Chapter 251: Now Is the Time

The black shadow drew nearer, gradually revealing its snarling visage.

It resembled a massive warship, entirely jet‑black, its surface covered with strange runes that emitted a heart‑pounding energy ripple.

"Not good! It's the Shadow Assassin's mount—'Nether Ghost Vessel'!"

Guangming Shizhe's complexion changed abruptly, and he shouted in alarm.

"Shadow Assassin?!"

Xingji Xiake inhaled sharply, gripped his light sword tightly, his eyes filled with dread.

He whispered to Zhang Cheng:

"Kid, Shadow Assassins aren't to be trifled with; they strike ruthlessly and never leave a living mouth. Stay close to me and don't run off."

Zhang Cheng nodded, yet a wave of unease rose within him. He felt this crisis was stronger than any he had faced before.

Suddenly, a wail sliced through the night sky.

The Blue Star Guardian, the powerful elder who had always protected Zhang Cheng, collapsed without warning.

A blood‑filled wound gaped in his chest, crimson flowing out and staining the surrounding stardust.

"Guardian!"

Zhang Cheng cried out and rushed forward.

Kelinda hurried after him, worry written across her face.

The others gathered as well, but were all helpless.

The Blue Star Guardian's life force was fading rapidly; his eyes grew dim, his lips trembled slightly as if to speak, but no sound emerged.

A sorrowful atmosphere enveloped everyone.

Xingji Xiake hammered the ground hard, gritting his teeth as he said:

"Damn Shadow Assassin! I will avenge the Guardian!"

Guangming Shizhe also clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with angry fire.

The mysterious Elf stood silently aside, slender fingers tracing lightly in the air, as if sensing something.

She suddenly lifted her head, her gaze landing on the distant depths of the stardust, a strange glint flashing in her eyes.

"I... feel his presence..."

The mysterious Elf's emerald eyes shimmered with an odd light; her slender fingers drew intricate patterns in the air, as if plucking invisible strings.

"I feel his presence... deep within the Xingyun, he is hidden behind an abandoned satellite."

"Deep within the Xingyun?"

Xingji Xiake furrowed his brows,

"That is the secret base of the 'Obsidian' organization; could the Shadow Assassin have been sent by them?"

"Exactly,"

the mysterious Elf nodded affirmatively,

"I sense a powerful greed; they came for the 'Star Core' within the Xingyun."

The Star Core, an extremely rare energy entity in the universe, contains immense power capable of destroying an entire planet.

"'Obsidian' truly never loses its thieving heart!"

Guangming Shizhe roared in anger, golden light flashing over his body,

"We must not let them succeed!"

With that, Xingji Xiake turned into a streak of light, charging ahead toward the depths of the Xingyun.

His light sword sliced through the darkness, pointing straight at the Shadow Assassin concealed behind the abandoned satellite.

However, the assassin was prepared; his figure flashed, easily evading Xingji Xiake's strike, and countered with a lightning‑fast reverse blow.

"Careful!"

Guangming Shizhe appeared in time, blocking the assassin's attack.

The two instantly tangled, the booming clash of energy echoing through the Xingyun.

Sword light and shadow interwove, and the surrounding meteor fragments were shattered by the energy waves.

Kelinda watched the battle tensely, clenching her fists tightly, her palms slick with sweat.

Zhang Cheng stood beside her, brows furrowed, his gaze sharp as he observed every move of the Shadow Assassin.

The Shadow Assassin's attacks were swift and uncanny, as elusive as a phantom.

His blade glimmered with a dim light, each swing bearing lethal threat.

Although Xingji Xiake and Guangming Shizhe were powerful, they could not gain the upper hand at that moment.

Zhang Cheng's gaze grew increasingly focused; he noticed that while the Shadow Assassin moved at extreme speed, each attack was followed by a brief pause, as if gathering energy.

"Now is the time..."

Zhang Cheng murmured to himself.

Zhang Cheng's eyes locked onto the Shadow Assassin, like a leopard staring at its prey.

He held his breath, waiting for the optimal moment.

The Shadow Assassin launched another attack, its form lunging toward Xingji Xiake like a specter.

In that instant, Zhang Cheng moved!

A surge of power erupted beneath his feet, his figure becoming a bolt of lightning, rushing toward the Shadow Assassin at a speed invisible to the naked eye.

"Ha!"

With a low shout, Zhang Cheng's fist, wrapped in massive energy, slammed hard onto the Shadow Assassin's back.

"Ugh!"

The Shadow Assassin let out a muffled grunt, his body staggering slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

He clearly had not expected that this seemingly ordinary youth from Lan Xing would possess such formidable strength and speed.

"Nice one, Zhang Cheng!"

Seeing this, Xingji Xiake's spirits lifted greatly; the light sword in his hand shone even brighter as he launched another fierce assault on the Shadow Assassin.

The Guangming Shizhe seized the opportunity as well—a flash of golden light forced the Shadow Assassin to retreat.

Kelinda and the mysterious Elf both breathed a sigh of relief, joyful smiles appearing on their faces.

However, the Shadow Assassin did not give up just like that. He steadied his stance, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"Hmph, you think this is enough to defeat me? How naive!"

The Shadow Assassin gave a cold laugh,

"My true target is him!"

He pointed at the Blue Star Guardian.

"What?"

Everyone was startled, their gazes turning in unison toward the Blue Star Guardian.

"That's right—he carries a treasure our organization wants!"

The Shadow Assassin continued,

"Once we obtain it, we can control the entire universe!"

The Blue Star Guardian's expression changed, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.

"What are you talking about? What treasure do I have on me?"

The Shadow Assassin ignored the Blue Star Guardian and continued sowing discord.

"Have none of you noticed? He has been hiding his true strength all along! He is the real mastermind behind everything!"

Doubt began to stir in everyone's hearts.

Zhang Cheng watched the Shadow Assassin, his brow furrowed tightly. He sensed that things were not so simple.

"Who exactly are you? Why are you trying to drive a wedge between us?"

Zhang Cheng demanded.

The Shadow Assassin did not answer, only letting out a cold laugh.

"Hmph, you will soon learn the answer!"

Just as everyone hesitated, a glint of cold light flashed in the Shadow Assassin's eyes... He suddenly spun around, and his target was none other than—the mysterious Elf!

The Shadow Assassin's figure flickered like a bolt of black lightning, lunging straight at the mysterious Elf. Everyone was shocked, but because of their earlier hesitation and suspicion, their reactions were half a beat slow.

"Careful!"

Zhang Cheng shouted, wanting to rush over to protect the mysterious Elf, but was disoriented by a feint from the Shadow Assassin.

Xingji Xiake's light sword hummed, a sharp blade of Qi cleaving toward the Shadow Assassin, but it was nimbly dodged.

"Hmph, petty tricks."

The Shadow Assassin scoffed disdainfully, his speed increasing rather than slowing.

The mysterious Elf clearly had not expected to become the target either; she cried out in alarm and hastily retreated.

But she was not skilled in combat after all, and her speed was far inferior to the Shadow Assassin's.

Just as she was about to be caught, the Blue Star Guardian finally made his move.

A flash of blue light, and the Blue Star Guardian positioned himself in front of the mysterious Elf, condensing an energy shield in his hand that barely blocked the Shadow Assassin's attack.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

He asked in a low voice.

"Take her life,"

the Shadow Assassin's tone was icy,

"and while I'm at it, take what you're carrying."

Before the Shadow Assassin's words had even faded, a dagger suddenly appeared in his hand, glinting with an eerie green light.

With blinding speed, he bypassed the energy shield and thrust toward the mysterious Elf.

"Ah!"

The mysterious Elf let out a scream.

In the nick of time, Kelinda's figure appeared before the mysterious Elf; she spread her arms and used her own body to block the blow.

"Kelinda!"

Zhang Cheng's eyes split with rage as he roared out.

The dagger pierced Kelinda's shoulder, and green poison rapidly spread. Kelinda's face turned pale in an instant, her body swaying unsteadily.

The Shadow Assassin gave a cold laugh and was about to strike again when he suddenly felt a powerful oppressive force.

He looked up to see the Guangming Shizhe radiating dazzling light from head to toe, like a deity descending to the mortal realm.

"Those who profane life shall face judgment!"

The Guangming Shizhe's voice was commanding, carrying an unquestionable power.

The Shadow Assassin's expression shifted slightly; he sensed a powerful force locking onto him, rendering him unable to move.

"Damn it..."

He cursed under his breath, a glint of viciousness flashing in his eyes.

He abruptly reached his hand toward Kelinda's wound...