Chapter 248: Internal Crisis

The desolate planet's surface was littered with jagged rocks and bottomless fissures, and the air was filled with a strange metallic odor.

Zhang Cheng and Kelinda supported each other, trudging laboriously across the rugged ground.

Their energy was nearly exhausted, and each step felt like walking on a knife's edge.

"How long... can we still hold on..."

Kelinda's voice was so weak it was almost inaudible.

Zhang Cheng gave no reply, merely pulling her tighter in silence.

He knew that whatever he said now would be futile; the only thing they could do was persevere, persevere until they found a sliver of hope.

Three days later, they found a relatively flat cave and settled there temporarily.

However, a greater crisis was quietly approaching.

As the time they were trapped inside the Xingyun grew longer, their supplies began to dwindle.

Food and energy replenishment both became problems.

Xingji Xiake, having been seriously wounded in the earlier battle with the Xingyun monsters, could not replenish the consumed resources, and his body began to weaken.

He curled up in a corner of the cave, his complexion pale and his breathing rapid.

"Can we... really get out of here..."

Xingji Xiake's voice was filled with despair.

Zhang Cheng walked to his side, patted his shoulder, and tried to comfort him.

"We will, we can definitely get out."

"But... our food and energy are almost depleted..."

Xingji Xiake's gaze was dim and lifeless,

"We... we will be trapped here to death..."

Zhang Cheng fell silent. He knew that Xingji Xiake's words were factual. Their situation was indeed extremely dangerous, yet he could not abandon hope.

"We must find a way out,"

Zhang Cheng said firmly,

"for ourselves, and for those still waiting for us."

He looked around, his gaze falling on the Blue Star Guardian and the mysterious Elf.

They too were silently enduring hunger and fatigue, their eyes filled with anxiety and unease.

Suddenly, Xingji Xiake lunged and grabbed Zhang Cheng's arm, a flash of terror crossing his eyes.

"Did... did you hear any sound..."

Zhang Cheng tilted his ear to listen, a low humming emanating from deep within the cave, growing clearer...

"Not good..."

Zhang Cheng's complexion changed.

The low hum grew louder, like a massive creature drawing near.

The atmosphere in the cave suddenly tightened with tension.

Xingji Xiake clutched Zhang Cheng's arm tightly, his face ashen.

"It's the Xingyun monsters! They're catching up!"

Fear spread through the cave like a plague.

The earlier battle with the Xingyun monsters still haunted them; now, with their energy nearly spent, meeting them again was undoubtedly a dead end.

"We must leave here quickly!"

The Blue Star Guardian sprang to his feet, a hint of panic in his tone.

"Where do we go? Outside is full of those monsters!"

The mysterious Elf retorted, doubt filling his eyes,

"If we go out now, we'll only become their prey!"

"Then what do you suggest? Wait for death?"

The Blue Star Guardian roared,

"What about the safe passage you mentioned before? It was a lie!"

"You're talking nonsense!"

The mysterious Elf snapped sharply,

"I clearly detected an energy fluctuation; there must be an exit there!"

The quarrel between the two grew increasingly fierce, each blaming the other's previous decisions.

Kelinda, seeing this, forced her frail body to intervene.

"Everyone, calm down; internal strife now will only hasten our demise."

But her weak voice was quickly drowned out by their arguing.

Kelinda sighed helplessly, feeling her head grow increasingly dizzy, her vision blurring.

"Enough!"

Zhang Cheng shouted loudly, cutting off their dispute.

"Now is not the time for blame; we must unite to find a way out!"

He walked to Xingji Xiake's side and handed him the last of his energy fluid.

"Drink it; it'll help a bit."

Xingji Xiake looked at him gratefully, trembling as he took the energy fluid. Yet that little energy was a drop in the bucket for his severe wounds.

The humming grew nearer, and the cave walls began to tremble.

Zhang Cheng took a deep breath; he knew they had to make a decision as quickly as possible.

He looked at the Blue Star Guardian and the mysterious Elf, his gaze steady.

"Now we have only two choices: either wait here to die, or…"

He paused,

"Life-or-Death Duel!"

Suddenly, a deafening boom echoed from deep within the cave, sending shards of stone flying. A massive black silhouette appeared at the entrance…

After the boom, dust swirled, and everyone stared at the entrance in terror.

The shadow gradually clarified, revealing a gigantic Xingyun monster; its body exuded a nauseating, putrid stench, its blood‑red eyes fixed on the crowd, and a deep roar rumbled from its mouth.

"It's over…"

Xingji Xiake slumped on the ground, muttering in despair.

Zhang Cheng clenched his teeth; he knew there was no more hesitation.

"Blue Star Guardian, take Kelinda and go first! Mysterious Elf, cover my rear!"

"No! I will fight alongside you!"

Kelinda struggled to stand, but her frail body could not support her.

"Listen!"

Zhang Cheng's tone was firm,

"You must stay alive!"

The Blue Star Guardian supported Kelinda and, hesitantly, walked deeper into the cave.

The mysterious Elf drew a dagger and stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Cheng, facing the massive beast.

"Kid, you have a lot of courage."

Guangming Shizhe patted Zhang Cheng's shoulder, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes,

"But courage alone cannot defeat it."

Zhang Cheng said nothing, silently aiming his energy sword at the Xingyun monster.

He knew Guangming Shizhe was right, but he had no choice; he had to protect Kelinda and everyone.

The Xingyun monster let out a deafening roar and lunged at Zhang Cheng and the mysterious Elf.

Zhang Cheng swung his energy sword, a dazzling flash cutting through the darkness, striking the monster's head hard.

However, the seemingly powerful strike left only a shallow wound on the monster's skin.

"Its defense is too strong!"

The mysterious Elf exclaimed,

"Our attacks are completely ineffective against it!"

At that moment, a shout came from deep within the cave, the Blue Star Guardian crying out:

"Come back quickly! There are more Xingyun monsters here!"

Zhang Cheng and the mysterious Elf's faces changed dramatically; they were surrounded.

"What do we do now?"

A tremor of fear tinged the mysterious Elf's voice.

Zhang Cheng gave no answer; he looked around, searching for any possible escape route. Suddenly, his gaze fell on Guangming Shizhe.

"Guangming Shizhe, can you…"

Zhang Cheng's words were cut off before he could finish, as Guangming Shizhe interrupted.

"I know what you want to say, but my power is limited; I cannot contend with so many Xingyun monsters."

Guangming Shizhe shook his head,

"We must find another way."

Zhang Cheng's heart sank; he knew they were already in a dead end. At that instant, he felt the ground beneath his feet begin to tremble…

"What now?"

The earth shook violently, debris fell from the cave ceiling, fissures cracked the floor, and a pale green light seeped from the cracks.

"Careful!"

Zhang Cheng shoved Xingji Xiake aside, dodging vines that surged from the ground.

The vines, as supple as poisonous snakes, coiled around Xingji Xiake's ankle and yanked him toward the fissure.

"Ah!"

Xingji Xiake let out a startled cry, swinging his light sword wildly, yet unable to cut the incredibly tough vines.

At the same time, more vines surged from the fissures, swirling like a horde of demons, attacking everyone.

These vines moved at breakneck speed and seemed to sense their weaknesses, targeting the spots where their defenses were thin.

"They're exploiting our contradictions!"

The mysterious Elf dodged the attacks, his tone grave,

"They know we distrust each other and cannot cooperate effectively!"

Kelinda, weak, leaned against the Blue Star Guardian and shouted anxiously:

"Zhang Cheng, careful!"

Zhang Cheng blocked the vines' assaults while observing the surroundings.

Guangming Shizhe swung his staff, the emitted light repelling some vines, but more soon surged forward, seemingly endless.

"We can't keep going like this; we'll be worn out to death!"

The Blue Star Guardian brandished his long halberd, cutting the vines that neared Kelinda,

We must find a way to break through!

Zhang Cheng clenched his teeth; he knew this was not the time for internal strife, and that they had to unite to confront these mysterious creatures.

He shouted loudly:

Everyone, set aside your previous disputes and fight these monsters together!

Xingji Xiake was tangled in vines, unable to move, and cried out loudly:

Help me! Quickly, help me!

Zhang Cheng swung his energy sword, cutting the vines wrapped around Xingji Xiake's ankle. Freed, Xingji Xiake immediately joined the fight.

The others finally began to set aside their barriers, cooperate, and jointly repel the vines' attacks.

Zhang Cheng noticed that, though the vines' attacks were fierce, they seemed to follow a certain pattern… He swung his sword hard, striking precisely at the root of a vine.