Chapter 272: Even the Air Dares Not Breathe

The gray‑bearded elder walked toward the Dark Lord, and everyone's hearts tightened.

Could this final hope also be shattered?

Could he also betray them and side with the dark forces?

The air solidified, and the tense atmosphere almost suffocated everyone.

Zhang Cheng gripped his weapon tightly, his gaze fixed on the elder's every move, ready at any moment to handle sudden situations.

Xingji Xiake also assumed a defensive stance, watching the surrounding dark creatures warily.

"What are you doing?!" Kelinda shouted, her voice full of fear and accusation.

The gray‑bearded elder ignored everyone's questions, walked straight up to the Dark Lord, and still wore that inscrutable smile.

The Dark Lord laughed arrogantly, "What, you also wish to submit to me? Too late! Only death can cleanse your sins now!"

Just as everyone thought the gray‑bearded elder was about to turn against them, he suddenly spoke, reciting an obscure, incomprehensible incantation.

The incantation was ancient and mysterious, as if bearing primordial power, echoing through the maze.

As the chant continued, the Dark Lord's smile gradually froze, replaced by shock and fear.

The dark power within him began to ripple, as if suppressed, and the once‑raging aura showed a hint of stagnation.

"You… how do you know this incantation?!" the Dark Lord's voice trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief.

The gray‑bearded elder kept his mysterious smile, "Some secrets even darkness cannot conceal." It turned out the elder had not betrayed but knew a fatal weakness of the Dark Lord—an ancient sealing incantation that could briefly suppress his power.

Seeing this, a spark of hope ignited in everyone's hearts. Could this be their chance to escape?

The gray‑bearded elder continued chanting, the Dark Lord's dark aura grew weaker, and the black vines binding everyone began to loosen… "No!" the Dark Lord let out a desperate roar,

"No!" the Dark Lord let out a desperate roar, his dark aura leaking away like a punctured balloon.

The black vines that bound everyone withered along with it, turning to dust.

Everyone felt the pressure lift and began to move their stiff limbs.

Just when everyone thought the crisis was over, countless snarling dark creatures surged from behind the Dark Lord, emitting sharp roars and flooding toward them like a tide.

Fear again cloaked each person's heart—could they finally meet their end here?

At the instant the dark creatures lunged at them, a beam of holy light sliced through the darkness, and a white‑clothed Elf materialized out of nowhere.

She brandished the purification staff in her hand, the light rippling outward like concentric circles.

Bathed in the light, the dark creatures let out painful screeches, turning to ash and vanishing.

Everyone marveled at the powerful, holy force, as if they had glimpsed the dawn of hope.

The white Elf descended slowly, her face serene, eyes gentle, like a goddess descending to the mortal world.

The Dark Lord, angry and ashamed, charged at the white Elf himself.

He waved both hands, unleashing various dark spells—black energy spheres, sharp dark blades, eerie dark mist—assailing the white Elf like a raging storm.

The white Elf moved lithely, gracefully evading the Dark Lord's attacks.

Meanwhile, she continuously swung her purification staff, streams of holy light piercing the Dark Lord like swords.

The surrounding space twisted under the clash of dark and holy forces, emitting intermittent booms.

Everyone watched the thrilling battle tensely, even the atmosphere dared not breathe.

Xingji Xiake, seeing the white Elf entangled with the Dark Lord, grew anxious and wanted to step forward to help.

But as soon as he took a step, an invisible force rebounded him, sending him crashing heavily to the ground.

The Dark Lord's attacks grew fiercer, and the white Elf began to struggle.

She was struck by a black energy sphere from the Dark Lord, a thin line of blood seeping from her mouth.

Yet she still fought stubbornly, her purification staff continuing to shine with holy light.

Everyone worried deeply, the Blue Star Guardian clenched his fists, yet was powerless.

"Hold on…" Zhang Cheng whispered, his gaze fixed on the white Elf's figure.

A flash of resolve crossed the white Elf's eyes; she raised her purification staff high… at its tip, a brilliant gem suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, illuminating the entire dark space.

A powerful wave of purification surged like a tide, driving away all surrounding dark aura.

The Dark Lord was forced back several steps by the force, letting out a painful roar.

"Amazing!" Xingji Xiake couldn't help but exclaim, admiration flashing in his eyes, starkly contrasting his own helplessness.

The Blue Star Guardian fell even more silent, his clenched fist showing his inner anguish, yet he understood his current powerlessness.

A gaunt male follower of the Dark Lord sneered darkly, "You overestimate yourself! The Lord's strength is not something your tiny Elf can sway!" He looked down arrogantly at Zhang Cheng and the others, his gaze full of contempt.

This only heightened Zhang Cheng and the others' sense of the massive power gap between them and the Dark Lord.

Guangming Shizhe nervously grasped Kelinda's hand, his fingertips icy.

Kelinda returned the grip, holding her hand tightly, offering comfort and strength.

"Don't worry, she'll win." Kelinda's voice, though gentle, carried a firm conviction.

Their gazes met, sharing trust and encouragement, passing a faint hope to each other in the desperate situation.

Though struck, the white Elf fought harder, wielding purification power effortlessly, repeatedly nullifying the Dark Lord's attacks.

Everyone seemed to see the dawn of victory, their hope rekindled.

Xingling floated mid‑air, letting out a light sigh, "The contest between light and darkness, the outcome is unpredictable…" Its enigmatic words cast another shadow over everyone's hearts.

Just as everyone thought the Dark Lord would continue his fierce assault on the white Elf, he suddenly halted, his scarlet eyes turning toward Zhang Cheng.

A cruel smile curled his lips, "You, then, are their core?" The Dark Lord's figure vanished in an instant, reappearing before Zhang Cheng, black claws thrust toward his heart.

Time seemed to freeze.

The cold glint of the Dark Lord's claws reflected in Zhang Cheng's pupils, death's breath bearing down.

At the hair's breadth, Xingling flashed before Zhang Cheng, an invisible barrier blocking the lethal strike.

The barrier shuddered violently, Xingling let out a low hum, its form wavering.

"You truly are the key," the Dark Lord's voice whispered like from hell, his blood‑red eyes locked onto Zhang Cheng.

Zhang Cheng took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "You're wrong; we are a whole, and missing anyone won't work."

The Dark Lord sneered, about to strike again, when the white Elf's purifying power surged once more, forcing him to turn and block.

A fierce battle erupted again, light and darkness interweaving, energy waves shaking the entire space.

As Zhang Cheng and the Dark Lord were locked in a stalemate, the gray‑bearded elder muttered incomprehensible incantations, the obscure spells echoing in the air.

The cane in his hand emitted a faint golden light, and the surrounding energy began to converge on him.

The dark aura behind the Dark Lord also started to churn, as if something was about to break out of its cocoon.

"What is he doing?" Kelinda asked softly, glancing anxiously at the elder.

"I don't know," Xingyun Zhizhe frowned, "but it doesn't feel like a good thing."

The Dark Lord's attacks grew even more ferocious, and the white Elf gradually became overwhelmed. Her pure white robe was corroded by the dark power, speckled with black spots.

"Hold on!" Zhang Cheng shouted; he knew the white Elf was their last hope.

Suddenly, the gray‑bearded elder stopped chanting, slamming his cane heavily onto the ground. A beam of golden light shot upward, striking the swirling dark aura behind the Dark Lord.

"What is he doing!" the Dark Lord sensed the change and snapped his head around.

The golden light struck the core of the dark aura, producing a deafening explosion.

After the blast, a massive black vortex appeared before everyone, exuding a suffocating, terrifying aura.

Everyone gathered around the white Elf and the gray‑bearded elder, waiting for the elder to reveal his long‑brewed plan, but he only stared silently toward the Dark Lord, saying nothing… "It's coming."