Chapter 281: Amethyst Guardian

The Dark Lord stopped his cold laugh and slowly raised both hands.

In his black eyes, a strange light flickered erratically, like two abysses about to devour everything.

His entire dark power began to surge wildly, and the surrounding space seemed to be swallowed by it, the air filled with a suffocating pressure.

Everyone stared at him tensely, their hearts pounding like war drums.

They knew the Dark Lord was about to unleash some terrifying technique, and they could only watch helplessly.

The grey-bearded elder sighed and muttered, "It's over, everything is over…" His desperate tone was like a sharp needle, piercing each person's heart.

The Shadow Assassin stood behind the Dark Lord, a cruel smile on his face.

"Once the master makes a move, no one can survive," he said, his voice thin and shrill like a night owl's screech, heightening the horror.

The red-robed mage also nodded slightly, while the green-clothed Elf covered his mouth with a light laugh, as if mocking their overconfidence.

Zhang Cheng clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

He knew he had to do something, even if only to grasp a sliver of hope.

He turned to look at Xingyun Zhizhe, hoping he could devise a plan, but the Zhizhe merely shook his head despondently, his eyes hollow, clearly having given up resistance.

The Dark Lord first aimed his target at the wounded Kelinda.

A black beam, like a poisonous snake, shot from his hand straight toward Kelinda.

Its speed was so fast that no one could react.

Kelinda's face turned ashen; she knew she could not evade.

Guangming Shizhe let out a startled cry, trying to rush forward to protect Kelinda, but was blocked by Xingling.

"Useless," Xingling's voice was eerily calm, "no one can stop this strike."

Blue Star Guardian let out a desperate roar, "Kelinda!" He struggled desperately, trying to break free of his bonds to protect Kelinda, but it was in vain.

Seeing the dark beam about to strike Kelinda, Zhang Cheng slammed his eyes shut, unable to bear what would happen next… "Stop!" a crisp shout rang through the space.

Xingji Xiake's muscles tensed, veins bulging, the steel-like restraints groaned under his immense force, sparks flying in all directions.

He roared, exerting all his strength to break free and protect the frail figure, yet could only watch helplessly as the dark beam closed in on Kelinda.

At the same time, the white-clothed Elf's delicate fingers lightly tapped the void, holy light gathering at her fingertips to form a shimmering barrier, attempting to block the lethal dark beam.

However, the Dark Lord's power was too great; the purifying light, like a moth to flame, was instantly devoured by darkness and vanished.

The shockwave rippled outward, slamming Xingji Xiake hard onto the ground, a mouthful of fresh blood spurting out and staining the floor red.

Kelinda's face was as pale as paper; she closed her eyes in despair, awaiting death's arrival.

At that hair‑raising moment, a violet figure suddenly flashed before her, shielding her behind it.

It was the Amethyst Guardian!

The dark beam struck the Amethyst Guardian without hindrance.

He let out a muted hum; the violet crystalline body began to crack, the fissures spreading rapidly until it turned into specks of starlight that faded into the air.

Before vanishing completely, he mustered his last ounce of strength, turning his head laboriously toward Kelinda, his lips barely moving, "I'm sorry…"

The three words, as light as a wisp yet as heavy as a thousand pounds, struck Kelinda's heart.

She trembled, reaching out to grasp the dissipating light, but caught nothing.

Tears welled up, blurring her vision.

Zhang Cheng's eyes bulged with rage; an unprecedented fury roiled in his chest like a volcano about to erupt.

He watched helplessly as the Amethyst Guardian sacrificed itself to protect Kelinda, his heart filled with sorrow and helplessness.

Suddenly, a powerful force erupted from within him, dazzling light enveloping him like a rising sun.

The force was so mighty that even the Dark Lord felt a hint of surprise; he narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at Zhang Cheng, and whispered, "Interesting…"

The dazzling light surrounded Zhang Cheng, power surging from him like an erupting volcano, charging straight at the Dark Lord.

Hope ignited in everyone's hearts—could this be the legendary power that can turn the world upside down?

Even the usually composed Xingyun Zhizhe's eyes flashed with a glimmer of hope.

However, the Dark Lord merely flinched slightly, then let out a contemptuous sneer.

"Trivial tricks," he spat, his tone dripping with disdain.

The surrounding air seemed to solidify, a suffocating pressure spreading outward.

The Shadow Assassins behind him emitted eerie laughter, as if mocking everyone's overreach.

The red-robed mage and the green-clothed Elf also halted their actions, watching with keen interest, the green-clothed Elf even curling a sarcastic smile at the corner of his mouth.

The Dark Lord slowly raised his hand, dark power coalescing in his palm into a massive black hand, like a demonic claw from hell.

The giant hand emitted a heart‑stopping vibration, the very space seeming to tremble.

The sheer strength left Xingji Xiake and Blue Star Guardian feeling powerless; they struggled to rise, only to find themselves as if nailed to the ground, unable to move.

The black hand lunged at Zhang Cheng with lightning speed, the dazzling light before the dark giant hand appearing as tiny as fireflies, minuscule.

Everyone watched helplessly as the giant hand seized Zhang Cheng, the light dimming along with it.

The Dark Lord's five fingers slowly closed, the immense force crushing Zhang Cheng as if to grind him.

Zhang Cheng let out a painful groan; the once‑dazzling light vanished completely, and he writhed helplessly like a captured prey.

"Overstepping," the Dark Lord's voice was cold and merciless, like a chilling wind from the ninth abyss.

He stared at the Zhang Cheng struggling in his grasp like a beetle, his eyes showing no mercy, only endless mockery and contempt.

At that moment, a figure suddenly charged forward… Guangming Shizhe, she rushed at the Dark Lord without hesitation, her eyes fixed on Zhang Cheng's safety, shrieking, "Let him go!"

Guangming Shizhe barreled toward the Dark Lord heedlessly, her slender form appearing especially fragile beneath the massive dark claw.

Her eyes brimmed with tears, yet shone with unwavering light, like a moth diving into flame, resolute.

"Let him go!" she shouted hoarsely, her voice echoing through the vast maze, tinged with desperation yet filled with endless love.

The Dark Lord clutched the barely‑alive Zhang Cheng, watching Guangming Shizhe rush toward him, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

He did not stop her; instead he watched her despair with keen interest, as cruel as a cat playing with a mouse.

"Another one heading to death." He sneered contemptuously, his tone full of mockery.

Guangming Shizhe drew ever closer to the Dark Lord; she could see Zhang Cheng's painful expression clearly, her heart twisted like a knife.

She reached out, trying to touch Zhang Cheng, but the surging dark energy around him blocked her.

She gathered all her energy into her hand, attempting to dispel the dark power, but it was like striking stone with an egg—utterly ineffective.

"Overstepping yourself." A cold glint flashed in the Dark Lord's eyes; the dark power in his hand intensified, Zhang Cheng let out a pained groan, his body trembling violently, as if about to be crushed.

Guangming Shizhe watched all this helplessly, despair flooding her like a tide.

She knew she was no match for the Dark Lord, yet she would not give up; even in death, she would die alongside Zhang Cheng.

The Dark Lord was about to strike at Guangming Shizhe and the captured Zhang Cheng when a melodious flute note suddenly sounded… mysterious light spread around, illuminating the dark maze.

The flute's tone was ethereal and mysterious, as if from another world, stirring doubt in everyone's mind.

The onlookers watched tensely, unsure whether the newcomer was foe or friend.

"Who is it?" the Red-robed Mage whispered, a hint of caution in his voice.