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On the broken torso of the statue, the runes flashed with a light blue light, gradually condensing into a translucent figure. The figure was wearing silver armor, holding a spear, with a handsome and majestic face, just like the Great Elder Eric in Albert's memory.

"Lord Eric,... is it really you?" Mark's voice trembled with a hint of disbelief. He took a step forward, but stopped because of the pain. He could only stare at Eric's phantom closely, fearing that it was an illusion. .

Eric's phantom spoke slowly, as if he didn't hear Mark's voice.

"The holder of the holy stone fragment, I have been waiting for your arrival." Although his voice was illusory, it was full of power, as if it had crossed the boundaries of time and space, carrying the vicissitudes and expectations of a thousand years. "Thousands of years ago, although he helped us overthrow the rule of the Soul Taker Elvira, people fell into his trap. People's faith was controlled by him, and they had no self-awareness at all. In order to prevent his true body from coming to this world, I had to separate the energy of the holy stone fragment and hide it to protect it from being obtained by him, thereby delaying his coming." Mark listened to Eric's story quietly, and gradually understood the ins and outs of the matter. He held the holy stone fragment tightly in his hand, feeling the energy fluctuations from the fragment, and a sense of responsibility and mission rose in his heart. Eric continued, "The remaining two pieces of the holy stone fragments, one is in the ice and snow temple in the far north, and the other is in the coral palace deep in the South China Sea." His voice gradually became weak, and his figure began to become blurred. "Young holder of the holy stone, please be sure to stop 'him' from coming..." Eric's shadow gradually dissipated, like a candle in the wind, and finally disappeared, leaving only a space ring with a faint glow falling on the ground, which was particularly eye-catching in the dust and gravel.

The style of the ring is simple and exquisite, with complex runes engraved on it, as if it contains some mysterious power. Mark bent down to pick up the ring, and a cold touch came from the place where he touched it. He put the ring on his finger, and his mind moved. The runes on the ring flashed, and an independent space appeared in his mind. There were some items placed in the space, the most conspicuous of which were a spear and several books. The style of the spear was simple and majestic, with complex runes engraved on the gun body, emitting a faint cold light; the cover of the book was also printed with runes, which looked simple and mysterious.

Albert walked to Mark's side, looked at the ring in Mark's hand, and a trace of envy and admiration flashed in his eyes. "It seems that the elder has chosen you." There was a hint of relief in his tone. Mark nodded, closed the space on the ring, and then helped Albert sit next to him. The wind and sand outside had stopped, the sun was setting, and the sky was dyed golden red, like a burning flame. In the distance, the rolling sand dunes looked particularly spectacular under the afterglow of the sunset.

"What should we do next?" Albert looked at Mark with a hint of inquiry in his tone. Mark pondered for a moment and said, "Let's solve the hidden dangers of the body first, and then go to find the other two pieces of the holy stone fragments." His eyes were firm and calm, as if he was ready to meet all challenges.

Just then, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from a distance, breaking the tranquility of the Gobi Desert.

The sound was getting closer and louder, as if thousands of troops were galloping in their direction. Mark and Albert turned their heads at the same time and saw an army galloping towards the temple, with flags fluttering and dust flying. The army was so numerous that it seemed endless, like a long black dragon winding through the desolate Gobi Desert. The flag was embroidered with a striking symbol, a black circle with a red eye in the middle, which was the symbol of the Rebirth Organization that believed in "Him".

The two looked at each other and saw solemnity and worry in each other's eyes. They knew that they had been discovered.

"Go!" Mark shouted in a low voice, pulling Albert in the opposite direction of the army.

Albert nodded, endured the pain, and fled with Mark. Their figures looked particularly small in the afterglow of the sunset, like two ants fleeing in the vast Gobi Desert.

"This way!" Mark shouted, pointing to a hidden valley in front. Albert didn't speak, but gritted his teeth and quickened his pace. Mark and Albert ran towards the valley one after the other. Albert covered his chest, coughed from time to time, and his pace slowed down significantly. Mark looked back, slowed down, and supported him.

"Hold on, we're almost there!" Albert's face was pale, his breathing was rapid, and his forehead was covered with sweat. "I... I'm fine..." He said intermittently, with a hint of pain in his tone.