Chapter 4: The Strange Code
(Xiao Feng placed his hand on the old knife. Suddenly, a drop of blood dripped from his fingertip onto the blade.)
š "What's happening? I feel strange... it's like the knife has come alive."
(A faint light began to glow from the knife. The old paper in his hand slowly burned and transformed into a mysterious map.)
š "This map... a path to a hidden cave? I have to go there."
(With the knife in hand, Xiao Feng stepped toward the cave. The cold, dark air echoed with the sound of water droplets falling on the stones.)
š "This cave... it has a strange feeling... but I have to move forward."
(Just as he entered the cave, a dark shadow moved from a corner and slowly approached him.)
š A deep and slightly tired voice:
"Hey... you there! What are you waiting for?"
(Xiao Feng stepped back in fear but his curiosity was stronger.)
š Xiao Feng:
"Who... who are you?"
(The shadow moved closer and revealed itself: a black dog with sleepy eyes and a lazy demeanor.)
š Dog:
"Me? I'm a dog. But not just any lazy dog. I'm Gu Lang, a sworn brother who's now with you."
š Xiao Feng (hesitantly):
"Sworn brother?... Why are you with me?"
š Gu Lang (with a soft chuckle):
"Because I love food and figured you probably have a good bite. Besides, maybe I can help you."
(Xiao Feng smiled and felt a little calmer.)
š "This is a strange companion... but maybe I really need him."
(Xiao Feng and Gu Lang moved a little deeper. The sound of water droplets echoed throughout the cave.)
š "This place is full of silence and untold secrets... I have to be careful."
(Suddenly, Gu Lang stopped and wagged his tail slowly.)
š Gu Lang:
"I don't smell any food here... where the hell are we?"
š Xiao Feng (with a bitter smile):
"For now, it's a mysterious cave, but I have to find out why there's a map here."
(At that moment, faint lights appeared in the distance; five large statues stood silently in the darkness, but only oneāthe dog statueāemitted a soft glow.)
š "That dog statue... why is it the only one glowing? Where are the others?"
(A soft, mysterious voice rose from the dog statue.)
š Dog Statue:
"This is only the beginning... wait for the other brothers to arrive."
(Xiao Feng looked at Gu Lang.)
š Xiao Feng:
"Brothers?"
š Gu Lang (lazy):
"Yeah, I'm the first. The others will come sooner or later. But for now, it's time to rest and eat!"
(Xiao Feng smiled and felt a bit hopeful.)
(Xiao Feng and Gu Lang went to a corner of the cave to light a fire. They prepared and cooked some food.)
š "With every bite I eat, I feel stronger."
(The Immortal Chef System activated.)
"Your cooking skill has improved. You can now make better healing dishes."
(With renewed energy, they got ready to leave the cave.)
š "It'
s time to leave this cave and head toward Linshan."
---
š„ End of Chapter 4