Chapter 253: The Situation Spirals Out of Control

The lead assassin gave a sinister smile, his pale teeth looking especially ghastly in the dim light.

"It seems you still haven't made your decision. Then let me help you along!"

Beside him, a figure shrouded in stardust slowly solidified—a woman in a dark purple robe emerged, her hood concealing her face, revealing only a pair of eyes as cold as a snake's, sending chills down one's spine.

"Stardust Witch, we leave it to you..."

The lead assassin bowed slightly, a trace of respect in his tone.

The Stardust Witch said nothing, merely slowly raising one hand as an invisible ripple spread outward.

"What's happening?"

Xingji Xiake felt a powerful pressure, as though a great mountain were pressing down on him, making even breathing difficult.

"My power... is being suppressed!"

Guangming Shizhe's expression changed drastically, the holy light around him flickering unsteadily, its glow dimming considerably.

"This is the Stardust Witch's domain. Within this domain, all of our powers will be suppressed."

Xingyun Zhizhe's expression was grave. He tried to mobilize the power of Xingyun, only to find it like a clay ox entering the sea—completely unresponsive.

Zhang Cheng tightly held Kelinda's hand; he could feel Kelinda's power fading as well.

"Don't worry, I will protect you."

He said in a low voice, his tone firm, yet unable to conceal the unease in his heart.

He was just an ordinary human from Lan Xing. Facing such powerful enemies, could he truly protect everyone?

"Overestimating yourself."

The lead assassin sneered, his eyes full of disdain.

The other assassins behind him also revealed mocking smiles, as if they could already see the scene of Zhang Cheng and the others trampled under their feet.

The Blue Star Guardian roared, blue light surging around him as he tried to break through the Stardust Witch's suppression. However, he had only advanced a single step before he was sent flying back by an invisible force, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Damn it!"

He pounded the ground furiously, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

Despair spread through everyone's hearts. The mysterious Elf hid behind Xingji Xiake, trembling, eyes full of terror.

The Stardust Witch spoke slowly, her voice hoarse and cold:

"Submit, or die."

The lead assassin walked toward them with a vicious grin.

"Now, what is your choice?"

Xingji Xiake gritted his teeth, knowing that a head-on clash was not the answer.

His figure flashed; instead of attacking head-on, he used agile footwork, attempting to circle behind the assassin to strike.

However, the assassin seemed to have anticipated his move. Moving like a phantom, he maintained a fixed distance at all times, every swing of the blade in his hand carrying piercing killing intent.

After several exchanges, Xingji Xiake had gained several wounds, blood staining his clothes.

"Xiake!"

Seeing this, Guangming Shizhe immediately swung the holy sword in his hand, a ray of holy light slashing toward the lead assassin.

However, the Stardust Witch merely waved her hand lightly, and a bolt of dark purple energy shattered the holy light, its residual force striking Guangming Shizhe without diminishing.

Guangming Shizhe grunted, staggering backward, his face turning pale.

"Trash!"

The lead assassin scoffed coldly, his eyes full of disdain.

Xingji Xiake clutched his wound, his expression grim.

"Damn it, this woman's magic is too bizarre!"

"It's all your fault! If you hadn't insisted on provoking them, how would we have ended up in this situation!"

Xingyun Zhizhe pointed at the Blue Star Guardian and roared.

"Me? I've been protecting Lan Xing all along! It's you outsiders who brought this trouble!"

The Blue Star Guardian roared, blue light flickering around him, but he was pinned down by the Stardust Witch's domain, completely unable to exert his full strength.

Grief and indignation filled his heart, yet he had no strength to refute.

"Enough!"

The mysterious Elf shrieked, hiding behind Xingji Xiake and trembling.

"Stop arguing, what are we supposed to do now?"

"What do we do? Wait to die?"

The Stardust Witch's voice was bone-chillingly cold, like a death warrant from hell.

The lead assassin stepped toward them one step at a time, the blade in his hand gleaming with cold light.

"Now, submit, or..."

Before he could finish, a calm voice rang out.

"Or, we fight together!"

Zhang Cheng stepped forward, his gaze firm and composed.

Zhang Cheng stepped forward, his eyes sweeping across the group as he said in a deep voice:

"Infighting will only lead us faster to destruction. Now, our only hope is to unite and fight the enemy!"

Though his voice was not loud, it carried an unquestionable firmness that gradually quieted the people who had been arguing incessantly.

Xingji Xiake took a deep breath and was the first to respond:

"You're right. This is no time for infighting. I'm willing to follow your command."

Guangming Shizhe and Xingyun Zhizhe also nodded in agreement.

Even the mysterious Elf, who had been hiding behind Xingji Xiake all along, poked out her head and looked timidly at Zhang Cheng.

Zhang Cheng's calmness and decisiveness displayed powerful leadership at this moment, reuniting the team that had been on the verge of collapse.

He quickly analyzed the situation before him, his gaze falling on the Stardust Witch and the lead assassin.

"Their target is all of us. Only by working together can we find a breakthrough."

Zhang Cheng pointed at the lead assassin and said,

"He is extremely fast and his attacks are fierce, but they seem to lean toward physical attacks. Guangming Shizhe, your holy light can counter him, but be careful to dodge the Stardust Witch's magical interference."

He then looked at the Stardust Witch, his brow tightly furrowed,

"This witch's magic is bizarre and unpredictable. We must be on guard against her. Xingyun Zhizhe, you understand interstellar magic the most deeply—can you see her weakness?"

Xingyun Zhizhe pondered for a moment and said:

"Her magic seems to stem from some kind of dark energy. My power of Xingyun can suppress it slightly, but cannot completely counter it. Moreover..."

He paused, his expression growing even more grave,

"She is chanting an incantation—I'm afraid she is about to cast some powerful spell!"

The Stardust Witch's lips moved ceaselessly, producing obscure, unintelligible syllables. The surrounding air grew increasingly oppressive, and a suffocating dark energy began to spread.

A shadow fell over everyone's hearts, not knowing what terrifying spell she was about to cast.

Suddenly, the Stardust Witch's incantation came to an abrupt halt. She let out a sharp laugh:

"Foolish ants, feel despair!"

The staff in her hand pointed fiercely at the sky, and a pillar of dark purple light shot upward...

The dark purple pillar of light crashed down—not directly attacking everyone, but transforming into countless tiny dark purple points of light that coiled around them like parasites clinging to the bone.

Guangming Shizhe bore the brunt of it. His holy light shield was corroded by the points of light, emitting a sizzling sound. His expression changed:

"This magic... is corroding my power!"

Xingji Xiake brandished the blade in his hand, trying to slash through these points of light, but found them to be like illusory mist—impossible to touch at all.

He shouted anxiously:

"What the hell is this thing?"

He looked at Zhang Cheng, a trace of panic in his eyes. After all, the leadership Zhang Cheng had displayed earlier made them unconsciously rely on him.

However, Zhang Cheng at this moment had no time to attend to Xingji Xiake's plea for help.

Kelinda, in order to protect the mysterious Elf who could not dodge in time, was struck by several wisps of dark purple light.

She let out a muffled groan, her face instantly turning pale. Her skin, originally radiant with luster, lost its brilliance and became dull and lifeless.

"Kelinda!"

Zhang Cheng cried out in alarm, rushing to her side and supporting her tottering body.

He was at a loss for what to do. Lan Xing's medical knowledge was of no use here, let alone against this bizarre interstellar magic.

The mysterious Elf timidly tugged at the corner of Zhang Cheng's clothes and said in a soft voice:

"I'm sorry... it's all because of me..."

Her voice was full of self-blame, further highlighting Zhang Cheng's helplessness.

The Stardust Witch let out a sharp laugh:

"Overestimating yourselves! You ants actually think you can oppose me?"

The Shadow Assassins behind her also let out low, cold laughs, as if mocking Zhang Cheng's weakness and incompetence.

"Lady Witch's powers are vast. Dealing with these fellows will be effortless,"

one Shadow Assassin said with arrogant flattery,

"Especially this person from Lan Xing—simply unable to withstand a single blow."

Xingyun Zhizhe sighed:

"Her magic has already begun to affect our power. If this continues, we will all be worn down to death by her."

His tone was full of helplessness, as if he had already foreseen the final outcome.

Everyone fell into despair once more. Some were terrified, some worried, but all turned their gazes toward the Stardust Witch, fearing the next wave of attack.

Only Zhang Cheng kept his gaze locked firmly on the Stardust Witch and the Shadow Assassins. He noticed the subtle coordination between the two sides, and when the Stardust Witch was casting her spell, the Shadow Assassins' seemingly casual positioning... His eyes gradually grew sharp, as if he had discovered something... He slowly extended his hand, pointing toward a position behind the Stardust Witch...