Chapter 263

The heat wave of the magma rushed toward them; even with the Star Spirit's barrier protection, everyone could still feel the suffocating heat.

The patterns on the ground twisted and changed like living things, emitting strange light.

"Everyone be careful, these patterns connect to all kinds of mechanisms; one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation."

The Nebula Sage leaned weakly against a rock, his face pale.

Zhang Cheng looked around and said in a deep voice:

"We must find the exit as soon as possible; this place is too dangerous."

The Mysterious Elf clutched her injured leg, her face in pain:

"It's all my fault for being too careless..."

The Starry Wanderer patted her on the shoulder and comforted her:

"Don't blame yourself, no one knew this would happen. The most important thing now is to work together and overcome the difficulties."

The Messenger of Light nodded:

"That's right, everyone look out for each other, we will definitely find a way out."

Zhang Cheng's gaze fell on the complex patterns on the ground, his brows locked in a frown.

These patterns looked chaotic, but seemed to hide some kind of law.

He squatted down and carefully observed the direction and changes of the patterns.

"Zhang Cheng, what are you looking at?"

Kelinda asked with concern.

Zhang Cheng pointed to the patterns on the ground and said:

"I feel these patterns are not arranged randomly; they should represent some kind of meaning, perhaps the key to opening the exit."

The Blue Star Guardian also walked over, observed carefully for a while, and pondered:

"You're right, these patterns are indeed a bit special. Look, don't the patterns formed by these lines look like a star map?"

Zhang Cheng's heart moved—a star map! He raised his head abruptly to look at the starry sky overhead; the flickering stars actually corresponded faintly to the patterns on the ground.

"I know!"

A flash of light crossed Zhang Cheng's eyes.

"These patterns are the route map guiding us forward!"

He began to direct the group to move forward according to the instructions of the patterns, each step careful, for fear of triggering some fatal mechanism.

Under Zhang Cheng's leadership, the group successfully avoided several large mechanism traps and arrived smoothly in front of a huge stone door.

The Star Spirit looked at the intricate patterns on the stone door and said in a low voice:

"This should be the exit."

He raised his hand, a burst of energy was injected into the stone door, and the heavy stone door opened slowly, revealing a dazzling light.

The Star Spirit paused, his expression unfathomable.

"Wait..."

The Star Spirit's

"Wait"

made everyone's heart tighten; the exit was right before their eyes, but they didn't know what other changes might occur.

The dazzling light gradually dissipated, and everyone saw the scene behind the door: it was not the smooth path they expected, but an empty square; in the center of the square, a huge energy ball was rotating slowly, emitting heart-palpitating fluctuations.

"What is that?"

The Mysterious Elf exclaimed; she could feel the destructive power contained in that energy ball.

The Star Spirit's expression was grave:

"A kind of ancient energy body, possessing extremely strong destructive power; it seems this is the final test."

Zhang Cheng observed the surrounding environment calmly; he found that the patterns on the square ground were exactly the same as those in the previous passage.

Could the trajectory of this energy ball also be related to these patterns?

He began to direct the group to walk along specific routes; sure enough, although the energy ball moved slowly, it always kept a certain distance from them.

Everyone admired Zhang Cheng's wisdom and leadership, and Kelinda even cast an admiring gaze.

"It seems Zhang Cheng is the true leader among us."

The Starry Wanderer praised sincerely.

Just when everyone thought they could pass through the square smoothly and reach the real exit, an unexpected change occurred.

The energy ball in the center of the square suddenly shook violently, its light surged, and then, like an arrow off a bowstring, it rolled toward the direction of the group; wherever it went, the ground cracked, the space twisted, and everything was destroyed.

"Hurry and dodge!"

Zhang Cheng shouted, but the energy ball was too fast, and everyone couldn't react in time.

"I'll block it!"

The Starry Wanderer roared, his figure surged, and he blocked in front of the group.

The Messenger of Light followed closely, and the two joined forces to release a powerful energy barrier.

"Boom—"

The energy ball hit the barrier, emitting a deafening loud noise...

The impact of the energy ball rushed over like a mountain and a sea; the Starry Wanderer and the Messenger of Light groaned, their legs sinking deeply into the ground, trying their best to resist this destructive power.

The energy barrier shook violently, emitting an unbearable humming sound, and cracks spread like a spider web.

"This can't go on!"

The Messenger of Light gritted his teeth, feeling the energy barrier about to shatter.

Just then, a blue light flashed, and the Blue Star Guardian joined the battle.

He pushed his hands forward, and a blue beam of light shot into the sky, colliding head-on with the energy ball.

The three joined forces, finally managing to slow down the speed of the energy ball, but the powerful impact still made them retreat constantly, and the ground cracked inch by inch.

Kelinda held Zhang Cheng's hand tightly, her palms full of sweat.

She looked at Zhang Cheng's firm side profile, her eyes full of trust and reliance.

"I believe in you."

She said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Zhang Cheng held her hand back, giving her a reassuring look.

The Nebula Sage and the Star Spirit released energy from the rear, trying to weaken the power of the energy ball, but the effect was minimal.

The Mysterious Elf set up a protective barrier around them, protecting the group from the aftermath of the energy ball.

"This can't go on, we must find its weakness!"

Zhang Cheng's gaze was locked tightly on the slowly rotating energy ball, his brain running at high speed.

He noticed that at the core of the energy ball, a trace of dark red light flashed and disappeared.

"There..."

Zhang Cheng pointed to the core of the energy ball, his tone urgent.

He took out a diamond-shaped crystal emitting faint fluorescence from his bosom—that was a mysterious prop he had obtained in a previous trial.

"Cover me!"

Zhang Cheng shouted, held the crystal tightly in his hand, his figure flashed, and he rushed toward the core of the energy ball... The light of the crystal bloomed in Zhang Cheng's hand, illuminating his firm face.

He roared, his figure turned into a stream of light, stabbing straight at the core of the energy ball.

"Zhang Cheng!"

Kelinda exclaimed.

The Blue Star Guardian, the Starry Wanderer, and the Messenger of Light increased their energy output simultaneously, winning precious time for Zhang Cheng.

The Mysterious Elf's protective barrier shone brightly, resisting the increasingly violent impact of the energy ball.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Zhang Cheng's figure collided with the dark red core, the crystal's light and the energy ball's red light intertwined, erupting with dazzling bright light.

A deafening explosion echoed throughout the space, and the shockwave swept over; even with the Mysterious Elf's barrier protection, everyone was shaken back repeatedly.

The bright light dissipated, and the energy ball had disappeared.

Where the energy ball had been, a door emitting soft white light appeared.

"We succeeded!"

The Starry Wanderer waved his fists excitedly.

"Go!"

Zhang Cheng walked to the door first, Kelinda followed closely, and the others filed in.

The moment they passed through the door, a warm current surged into everyone's body, as if dormant power had been awakened.

Everyone felt their bodies filled with unprecedented energy, and an indescribable feeling of power emerged spontaneously.

"This... this is..."

The Nebula Sage felt the surging power in his body, too surprised to speak.

"It's the reward given to us by this space."

The Star Spirit said slowly, his eyes carrying a hint of gratification.

Everyone cheered, celebrating their survival, and even more so the powerful strength they had unexpectedly gained. Zhang Cheng held Kelinda's hand tightly, and the two smiled at each other.

Just then, the Blue Star Guardian suddenly raised his head, looked at the sky, and his expression changed drastically.

"What is that..."

The dazzling white light gradually dissipated, and everyone found themselves in a strange star field.

The brilliant galaxy flickered in the distance, magnificent and mysterious.

Before they could savor this magnificent sight, a cold aura enveloped them.

"What is that?"

The Messenger of Light pointed into the distance, his tone carrying a hint of unease.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, only to see dozens of strangely shaped spaceships surrounding them from all directions.

These spaceships were pitch black, their surfaces flickering with strange red light, like beasts lurking in the dark, emitting a heart-palpitating sense of oppression.

"Not good, it's space pirates!"

The Starry Wanderer's expression changed; he had fought these notorious pirates before and knew their cruelty and cunning well.

Zhang Cheng calmed down quickly; he looked around and made a judgment quickly.

"Everyone be careful, set up a defensive formation! Wanderer, you take the left flank, Messenger, you take the right flank, Sage, you provide support, Elf, protect everyone!"

His calm and composed command made the originally somewhat panicked group settle down immediately.

The Starry Wanderer and the Messenger of Light looked at each other, both seeing their admiration for Zhang Cheng in each other's eyes.

"Worthy of being the hero of Blue Star, this bearing is truly admirable!"

The Starry Wanderer praised.

The spaceships were getting closer, and a tense atmosphere permeated the air. The Mysterious Elf waved her staff, and a pale blue light screen enveloped the group.

"They're coming!"

Zhang Cheng shouted in a low voice, his gaze like a torch, fixed on the approaching spaceships.

A pirate ship launched an attack first, and a thick energy beam tore through the night sky, heading straight for the group.

The beam was extremely fast, reaching them in almost the blink of an eye.

The Mysterious Elf couldn't dodge in time and was grazed by the beam, a charred wound appearing on her arm.

"Elf!"

Kelinda exclaimed and hurriedly stepped forward to check her injury.

The situation became tense instantly; the pirate group's firepower was fierce, and the place where the group was located was surrounded by energy beams, with almost nowhere to hide.

"Damn, why is these guys' firepower so strong?"

The Starry Wanderer said through gritted teeth while resisting the attack.

Zhang Cheng's brows locked in a frown, and he thought to himself:

"It seems this battle is even more difficult than imagined..."

He clenched his fists, his gaze firm.

"Must protect everyone!"

He turned to look at Kelinda, his eyes full of determination.

"Kelinda..."

"Kelinda, are you okay?"

Zhang Cheng asked anxiously, looking at the scar on her arm, feeling a sharp pain in his heart.

"I'm fine,"

Kelinda smiled faintly, though her face was a bit pale.

"This small injury is nothing."

The Starry Wanderer glanced at Kelinda's injury, his tone carrying a hint of contempt:

"This bit of skill from the Demon Clan can only block the attacks of small fry."

Just then, another energy beam struck, heading straight for Kelinda.

"Careful!"

Zhang Cheng exclaimed, wanting to push Kelinda away, but it was already too late.

At the critical moment, a powerful black energy suddenly erupted from Kelinda's body, instantly swallowing the incoming beam.

The black energy spread rapidly, forming a barrier, protecting everyone within it.

"This... this is..."

The Starry Wanderer widened his eyes, looking at Kelinda in disbelief.

Kelinda stood up slowly, a cold smile appearing on her charming face.

Black energy churned around her, like a demon crawling out of hell, emitting a chilling aura.

"Just relying on you scum, you dare to hurt me?"

Kelinda's voice was cold and piercing, full of queen-like majesty.

The minions on the pirate ship saw this scene and exclaimed one after another:

"It's demonic power! She... she is a Demon Lord!"

The pirate leader stood on the flagship, looking at Kelinda, a flash of greed in his eyes:

"Didn't expect to actually encounter a Demon Lord; this is a huge profit!"

Zhang Cheng looked at Kelinda, his eyes full of love and pride.

He knew that Kelinda had released all her power to protect him.

However, although this power was powerful, it also consumed a massive amount.

Kelinda's face became paler and paler, and her body began to tremble slightly.

The Starry Wanderer mocked from the side:

"Heh, demonic power is indeed powerful, just don't know how long it can last."

Zhang Cheng glared at the Starry Wanderer coldly, worrying secretly in his heart.

He knew now was not the time to relax his vigilance.

The pirate group's leader hadn't made a move yet, and the real danger was still to come.

He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and looked forward firmly, feeling the newly acquired power surging within him.

"Just wait and see,"

Zhang Cheng said in a low voice.

"I will protect you all."

He turned to look at Kelinda, his eyes full of determination.

"Kelinda..."

"Kelinda..."

Zhang Cheng supported Kelinda gently and took her into his arms lightly.

"You did very well, now rest well, leave the rest to me."

Zhang Cheng felt the power surging within him, an unprecedented sense of power filling his body and mind.

He looked up, his gaze like a torch, locked onto the pirate leader on the pirate group's flagship—a burly man with a face full of flesh.

"Black Shark, aren't you calling yourself the number one pirate in the stars? Is this all you've got?"

Zhang Cheng's voice carried a hint of mockery, and with the help of the power's enhancement in the vacuum, it clearly reached the ears of every pirate.

Black Shark was furious; he glared at Zhang Cheng fiercely:

"Kid, you're courting death!"

Beside him, a gaunt man wearing gorgeous clothes smiled fawningly:

"Boss, this kid doesn't know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth, daring to provoke your majesty; later, we must make him wish he were dead!"

Another tall pirate also echoed:

"Boss, let me go tear him apart!"

Black Shark sneered:

"What's the rush, I want him to watch his companions die one by one, and then torture him slowly!"

He waved his hand, ordering his men to strengthen the offensive.

Zhang Cheng seized the opportunity; he launched a powerful counterattack with the help of the newly acquired power.

Azure energy surged from his hand, turning into a dazzling beam of light, heading straight for one of the pirate group's spaceships.

"Boom!"

With a loud noise, the spaceship was instantly blown into fragments, fire splashing everywhere.

The surrounding pirates were in an uproar; they didn't expect this seemingly young human to possess such powerful strength.

Black Shark's face was livid; he stared at Zhang Cheng through gritted teeth, his eyes full of anger and shock.

During the battle interval, Kelinda leaned toward Zhang Cheng, her body pressing lightly against him, her eyes full of worship and love.

"Zhang Cheng, I believe in you, you will definitely lead everyone to defeat the enemy."

She whispered in his ear, her breath like an orchid.

Kelinda's trust and reliance made Zhang Cheng's blood boil, and he became even more determined to protect her.

"Don't worry, Kelinda, I won't let you down."

Suddenly, on the pirate flagship, an even more dazzling light lit up...

Black Shark saw Zhang Cheng was so fierce, destroying a spaceship with one blow, and was secretly shocked.

He roared sternly:

"Change formation, 'Black Hole' prepare!"

The pirate ships scattered quickly, no longer attacking blindly, but began to rotate around Zhang Cheng and the others, forming a huge vortex-like formation.

"Black Hole? What is that?"

The Starry Wanderer asked in a deep voice, the light sword in his hand flickering with uneasy light.

"Don't know, but it doesn't sound like anything good from the name."

The Messenger of Light's expression was grave; he felt the energy fluctuations around them beginning to become chaotic.

"Everyone be careful, this might be some kind of powerful weapon!"

Zhang Cheng reminded everyone while protecting Kelinda behind him.

Kelinda held Zhang Cheng's hand tightly, her eyes full of worry, but she didn't say anything; she believed in Zhang Cheng, just as Zhang Cheng believed in her.

The Blue Star Guardian held his halberd, observing the changes around them vigilantly.

"This energy fluctuation... is very strange, seemingly absorbing the surrounding energy."

The Mysterious Elf blinked her eyes curiously; she seemed very interested in this unknown energy.

"Such a strange feeling, like a huge vortex, wanting to suck everything in."

The Nebula Sage frowned slightly, calculating something with his fingers, but was unable to get a clear answer.

"The source of this energy... is very vague, I cannot infer its specific attributes."

The Star Spirit remained silent; he watched the black light gradually lighting up on the pirate flagship, a flash of gravity in his eyes.

Black Shark looked at the gradually forming

"Black Hole"

, a ferocious smile appearing on his face.

"Kid, witness my Black Shark's ultimate weapon! This is a 'Black Hole' that can even swallow interstellar warships! Just wait to be torn into fragments by it!"

The gaunt man echoed fawningly from the side:

"Boss is mighty! This kid is dead!"

On the pirate flagship, the black light became more and more dazzling, like an abyss devouring everything.

Zhang Cheng felt a powerful sense of oppression coming; he held Kelinda's hand tightly and said in a deep voice:

"Looks like this is going to be a tough battle."

His gaze was firm, preparing to meet the upcoming challenge.

Suddenly, the Star Spirit spoke:

"Careful, that thing..."