Chapter 238: Hand Over the Bead

"I... can still hold on..." Zhang Cheng croaked out the words with difficulty, his body swaying as if about to collapse. The hum of his long sword faded, its blade's light dimming like a dying candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment. Yet he clenched his teeth, refusing to fall, his gaze flashing with unyielding will.

Kelinda saw Zhang Cheng's condition and felt her heart torn. She struggled to break free of the Blue Star Guardian's restraints, trying to rush to Zhang Cheng, but the Blue Star Guardian pulled her back again.

"Calm down! Going over now will only distract him!" the Blue Star Guardian barked, his tone carrying a barely perceptible tremor. He understood Kelinda's feelings, but now impulsiveness would only worsen the situation.

Kelinda's tears fell like broken strings of pearls; she stared tightly at Zhang Cheng, her lips trembling, unable to speak.

At that moment, a light, ethereal voice came from deep within the cave: "Let me try."

Following the voice, they saw a figure slowly emerge from the darkness. It was a petite Elf with long silver‑white hair, a pair of emerald eyes sparkling like gems, and a faint glow emanating from her body.

"Who are you..." the Blue Star Guardian said, looking at the mysterious Elf, his eyes full of doubt.

"I am the guardian of this forest," the Elf smiled faintly, introducing herself, "I can sense the breath of life; perhaps I can help."

After speaking, the Elf walked slowly to Zhang Cheng's side, closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, and muttered incantations. She tried to use her race's special ability to sense Zhang Cheng's condition, but the black shadow's power interfered so strongly that her perception was shrouded in a thick fog, impossible to pierce.

Time passed second by second, and sweat beads seeped onto the Elf's forehead, her complexion growing increasingly pale.

"Can't," the Elf finally gave up, shaking her head, "the black shadow's power is too great; I cannot discern his exact condition."

Despair began to spread through everyone's hearts.

Suddenly, the Blue Star Guardian seemed to recall something, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. "Legend says that at the edge of the universe lives an ancient sage with supreme wisdom and power; perhaps he knows how to break this black shadow's force..."

He paused, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if making an important decision. "I must go find him!"

Kelinda seized the Blue Star Guardian's arm, "I'm going too!"

The Blue Star Guardian gently patted Kelinda's back of the hand, "You stay here and protect Zhang Cheng. He needs you."

Having said that, the Blue Star Guardian resolutely turned and walked toward the cave's exit.

The Elf watched the Blue Star Guardian's departing silhouette, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. She moved to Kelinda's side and gently clasped her hand. "Don't worry," the Elf's voice was gentle yet firm, "we will find a way."

Kelinda gazed at the unconscious Zhang Cheng, silently praying. Outside the cave, night deepened, the wind howled like a beast's low growl, heralding a greater crisis about to arrive... The Blue Star Guardian quickened his pace, vanishing into the darkness. His figure, like a shooting star, streaked across the night sky...

Kelinda knelt beside Zhang Cheng, gripping his cold hand tightly, tears silently sliding down her cheeks. The Elf sat cross‑legged beside her, silver‑white hair cascading like a waterfall, emitting a soft glow as if dispelling darkness for Zhang Cheng. The cave was silent, only Zhang Cheng's faint breathing and Kelinda's restrained sobbing intertwining like a mournful elegy.

The black shadow still enveloped Zhang Cheng, like a massive black cocoon, exuding a suffocating pressure. Kelinda watched the shadow warily, daring not to relax. She knew that as long as she had breath left, she would never let the black shadow harm Zhang Cheng even a bit.

Meanwhile, the Blue Star Guardian raced at top speed toward the edge of the universe. He trekked through dense jungles, scaled treacherous peaks, crossed raging rivers, cutting through thorns and brambles without fear. His sole thought was: find the ancient sage and rescue Zhang Cheng!

At the universe's edge lay a desolate star region, stars sparse, deathly silent. A solitary planet floated in the void, its surface covered with ancient runes, exuding a mysterious aura. This was where the ancient sage dwelled.

The Blue Star Guardian landed on the planet, the sight before him striking him with awe. The planet bore no vegetation, no life, only endless desert and bizarre rocks. He followed a winding path toward the planet's interior.

At last, he arrived before an ancient temple, its whole structure built of black monoliths, exuding an ancient, mysterious aura. The Blue Star Guardian inhaled deeply and stepped inside.

Inside the temple, an elder sat cross‑legged at the center, eyes closed in meditation. He had long snow‑white hair, a beard reaching his chest, a face marked by time, yet his eyes shone with keen insight, as if perceiving all things.

"Who are you? Why have you come?" the elder slowly opened his eyes, his voice deep and powerful.

"Honored sage, I am the guardian of Lan Xing," the Blue Star Guardian bowed respectfully, "I beg you to intervene; my friend is trapped by a mysterious black shadow power, his life hangs in the balance!"

The elder was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "The balance of the universe is paramount; I cannot intervene arbitrarily."

"But my friend is innocent! He fought to protect Lan Xing against evil forces, was gravely wounded, and now hangs by a thread!" the Blue Star Guardian said anxiously, almost pleading, "Please, sage, have mercy and save his life!"

The elder looked at the Blue Star Guardian's anxious expression, a barely perceptible emotion flashing in his eyes. He sighed, then said slowly, "Very well, given your sincere heart, I will make an exception."

Hearing this, the Blue Star Guardian rejoiced and hurriedly thanked the sage.

The elder stood, walked to the temple's depths, and retrieved from an ancient chest a bead that emitted an uncanny glow. He handed the bead to the Blue Star Guardian, saying, "This bead can temporarily ward off part of the black shadow's power..." He paused, his gaze deep and far, "but to completely eliminate the black shadow's threat..." He said no more, simply handing the glowing bead to the Blue Star Guardian.

"The black shadow's threat must be fully removed..." the elder's words echoed through the temple, profound. His deep gaze seemed to pierce time and space, seeing a distant future, foreseeing the impending cosmic cataclysm. The Blue Star Guardian felt a chill; he knew that behind the black shadow lay an even greater danger.

He solemnly took the bead, its surface warm yet brimming with potent energy, like a beating heart. The bead's light was not a single hue but a kaleidoscope of colors, ever‑shifting, as dazzling as the cosmic river of stars.

"Thank you, sage!" the Blue Star Guardian bowed deeply again, then turned and rushed out of the temple without hesitation. He knew time was urgent; every minute and second mattered. He had to return to Zhang Cheng at maximum speed, bringing this hopeful dawn to him.

The Blue Star Guardian transformed into a streak of light, cutting through the silent universe, racing toward Zhang Cheng's location. Stars along the way whizzed backward in his sight, as if time itself were left behind. His heart raced with urgency, constantly driving his power to push his speed to the limit.

In the cave, Kelinda still guarded Zhang Cheng, the Elf's glow growing brighter as if battling the black shadow's power. Yet the black shadow showed no sign of weakening; instead it intensified, as if to devour Zhang Cheng completely. Kelinda's heart sank to the abyss, despair spreading. Could there truly be no solution?

At that moment, a dazzling light pierced the cave's darkness, and the Blue Star Guardian descended like a deity. He held aloft the bead that emitted an uncanny glow, his eyes filled with resolve and hope.

"Kelinda, catch it!" the Blue Star Guardian shouted, hurling the bead toward Kelinda.

Kelinda's eyes were swift, her hands steady, and she caught the bead securely. She felt the potent energy within, which soothed her and rekindled her hope.

Without hesitation, Kelinda hurled the bead at the black shadow enveloping Zhang Cheng. The moment the bead struck, a burst of dazzling light erupted, illuminating the cave as bright as day. Incredibly, the previously impenetrable black shadow showed a crack, and its glow dimmed slightly.

Seeing this change, hope sparked in everyone's hearts. The Elf halted her glow, watching the scene in surprise, her eyes full of curiosity and anticipation. The Blue Star Guardian let out a long sigh, knowing the sage's bead had taken effect.

Kelinda's gaze was steadfast; she inhaled deeply, her hands forming seals, muttering incantations. An ancient demon‑clan healing spell unfurled from her hands, a gentle green light emanating from her, flowing slowly toward Zhang Cheng's body.

The Blue Star Guardian stepped beside Kelinda, whispering, "Let me lend you a hand." He extended his hands, a surge of powerful energy flowing into Kelinda, helping stabilize the spell.

The Elf also approached Zhang Cheng, extending her slender finger to lightly tap his forehead. A mysterious force slowly seeped into Zhang Cheng, as if replenishing his life force.

In the cave, three distinct forces intertwined, forming a strange energy field. The black shadow's fierce light still flickered, but was no longer as threatening. Everyone's eyes focused on Zhang Cheng, awaiting a miracle.

Suddenly, the Blue Star Guardian's expression changed; he looked toward the cave entrance and said gravely, "Someone's coming..." Green light wove around Zhang Cheng like silk, Kelinda's chant deep and powerful, the ancient demon‑clan healing incantation echoing in the cave. As the spell progressed, Zhang Cheng's painful expression eased slightly, the black shadow over him thinned, and the sage's bead emitted a gentle glow, intertwining with the green healing light.

"His vital signs are recovering!" the Elf exclaimed joyfully, feeling the faint life force within Zhang Cheng strengthening. Hope, like a sapling, stubbornly pushes through the soil of despair.

The Blue Star Guardian also sensed the subtle shift; he amplified his energy output, continuously channeling it into Kelinda to sustain the high‑intensity healing spell. Large beads of sweat rolled down Kelinda's forehead, yet her gaze remained steadfast, unmoved.

However, this brief hope did not last long. The black shadow seemed to sense everyone's intent, emitting a silent roar like an enraged beast. It began to churn violently, like boiling tar, radiating an even stronger light, nearly engulfing the entire cave.

Zhang Cheng's body shuddered violently again, a painful moan spilling from his mouth. The black shadow enveloping him contracted, like a massive black hand intent on crushing him completely.

"Bad! The black shadow's power has increased!" the Blue Star Guardian's face changed dramatically; he felt a crushing pressure that nearly took his breath away.

Kelinda's chant grew hurried; she strained with all her might to maintain the healing spell, but the black shadow's power was overwhelming, and she felt her own strength being rapidly drained.

The Elf retreated a few steps in panic, her slender body trembling slightly, eyes filled with terror. She had never seen such a powerful darkness, leaving her feeling helpless and despondent.

At that critical moment, a cold voice sounded from the cave entrance: "Stop."

The group turned toward the voice and saw a tall figure slowly entering the cave. He wore a black robe, a silver mask covering his face, revealing only a pair of cold blue eyes. In his hand he held a black long sword, its blade exuding a chilling aura that made hearts race.

The Blue Star Guardian felt a chill; he recognized the newcomer and said gravely, "Blood Night Magic General..."

The Blood Night Magic General's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Zhang Cheng, shrouded by the black shadow. A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he said slowly, "It seems you've found some interesting little toys..." He paused, his eyes turning to the bead in Kelinda's hand, a hint of greed flashing within. "But the ultimate victory still belongs to us." Raising the black long sword he held, he pointed at Kelinda, "Hand over the bead."