The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

Chapter 704 Blacksmith

At this time, in front of the blacksmith shop in the town, Zhou Huabing and Zhou Huading were checking their equipment, preparing to embark on the journey. Blacksmith Lao Li was hammering on the red-hot steel, sparks flying, and his voice was rough and powerful: "Children, remember, the best defense is not just armor, but the tenacity in your heart. I am here, waiting for the news of your triumphant return."

With Lao Li's blessing, the group gathered. Their equipment was brand new, and their expressions were solemn but revealed unquestionable determination. The residents of the town came out to see them off. Children waved their hands, women had tears in their eyes, and men expressed silent support with solemn expressions.

"Goodbye, warriors!" A loud voice rang out among the crowd. It was the old man from before. "Please carry our hope and move forward bravely."

Su Mo looked at the crowd and bowed deeply. "Thank you everyone, we will bring back our victory with the light of Bailing." His words were like a spring breeze, warm and inspiring.

Just as the team was about to set off, a breeze blew by, carrying some strange rhythm. It was the unfinished melody of the lark, floating softly in everyone's ears, giving them invisible strength.

Irving suddenly stopped and closed his eyes, as if listening to something. "Listen, it's the lark's song. She's telling us that even if we're separated by two places, the resonance of our hearts will never be severed."

Zhou Huayi lightly touched the hilt of the sword, a confident smile on his face: "Then, let us take this power and challenge the unknown darkness together with Bailing."

The team set out again. In the morning light, their figures gradually faded away, but they left a deep impression in everyone's heart. This journey is not only a battle against darkness, but also a journey of finding oneself and discovering hope.

After they left, a legend spread in the town - a group of people chosen by the light, with an undying faith, embarked on the road of pursuing light and justice. People began to tell their stories, children dreamed of becoming such heroes, and the elderly told their stories under the starlight, as if they could see the future illuminated by light.

"They will come back," the old man whispered to the starry sky as he sat alone at the entrance of the town as night fell, "because they have light in their hearts, and the world will eventually become different because of them."

Just as the town was immersed in the expectations and praises of the messenger of light, the night quietly deepened, the stars dotted the deep night sky, and an unknown undercurrent lurked in the silence.

Su Mo walked alone on the way back to the hotel, the old man's parting words echoed in his mind, and an indescribable warmth surged in his heart. However, this peace did not last long. A sudden cold wind made his heart tighten suddenly, and there seemed to be a hint of ominous breath in the air.

"Su Mo, your journey is far from over." A low and familiar voice sounded in the night. Su Mo turned around abruptly and saw that the kind-looking old man had a cold face now, with a faint green light flashing in his eyes, like an abyss that was bottomless.

"You..." Su Mo was shocked, but also in disbelief. This old man who gave them blessings and encouragement in the sunshine was actually a big devil hiding in the dark?

"Yes, it's me." The old man, or rather, the devil disguised as an old man, sneered, and the aura around him suddenly surged. His originally gentle appearance was like a faded painted skin, revealing his true face - a strong man wearing a black robe and emitting evil aura. "I have been observing you in this town, Su Mo. You and your friends do have the potential to make people look at you with admiration. But I must tell you that light and darkness are never something you can define."

Before he finished speaking, the demon's body flashed, and in an instant he was close to Su Mo, with a speed that was astonishing. Although Su Mo was prepared, he was still caught off guard by this sudden attack. He felt a tightness in his chest, a mouthful of blood spurted out, and his body flew backwards like a kite with a broken string, and fell heavily to the ground.

"Why..." Su Mo struggled to get up, but his injuries were serious and he could only barely support half of his body. There was confusion and anger in his eyes.

"Why?" The demon sneered, "For power, to control the laws of this world. Bailing is just a beginning. Although her singing is light, it has also become a beacon to attract my attention. And you, and your companions, will be the key to realizing my ambition. However, it seems that you are still too young."

Su Mo gritted his teeth and endured the severe pain, staring at the demon in front of him unwillingly. Although he knew that there was a huge gap in power, his belief in protecting the light made him unable to give in easily. "Our belief is not something you can understand..."

"Faith?" The devil sneered and was about to attack again. Suddenly, a dazzling light flashed across the night sky, and the figures of Ivan and others descended on the battlefield like lightning.

"Stop!" Ivan stood in front of Su Mo, and the pen in his hand turned into a shining sword, pointing directly at the devil, "Su Mo, don't forget, we said we would face everything together!"

Zhou Huajia, Yi, C, and D also stood still quickly. There was no fear in their eyes, only determination. Even in the face of such a powerful enemy, they did not retreat a single step, because they knew that for the sake of light and for the people they loved, they were willing to give everything.

"Oh? It seems that I underestimated the bond between you two." For the first time, the demon's tone revealed a hint of surprise, but he immediately put away his contempt, and the magic power surged around him, ready to meet this unexpected challenge, "Very good, then let me see what kind of brilliance you can shine!"

The battle broke out in this quiet night. Under the starlight, light and darkness clashed fiercely, swords flashed, demonic energy was everywhere, and a contest between faith and fate began. Although Su Mo was seriously injured on the ground, his eyes were still blazing, and he secretly swore in his heart that no matter what the outcome was, they would prove that light would not be extinguished by the fall of one person.

"Ivan," Su Mo spoke with difficulty, blood on the corners of his mouth, but his smile was warm, "Don't worry about me, our story is far from over..."

Ivan's sword collided with the dark energy of the demon, causing trembling ripples. The boundary between light and darkness was blurred and clear, reflecting the unyielding spirit of the warriors. Zhou Huayi's sword followed closely behind, and every swing was accurate, trying to find the flaws in the opponent's defense, while Zhou Huabing and Zhou Huading cooperated tacitly, one attacking and one defending, like twin stars, tightly guarding the team's flank.

"Ivan, we can't delay too long, we must find his weakness!" Zhou Huayi shouted during a break in an attack, beads of sweat already oozing out of his forehead.

Ivan frowned, his eyes keenly capturing every subtle movement of the demon, while paying attention to the changes in the surrounding environment. He suddenly had an idea, "Distract his attention! I have a way."

Hearing this, Zhou Huajia quickly adjusted his tactics. The four of them split into two groups and began to attack the demon more flexibly and maneuverably, while Ivan quietly moved around the edge of the battle, the pen sword spinning in his hand, as if brewing something.

Although the demon was a little flustered by the sudden change, he was still at ease and sneered: "It's a futile effort. The light in front of me is only a temporary shine."

"Really?" Ivan raised the corners of his mouth. He found the right moment and suddenly threw the pen sword in his hand into the sky. The pen sword drew a dazzling arc in the air and instantly split into countless light spots, like the brightest galaxy in the night sky. Then the light spots gathered to form a huge shield of light, which smashed straight into the back of the demon.

The demon was caught off guard and turned around hastily to respond. This brief distraction gave Zhou Huajia and Zhou Huayi the best opportunity to attack. They joined forces to launch the strongest attack, successfully penetrating the demon's defense and leaving a deep wound.

"Ugh... Damn it!" For the first time, a look of pain appeared on the demon's face. His energy fluctuations began to become unstable, and he had obviously suffered a considerable blow.

"Alvin, well done!" Su Mo struggled to sit aside and watched all this. Although the pain made his face pale, the light in his eyes was more determined.

"It's not over yet, Su Mo." Alvin responded and signaled others to continue the siege, while he took advantage of the demon's distraction, approached quietly, and prepared to deliver the final blow.

At this moment, the demon's eyes suddenly became sharp, and the magic power in his body surged. He roared, and the air around him seemed to be torn apart. A more violent counterattack was about to come.

"Be careful!" Su Mo shouted a warning with all his might. Although his voice was weak due to his injuries, everyone present clearly received the urgency.

Just as everyone was preparing to withstand the devil's counterattack, a strange phenomenon suddenly appeared in the sky above the town. A beam of warm and powerful light penetrated the night and shone directly on the devil, causing him to step back involuntarily. The light seemed to contain some kind of purifying power, which gradually weakened his dark energy.

“This… this is…” For the first time, fear appeared on the demon’s face. The light seemed like some kind of force that he could not resist, making him feel an unprecedented threat.

"Bai Ling...it's the power of Bai Ling..." Su Mo whispered, with surprise and hope flashing in his eyes. He finally understood that light and love will never truly disappear.

In the light, the demon's figure became fainter and fainter until it completely disappeared, leaving only one sentence floating in the air: "The balance between light and darkness is not something you can break after all..."

After the battle, the town returned to peace, and the extra stars in the night sky seemed to disappear into the night. Su Mo was carefully helped up by the crowd, and they sat in a circle, their eyes filled with deeper trust and determination.

"No matter how many unknowns and challenges there are in the future, as long as we are together, there will be no difficulties that cannot be overcome." Ivan's words are like a vow, echoing in everyone's heart.

"Moreover," Su Mo continued with a smile. Although his body had not yet recovered, his spirit was more excited than ever. "Now we know that light is always in our hearts. As long as we have hope, darkness will never swallow us."

"You're right, Su Mo." Zhou Huayi gripped the hilt of the sword tightly, his eyes flashing with unprecedented determination. "This experience is not only a test for us, but also makes us recognize the value of light. It not only illuminates the road ahead, but also plants an eternal fire deep in our hearts."

"Yes, we should not only protect the light, but also become the light." Zhou Huabing and Zhou Huading said in unison. The two brothers smiled at each other. Their tacit understanding and determination seemed as if no difficulties could separate them.

In the circle, Ivan gently spun the pen in his hand, and it returned to its usual appearance, inconspicuous but full of infinite possibilities. "Su Mo, your persistence has shown us the power of light. It is not just a simple victory or defeat, but an attitude of never giving up, a courage to fight against darkness."

Su Mo looked around at his companions with gratitude, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart. "Thank you, you made me understand that the real light is not only the external force, but also the unity and trust in our hearts. Next, no matter what we will face, I firmly believe that as long as we stand shoulder to shoulder, nothing is impossible."

The night breeze blew away the traces of the battle and also blew away the haze in Su Mo's heart. Under the starlight, their figures appeared even taller, like a cluster of bonfires in the night, warm and full of hope.

"Now, we should go back and tell the people in this town that the light has never left, and we will never let them down." Ivan stood up, his eyes penetrating the night, as if he had seen the coming dawn.

"Let's go, messengers of light." Zhou Huajia patted Su Mo's shoulder, motioning them to go back to the town together. This call was not just a simple call, but more like a recognition and respect for their common identity.

The group set out on their journey home. Although the night was still dark, they no longer had fear and doubt in their hearts. Instead, they had a vision for the future and fearless faith. Their steps were firm and powerful, and every step seemed to declare to the world: the struggle between light and darkness has never stopped, and they are the messengers of light who will never give up.

"Ivan, when we return to the town, how are you going to tell everyone what happened today?" There was a hint of curiosity and anticipation in Su Mo's tone. He wanted to know how their story would inspire more people.

Ivan smiled, with stars twinkling in his eyes. "I would say that today, we met a demon who claimed to be able to define light and darkness, but he forgot that the real definer is the choice and belief in each of our hearts. Light does not lie in the size of power, but in whether we are willing to become that light."

"Well said, Alvin." An old man passing by heard Alvin's words and stopped, his eyes full of admiration. "In this world, too many people are afraid of darkness and forget that they can also be part of the light. Your actions give us all hope." (End of this chapter)