[There will be five checkpoints. At each checkpoint, you will find a clue leading you to the next, ultimately guiding you to your final destination.
Your first checkpoint clue:
<In the forest without light, follow the path where sunlight fades, into the realm where shadows wade. Seek the grove where giants stand tall, near the ancient oak with twisted sprawl.>
Your opponent team's checkpoint clue:
<Navigate the endless dunes of the scorching desert, seek the life-giving pool hidden within the heart of the sands, surrounded by lush greenery amidst the golden expanse, where the air is still and the water is pure, shimmering under the desert sun.>
Good luck!]
Luo Yan read the clue and fell into deep thought. He glanced at the timer flashing above them: 58:46. More than a minute of the one-hour limit had already passed. Spending too much time analyzing the clue would be costly. They needed to think quickly, not only to figure out the next destination, but also to ensure they had enough time to get there.
He glanced at the clue given to Team Mozu. Having their opponent's clue might seem advantageous, but in reality, it was a cleverly disguised trap. It lured the team into chasing the opposing team, diverting their focus. Instead of concentrating solely on their own clues, they would now waste their limited time trying to decipher the opposing team's clues as well.
But Luo Yan knew they couldn't completely ignore the other team. Based on Zephyr's attitude yesterday, team Mozu would surely try to intercept them. If they stayed passive, they would be ambushed without even realizing it.
So, the answer was to just quickly solve both clues.
It seemed that Shen Ji Yun had the same thought, as Luo Yan heard him say:
"We need to solve the clues for both teams. That way, we can stay ahead and avoid any ambushes from team Mozu."
"I agree," Luo Yan added. "Thankfully, the first clue for our team is pretty easy."
While moving towards their destination, Luo Yan kept reading the clue given for the first checkpoint.
[In the forest without light, follow the path where sunlight fades, into the realm where shadows wade. Seek the grove where giants stand tall, near the ancient oak with twisted sprawl.]
"Yan Yan, have you thought of something?" Shen Ji Yun asked, noticing Luo Yan deep in thought.
"Yes, I thought of something. I'm just not sure if it's correct," Luo Yan said.
"It doesn't matter if it's correct or not," Shen Ji Yun said. "What's important is that we share our ideas to slowly figure things out."
Luo Yan smiled at that. "Then, I'll start. 'Follow the path where sunlight fades' might indicate moving deeper into the darker parts of the forest. Then 'into the realm where shadows play' probably reinforces the idea of entering a heavily shaded, dark area. 'Seek the grove where towering giants stand' might be directing us to look for a clearing with exceptionally tall trees.
And lastly, 'near the ancient oak with twisted sprawl' is probably the exact landmark in the clearing where we can find the clue."
Eclipse clapped. "Master, that's great! You really are a genius!"
"I don't think I have anything to add to that," Su Yuqi said, giving a thumbs up.
"I agree," Shen Ji Yun said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Let's follow what Yan Yan suggested."
"If I'm wrong, don't blame me, okay?" Luo Yan said in a joking tone.
"There's no way Master could be wrong," Eclipse said like some loyal fan.
Luo Yan chuckled and ruffled the other's hair.
And with that, team Yunyue now had the direction of where they should go first.