Chapter 275: Are We Ultimately Still Unable to Escape This Calamity?

The gray-bearded elder's final whisper, like a curse, echoed through the silent maze.

His despondent, collapsing body seemed to crush the last line of defense in everyone's hearts.

Fear spread like a tide.

The darkness, thicker than ever before, resembled a colossal beast opening its blood‑filled maw to devour everything.

The oppressive pressure was suffocating, and a nauseating stench of rot filled the air.

"Dark Lord..." Xingling's trembling electronic voice, those four words struck each heart like a funeral bell.

Zhang Cheng's heart sank sharply.

He knew what it meant.

The earlier assault by shadow assassins had been mere skirmishing; the real threat had now truly arrived.

Guangming Shizhe gasped, tightly grasping Kelinda's hand, face as pale as paper.

"How could this happen... why is he back again?" Her voice was filled with despair.

Xingyun Zhizhe's expression grew solemn, brows knit, muttering, "Are we ultimately still unable to escape this calamity?"

Xingji Xiake gripped his weapon tightly, forcing composure, yet the fear in his eyes could not be concealed.

"What are we afraid of! With so many of us, how can we fear just him?" Though his tone was harsh, his slightly trembling hand revealed his inner unease.

At that moment, in the darkness, a towering silhouette slowly materialized.

The Dark Lord—he was back.

He wore a black robe, surrounded by a dense aura of darkness, like a demon king from hell.

His blood‑red eyes coldly scanned the crowd, as if looking at a flock of lambs awaiting slaughter.

"A swarm of ants dares to challenge my authority!" The Dark Lord's voice was low and hoarse, full of contempt.

Before he finished speaking, a black energy wave shot from his hand, hurtling toward the injured Kelinda and the white Elf.

The white Elf's expression changed; she forced herself to emit a purifying shield, but under the dark wave's impact the shield wavered, emitting a strained creaking sound.

Kelinda closed her eyes in despair; she knew that this time, escape was probably impossible.

Zhang Cheng jerked his head up, a flash of resolve in his eyes. "No..." he growled, springing to his feet.

Zhang Cheng's body shot forward like an arrow, shielding Kelinda and the white Elf.

Almost simultaneously, Xingji Xiake roared, his long sword unleashing dazzling sword‑qi like a galaxy slashing through darkness, aiming straight for the Dark Lord's head.

Blue Star Guardian calmly raised his shield, azure protective energy circulating around him, forming an impenetrable barrier that firmly guarded those behind him; at the same time, he surged toward the Dark Lord, attempting to strike him with the shield.

The three combined their attack, a massive onslaught that seemed poised to utterly annihilate the Dark Lord.

Yet the Dark Lord merely sneered, flicking his sleeve lightly.

An invisible force field spread out, effortlessly nullifying the trio's assault.

The three were flung backward like kites with cut strings, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting blood.

Everyone was horrified; they had expected the combined strike to severely wound the Dark Lord, but were stunned that he dissolved it so easily.

The vast disparity in power cast a shadow of despair over their hearts.

Unexpectedly, the Dark Lord did not press the advantage; instead, he turned and walked toward Xingyun Zhizhe.

His blood‑red eyes fixed on Xingyun Zhizhe, his voice like a cold wind from hell: "You are the key."

Xingyun Zhizhe's face was pale yet unafraid; he stared at the Dark Lord, his gaze filled with resolve. "What do you seek from me?"

"The secret of the maze," the Dark Lord's voice low and hoarse, "only you know it."

Only then did they realize the Dark Lord's goal was not to kill them but to obtain the maze's secret.

A sliver of hope rose within them; if Xingyun Zhizhe withheld the secret, perhaps they still had a chance...

At that moment, Xingling suddenly erupted in dazzling light, a mysterious force surging like a tide, instantly enveloping the Dark Lord.

The Dark Lord's form froze, surprise flashing across his face.

"The moment has come..." the white Elf's weak voice echoed through the silent maze.

She struggled to rise, her staff radiating holy light, beams shooting like arrows toward the bound Dark Lord...

Xingling's burst of light was as brilliant as a supernova; pure energy fluctuations formed a cage, imprisoning the Dark Lord within.

The Dark Lord's surprised expression flickered, replaced by an angry roar; he strained against the cage, which creaked under the load, yet he could not break free.

The white Elf seized the fleeting chance, her frail body trembling, yet she raised her staff resolutely.

Holy light gathered in her hand, forming beams of light arrows imbued with the power to purify all evil, shooting toward the bound Dark Lord.

The light arrows struck the Dark Lord, sizzling like flames scorching ice.

The Dark Lord let out a painful howl; the darkness surrounding him gradually faded, revealing his original pale, frail true form.

"Light will ultimately triumph over darkness!" the white Elf's voice, though weak, was full of strength.

Guangming Shizhe ran to the stunned Zhang Cheng, eyes filled with worry and concern.

"Zhang Cheng, are you alright?" she helped him up, hugging him tightly, her trembling voice full of care.

Zhang Cheng felt Guangming Shizhe's warm embrace, sensed her trust and worry for him, and a warm current rose in his heart.

He inhaled deeply, wiped the blood from his mouth, and said resolutely, "I'm fine; we will definitely defeat him!" Guangming Shizhe's embrace gave him immense courage, rekindling his fighting spirit.

Xingji Xiake, Blue Star Guardian, and Kelinda also struggled to rise; though gravely wounded, hope still shone in their eyes.

Xingling's power persisted, the Dark Lord remained firmly trapped, and the white Elf's purifying light continuously weakened his strength; the scales of victory seemed to tip toward them.

The gray-bearded elder silently watched everything, his trembling fingers brushing the ancient symbols on the wall, muttering incantations.

Finally, he lifted his head, a glint of clarity flashing in his murky eyes.

"I have deciphered these symbols," he said hoarsely, "to completely seal the Dark Lord, someone must sacrifice a portion of their own power..."

His words thundered like a bolt, exploding in everyone's ears. No one spoke; the air seemed to solidify. Sacrifice... who would give up themselves?

The gray-bearded elder watched the silent crowd, slowly extended his hand, and pointed to a symbol on the wall... "This one," he said, his gaunt finger trembling as it indicated the symbol, his tone heavy: "This is the only way; someone must offer part of their power to activate the final seal."

Silence hung over everyone like a thick curtain.

Sacrifice—how easy it is to talk about!

Everyone is gravely wounded, their power already scarce; losing any more would have unthinkable consequences.

"I'll go." The white Elf's voice was weak yet firm; she stepped forward, holy light flickering about her, "My power originates from the light, and even if I lose a part of it, I can still continue to protect this land."

"No!" Zhang Cheng seized her arm abruptly, his tone resolute, "You've already done too much for us; we cannot let you sacrifice yourself again." He looked around, his gaze sweeping over his companions, his heart full of turmoil.

Xingyun Zhizhe furrowed his brow, pacing back and forth, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

"Time is running short," he said in a deep voice, "The Dark Lord's power is recovering; we must decide quickly."

At that moment, a chilling cackle shattered the stalemate.

The energy cage imprisoning the Dark Lord began to quake violently, emitting a harsh cracking sound.

Xingling's radiance dimmed; it seemed to have exhausted all its power.

"Hahaha! Foolish mortals, your struggle is futile!" The Dark Lord's voice was full of mockery and contempt.

The cage shattered with a boom, and he stepped out, his whole being exuding a suffocating dark aura.

He extended his withered hand, black energy coalescing in his palm, forming a massive black vortex that seemed ready to devour everything.

Despair spread like a tide. Could all of this truly end?

"Prepare for battle!" Xingji Xiake roared, drawing his energy sword; blue light sliced through the darkness, bringing a faint glimmer of hope.

The others also drew their weapons, ready for a life‑or‑death clash; even knowing hope was slim, they refused to give up.

Suddenly, a dazzling red beam tore across the sky, and a figure clad in a red robe appeared before the crowd.

He wielded a staff set with a red gem, a powerful surge of energy radiating from him, causing everyone present to feel a sudden palpitations.

The red‑robed mage scanned the crowd, a mysterious smile curling his lips, "It seems my arrival is indeed timely..."