It was almost noon, and everyone was still trekking on the desolate land covered with red rocks.
They could not see any water flow, nor could they hear any signs of rivers. Everything seemed extremely dry, and their hearts sank to the bottom.
They could see no living things, and there were no birds in the sky.
If they were trapped in this deserted wilderness at night, no one wanted to think about what would happen.
Finally, everyone came to the last main peak of the Crimson Mountain Range. As long as they crossed this main peak, they could reach the Crimson Principality.
However, this main peak is thousands of meters high and almost vertical to the ground. Except for Elos, no one among them can climb it.
Eloth was already prepared because Queen Galadriel told him the way to enter the Crimson Principality.
After taking out the Elf Map for comparison, Elos made a decision in his mind.
After Ilosi told everyone to wait here, he went deep into the bottom of the valley to check. After a while, he turned back.
He stood on a rock and pointed to the right. Everyone hurried to catch up and found that there was a deep and narrow valley at the bottom of the mountain range.
The river valley was very empty and quiet, with only a trickle of water flowing on the brown river bed.
However, there is a broken trail nearby, winding along the remains of an ancient road.
This was one of the paths that passed through the Crimson Principality thousands of years ago. Later, because the Crimson Principality closed the country to prevent intrusion from the outside world, this passage was closed.
Nowadays, people who go to the Crimson Principality basically go by sea, and very few people cross the ancient road in the Central Mountains.
After days of traveling, everyone felt sore all over, but they still resigned themselves to their fate and continued walking along the broken path for many miles. The sun had begun to gradually set in the west.
After a short rest and a hasty meal, they continued on their way.
Soon after, everyone came to a sharp turn.
Here, the trail that had been heading south along steep slopes and valleys suddenly changed from west to east.
As soon as they rounded the corner, everyone saw a low cliff appearing in front of them, about dozens of feet high, with the top appearing broken and uneven.
Occasionally, some very rare water drips from it; judging from the scene in front of you, this place used to be a very majestic waterfall, which is why it carved such a spectacular topography.
"It's really changed a lot here! But I must have recognized the place correctly. This is the ancient tunnel leading to the Crimson Principality. According to the description on the map, there should be a staircase nearby, but the main road will wind along the slope.
Climb up, let’s go up quickly and see the current situation!”
Eloise compared the map again and said to everyone.
Everyone found the stone steps easily, and Elos took the lead and walked at the front.
When everyone reached the top of the mountain, they found that there was no way to move forward.
The reason is obvious. Behind them, the setting sun makes the western sky turn golden. In front of them is a deep, still small lake. The dark lake surface cannot reflect any scenery.
The rivers in the west were blocked, filling the entire valley into small lakes.
Beside this strange lake, there is a very steep cliff overlooking it.
There are almost four words clearly engraved on the pale rock: impassable.
There are no passages or entrances, and no one can see even a crack.
It was getting late now, and the cold starlight began to twinkle above the setting sun.
Everyone ran as fast as they could, onto the road as quickly as possible, and arrived at the other side of the lake.
It seemed that the lake was only three to forty feet wide at its widest point, but under the gradually darkening sky, they could not figure out how far the lake extended to the south.
The only thing that is certain is that the end of the north is only about half a mile away from here.
There were two rocky highlands at the lake's exit and an open space by the lake. Everyone hurried forward, because now they were still one or two miles away from their destination, and it was impossible to go fast.
Moreover, they will have to find the entrance then.
Because Iloth had sensed that a large number of goblins and kobolds were chasing them, led by a small group of dark elves, at a surprisingly fast speed.
When everyone arrived at the northernmost corner of the lake, they found a narrow creek blocking the way.
The stream was green and still, as if it were a sticky arm stretching out from the hills.
Eloise stepped forward without hesitation and found that the shallowest part of the creek was only ankle deep.
Everyone carefully picked the road and followed Elos.
There are many deep gaps in the creek, and the rocks that can be stepped on are covered with moss, so you must be very careful not to slip.
As soon as Yekaterina stepped into the dirty stream, she couldn't help but shudder. Upon seeing this, Ilosu immediately hugged Yekaterina into a princess hug.
When the last person in the team walked to the other side of the creek, everyone suddenly heard a low crackling sound, as if a big fish jumped out of the lake, disturbing the stagnant lake water.
They turned their heads suddenly and saw ripples spreading out in the distance of the lake, and then a few bubbles rose to the surface, and then everything calmed down.
The sky is getting darker and darker, and the last ray of sunlight is blocked by clouds.
Eloise now walked faster, and the others followed as closely as possible.
Everyone finally came to the dry flat land between the lake and the cliff. This area was very narrow, only a few yards long and wide, and there were many fallen rocks on the ground.
However, they still found a way, staying as close to the cliff as possible and as far away from the lake as possible.
Less than a mile south along the lake shore, they encountered several pine trees.
Regardless of the rotten and smelly tree trunks soaked in water, there seems to have been a dense forest planted along the valley paths.
The only suspicious sight in front of me is that close to the cliff, there are two tallest pine trees that Elos has ever seen. They are still growing vigorously. Their huge roots stretch from the cliff to the lake. Looking at them from the distant ladder, they look very different. Compared with the towering cliffs, they look like nothing more than low bushes; but up close, they are tall and large, like two strong and fearless guards on both sides of the road.
"We have finally arrived. This should be the entrance to the ancient tunnel. According to the notes on the map, pine trees were a symbol of the ancient local people. They planted these two pine trees here to symbolize the end of the territory. The main purpose of this west gate is, It’s just to facilitate their communication with the ancient Crimson Principality.”
"But where is the door? I can't find any clues at all." Elos said to himself in confusion.
"The doors made by the ancient high elves will leave no trace after being closed. If they forget their secrets, even the original owners will not be able to open them." Ekaterina once read relevant books and knew this.
Characteristics of the secret door.
After saying that, Ekaterina walked towards the mountain wall. There was a smooth space between the shadows of two trees. She stretched out her hand and touched it here and there, muttering something. Finally, she took a step back.
"Look! Is there anything different now?" Ekaterina said to everyone.
The moonlight shone on the gray flat surface of the rock, but no one could see anything for the time being.
Then, where Catherine's hands touched, a faint light began to appear, and silver lines appeared on the rock.
At first, they were just subtle spider web-like traces, and the moonlight could only occasionally reflect on them. But soon, these lines gradually expanded outward and began to become very clear.
At a height that Catherine's hand could barely touch, there was an arc made of elven writing.
At the bottom, although the text in some places has missing corners and is blurred, the general graphics can still be seen.
Above is a silver moon, accompanied by a crown. Under it are exquisite swords and books. Under that, there are two big trees with branches like crescent moons.
The clearest thing is that there is a huge magic symbol with a radius of several meters engraved in the center of the stone door. It is unknown which high elf great magician left it. Its function is obviously to seal the stone door.
Ekaterina stroked the stone door, and after a long time she raised her head again and looked at the magic symbol, showing a hint of admiration.
[Author's digression]: Readers who like this work will vote for the latest chapter. I also hope that readers will not keep reading. Your pursuit is the motivation for my creation.