Chapter 282: Just in Time

The melodious flute sound grew clearer, and the light grew ever stronger, as if to dispel all the darkness in this maze.

Zhang Cheng, in the Dark Lord's grasp, moaned in pain, and Guangming Shizhe closed his eyes in despair, awaiting the final fate.

From the light, a figure slowly emerged.

She wore a splendid white robe, a crown woven from stars upon her head, and held a staff that emitted a gentle glow.

She was noble and majestic, like a deity descending, inspiring awe.

She was the mysterious Elf Queen.

She looked at the Dark Lord, her eyes full of authority, her voice cold as an icy spring: "Your evil ends here."

The Dark Lord's complexion changed abruptly.

He had not expected that, deep within this forgotten maze, such a powerful being was hidden.

He felt the great power radiating from the Elf Queen, a power that could frighten him.

"Who are you?" the Dark Lord forced composure, though a tremor lingered in his tone.

The Elf Queen did not answer his question, but simply waved her hand lightly.

A gentle force rescued Zhang Cheng, who had been bound by dark power, and he fell weakly to the ground, gasping heavily.

Guangming Shizhe hurried forward to support him, his eyes full of concern.

Seeing this, the Dark Lord roared, trying to intervene, but found his power suppressed by an invisible force, unable to move.

He stared at the Elf Queen in terror, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Xingji Xiake and the others rejoiced at Zhang Cheng's rescue, their morale soaring.

Xingyun Zhizhe looked at the Elf Queen, a flash of wisdom in his eyes, as if he understood something.

The Elf Queen's gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on the Dark Lord, and she said slowly: "You disrupt the maze's order and slaughter innocent lives; your crimes are unforgivable."

The Dark Lord struggled to retort, but found even speaking difficult.

Fear filled his eyes; he knew the blow he was about to face would be devastating.

The Elf Queen slowly raised the staff in her hand…

The Elf Queen waved lightly, and a gentle light enveloped Zhang Cheng, instantly freeing him from the Dark Lord's control.

Zhang Cheng fell weakly to the ground, breathing heavily, as if surviving a calamity.

The Dark Lord, enraged, roared and tried to act again, but was horrified to find himself tightly bound by an invisible force, unable to move.

He stared at the Elf Queen in terror, his eyes full of disbelief.

Everyone, seeing Zhang Cheng safe, felt their tense nerves finally relax, a great joy swelling in their hearts.

Guangming Shizhe hurried to Zhang Cheng's side, hugging him tightly, eyes full of worry and joy, choking out: "I'm so glad you're okay." Zhang Cheng patted her back reassuringly, feeling the warmth in his arms, and a sense of relief after surviving the ordeal rose in his heart.

Xingji Xiake clenched his fists and shouted excitedly: "Your Majesty the Queen is mighty!" Xingyun Zhizhe, meanwhile, gazed thoughtfully at the Elf Queen, as if pondering something.

Blue Star Guardian and Kelinda also breathed a sigh of relief, smiles of contentment appearing on their faces.

The Dark Lord's subordinates, seeing their leader so easily suppressed, turned ashen with fear, their previously arrogant aura vanishing without a trace.

They began whispering, deeply fearing the Elf Queen's power.

"W‑who are you really?" the Dark Lord managed to speak, his voice trembling with fear and resentment.

He had once ruled this maze and never imagined anyone could suppress him so easily.

The Elf Queen's icy gaze fixed on the Dark Lord as she said slowly: "I am the guardian of this maze; your sins are beyond record." The staff in her hand flickered, a powerful pressure enveloping the Dark Lord, making him feel a suffocating oppression.

Just as everyone thought the Dark Lord would be annihilated, the Elf Queen withdrew her staff, and the light faded.

She shook her head and said: "I can only suppress him temporarily; his power has merged with the maze's dark aura, and to eradicate him completely we must find the holy relic deep within the maze." She turned to Zhang Cheng, a hint of expectation in her eyes, and added: "Young one, the maze's fate now rests with you."

The Elf Queen's words thundered like a bolt, exploding in everyone's hearts.

The dawn of hope flashed briefly, only to be shrouded again by the mystery of the maze's relic.

Zhang Cheng felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier; he was merely an ordinary explorer, yet now he must bear the task of saving the maze.

Guangming Shizhe looked at Zhang Cheng anxiously, gently clasping his hand: "Zhang Cheng, can we really find the relic?" Her voice trembled slightly, her eyes full of unease.

Zhang Cheng forced a faint smile, reassuring: "Don't worry, we'll definitely succeed." Yet he himself had no certainty.

Nearby, Xingji Xiake exuded confidence, patting his chest as he said: "Her Majesty the Queen has spoken; we can certainly do it! Zhang Cheng, you are the core of our team, I believe in you!" His tone carried obvious flattery, which only made Zhang Cheng feel more powerless.

He understood that, in Xingji Xiake's eyes, he was more a revered symbol than a true leader.

At that moment, the Red‑robed Mage and the Green‑clad Elf began arguing again.

"We must set out at once to find the relic!" the Red‑robed Mage said firmly, his staff flashing.

"No, that's too risky! What if it's a trap set by the Dark Lord?" the Green‑clad Elf retorted, a hint of anxiety in his tone.

"Coward! The Queen has already pointed the way; what are you still afraid of?" the Red‑robed Mage sneered at the Green‑clad Elf.

"Being cautious never hurts! Who knows what schemes the Dark Lord still has?" the Green‑clad Elf retorted unflinchingly.

The two argued without yielding, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Zhang Cheng massaged his temples, feeling a headache that seemed to split his head.

He took a deep breath, striving to stay calm.

At that moment, the Dark Lord let out a cold laugh, his tone dripping with mockery: "A swarm of over‑ambitious ants daring to challenge my authority? Even if you find the relic, you cannot defeat me!" The shadow assassins behind him echoed with sneering laughter, as if ridiculing Zhang Cheng and the others for their overreach.

Zhang Cheng clenched his fists, a surge of anger rising within him.

He understood that the Dark Lord was right; the gap in strength between them was as vast as a chasm.

Nevertheless, he would never give up.

Xingyun Zhizhe suddenly spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere: "I have once read a fragment about this maze's relic in ancient texts…" His voice was low and slow, weighted, "The relic may be guarded by numerous mechanisms…" He paused, his gaze sweeping the crowd, then continued slowly, "And it is extremely dangerous…"

Xingyun Zhizhe's words tightened everyone's hearts.

The hard‑won flame of hope seemed doused by a bucket of cold water.

Guangming Shizhe looked at Zhang Cheng with worry, while Zhang Cheng furrowed his brows, lost in thought.

He recalled that the Xingyun Zhizhe had once mentioned an ancient interstellar tome that recorded various bizarre mechanisms and traps throughout the universe.

Could it be that the relic in this maze is also guarded by such a mechanism?

The Xingyun Zhizhe seemed to see through Zhang Cheng's thoughts and said slowly, "I remember the tome mentioned a mechanism called the 'Star Soul Lock'. It can absorb surrounding energy to form an impenetrable barrier. Only by finding the correct way to break it can the seal be lifted." He paused, a flash of fear in his eyes, "But if the break fails, it will trigger a catastrophic energy explosion…"

"Star Soul Lock?" the Xingji Xiake scratched his head, "Sounds impressive. But whatever lock it is, as long as I swing my interstellar war axe down, it'll obediently open!" He waved his battle axe with full confidence, as if he could already see the relic right before him.

Kelinda shook her head and said, "Xingji Xiake, brute force won't solve this. The energy barrier of the Star Soul Lock is extremely strong; even your interstellar war axe might not be able to break through."

While everyone voiced their opinions, a surge of powerful dark energy suddenly erupted, shaking the entire maze.

The Dark Lord's raging voice echoed through the maze: "Damned seal! I will definitely break your shackles!"

The others' faces changed dramatically; the Dark Lord's suppressing power had actually been weakened!

Could the appearance of the Elf Queen have instead angered him?

Zhang Cheng felt a massive pressure; he knew a far more brutal battle was about to begin.

At that moment, a deep voice sounded behind the group: "It seems my timing is perfect…" A figure slowly stepped out of the shadows.