He knew that this key held immense power, and once it was in Shen Jingqi's hands, he would no longer have the chance to stop them.

"Now, it's our turn to strike back!" Shen Jingqi shouted, holding the key aloft. He raised the key high and chanted a few words. Suddenly, the golden light on the key became even more dazzling, forming a giant beam of light that shot towards the Black-clothed Man. Terrified, the Black-clothed Man tried to dodge, but the beam was too fast for him to react.

The beam struck the Black-clothed Man, enveloping him. He let out a chilling scream, his body twisting and warping within the light, as if being torn apart by a powerful force. "No! I don't want to die! I don't want to die!" The Black-clothed Man roared in despair, but his voice grew weaker and eventually vanished in the golden light.

As the Black-clothed Man disappeared, the surrounding black smoke gradually dispersed, and the hall returned to calm. Shen Jingqi, Xu An, and Lin Yu breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the key in their hands with joy and excitement.

"We did it!" Lin Yu exclaimed excitedly. Xu An nodded and smiled, saying, "Yes, thanks to Shen Jingqi's courage and wisdom." Shen Jingqi smiled and said, "This is the result of our joint effort, but there are surely more secrets behind this key, and our mission is not yet complete."

Just then, the golden key emitted a slight hum and slowly floated into the air, hovering before them. The light on the key flickered, as if trying to convey a message to them.

"Is it guiding us?" Xu An asked doubtfully, furrowing his brow, his eyes full of confusion and anticipation. He tilted his head slightly, staring intently at the key, as if trying to read the answer from its flickering light.

Shen Jingqi nodded, his gaze firm and deep, and said, "It's possible. Let's follow it and see." His voice was calm and powerful, carrying a reassuring strength. With that, he took the first step, his pace steady and determined, as if embarking on an unknown journey.

So, the three followed the golden key towards a corner of the hall. Their footsteps echoed in the spacious hall, each step seeming to strike a chord in their hearts, making their heartbeats race. The key floated ahead, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, like a mischievous sprite teasing them deliberately.

Guided by the key, they arrived at what appeared to be an ordinary wall. The wall was covered in the marks of time, its cracks like the wrinkles on an elderly face, telling tales of past trials. The key stopped in front of the wall, emitting a strong golden glow, like a scorching sun that made them squint. Within the glow, a hidden door appeared on the wall, slowly opening. A mysterious aura rushed out, mixed with the ancient scent of scrolls and the faint pulse of magic.

"What could be inside?" Lin Yu asked curiously, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He leaned forward slightly, craning his neck, eager to rush in and see what lay within.

Shen Jingqi took a deep breath and stepped through the door first, with Xu An and Lin Yu following without hesitation.

Beyond the door was a huge room filled with various treasures and mysterious ancient books. The treasures included glittering gems, emanating colorful lights like stars in the night sky; uniquely shaped weapons with blades sharp as frost, seemingly able to slice through anything with a gentle swipe; and exquisite accessories, each crafted with exceptional skill, leaving one in awe. The ancient books filled the bookshelves, their pages yellowed, covered in mysterious runes and ancient texts, as if narrating forgotten histories.

But at the center of the room was a massive Crystal Coffin. The Crystal Coffin emitted a soft blue light, a dreamlike glow that enveloped the entire room in a mysterious and serene ambiance. Inside, there seemed to be a person, but the crystal's barrier made it impossible to see their face clearly.

"Wh-who is that?" Lin Yu asked softly, his voice tinged with awe. His body trembled slightly, his eyes wide as if witnessing the most unbelievable sight in the world. Shen Jingqi shook his head, full of doubt. His brows furrowed tightly, eyes fixed on the figure within the Crystal Coffin, trying to discern clues from her presence.

Just then, the woman's finger suddenly moved, a subtle motion like a breeze brushing against petals. Immediately after, her eyes slowly opened, like deep, clear lake waters concealing infinite secrets.

"Ah!" Lin Yu was startled and stepped back involuntarily. His face turned pale, eyes filled with terror. The woman sat up, looking at the three men, and smiled, saying, "Do not fear, I will not harm you. I am the Guardian of this castle, and this key is the token I left behind. The fact that you obtained the key means you possess kindness and courage and are worthy of trust." Her voice was gentle and melodious, like a heavenly sound that soothed the soul.

Hearing this, Shen Jingqi and the others finally understood. It turned out that the key was a token left by the castle's Guardian, and due to their kindness and courage, they earned the key's approval.

"Then... what should we do?" Shen Jingqi asked.

The woman smiled and said, "This key will guide you to the next place, where you will find the answers and power you seek."

With that, the woman's body gradually became transparent, like morning mist dissolving away. Her figure grew increasingly blurry, eventually disappearing within the Crystal Coffin. The golden key flew once more to the three men, emitting a gentle glow, as if awaiting their decision.

Shen Jingqi and his companions followed the golden key out of the room, continuing along a narrow passage. The passage was filled with a damp atmosphere, the walls covered in slippery moss. They treaded carefully, wary of slipping at any moment.

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