Chapter 718: Slight Tremble

However, the Xukongzhi Sect seemed unwilling to let them off so easily. Spatial rifts grew more numerous and larger, as if about to tear the entire void apart. Li An and Guo Yao's figures flickered in and out among the rifts, like candles in the wind, liable to be snuffed out at any moment.

"An, I'm so scared." Guo Yao's voice rang in Li An's ear, her body trembling slightly from fear.

Li An opened his eyes and looked at Guo Yao, his gaze full of tenderness and resolve: "Don't be afraid, Yao. I'm here. I won't let you get hurt."

As he spoke, Li An closed his eyes again and began to concentrate, attempting a deeper communication with the Xukongzhi Sect. He felt the power within him surging, as if a slumbering dragon were awakening.

Suddenly, a light flashed before Li An's eyes—he seemed to have found a breakthrough. He snapped his eyes open, rapidly forming hand seals, and channeled his power into the Xukongzhi Sect.

"Hold steady for me!" Li An bellowed, his voice echoing through the void like a thunderclap, instantly quelling the restless Xukongzhi Sect.

As Li An's power poured in, the Xukongzhi Sect's shaking gradually ceased, and the spatial rifts slowly began to heal. Li An and Guo Yao's figures grew clear once more; they held each other tightly, as if reunited after a life-and-death parting.

"An, we did it!" Guo Yao cried excitedly, her eyes glistening with tears, but brimming more with joy and admiration.

Li An smiled at Guo Yao, gently stroking her hair: "Yes, we did it. But this is only the beginning—there are more challenges waiting for us."

The two exchanged a smile, knowing their journey was far from over. But just then, a low, deep roar came from the depths of the void, like the breath of a colossal beast, chilling the heart.

Li An and Guo Yao's expressions instantly became grave. They knew that roar signaled some unknown danger—a more terrifying enemy was about to appear.

"An, what should we do?" Guo Yao asked again, a note of helplessness and fear in her voice.

Li An gripped Guo Yao's hand tightly, his eyes revealing resolve and calm: "Don't be afraid, Yao. I'm here. I won't let you come to any harm."

As he spoke, Li An began to mobilize the power within him, preparing for battle... He looked around, trying to locate the source of the roar. But the void was pitch-black; nothing could be seen.

"It seems we can only take the initiative." Li An drew a deep breath, took Guo Yao's hand, and flew toward the direction the roar had come from.

As they drew closer, the roar grew clearer, as if a colossal beast were bellowing in the darkness, awaiting its prey. Li An and Guo Yao's heartbeats quickened in tandem—they knew the coming battle would be a life-and-death contest.

At last, they reached the source of the roar. They saw a massive black hole suspended in the void, surrounded by thick, dark aura that made one's blood run cold. And at the center of the black hole, a pair of blood-red eyes0.8 glinted with a cold light, watching them.

"What is this thing?" Guo Yao asked in terror, her voice echoing through the void, sounding exceptionally faint.

Li An furrowed his brow tightly, staring at those blood-red eyes, an inexplicable fear welling up within him. But he knew he could not retreat now. He drew a deep breath, steadied his mind, and prepared to meet the coming battle. 。