Strange things happened, starting from last summer vacation when I explored a peculiar mountain cave called "Daughter's Cave".

That time, my classmate Ji Dongsheng and I went to his hometown. After the rain, there were many mushrooms in the mountains, and he said he would take me to get rich.

"Those wild mushrooms can be sold for over a hundred yuan per kilogram!"

When it came to money, Ji Dongsheng became very excited.

The small village located in the mountains was poor as a whole.

They relied on the mountains for survival, and selling mushrooms was one of the sources of income for the people in the village.

Unfortunately, it started to rain heavily shortly after we entered the mountains.

The rain kept getting heavier, and our clothes were soaked.

I found a cave and suggested to Ji Dongsheng that we should take shelter there and wait for the rain to stop before continuing.

Ji Dongsheng shook his head repeatedly, saying, "We can't go there. That's the Daughter's Cave!"

What on earth?

Under my questioning, Ji Dongsheng told me that this place was known in their village, Ji Family Village, as a very sinister place.

In the old society, every household was poor and there was no surplus food. The people in Ji Family Village favored sons over daughters, so they would directly throw their daughters into the Daughter's Cave, leaving them to their own fate.

"There are many infant skeletons left behind from the old society inside. It's eerie. Even a dozen years ago, you could still hear the cries of children standing at the entrance of the cave,"

"They've been dead for so many years, why are they still crying!"

Thinking that Ji Dongsheng was speaking nonsense, I disdainfully rolled my eyes and ran towards the cave entrance.

The so-called Daughter's Cave was just a stone cave below the cliff. The entrance was not big, and it was surrounded by moss and ferns.

Unable to resist my curiosity, I stood at the entrance and kept looking inside.

The dark and gloomy entrance seemed to emit a cold air, but I couldn't see anything clearly inside.

Suddenly, it felt as if an invisible force pulled me, and I plunged headfirst towards the entrance of the cave.

"Crack!"

I fell into the cave.

Underneath the cover of dead branches and fallen leaves, the cave was actually three to four meters deep.

Falling from such a height, I didn't feel any pain.

The ground beneath me was still soft.

However, there was a smell like that of a dead rat, which assaulted my nostrils.

"Jiabao, are you okay!"

Ji Dongsheng asked anxiously from the entrance of the cave.

"I..."

I originally wanted to tell him that I was fine, but taking advantage of the light coming through the entrance, I clearly saw what was beneath me, and I couldn't utter a word for a moment.

There were many children's skeletons beneath me. Although they were ancient white bones, those bones were arranged in postures of imminent death, twisted and distorted.

"Oh my god!"

I almost fainted at that moment.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?"

Ji Dongsheng was on the verge of tears.

"There are really many skeletons here. It's too frightening!"

"I'll go get a branch to pull you up. Don't be afraid, Jiabao."

Ji Dongsheng went to get a branch, and as his footsteps faded away, the surroundings became exceptionally quiet.

It was so quiet that I could even hear the sound of leaves falling.

A dry and cold wind blew around, making me shiver.

It was August, the hottest time of the year.

I turned on the flashlight on my phone and looked in the direction the wind was blowing. I discovered that there was a long tunnel inside.

Naturally formed, with stalactites hanging from the top, sharp as if they could pierce through a person's head, but the ground was smooth.

The wind blew inside the curved tunnel, making a wailing sound.

Although I was very scared, there was an inexplicable force driving me to walk inside.

My legs weretrembling, but I took a deep breath and mustered the courage to venture further into the tunnel.

As I walked deeper, the air became colder and heavier. The tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly, and the only sound I could hear was the echo of my footsteps.

After what felt like an eternity, I saw a faint glow ahead. It was a dim light that beckoned me forward.

Driven by curiosity and a strange compulsion, I quickened my pace and soon reached the source of the light.

It was an underground chamber, illuminated by an ethereal, soft glow emanating from an unknown source. The chamber was unlike anything I had ever seen before.

The walls were covered in intricate patterns, glowing with an otherworldly luminescence. Strange symbols and hieroglyphs adorned the surfaces, creating a mesmerizing display of light and color.

In the center of the chamber, there was a pedestal, upon which rested a small, ornate box.

I approached the box cautiously, my heart pounding with anticipation and fear. Something told me that this box held great significance.

With trembling hands, I opened the lid, and a brilliant light burst forth, filling the chamber with its radiance.

As my eyes adjusted to the intense glow, I saw that the box contained a shimmering crystal, pulsating with energy.

The crystal seemed to possess a life of its own, emitting a soothing warmth that enveloped me.

Transfixed by its beauty, I reached out to touch the crystal, and as my fingers made contact, a surge of energy coursed through my body.

A flood of images and knowledge flooded my mind, overwhelming my senses. I saw visions of ancient civilizations, lost wisdom, and forgotten secrets.

I realized that this crystal held immense power and wisdom, and it had chosen me as its guardian.

From that moment on, my life took a dramatic turn. I became a vessel for the crystal's energy, gaining extraordinary abilities and knowledge.

I could see things others couldn't, understand complex concepts effortlessly, and even manipulate certain aspects of reality.

But with great power comes great responsibility. I knew I had to use this newfound gift wisely and for the benefit of others.

I returned to the surface, carrying the crystal with me, and vowed to protect it and harness its power for the greater good.

Word of my extraordinary abilities spread, and I became known as the "Crystal Guardian."

People sought my help, and I used my powers to heal the sick, solve mysteries, and bring justice to the oppressed.

But there were also those who sought to exploit the crystal's power for their own selfish gain.

I faced numerous challenges and dangers along the way, but with the crystal's guidance, I was able to overcome them.

My journey as the Crystal Guardian continues, and I strive to use my powers responsibly, protecting the crystal and using its wisdom to make the world a better place.

So, that's the strange turn my life took after I stumbled upon the Daughter's Cave and discovered the mysterious crystal within.

It's a story that is still unfolding, and I'm eager to see what other surprises and adventures await me in the future.