Insufficient balance

  Back in the room, I spread out the new map of Karnataka that I just bought. Wow, Karnataka is really not small, with a city and numerous large and small mountains and forests.

  "Wow, so many forests and valleys, how can we find it?"

  He was still calm, thought for a moment and said: "I think we should divide this valley into several parts and search one by one. Let's start from the nearest part over there." He pointed to a forest at the southernmost tip of the province.

  Two days later, our party of six appeared at the edge of the Dragon's Spine Forest in Kanaq Province. Our true adventure was finally about to begin. Since we were heading into forests and mountain valleys, we temporarily stabled our horses in the nearest city and prepared sufficient food, water, and other essentials for wilderness survival. We then ventured into the Dragon's Spine Forest. As for food, it was simple for us - when hungry, just go hunting.

  On the way, we didn't encounter any danger, only occasionally some small animals accompanied us. I took out the map for the nth time and said to General Tiger: "Brother, look, we are now here, and if we move forward, we will enter the depths of Longjing Forest."

  Zhan Hu nodded and suddenly felt something was wrong, turned around to signal everyone: "Everyone be careful, there may be danger ahead." As he said that, he drew out his knight sword.

  I also feel a powerful force lurking nearby, whether it's an enemy or a friend. "Great Light Element, I ask you to transform into sacred light and drive out all evil." This is the large-scale exorcism magic of the light system, emitting dazzling light from my body, covering everything within 100 meters around me.

  A cold voice came from the depths of the forest, "Ignorant humans, who allowed you to come here and desecrate my sacred land? If you don't leave immediately, you will stay here forever. This is the final warning."

  The winter day beside me suddenly stiffened like a possessed person, then walked to the front of the team and bowed deeply towards the depths of the forest, "Excuse me, is the one speaking in front a spirit?"

  Everyone watched as he handled it on a winter day without stopping him.

  "That cold voice came out again, 'Don't think you're impressive just because you know our identities. If you don't leave now, I'll launch an attack.'"

  "Winter Day said hastily, 'Wait a minute, I'm also an elf.' The other party didn't respond to Winter Day's words. After a while, a faint figure floated out at an incredibly fast speed and gradually approached us. He was a very old elder elf, and he seemed to be from a very ancient tribe of forest elves because he had wings. Now many elves and half-elves no longer have wings."

  He came up close, looked him up and down, and said disdainfully on a winter's day: "You're considered an elf like this, you're just a half-elf assimilated by humans. What's the purpose of bringing so many humans to the Elf Forest?"

  I couldn't help but interrupt, "What's wrong with being a half-elf? We're all living beings, what's the difference between high and low? You old man, you bought this forest, why can't we go in? Unless you have something to hide."

  The old spirit was enraged by my words, and with a wave of his hand, a pale green energy shot towards me. I was shocked - could this be the natural power of spirits? This is a special kind of power that lies between magic and martial arts, and only pure spirits can use it.

  I quickly waved my hand, and a white energy beam came to meet him, neutralizing his attack. The powerful force even shook me, making me stumble. This is really awesome! I estimate that this old spirit has at least the power of a magic guide, and yet I encountered such a formidable spirit.

  He was blocked by me from his attack, and he was also surprised. "No wonder you're so arrogant, it turns out you have some skills." He thought to himself, if these people all had such strong power, it would be really troublesome.

  The silent Shuji walked out and said to the old spirit: "This respected elder, hello, we are the Radiant Mercenary Group. We didn't come here with malicious intent. We were entrusted by someone to find something. May I ask, what is this place?"

  Shūji's words gave the old stubborn man a step down, his face looked slightly better, and he said: "You little brat is quite polite, this is the outer periphery of our Elf Forest, what are you looking for?"

  Shūji looked at me and I nodded to him, then Shūji continued: "That's right, we're here to find the Holy Sword. Can you give us some directions?"

  The old spirit heard our words and burst out laughing, stopping only after a while. "You still want to find the Holy Sword? So many years have passed, and there have been at least 8,000 people who came to find it, but not one of them succeeded."

  I heard that the old spirit actually knew about the holy sword, and I hastily asked: "Then do you know where the holy sword is?"

  The old elf raised his head proudly and said: "Of course, I know. If you want me to tell you, it's also possible. You have to help me do one thing, and if you succeed, I'll tell you."

  "Alright, let's go and give it a try." Since there is an opportunity, we absolutely cannot let it slip away.

  Shūji suddenly said: "Wait a minute, how can you prove that you really know the whereabouts of the holy sword? What if we complete the task for you and you don't keep your promise?"

  The old spirit flicked his mouth and said, "You think everyone is like you humans, speaking without keeping their promises. We spirits have always been ones to keep our word, I swear on my identity as the elder of the Nature Spirit Tribe that if the human in front of me can help us defeat the Dark Spirit Tribe's attack, I will tell them the location of the Holy Sword. If I break this oath, may heaven and earth destroy me." Along with his words, a stern aura was emitted from his body.

  It seems he didn't lie, I said: "Alright, we promise you, but what's with the Dark Elf?"

  The old spirit looked at me and said, "We natural spirits and dark spirits have always been sworn enemies. Originally, our powers were balanced, but recently, for some reason, this balance was broken, and the power of the dark spirits suddenly increased greatly. Almost all of the dark spirits' powers have improved significantly compared to before, causing us to retreat in defeat. If things continue like this, we risk being wiped out as a tribe. I am one of the elders of the natural spirit tribe, and this time I came out to seek help from an old friend, but unexpectedly met you."