Chapter 239: I

The appearance of the Blood Night Magic General made the already tense situation even worse. He exuded a suffocating pressure, like a towering mountain crushing everyone's breath. The black shadow seemed to be provoked, began to roll violently, emitting sharp, ear‑piercing shrieks.

The sky suddenly changed color, black clouds gathered, and thunder roared. Strands of black lightning, like snarling giant serpents, shot straight down from the heavens, targeting the cave where they were.

"Bad! The black shadow's power has increased!" the Lan Xing Guardian's face grew even more solemn; he felt the black shadow's strength multiply after the Blood Night Magic General appeared. This power had far exceeded his estimate, leaving him feeling deeply powerless.

Kelinda's chanting abruptly stopped; her previously stable healing spell was disrupted by the black lightning, and the flow of magic became chaotic. A powerful backlash surged in her mind, making her feel as if her internal organs were being torn apart. She had to cease casting and dodge the descending black lightning with all her might.

The Elf let out a startled cry, her slender body trembling under the pressure of the lightning. Instinctively she wanted to flee the danger, but she knew she could not abandon her companions and escape alone.

Zhang Cheng remained shrouded by the black shadow; he felt his consciousness gradually blurring and his body growing heavier. The shadow's power was eroding his body and soul, and he felt like a small boat tossed in a storm, ready to be swallowed by a giant wave at any moment.

The Blood Night Magic General watched everything, a cruel smile curling his lips. He slowly raised the black longsword in his hand, the tip pointing at the bead Kelinda held. "Hand over the bead, and I might consider giving you a quick death." His voice was cold and merciless, like a demon from hell.

Kelinda clenched her teeth, gripping the bead tightly, her eyes filled with resolve. She knew the bead was the only hope to save Zhang Cheng, and she would never hand it to the Blood Night Magic General.

"No way!" the Lan Xing Guardian roared, standing at the front, raising both hands to raise a massive golden shield, trying to block the falling black lightning. The shield blazed, colliding with the black lightning and emitting a deafening boom.

But the lightning's power was too great; the shield began to crack, and the golden light gradually dimmed. The Lan Xing Guardian's body started to tremble, and a painful expression appeared on his face.

"Hold on!" the Elf's voice trembled yet held a hint of determination; she extended her hands, releasing a gentle green glow, trying to help the Lan Xing Guardian maintain the shield.

At that critical moment, the Blood Night Magic General suddenly moved. He flashed, instantly appearing before Kelinda, his black longsword turning into a bolt of black lightning, thrusting toward Kelinda's chest. "Give me the bead…"

"…hand it over!" the Blood Night Magic General's voice was as piercing as an ice spear; the black longsword, wrapped in suffocating pressure, bore straight for Kelinda's chest. At the last instant, a figure flashed by like lightning, shielding Kelinda.

Clang!

The harsh clang of metal rang through the cave, sparks scattering. It was the Lan Xing Guardian! He had appeared before Kelinda at an unknown moment, brandishing a golden longsword that barely blocked the Blood Night Magic General's lethal strike.

"Your opponent is me!" the Lan Xing Guardian growled, the golden longsword flashing with dazzling light as it clashed fiercely with the black longsword. The two mighty forces collided, stirring a violent gust that hurled the cave's stones into the air.

Kelinda was stunned by the sudden turn of events, watching the blood‑soaked Lan Xing Guardian fighting before her, feeling both gratitude and worry. She knew the Guardian had stepped forward to protect her, but she also realized that, even with his strength, it would be hard to fend off the Blood Night Magic General's assault.

"Run! Take the bead and get out of here!" the Lan Xing Guardian shouted anxiously while repelling the Blood Night Magic General's attacks. His voice was hoarse from exertion, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

Kelinda bit her lip; she knew there was no time for hesitation. She had to leave with the bead to save Zhang Cheng's life and not betray the Lan Xing Guardian's sacrifice.

At that moment, the silent mysterious Elf also moved. She waved her wand, muttering incantations, and the surrounding air began to ripple. Mysterious runes materialized one after another, flashing a pale blue light like stars in the night sky. The runes quickly combined into a translucent barrier, overlaying the Lan Xing Guardian's golden shield and enveloping everyone within.

"This is… the Elf Clan's Guardian Barrier!" Kelinda recognized the barrier, a spark of hope igniting in her heart. The Elf Clan's Guardian Barrier is famed for its formidable defense; with its aid, perhaps they could withstand the black shadow and the Blood Night Magic General's attacks.

Meanwhile, the battle between the Lan Xing Guardian and the Blood Night Magic General entered a feverish stage. The Guardian's golden longsword danced densely, each swing bearing thunderous force. The General's black longsword was cold and eerie, like a venomous snake spitting venom, constantly seeking a flaw in the Guardian.

Boom!

Another bolt of black lightning struck down, smashing hard against the shield and rune barrier. The barrier shuddered violently, but ultimately held back the lightning's attack.

"Hold on!" the Elf's complexion grew pale as she continuously waved her wand, feeding fresh energy into the barrier.

However, the black shadow's assault showed no sign of stopping. The black lightning grew denser, repeatedly battering the shield and rune barrier. The cave filled with harsh booming sounds and dazzling light, as if the world were ending.

Kelinda supported the wobbling Zhang Cheng, her gaze fixed ahead. She knew the challenge they now faced was unprecedented. Yet she believed that as long as they united, they could overcome the difficulty and find a way to save Zhang Cheng.

The Blood Night Magic General suddenly halted his attack, gazing at the trembling barrier before him, a cold sneer curling his lips. "A dying struggle…" he slowly raised the black longsword, its tip pointing to the sky, as an even stronger darkness gathered around him. "Let me show you the true… "

"…Despair!" the Blood Night Magic General's voice roared like a hellish scream, the darkness on the black longsword coalescing into a massive black sphere that emitted a heart‑pounding aura.

The rune light on the barrier flickered faster and faster, as if about to extinguish. The Elf's complexion grew even paler, sweat sliding down her cheek, yet she still clenched her teeth, persisting in feeding energy into the barrier.

"I can't… I'm about to collapse…" the Elf's voice trembled; she felt her magic draining rapidly, and the barrier's defense weakening.

At that moment, the previously unconscious Zhang Cheng let out a painful groan. A bright light pierced through the wavering barrier, falling on him, making his already pallid complexion look even worse. His body convulsed violently, as if something churned beneath his skin; black markings spread like a spiderweb, exuding an unsettling aura.

"Zhang Cheng!" Kelinda called his name anxiously, but she was powerless. She could feel the black shadow's power eroding him, his life force draining rapidly.

The Lan Xing Guardian also noticed Zhang Cheng's abnormality, his heart sinking as he realized the situation was dire. While fiercely repelling the Blood Night Magic General's attacks, he urgently shouted to the Elf, "Quick! We need a stronger defense!"

Despair flashed across the Elf's face; she shook her head weakly, saying, "My magic is exhausted… I… I can't do it…"

At the instant the barrier was about to shatter, a dazzling white light erupted from Zhang Cheng's body. The light, like a rising sun, dispelled the surrounding darkness and illuminated the entire cave.

Within the white light, Zhang Cheng's body rose slowly, his eyes tightly shut, his face contorted in pain. The black markings churned beneath his skin, as if ready to devour him at any moment.

However, at that moment an ancient, mysterious rune suddenly appeared on his forehead. The rune emitted a gentle white glow, starkly contrasting with the black markings on his body.

As the rune appeared, Zhang Cheng's trembling gradually subsided, and the black markings began to fade. His tightly shut eyes slowly opened, revealing a pair of clear, bright eyes.

"This is…" the Lan Xing Guardian said, looking at the rune on Zhang Cheng's forehead, surprise and puzzlement in his eyes. He sensed the rune contained an immensely powerful force, even beyond his understanding of power.

The Blood Night Magic General was also stunned by the sudden turn. The black sphere in his hand hovered motionless, unwilling to continue the attack. He stared at Zhang Cheng, his eyes filled with fear and greed.

"This power… belongs to…" he muttered, complex light flickering in his eyes.

The Elf also noticed Zhang Cheng's change; a spark of hope lit her eyes, yet she still dared not let her guard down. She knew the black shadow's power still lingered, and they were not yet safe.

Zhang Cheng slowly lifted his head, his gaze landing on the Blood Night Magic General, cold light flashing in his eyes. He slowly extended his hand toward the General and uttered a single word: "Begone!"

An invisible force burst from him, instantly hurling the Blood Night Magic General across the ground. The General crashed heavily, spitting a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with terror and rage.

Just as everyone thought the crisis was over, the black shadow let out a sharp howl. The dark power in the cave surged again, fiercer and more violent than before.

The barrier shuddered violently, its rune light dimming further. The Elf's complexion grew even paler, and she felt she could barely hold on.

Zhang Cheng's body began to tremble again, the black markings spreading anew beneath his skin. His gaze turned hazy and vacant, as if he had lost consciousness.

Kelinda watched Zhang Cheng's suffering, her heart torn. She knew that without immediate action, the black shadow's power would completely devour him.

"No!" Kelinda shouted, thrusting away the Lan Xing Guardian who had been supporting her, and charging recklessly toward the black shadow… "Stop!"

Kelinda's desperate cry echoed through the cave as she struggled free from the Lan Xing Guardian's support and charged headlong toward the rolling black shadow. In its crimson eyes reflected Zhang Cheng's tormented face; she could not watch him be devoured. Yet an invisible massive force slammed her back, as if she had struck an unseen wall. Kelinda let out a muffled groan, crashing heavily to the ground, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

"Kelinda!" the Lan Xing Guardian rushed forward, helping her up. "You're too reckless! This black shadow's power far exceeds our imagination!"

Kelinda struggled to stand, her gaze never leaving Zhang Cheng. The black markings on his body spread faster, nearly covering him entirely. The ancient rune's light flickered erratically, as if it could extinguish at any moment.

The Elf leaned weakly against the stone wall, having exhausted all her magic and unable to sustain the barrier. The rune light on the barrier dimmed, cracks spreading like a spiderweb, about to shatter completely.

A desperate atmosphere enveloped the cave, everyone feeling the threat of death. At that critical moment, the black shadow's assault suddenly ceased. The swirling dark energy gradually calmed, coalescing into a massive black sphere that hovered mid‑air, exuding a suffocating pressure.

The cave fell into dead silence, only Zhang Cheng's painful moans and everyone's rapid breaths breaking the stillness. The sudden calm made the unease grow.

"What… what is it doing?" the Elf's voice trembled, tinged with fear.

The Lan Xing Guardian's brows knit, his gaze wary of the black sphere. He sensed the shadow had not abandoned its assault but was brewing a more dreadful scheme. "It's gathering strength…" he whispered, "It wants to swallow us all in one breath!"

The black shadow's silence was like the calm before a storm, chilling the heart. The black sphere rotated slowly, surrounding dark energy swirling into it like a vortex; the sphere grew larger, its oppressive pressure intensifying.

Kelinda clenched her fist, her nails digging deep into her flesh. She refused to accept surrender. She turned to the Lan Xing Guardian, her gaze steadfast, "There must be a way, right?"

The Lan Xing Guardian fell silent for a moment; he knew that with their current strength they could not possibly oppose the black shadow. But he could not give up, could not let hope be dashed. He took a deep breath, a flash of resolve crossing his eyes. "I'll go find the Cosmic Merchant," he said in a low voice, "perhaps he knows how to deal with this black shadow."

Having said that, he turned and walked toward the cave's exit.

"Wait!" the Elf suddenly called out to him, "I'm coming too!"

The Lan Xing Guardian stopped, turning his head to look at the Elf. Her eyes were filled with determination; she knew that staying here would only be a burden. She had to do something, even if there was only a sliver of hope.

"You…" the Lan Xing Guardian hesitated for a moment; he knew the Elf's condition was weak now, but he also understood her resolve. He finally nodded, "All right, we'll go together."

The two exchanged a glance, said nothing more, and walked out of the cave. Kelinda watched their retreating backs, a spark of hope igniting in her heart. She tightly gripped Zhang Cheng's hand and whispered, "Wait for me, I will surely save you…"

Inside the cave, only Kelinda and the unconscious Zhang Cheng remained, along with the ever‑growing black sphere. Dark energy surged within the cavern, like a beast that devours men, its bloody maw wide open, waiting to swallow its prey.

Suddenly, the black sphere stopped spinning, and a stronger surge of dark energy burst forth from it, sweeping toward Zhang Cheng's direction.

Kelinda sprang to her feet, placing herself in front of Zhang Cheng, her scarlet eyes blazing with resolve—"Not a chance!"