Chapter 252: He's Too Strong

The Shadow Assassin let out a snarling laugh and suddenly drew a dagger.

Green toxin gushed out from the wound, staining Kelinda's clothes red.

Kelinda let out a muffled groan as her body collapsed weakly into Zhang Cheng's arms.

"Kelinda!"

Zhang Cheng held her tightly, his trembling fingers reaching for her breath; the faint breath gave him a slight relief, yet deepened his heartache.

"Overreaching."

The Shadow Assassin sneered, its figure like a wraith, and attacked Guangming Shizhe again.

Although Guangming Shizhe was powerful, concern for the surrounding comrades left them restrained.

Xingji Xiake and the Blue Star Guardian teamed up against the Shadow Assassin, yet still fell at a disadvantage.

"If this continues, we'll all die here!"

A deep slash was cut into Xingji Xiake's mechanical arm by the assassin's dagger, sending sparks flying.

He clenched his teeth, his tone tinged with a hint of despair.

"Cheng boy, take this girl and run! We'll hold him back!"

The Blue Star Guardian let out a roar, stepping in front of Zhang Cheng, their whole body erupting with a powerful energy wave.

Zhang Cheng looked at the pallid Kelinda in his arms, then at the blood‑soaked fighters, feeling a surge of helplessness.

He clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging deep into his palm.

A mysterious Elf hid behind Zhang Cheng, trembling.

"He... he's too strong... we... we can't escape..."

The surrounding air seemed to solidify, suffused with the scent of death.

The Shadow Assassin's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and the group gradually could not hold them back; more and more were wounded, and despair spread in everyone's hearts.

"Give up, you are not my opponents."

The Shadow Assassin's voice was like a whisper from hell, laced with mockery and sarcasm.

He stepped closer to Zhang Cheng, blood‑lust flashing in his eyes,

"Hand over the item, and I can give you a thrill."

Zhang Cheng, cradling Kelinda, rose slowly, his gaze fixed firmly on the Shadow Assassin.

"If you want to take it from my hands, it can only be after I die!"

The Shadow Assassin let out a cold laugh, raised the dagger, aiming at Zhang Cheng's heart.

"As you wish!"

Just as the dagger was about to fall, an old and imposing voice suddenly rang out:

"Stop."

A figure cloaked in a star‑studded robe materialized out of thin air, emanating mysterious light as if able to see through everything.

Upon the aged face, a pair of deep eyes calmly gazed at the scene; he was Xingyun Zhizhe.

"Stop."

Xingyun Zhizhe's voice was low, yet carried an irresistible authority.

The Shadow Assassin's movement halted abruptly; he squinted, sizing up the suddenly appeared Xingyun Zhizhe, a trace of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

"Who are you?"

"Xingyun Zhizhe."

The elder spoke slowly, his tone even, yet seemed to contain the mysteries of the cosmos.

The Shadow Assassin sneered:

"Xingyun Zhizhe? Never heard of him. I advise you not to meddle."

Xingyun Zhizhe ignored his threat, simply raising his hand gently.

An invisible energy ripple spread from his hand, the surrounding space subtly warping.

The Shadow Assassin was startled; he felt a massive pressure bearing down, nearly suffocating him.

He dared not be careless, hastily swinging the dagger, trying to fend off the energy.

However, his attack had no effect on Xingyun Zhizhe.

The sage's movements seemed slow, yet each strike countered the enemy, every action perfectly nullifying the assassin's attacks.

The energies around the two collided, forming a massive vortex that roared with repeated booms.

"You..."

The Shadow Assassin was horrified; he had never seen such a powerful opponent.

Xingyun Zhizhe, while dueling the Shadow Assassin, turned his head toward Zhang Cheng, a barely perceptible glint flashing in his eyes.

"Young man, only you can save them."

Zhang Cheng was startled, looking at Xingyun Zhizhe in confusion.

Xingyun Zhizhe whispered:

"Only you can, by harnessing everyone's strength, enact a special formation to repel this assassin. However..."

He paused, his tone growing solemn,

"You will need to endure a massive energy backlash."

Zhang Cheng answered without hesitation:

"I am willing!"

Xingyun Zhizhe nodded slightly,

"Very well, remember..."

"Remember, the formation is called 'Star River Unity'; it requires gathering all of your powers onto you, and then you release that power."

Xingyun Zhizhe spoke at a breakneck speed, each word hammering Zhang Cheng's heart like a heavy mallet.

Zhang Cheng inhaled deeply; knowing time was urgent, he hesitated not, immediately sat cross‑legged, closed his eyes, and began to marshal the energy within his body.

Kelinda, the Blue Star Guardian, the mysterious Elf, Xingji Xiake, and Guangming Shizhe all stepped to Zhang Cheng's side, placed their hands on him, and torrents of powerful energy surged into his body like tides.

Seeing this, the Shadow Assassin's eyes flashed with a hint of terror; he tried to intervene, but found himself tightly restrained by Xingyun Zhizhe, unable to break free.

He could only watch Zhang Cheng absorb everyone's power, his heart filled with resentment and anger.

Zhang Cheng's body gradually emitted dazzling radiance, like a star on the verge of exploding.

He felt an unprecedented, overwhelming force roiling inside, nearly causing him to lose control.

"Now!"

Xingyun Zhizhe roared.

Zhang Cheng snapped his eyes open, a fierce light blazing within them.

He clasped his hands together, muttering incantations; a massive pillar of light shot upward from his body, heading straight for the Shadow Assassin.

The Shadow Assassin let out a mournful scream, his body struck by the light pillar, flailing like a kite cut from its string, and vanished into the boundless starry sky.

Everyone, seeing this, exhaled in relief, their faces showing the joy of surviving a disaster. Yet Xingyun Zhizhe's expression grew unusually solemn.

"Although we repelled the assassin, this formation has disrupted Xingyun's balance."

Xingyun Zhizhe said slowly,

"We must leave this place as soon as possible, or we will all be destroyed."

"How do we leave?"

Zhang Cheng asked hurriedly.

Xingyun Zhizhe sighed,

"Someone must sacrifice their source of power to open a passage out of here."

The group fell silent at once; no one was willing to sacrifice their power source.

"I'll do it."

Kelinda stepped before Zhang Cheng, her eyes resolute.

Zhang Cheng seized Kelinda's hand,

"No, I can't let you—"

"There's no time!"

Xingyun Zhizhe interrupted Zhang Cheng,

"A decision must be made quickly!"

At that moment, a surge of murderous aura came from afar…

"They're back!"

Xingji Xiake shouted.

Kelinda's resolve was as solid as rock, but before she could finish speaking, Xingji Xiake's exclamation poured cold water over everyone's hope.

"They're back!"

In the distance, specks of darkness rapidly expanded, bearing a suffocating pressure. Shadow Assassin, returning!

"Damn it!"

The Blue Star Guardian cursed, energy swirling in his hands, ready for battle.

Guangming Shizhe was surrounded by holy light, his expression grave.

The mysterious Elf hid behind Xingji Xiake, eyes filled with fear.

"No more hesitation!"

Xingyun Zhizhe bellowed,

"Someone must make a sacrifice!"

His gaze swept the group, finally landing on Zhang Cheng.

"Young man, you possess great power; you should understand that sometimes sacrifice is necessary."

Zhang Cheng clenched his teeth, his heart full of turmoil. He grasped Xingyun Zhizhe's meaning, yet refused to let anyone sacrifice, especially Kelinda.

"I will!"

Kelinda stepped forward again, her eyes flashing with decisive light.

"Zhang Cheng, protect everyone; this is my choice."

"No!"

Zhang Cheng lunged, hugging Kelinda, his voice hoarse,

"I won't let you do that!"

While the two were at an impasse, the Shadow Assassin was already within striking distance.

The lead assassin, larger than before, exuded a chilling aura.

He grinned, revealing stark white teeth:

"Seems you haven't decided yet. Then let me give you a hand!"

Beside him, a figure shrouded in stardust slowly materialized, its face indistinct, only a pair of icy eyes visible.

The lead assassin turned his head, his tone bearing a hint of respect:

"Stardust Witch, I entrust this to you…"