Chapter 595
Chapter 595
In the violently trembling space, the evil figure shrouded in black mist let out a shrill scream within the blazing pillar of light. As the pillar of light unleashed its final blinding white light, the evil figure's outline crumbled inch by inch, like ashes scattered by a gale, completely dissipating into nothingness. The previously surging chaotic energy also seemed to have its core power drained, turning into wisps of green smoke and vanishing into the vast天地 (heaven and earth).
The light of the Star Abyss Heart gradually lost its sharpness, no longer as dazzling as before, but instead carrying a gentle halo as it slowly descended from the sky. The mysterious man's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he let out a long breath. As if all his strength had been drained, his body swayed uncontrollably, and he almost fell to the ground.
Zhao Qingyang reacted quickly, rushing forward to steady the mysterious man. His face was full of worry as he anxiously asked, "Senior, are you alright?" The mysterious man slightly raised his hand and waved it, his voice weak, "I'm fine. It's just that I was fighting against that evil force just now, and my spiritual energy was greatly depleted. I'll be fine after a short rest."
At this moment, the eerie environment, which had been shrouded in chaotic energy, began to gradually regain its vitality. The rocks, which had been blackened and lifeless by the chaotic energy, began to show a faint green hue. From the cracks, tender green shoots broke through the soil, and as a gentle breeze blew, the new leaves swayed softly, as if telling of the joy of rebirth.
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to rest, a strange fluctuation suddenly rippled through the air. This fluctuation carried a mysterious and powerful aura, causing everyone to invigorate. Then, before them, the void seemed to be torn open by an invisible force, and a portal radiating golden light slowly appeared. Within the golden portal, light and shadow flowed, and the faintly visible scene on the other side could be discerned.
A look of surprise flashed in the mysterious man's eyes, and his voice was filled with excitement: "This is the passage to the second altar! It seems we have successfully completed the first stage of the test." Hearing this, everyone's tired faces showed relieved smiles, and their fighting spirit was rekindled.
They gathered their scattered equipment, composed themselves, and stood up. Zhao Qingyang gripped the Star Abyss Heart tightly in both hands, feeling its slight warmth. His eyes were filled with determination, and his voice was loud and powerful: "No matter what challenges lie ahead, we will continue! Even if the road ahead is full of thorns and dangers, we will never back down!"
The group exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting the same unwavering resolve. Then, with firm and powerful steps, they stepped without hesitation into the golden portal radiating a mysterious light. No one knew what unknown dangers or exciting opportunities awaited them on the other side, but they were prepared to face any unknown challenges. Chen Mo's talismans burned continuously in his hands, transforming into golden shields of light. However, the chaotic energy seemed alive, relentlessly assaulting the weak points of the shields. "This thing is impossible to kill!" he gritted his teeth, his forehead covered in cold sweat. Lin Xiu, meanwhile, formed hand seals and chanted ancient incantations. Complex Dao patterns appeared on the ground, transforming into chains that attempted to bind the chaotic energy, but each touch only corroded the chains, leaving them riddled with holes.
The mysterious figure knelt on one knee, his body shrouded in gray mist, swaying precariously. The light of the Star Array grew weaker and weaker, yet he persisted. "We can't let it break the seal!" His voice was resolute as his fingers rapidly changed hand seals, attempting to channel chaotic energy into the array. But the evil figure clearly sensed his intention; a black beam of light suddenly shot forth, striking the mysterious figure heavily in the chest.
Just as everyone's defenses were about to collapse, the chaotic energy had already reached Zhao Qingyang's ankles. The energy carried a bone-chilling cold; wherever it passed, rocks rapidly weathered into grayish-white powder. Zhao Qingyang felt his strength being drained away bit by bit, and his consciousness began to blur.
"Wait!" The mysterious man suddenly looked up, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "The Heart of the Star Abyss! Do you remember the ancient treasure we obtained at the first altar? It was the only thing that could restrain the power of chaos!" He struggled to his feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "Quick! Inject spiritual power into the Heart of the Star Abyss, let's..." Before he could finish speaking, he spat out another mouthful of blood, but still managed to maintain the great formation.
Zhao Qingyang, Chen Mo, and Lin Xiu exchanged a glance, a flash of understanding crossing their eyes. They simultaneously sat cross-legged on the ground, circulating their spiritual energy. Three Star Abyss Hearts, radiating a soft glow, rose from their robes and hovered in mid-air. The light gradually intertwined, forming a dazzling pillar of light that shot straight into the sky. Wherever the pillar of light touched, the chaotic energy hissed, like asphalt being scorched by a raging fire.
The evil figure roared in fury, trying to break free from the pillar of light. But the pillar's power grew stronger, gradually enveloping it. Chaotic energy surged wildly within the pillar, yet it could not penetrate the light. Zhao Qingyang and the others gritted their teeth, channeling their last bit of spiritual energy into the Star Abyss Heart. Within the pillar of light, the evil figure's outline began to blur, and its shrill laughter gradually faded...
Space seemed to be torn apart by the claws of a colossal beast, the entire world humming under its strain. The evil figure suspended in mid-air, shrouded in thick, inky mist, distorted violently under the scorching heat of the intense beam of light. A piercing scream tore at eardrums, filled with resentment and bitterness; wherever the sound waves passed, even the air rippled with black waves.
Within the pillar of light, energy surged like boiling magma, each beam like a sharp blade, slicing inch by inch along the contours of the evil figure. As the pillar erupted with a blinding white light capable of illuminating the entire void, the figure's limbs began to disintegrate. The dark mist was purified by the white light, turning into fine ash that swirled in the gale before finally dissipating into nothingness. The once turbulent and rampant chaotic energy, having lost the support of its core evil power, deflated like a punctured sack, gradually shrinking into wisps of smoke, silently vanishing into the vast天地 (heaven and earth).
After this breathtaking battle, the brilliance of the Star Abyss Heart was no longer so dazzling. Its brilliant light gradually subsided, transforming into a soft, warm glow, like a setting sun about to sink behind the western mountains. It slowly descended from the sky, weary from the fierce battle, hovering lightly before everyone's eyes. The mysterious man's taut back finally relaxed, his chest heaving as he exhaled a long, stale breath. His face, illuminated by the light, appeared as pale as paper; he seemed drained of all life, his body swaying uncontrollably, his steps faltering, nearly causing him to fall heavily to the ground.
Zhao Qingyang's pupils contracted sharply, and he reacted almost instantly. He touched the ground with his toes and rushed forward like an arrow, firmly supporting the mysterious man's swaying body. His hand could clearly feel the mysterious man's trembling, his eyes filled with worry and concern, his voice trembling with barely concealed anxiety: "Senior, are you alright?" The mysterious man leaned against Zhao Qingyang's arm, regaining his composure before slightly raising his hand, his voice weak yet tinged with relief: "I'm fine. The fierce battle with that evil force just now depleted my spiritual energy too severely; a little rest and I'll be fine."
In the brief respite of everyone's breath, the eerie environment, long eroded by the chaotic energy, was quietly changing. The rocks, once as black as charcoal and covered in jagged cracks, were now visibly shedding their deathly aura. A faint green hue spread from the depths of the rocks, like ripples of life. From the cracks, tender green shoots struggled to break through the hard crevices, greedily absorbing the vitality from the air. A gentle breeze stirred, and the new leaves swayed softly, rustling as if it were a joyous song of rebirth for the earth.
Just as everyone's tense nerves finally relaxed, preparing to sit down and recover their strength, a strange fluctuation spread through the air without warning. This fluctuation, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, created layers of invisible ripples, carrying a mysterious and powerful pressure that instantly tensed their muscles again. As the fluctuation grew stronger, the void before them seemed to be torn open by an invisible hand, and a portal radiating brilliant golden light slowly appeared. Within the golden portal, light and shadow flowed like a flowing galaxy, and one could vaguely glimpse the mysterious and unpredictable scene shrouded in mist on the other side.
Upon seeing this, the mysterious man's eyes lit up with surprise, and his previously pale face flushed with excitement. His voice trembled slightly, unable to conceal his joy: "This is the passage to the second altar! It seems that through our relentless efforts, we have successfully passed the first stage of the test!" Hearing this, the others' previously exhausted faces broke into relieved smiles, and the dim light in their eyes rekindled their fighting spirit, as if they had been infused with new strength.
The group sprang into action, carefully gathering the scattered weapons and equipment and tidying their disheveled clothes. Zhao Qingyang solemnly grasped the Star Abyss Heart in both hands; the warmth emanating from his palms felt like the pulse of life, strengthening his resolve. He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over his comrades-in-arms, and his voice boomed with unwavering conviction: "No matter what challenges lie ahead—be they abyssal behemoths or treacherous fog mazes—we will press on! Even if thorns tear at our skin and danger lurks at our side, we will never retreat a single step!"
They exchanged glances, their eyes meeting, and without a word, their hearts were in sync. The unwavering determination in their eyes was more powerful than any vow. Then, backs straight, they strode forward with synchronized and resolute steps, stepping without hesitation into the golden portal that radiated a mysterious light. Behind the door lay either lurking danger or unexpected opportunity, but they were fearless, for they firmly believed that as long as they walked side by side, no obstacle was insurmountable.
The crowd responded in unison, their impassioned shouts echoing like thunder in the newly revitalized space. Newly sprouted vines trembled gently in the cracks of the rocks, as if applauding their courage. Zhao Qingyang led the way, the Star Abyss Heart radiating a warm light in his palm, illuminating his resolute profile. He stepped through the golden portal first, followed closely by the others, their footsteps rhythmic and powerful, a testament to their unwavering resolve.
The moment they stepped through the portal, a cool breeze swept over them, and the scene before them abruptly changed. Before them lay a deep, seemingly endless passage. On the walls on either side of the passage, faint blue runes flickered, their light rising and falling like breath. The runes were ancient and mysterious, as if written in some distant past, each flash a whisper of a long-forgotten story.
A faint herbal scent filled the air, refreshing yet tinged with a barely perceptible bitterness. This aroma should have been relaxing, but everyone sensed a hidden danger within it, like a turbulent undercurrent lurking beneath a calm lake. Each person unconsciously gripped their weapon tighter, vigilantly observing their surroundings.
Suddenly, a muffled rumble came from beneath their feet, and the ground began to shake violently. The walls on both sides of the passage emitted a piercing screeching sound, and countless sharp stone spikes sprouted from the ground like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, hurtling towards the group. The surface of the stone spikes gleamed with a cold luster, and a sharp whistling sound could even be heard cutting through the air.
Zhao Qingyang reacted swiftly, letting out a shout as the Star Abyss Heart in his hand erupted with dazzling light. Wherever the light passed, the stone spikes snapped with a crisp cracking sound, shattering into a pile of stone dust. However, the crisis was far from over. Before anyone could catch their breath, a strange ripple suddenly appeared in the air ahead, and a group of phantoms emitting an eerie glow materialized out of thin air. These phantoms were twisted and contorted, their faces ferocious, baring their fangs and claws as they lunged at the group, sending chills down their spines.
Chen Mo immediately cast a spell, chanting incantations, and streaks of fire shot towards the phantoms like meteors. Surprisingly, however, these phantoms, like smoke, dissipated in the firelight and quickly reformed, suffering no real harm. Everyone's hearts tightened, and fine beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads.
Just when everyone was at a loss, the mysterious man, despite his weakened state, took a difficult step forward. His voice, though weak, carried an undeniable firmness: "These phantoms are formed from the power of illusion. Ordinary attacks cannot harm them in the slightest; they must be broken with the power of the mind."
Upon hearing this, everyone took a deep breath, closed their eyes, and concentrated all their minds. They circulated their spiritual energy, condensing their mental power into an invisible force. Zhao Qingyang led the charge, guiding his mental power towards the phantoms, followed by the others. Under their combined attack, the phantoms began to tremble violently, their eerie light gradually dimming. With a resentful roar, the phantoms finally dissipated into the air like scattered mist.
At the end of the passage, a soft ray of light pierced the darkness, faintly appearing. A surge of joy filled the group; they knew the second altar was not far ahead. However, they also understood that behind the light, many more unknown trials awaited them. But at this moment, no one hesitated. They nodded to each other, and with unwavering faith, continued forward.
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