As they ventured deeper, the surroundings grew darker.
Amidst the increasingly ominous thicket, they stumbled upon a throne.
It sat atop a three-meter-high staircase, adorned with gilded thorns.
Below the steps lay an assortment of ancient relics—yellowed scrolls, tattered books with torn covers, and gleaming, split gemstones.
The area was meticulously arranged, as no trees grew within a five-meter radius of the throne, making it seem as if the surrounding foliage existed solely to shield it.
'Shield it from what? And for whom?'
"We should keep moving."
The group could sense the danger lingering in the air.
Even Lazhra, usually playful and energetic, treaded past the throne with extreme caution.
After three long hours, they finally emerged from the forest.
Along the way, they had encountered colonies of strange creatures—a lion-headed turtle, blue beetles that spewed iron webs, and spiders with human-like body.