Chapter 247: Too Late

The mysterious Elf's slender finger pointed toward the deep darkness ahead, and everyone looked in her direction, holding their breath. In the endless void, a massive vortex slowly rotated, like the gaping abyssal mouth of a cosmic beast, emitting a heart‑pounding suction. It was not pure black, but flickered with eerie dark‑purple light, like a ghost lurking in the dark, silently devouring everything around.

"That is… the entrance to the Cosmic Abyss…" the mysterious Elf's voice whispered like from hell, carrying a hint of despair and fear, "All matter drawn into it will cease to exist…"

Before the words finished, the ship began to shake violently, a powerful suction pulling it toward the massive vortex. Though Blue Star Guardian strained to control the ship, trying to break free, it was all in vain. The ship drifted like a fallen leaf, mercilessly drawn into the entrance of the Cosmic Abyss.

"Hold on!" Zhang Cheng shouted, gripping the nearby handrail tightly. Kelinda also seized Mo Yi, her face pale.

Upon entering the vortex, the ship was swept into a chaotic Xingyun. The dark‑red Xingyun ceased being calm, instead roiling like boiling magma, with various energy turbulence raging like giant serpents dancing wildly, ready at any moment to tear the ship to pieces.

The ship jolted violently, like a lone boat in a raging storm, ready to capsize at any moment. Everyone clutched whatever they could secure, their faces turning unusually grim.

Suddenly, a dazzling golden energy stream shot out from deep within the Xingyun, slamming into the ship's side wing. The ship emitted a harsh metallic screech, its hull shaking violently; Zhang Cheng was hurled by the impact, crashing heavily against the cabin wall, a sharp pain searing his chest. He struggled to rise but felt his whole body weaken, darkness flashing before his eyes.

"Zhang Cheng!" Kelinda cried, trying to reach him, but another energy stream knocked her off balance, forcing her to stagger back.

Xingji Xiake and Guangming Shizhe were each struck by the energy stream, letting out muted groans, clearly injured. The ship's Energy Shield flickered erratically, on the verge of collapse.

Blue Star Guardian clenched his teeth, desperately piloting the ship, trying to find a sliver of hope amid the raging Xingyun. But he knew hope was slim. The Xingyun's energy was too violent; the ship's Energy Shield could not endure for long.

The mysterious Elf curled up in the corner, trembling all over, muttering continuously, "It's over… everything is over…"

"No, it's not over!" Zhang Cheng gritted his teeth, bearing the intense pain, and slowly rose. Determination flashed in his eyes; he knew he could not give up. For Kelinda, for Lan Xing, for everyone still waiting for his return, he had to survive!

He looked at Kelinda, forcing out a strained smile, "Don't worry, I'm fine…"

He reached out, trying to touch Kelinda's face, but his arm drooped weakly…

Seeing Zhang Cheng collapse, Kelinda's heart twisted like a knife. She forced back tears, clenching her silver teeth, inhaled deeply. Dark‑purple light surged from her body, blooming like a mandrake flower, rapidly expanding to envelop everyone. It was demonic power, a formidable force capable of resisting energy impacts. Yet the raging energy turbulence within the Xingyun, like countless sharp blades, battered the fragile shield, making it quiver violently, rippling as if about to shatter.

"We can't keep going like this!" Blue Star Guardian said, his face solemn. He knew Kelinda's power was great, but in this environment, sustaining the shield alone was too much. Without hesitation, he placed his hand on Kelinda's shoulder, a vast sea‑like blue energy flooding the shield; the previously wavering purple light dome instantly steadied, shimmering with intertwined blue‑purple radiance.

"Thank you…" Kelinda looked gratefully at Blue Star Guardian, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Maintaining this shield required a huge amount of energy; even with Blue Star Guardian's aid, she felt powerless.

Blue Star Guardian shook his head slightly, his complexion growing even paler. His strength was draining rapidly; the energy turbulence in the Xingyun was far stronger than he had imagined, and he felt as if he were battling a raging ocean, ready to be devoured at any moment.

"Cough…" Zhang Cheng clutched his chest, struggling to sit up, his face as pale as paper. He saw Kelinda and Blue Star Guardian pouring all their effort into sustaining the shield, and a sense of helplessness filled his heart.

"How are you?" Kelinda asked concernedly, her eyes full of worry.

"I'm fine…" Zhang Cheng forced out a faint smile, trying to stand, but a wave of dizziness nearly sent him down again.

"Don't push yourself!" Kelinda steadied him, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"We must find a way out of here…" Zhang Cheng inhaled deeply, bearing the discomfort, striving to stay conscious. He knew that if they continued like this, they would eventually be trapped to death within this Xingyun.

The mysterious Elf peeked out from the corner, speaking timidly, "I know a legend; it is said that at the center of this Xingyun lies an energy source that controls all the energy turbulence…"

"An energy source?" Zhang Cheng's eyes lit up, as if grasping a lifeline, "If we can locate that source, perhaps we could control this Xingyun…"

"But… but it's extremely dangerous…" the mysterious Elf's voice trembled, "It is said that a powerful guardian dwells there, and any creature that approaches will be torn to pieces…"

"No matter what, we must try!" Zhang Cheng's gaze was firm, "Better to take a chance than sit and wait for death!"

Xingji Xiake stepped forward, dusting off his clothes with a hearty laugh, "Alright! Let me scout the path!" He flashed, becoming a streak of light that plunged into the surging energy turbulence. Guangming Shizhe followed closely, his golden radiance slashing through the darkness like lightning across the night sky.

"Be careful!" Zhang Cheng called out, his heart full of worry. He knew Xingji Xiake faced slim odds, but this was their only hope.

Blue Star Guardian watched the departing silhouettes of the two, his brows knit, feeling the energy fluctuations in the Xingyun grow increasingly violent, as if something were about to awaken…

Suddenly, Xingji Xiake's figure was hurled back, crashing heavily against the shield with a muffled thud. His face turned pale, a trickle of blood spilling from his mouth corner, his eyes filled with terror.

"There… there…" he pointed toward the depths of the Xingyun, his voice trembling, but he could not finish…

Xingji Xiake crashed heavily onto the wobbling shield, and everyone's hearts sank. He struggled to rise but collapsed weakly, the blood at his mouth staining the front of his shirt.

"What's happening?" Zhang Cheng asked anxiously, his voice trembling slightly with worry.

Xingji Xiake inhaled deeply, his face as pale as paper, his eyes still holding lingering terror. "There… there's an unimaginably powerful force…" he said haltingly, "I hadn't even approached the energy source when an invisible force violently repelled me back…"

His words struck like a thunderclap in everyone's minds. Even Xingji Xiake could not get close; the danger surrounding the energy source was evident.

"Is there really no other way?" Kelinda's voice carried a hint of despair. The dark‑purple light in her hand grew dimmer, and maintaining the shield was nearing her limit.

Blue Star Guardian's brows tightened; he felt the Xingyun's energy fluctuations intensify, as if a terrifying presence were awakening. He inhaled deeply and said gravely, "We cannot abandon hope; there must be another way…"

The mysterious Elf remained silent, tightly closing her eyes, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed as if bearing great pain. After a moment, she suddenly opened her eyes, a flash of terror in them. "Bad! There are many hidden energy traps around us; we're surrounded!"

"Energy traps?" Zhang Cheng felt a chill, scanning the surroundings but seeing nothing.

"These traps hide within the energy turbulence, invisible to the naked eye," the mysterious Elf explained, "Once triggered, they cause chain reactions with unimaginable consequences…"

Before her words ended, everyone felt a violent tremor beneath their feet. The shield shuddered wildly, as if it could break at any moment.

"Damn!" Blue Star Guardian growled, pouring all his strength into the shield; the blue‑purple light flared again, barely holding back the impact.

"Continuing like this won't work," Zhang Cheng gritted through the pain, struggling to stand, "We must take the initiative, locate the energy source, and fully resolve the problem!"

His gaze was steadfast and resolute, like a beacon in the darkness, giving everyone a glimmer of hope.

"I agree!" Kelinda also rose, wiping the blood from her mouth corner, her eyes flashing with firm light, "Better to take a chance than sit and wait for death!"

At that moment, Guangming Shizhe suddenly spoke, his voice resonant like a great bell, "I'll forge a path!"

He clasped his hands together, dazzling golden light erupting from him like a rising sun. The golden radiance pierced the surging energy turbulence, forcibly carving a road toward the depths of the Xingyun.

"Hurry, go!" Guangming Shizhe urged, his complexion also a bit pale, clearly maintaining this passage required immense power.

Everyone rushed into the golden passage without hesitation, but the instant they entered, the surrounding energy turbulence suddenly grew even more violent, as if provoked. The Xingyun seemed alive, frantically repairing itself; the golden passage rapidly contracted, about to be completely sealed…

Blue Star Guardian glanced back at the surging energy turbulence behind him and said gravely, "…It's too late…"

The golden passage shrank rapidly, as if squeezed by an invisible giant hand. Guangming Shizhe's face turned ghastly pale, large beads of sweat rolling from his forehead; he clenched his teeth, exerting all his strength to keep the passage open, even if only for a moment, hoping to buy the others a sliver of survival.

"Quick! Get out!" Guangming Shizhe shouted hoarsely, his voice sounding especially weak amid the raging energy turbulence.

Zhang Cheng and the others surged forward with all their might; Xingji Xiake endured the pain, using his last ounce of strength to push Kelinda ahead. "Go quickly! Don't worry about me!"

Kelinda's eyes reddened; she clutched Zhang Cheng's hand tightly, unwilling to let go. Zhang Cheng grasped her hand with his other hand, pulling her in front of him, using his body to shield her from the surging energy turbulence behind.

Blue Star Guardian and the mysterious Elf followed closely, unleashing their own power to try to slow the passage's closure. However, the Xingyun's force was too great, and their efforts seemed insignificant.

At the moment the passage was about to close completely, Zhang Cheng and Kelinda finally burst out. They crashed heavily into the void surrounding the Xingyun, gasping for breath; the joy of surviving the disaster had not yet spread in their hearts before deep worry replaced it.

Looking back, the golden passage had vanished, the Xingyun had returned to calm, as if nothing had happened. Guangming Shizhe, Xingji Xiake, Blue Star Guardian, and the mysterious Elf were all trapped within the Xingyun.

"No… it can't be…" Kelinda muttered, tears blurring her eyes. She struggled to stand, but Zhang Cheng grabbed her firmly.

"Calm down, Kelinda," Zhang Cheng's voice was low and hoarse, "We must first conserve our strength and find a way to rescue them."

He knew that at this moment, sorrow and despair were useless; only by staying calm could they find a glimmer of hope.

Zhang Cheng looked around and realized they were in a desolate star field, with no planet or starship to land on. Worse still, the energy storm in the nebula was draining their strength enormously, and they were now extremely weak.

Kelinda leaned weakly against Zhang Cheng, her body trembling slightly, as if she might collapse at any moment. "What... what can we do..."

Zhang Cheng took a deep breath, helped Kelinda sit on a floating meteorite, then began to check his own condition. His energy reserves were almost depleted, making even basic life functions difficult.

"We need to find a safe place to regain our strength," Zhang Cheng said, "and then figure out how to enter the nebula and rescue them."

Kelinda lifted her head, her eyes filled with helplessness and confusion. "But... where should we go..."

Zhang Cheng's gaze fell on a distant planet flickering with a faint light; though it looked small and insignificant, it was like a lamp in the darkness, giving them a hint of hope.

"Perhaps... we could go there and see..." Zhang Cheng said, pointing at that planet.

Kelinda followed his finger with her gaze, a flicker of doubt crossing her eyes. "That planet... looks rather barren..."

"No matter what, we must try," Zhang Cheng said, standing up with a determined gaze, "we have no way back..."

He reached out his hand, pulled Kelinda up, and they supported each other as they slowly walked toward the planet flickering with faint light.

Suddenly, Zhang Cheng felt a strange energy fluctuation coming from behind; he whipped his head around and saw, deep in the nebula, a bizarre red light flash by...

"What is that..."