouded in thick fog all year round. Few people dare to set foot in it.

"This place looks really unusual." Chu Tian frowned and looked around, "Why does it feel a bit eerie?"

"Indeed, the atmosphere here is very strange." Ye Li said softly, "And the spiritual energy fluctuations around are also very unstable, as if there is some powerful force suppressing it."

"Everyone, be careful." Qin Feng said vigilantly, "This kind of place may hide a lot of dangers. We must be prepared to deal with it at any time."

"Brother Feng, do we have to split up this time?" Zhang Meng asked, "The forest is so big, I don't know how long it will take us to search with just a few of us."

"I agree." Wang Hao nodded and said, "Separate actions can improve efficiency, but we must keep in touch. If there is any abnormality, we will reunite immediately."

"Okay, then we will split up into groups of two and investigate separately." Qin Feng decided decisively, "Wang Hao and I will be in one group, Ye Li and Zhang Meng will be in another group, Chu Tian, ​​you will be responsible for investigating the periphery and provide support at any time."

"Understood!" Everyone responded in unison, then quickly separated and began searching in the forest.

Qin Feng and Wang Hao walked cautiously in the forest. The trees around them were tall and dense, almost blocking out the sun, making people feel a little depressed.

"Brother Feng, do you feel that there seems to be something wrong with this forest?" Wang Hao said in a low voice as he walked.

"It's indeed a bit weird." Qin Feng nodded, "The trees here look like they have been transformed by some kind of power, and they exude an unusual aura."

"Yes, and this fog seems to be consciously blocking our progress." Wang Hao frowned, "We have circled several times, but we still can't get out of this area."

"This may be some kind of formation." Qin Feng pondered for a moment, "It seems that we have to find the core of the formation to break through this fog."

At this moment, Qin Feng suddenly felt a strong fluctuation of spiritual power coming from the front. He immediately stopped and signaled Wang Hao to stay alert.

"There's something going on ahead." Qin Feng whispered, "Let's go over and take a look carefully."

The two of them moved quickly in the direction of the spiritual power fluctuations, and soon they came to an open space. In the center of the open space stood a huge stone tablet, which was engraved with complex runes. It was the core of the formation.

"That's it!" Wang Hao's eyes lit up, "As long as this stone tablet is destroyed, the formation will become ineffective."

"Don't worry, there may be traps." Qin Feng reminded, "We have to check carefully first."

However, just as they were about to explore further, the stone tablet suddenly emitted a low humming sound, and the air around it began to vibrate violently. Then a powerful force surged out from all around the stone tablet, forming a huge spiritual barrier that trapped the two of them.

"Oh no, it's a trap!" Wang Hao was shocked and immediately took a defensive stance.

"Calm down, we still have a way." Qin Feng said in a deep voice, "This barrier is made of spiritual power. As long as we can find its weak point, we can break it."

"Let me try!" Wang Hao shouted, and he punched the spiritual barrier with both fists. However, as soon as his fists touched the barrier, they were knocked back by the strong rebound force.

"This thing is really hard!" Wang Hao gritted his teeth and said, "It seems that I need to use some skills."

"Let me try." Qin Feng said calmly, and the Dragon Shadow Sword in his hand slowly came out of its sheath, with a faint blue light appearing on the blade.

He carefully sensed the spiritual power fluctuations of the barrier, then concentrated the spiritual power on the tip of the sword and stabbed it suddenly, pointing directly at a weak point in the barrier.

"Boom!" With a loud bang, a small crack appeared in the spiritual barrier, and then the crack quickly expanded and the entire barrier began to collapse.

"Success!" Wang Hao said excitedly.

"Let's go!" Qin Feng said decisively, "We shouldn't stay here for long. Once the formation is broken, it may cause other changes."

The two quickly evacuated the clearing and returned to the forest. However, just as they were about to move forward, they suddenly heard Ye Li's voice from a distance: "Brother Feng, come quickly! We found a strange cave!"

Qin Feng and Wang Hao quickly rushed to where Ye Li and Zhang Meng were. They found a cave hidden deep in the dense forest. The entrance of the cave was covered with vines and looked very hidden.

"This cave seems to have been opened not long ago." Ye Li said, she gently stroked the rock wall at the entrance of the cave, "There is a strong fluctuation of spiritual power here, it seems that some powerful power has awakened here."

"Let's go in and take a look." Qin Feng gave the order decisively, and several people walked into the cave cautiously.

The interior of the cave is spacious and deep. The surrounding rock walls are engraved with ancient runes. A low humming sound can be heard faintly from the depths of the cave.

"This sound... seems to be some kind of seal." Wang Hao said in a low voice. He clenched his fists, obviously feeling the unusual power.

"We have to be careful." Qin Feng warned, "There may be something dangerous hidden here."

The group continued to go deeper, and soon they came to a huge underground space. In the center of the space, there was an ancient altar, and above the altar was suspended a black crystal that emitted strong spiritual power fluctuations.

"What is that?" Zhang Meng's eyes widened. "It feels a bit weird."

"This should be the core of some kind of seal." Qin Feng analyzed calmly, "The Dark Cult is likely here for this crystal."

"Should we destroy it?" Ye Li asked, "This thing doesn't look right."

"No." Qin Feng shook his head, "We don't know the origin of this crystal. Destroying it rashly may cause a greater crisis."

"Then what should we do?" Wang Hao asked, "We can't just leave it alone."

"Let me try to explore it first." Qin Feng walked forward and stretched out his hand to touch the black crystal. In an instant, a strong spiritual power surged into his body, causing him to frown.

"This power... seems to be conveying some information." Qin Feng closed his eyes and carefully sensed the fluctuations of spiritual power in the crystal.

"Brother Feng, are you okay?" Chu Tian asked with a worried look on his face.

"I'm fine." Qin Feng opened his eyes, his face solemn, "This crystal seems to be the carrier of some powerful force, and it is trying to communicate with me."

"Communication?" Ye Li asked in surprise, "Then what exactly does it want to tell you?"

"This power comes from an ancient era. It once protected this continent, but now it is weakening." Qin Feng said slowly, "The goal of the Dark Cult may be to use this power to achieve their goals."

"Then what should we do?" Wang Hao asked nervously, "We can't let the Dark Cult succeed!"

"We can't let them get this crystal." Qin Feng said decisively, "We have to find a way to seal the crystal, or bring it back to the academy and hand it over to the vice president for processing."

"Okay, let's get started." Ye Li nodded in agreement.

Several people began to work together to set up a sealing formation, using the ancient runes in the cave to temporarily seal the black crystal. Although this was only a stopgap measure, it could at least delay the actions of the Dark Cult.

"Okay, the seal is temporarily completed." Qin Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.

"What should we do next?" Chu Tian asked.

"We have to hurry back to the academy and report the situation here to the vice president." Qin Feng decided decisively, "This crystal matter is very serious, we must deal with it as soon as possible."

"Let's go, don't let the Dark Sect get ahead of us!" Wang Hao said loudly, and several people quickly left the cave and prepared to return to the academy.

However, just as they were about to leave the forest, they suddenly felt a strong spiritual power wave coming from behind. Qin Feng immediately stopped and looked back, only to see a black figure approaching rapidly from the depths of the forest.

"Who is this guy?" Zhang Meng asked with a frown.

"People from the Dark Sect, it seems they have discovered our actions." Qin Feng said coldly, slowly unsheathing the Dragon Shadow Sword, ready for battle.

"Do you think you can stop us by sealing the crystal?" The black figure's voice was cold and sinister. "Your actions have completely angered me."

"Who are you?" Wang Hao asked loudly, "Tell me your name!"

"I am the third elder of the Dark Cult, and I am responsible for dealing with people like you who don't know how to live or die." The black figure sneered, "Today, none of you can leave."

"Looks like we have to fight." Qin Feng's eyes focused, and the Dragon Shadow Sword flashed with cold light, "Everyone be careful, this guy is not easy to deal with."

"Brother Feng, come on!" Zhang Meng shouted, with powerful strength gathered in his fist.

The battle is about to begin, and Qin Feng and his companions will face new challenges. In this mysterious forest, they must not only face powerful enemies, but also protect the black crystal that determines the fate of the continent.