YaoLingLu

On a gloomy afternoon, the sky was shrouded in dark clouds, and the wind rustled the fallen leaves, creating an eerie atmosphere along the roadside. A scarecrow was tied to a cross, its head covered with a brown sack, as the chilling wind howled and billowed its clothes, making it appear even more eerie and terrifying. Dozens of crows perched on the cross, their black feathers rustling in the wind, their eyes fixed on the distance, silent and motionless, as if awaiting something. Amidst the rumbling thunder, a group of strong laborers are struggling to drag a heavy cage. Faint human shadows can be seen inside the cage, as if a group of imprisoned souls. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning cuts across the sky, illuminating the scene inside the cage. Inside, several children are sitting, most of them crying and terrified, helplessly looking at the outside world. However, one child appears unusually stern, holding a younger girl in his arms. His face shows no panic, only a firm and resolute expression. He shields the girl from the lightning with his own body, protecting her, like a strong guardian determined to keep her safe. In front of the labor team, there is a mysterious witch. She holds a bronze pestle in her hand, scattering shiny bronze coins and paper money while murmuring ancient incantations: "Living beings make way, the dead please step aside, sacrifices must go up the mountain, those who do not heed will bear the consequences themselves." Her voice is hoarse and eerie, as if coming from a distant time and space. In the deep mountain forest, only the sound of the laborers pulling the cage wheels can be heard. Suddenly, an ancient temple appears before their eyes, like a mysterious sanctuary. The witch looks around, glances at the sky, then at the temple, and says solemnly, "Hurry up and put the offerings inside, the mountain will be sealed off if we delay any longer." The laborers quickly pull the cage into the temple upon hearing the witch's words. As the laborers depart, the cage is left alone in the temple. Night falls, and a silence descends upon the temple. The restless children are eventually overwhelmed by exhaustion and drift into a deep sleep. Only the stern boy remains vigilant, guarding the smaller girl, his eyes scanning the surroundings without rest. Suddenly, the floor creaks, and a dark shadow is cast upon the temple doors, resembling a messenger from hell. The boy's face darkens with tension as he senses a sinister and terrifying presence in the air, causing his heart to beat faster. The appearance of the shadow shrouds the entire temple in a mysterious aura of fear, sending shivers down one's spine. The boy holds the girl tightly, preparing to face the imminent danger.