As darkness descended upon the land, Liu Qing had already prepared himself for a new adventure. He had received information about the whereabouts of the strangers through his old relative, who worked as a village guard. The news indicated that the strangers were hiding in a remote area in the mountains, where they were believed to be working on achieving their mysterious goals.

The following morning, Liu left his village and headed towards the mountains. The nature around him was breathtaking, yet it was full of secrets. The dense trees and large rock towers gave the place a sense of mystery. The wind played a sporadic melody, as if telling ancient stories from ages past.

Liu hadn't gone far before he began to feel another presence. He knew he wasn't alone in this area. His steps were light and vigilant, his eyes scanning for any unusual movement. Eventually, he reached a secluded area deep in the mountains, where small huts and scattered campsites lay. The place was adorned with symbols and signs, as if warning against approaching.

As Liu watched from a distance, he noticed a group of people dressed in dark clothing gathering around a fire. Among them was someone dressed in a distinctive outfit, appearing to be the group's leader. He exuded an aura of power and mystery, showing great control over the others.

Liu quietly crept closer to the fire, hiding behind rocks and trees. His eyes carefully observed every movement and every word spoken. He began to overhear part of a conversation between the leader and his group.

"We are at a crucial stage," the leader said in a low but firm voice. "This stone is the key to moving to the next phase of our plan. We must be cautious, as any wrong step could put us in danger."

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One of the individuals, looking anxious, responded, "Are we sure the operation will succeed? We haven't had much success in the past."

The leader replied confidently, "Yes, we know what we're doing. We've studied every detail carefully. The stone is not just a piece of rock; it is a source of energy that can change the balance in this world. But we must be prepared to face any threats."

Liu didn't need much time to understand that these people were planning to use the stone for dangerous purposes. Their intent was clear; they sought to achieve powers that could lead to greater destruction than good.

Liu paused for a moment to process the information. The knowledge he had gained was valuable, but he also knew he had to take cautious steps. He needed to figure out how to deal with this group without revealing himself.

While he was contemplating, he felt something unusual. The flames burning around the group began to glow intensely as if reacting to his presence. Suddenly, the leader began speaking in a different tone, as if sensing something unfamiliar.

"Someone's here," the leader said in a deep voice, scanning the surroundings sharply. "Someone is spying on us. Get ready!"

The situation escalated quickly, and the group started moving rapidly. Liu realized it was time to act fast. He quietly retreated to a safe spot, but not before seeing the leader pick up something nearby. It seemed to be a piece of the stone they were seeking.

As Liu stealthily withdrew, he felt something deep within his heart. He believed he couldn't stand idly by in the face of these threats. He had to confront these people, but how?

He decided to take a bold step. He returned to his village, where he would seek help from Master Zhang and some close friends. He knew this wasn't just a passing threat; planning and organization were needed to confront these strangers effectively.

By the end of the day, Liu was tired but determined. As he sat in his room, he remembered Master Zhang's words: "The better you understand its nature, the more prepared you are to deal with it."

Liu took the stone from his bag and began to contemplate its details. He knew he needed to understand the powers the stone held and how to use them to his advantage. This stage of his adventure was only the beginning, and he was ready to face any challenges that might arise along the way.