Chapter 279: Everyone's Fighting Spirit

Crystal‑clear skin, flowing blue hair, she holds a crystal staff, looking like an Elf stepping out of a dream.

The appearance of the crystal Elf set the stagnant air stirring; everyone held their breath, as if even a dropped needle could be heard.

"Crystal Elf…" Kelinda murmured again, the hopeful light in her eyes growing brighter, yet mixed with an inescapable unease.

Can this suddenly appearing Elf truly turn this dire situation around?

The Dark Lord halted his action; the black energy sphere still churned in his hand, exuding a chilling aura.

He squinted, sizing up the Elf before him that radiated a gentle glow, as if assessing her strength.

The gaunt man trembled even more, cowering behind Black Shark, unwilling to show his head.

The crystal Elf surveyed everyone, her clear blue eyes flashing with wisdom.

"I can temporarily seal the Dark Lord and purify the Amethyst Guardian," she said softly, yet with undeniable power.

"But this requires your assistance."

A spark of hope rose in everyone's hearts. Zhang Cheng asked calmly, "What do we need to do?"

"I need your energy," the crystal Elf said, pointing her crystal staff toward the sky; the tip emitted an even brighter radiance.

"Inject your energy into my staff, and I can initiate the sealing and purification ritual."

The flame of hope leapt within everyone's hearts, dispelling the long‑standing despair that had shrouded them. Though it was a reckless gamble, it was their only hope.

The Dark Lord let out a cold laugh, "Overconfident! You think you can stop me?" The energy sphere in his hand surged again, seeming ready to strike at any moment.

Facing the Dark Lord's threat, Xingji Xiake stepped forward without fear, flames blazing in his eyes.

"I will give my all!" He raised his weapon overhead, a surge of powerful energy erupting from his body, charging straight at the crystal Elf's staff.

Xingji Xiake's heroic act inspired the others.

Although the Blue Star Guardian was gravely wounded, he struggled to rise and said firmly, "Count me in!" Everyone responded, a massive surge of energy converging, illuminating the entire dark maze…

Xingji Xiake was the first to step forward; golden energy roiled in his hands like raging magma, scorching and dazzling.

"I will give my all!" He roared, the energy shooting toward the crystal Elf's staff like an arrow released from a bow.

The gem at the staff's tip flared, lighting the entire space as bright as day.

Xingji Xiake's bravery ignited everyone's fighting spirit.

The Blue Star Guardian, despite his severe wounds, clenched his teeth and, trembling, stood up.

"Count me in!" He growled low, a deep blue energy bursting from his body, not as dazzling as Xingji Xiake's but still embodying unyielding will.

Guangming Shizhe walked to Xingji Xiake's side, gently stroking his arm, eyes full of admiration and affection, saying, "You are always so brave." The Xiake felt her gentle touch, a warm current rising within him, his strength multiplying.

Others also responded, energies of various colors converging into a brilliant rainbow, pouring into the crystal Elf's staff.

Even the usually silent Zhang Cheng released his distinctive silver energy, steady and powerful, adding fresh vigor to the force.

The Dark Lord watched the scene, his face darkening to a terrifying gloom.

He hadn't expected these ants to possess such formidable power, and a hint of apprehension rose within him.

The gaunt man trembled even more, cowering behind Black Shark, shivering.

Black Shark appeared composed on the surface, but his clenched fists revealed inner unease.

The crystal Elf's staff glowed ever brighter, like a star about to erupt.

She slowly closed her eyes, murmuring words; ancient incantations echoed through the space, a holy power spreading outward.

Yet, just as everyone thought victory was within reach, a chilling aura silently spread.

The flow of energy into the staff began to slow, as if hindered by an unseen force.

A wave of intense pain struck suddenly; everyone felt as if their bodies were pierced by countless needles, agony overwhelming.

"What's happening?" Zhang Cheng gritted his teeth against the pain, his brows furrowed.

Xingyun Zhizhe's face grew solemn, his voice deep, "It's the Dark Power… it's interfering with us…"

The crystal Elf snapped her eyes open, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "The Dark Power is stronger than I imagined…"

The crystal Elf's staff flickered erratically, like a candle flame swaying in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment.

Sweat beads on everyone's foreheads multiplied, their faces growing ever paler.

Each infusion of energy came with searing, stabbing pain, as if countless tiny needles were gnawing at their flesh.

"We can't keep going like this!" Xingji Xiake clenched his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain as he spoke.

His complexion grew even paler than before, the once‑radiant golden energy dimming considerably.

"The backlash of this Dark Power is too strong; we can't hold out much longer."

Guangming Shizhe looked at him with concern, speaking softly, "Xiake, how are you? Perhaps you should rest first?" Her voice was full of care, yet a hint of helplessness lingered.

The gaunt man sneered sharply, "You worthless trash think you can challenge the great Dark Lord? It's sheer delusion!" He pointed arrogantly at the crowd, as if looking at a swarm of ants.

"Better surrender quietly; perhaps you'll suffer less flesh‑wise!"

Black Shark said nothing, but a contemptuous smile spread across his face, as if victory were assured.

He idly toyed with the dagger in his hand, his gaze icy as he stared at the group, like a hunter eyeing prey about to fall into a trap.

Zhang Cheng silently endured the Dark Power's backlash, his brows knit.

He knew the gaunt man's words were harsh, yet undeniable.

Their power gap with the Dark Lord was immense, like fireflies vying with the bright moon.

At that moment, the Red Robe Mage and the Green‑clothed Elf began arguing again.

"Seal the Dark Lord first! Only then can we solve the problem completely!" The Red Robe Mage's voice rang loud and firm.

"Nonsense! The priority is to purify the Amethyst Guardian first! He is the key!" The Green‑clothed Elf retorted without yielding.

The two argued until their faces were flushed, neither willing to back down, threatening to delay the energy transmission.

Xingyun Zhizhe sighed helplessly, stepping forward to mediate, "Both of you, this is not the time to argue; we must unite to overcome this crisis…"

The crystal Elf suddenly spoke, "My power is limited…" Her voice was weak and low, starkly different from the mighty aid everyone had imagined.

"I need your help..." she slowly raised the staff in her hand, and the light on the staff dimmed again.

"Inject all your energy into the staff..." the gem on the staff flickered once, its light so weak it was almost invisible.

"Perhaps..." the crystal elf's voice grew softer, "there is still a sliver of hope..."

The crystal elf's weakened state made everyone's hearts sink.

The dawn of hope had just appeared, but it was shrouded by a shadow.

But the matter had come to this; there was no other choice.

Zhang Cheng took a deep breath and was the first to pour the energy in his hand into the crystal staff.

Pale blue energy surged along his arm into the staff, the gem on the staff glowed faintly, then dimmed again, like a hungry beast greedily devouring everything.

The others followed suit, injecting their own energy into the staff.

Xingji Xiake let out a muffled hum, the veins on his forehead bulging, clearly exerting himself to the limit.

Guangming Shizhe worriedly supported him, sharing some of his own energy with him.

Blue Star Guardian's resolute face also showed a hint of pain, but he still gritted his teeth and persisted, continuously channeling energy.

As the energy was injected, the gem on the staff gradually brightened, emitting a soft glow that illuminated the anxious faces of the group.

The flame of hope reignited, flickering in each person's eyes.

"Almost... almost..." the crystal elf's weak voice trembled, as if it could vanish at any moment.

However, just as the gem on the staff was about to reach its maximum brightness, a powerful dark aura suddenly descended, shattering the calm before a storm.

The ground began to tremble, and the air was filled with a suffocating pressure.

"Bad! The Dark Lord has noticed!" Xingyun Zhizhe's complexion changed dramatically, and he shouted.

The red-robed mage snapped his head up, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Damn! He discovered it so quickly!"

The crystal elf's staff flickered erratically, as if it could go out at any moment. "Speed up! We must finish before he makes a move!"

A chill rose in everyone's hearts, and they redoubled their effort, pouring energy into the staff.

But at that moment, a deafening roar echoed from afar, followed by a black energy beam descending from the sky, hurtling straight toward the group...

"Get out of the way!" Zhang Cheng shouted.