Chapter 289

The Dark Lord's chanting grew louder, like a whisper from hell, striking fear into everyone's hearts.

The dark aura rolled and surged, as if some huge monster was about to break out of its shell.

Everyone held their breath, their palms full of cold sweat, watching the depths of the darkness nervously.

The Star Spirit's starlight barrier trembled slightly, seemingly unable to withstand this powerful dark power.

"The barrier is about to collapse!" The Star Spirit's voice trembled, its face turning pale.

The Messenger of Light looked at the Star Spirit worriedly and asked with concern: "Can you hold on?"

The Star Spirit gritted its teeth and nodded: "I will try my best, but... I need more time."

The Red-Robed Mage paced back and forth anxiously, the light of the staff in his hand flickering, but he could never find a suitable opportunity to interrupt the Dark Lord's spellcasting.

He cursed in a low voice: "Damn it, why is this spell so long!"

The pressure of the dark power made it difficult for the White-Clothed Elf's purification power to be exerted; her face turned pale, her body trembling slightly, but she was still trying hard to resist.

The Green-Clothed Elf mocked from the side: "You want to fight the Dark Lord with just this bit of weak power? It's just wishful thinking!"

The dark aura became thicker, almost solidifying, and the group felt breathing becoming difficult.

The Blue Star Guardian said in a deep voice: "The Dark Lord's power is even more powerful than we imagined; we must find a way as soon as possible!"

Kelinda held Zhang Cheng's arm tightly, her eyes full of worry: "Zhang Cheng, what should we do?"

Zhang Cheng frowned, his gaze fixed firmly on the depths of the darkness.

He felt immense pressure, but he did not give up hope.

He knew they had to find the Dark Lord's flaw to turn the situation around.

Suddenly, the Nebula Sage pointed at the Dark Lord and exclaimed: "Look! His spell..."

The Nebula Sage pointed at the Dark Lord's feet, his voice trembling but clear: "His spell... needs to connect with the magic circle on the ground! See those tiny lines? As long as we destroy them..."

Zhang Cheng's gaze was like a torch, instantly capturing what the Nebula Sage pointed to—at the Dark Lord's feet was indeed a complex magic circle, flashing with dark red light, echoing the dark energy surging in his hands.

"Good opportunity!" Zhang Cheng shouted in a low voice, a flash of brilliance in his eyes.

An unprecedented energy surged within him; he pressed his hands together and chanted.

A dazzling white light erupted from his body, forming a huge blade of light, exuding a holy aura.

"This is... 'Holy Judgment'!" The Messenger of Light exclaimed; she had never seen Zhang Cheng use such a powerful skill.

This light seemed capable of purifying all evil and illuminating all darkness.

"This kid actually hid such a move!" The Red-Robed Mage also couldn't help but praise, his eyes flashing with excitement.

The Green-Clothed Elf's expression changed abruptly, muttering in disbelief: "Impossible... how could he..."

Zhang Cheng's figure turned into a stream of light, the blade of light tearing through the darkness and heading straight for the Dark Lord's feet.

The speed was so fast that everyone was dumbfounded.

The Dark Lord was caught off guard, hurriedly raising his hands, trying to block this sudden attack.

"Too late!" Zhang Cheng shouted coldly, the blade of light hacking fiercely onto the magic circle.

Boom!

With a loud noise, the magic circle shattered instantly, the dark red light scattering like broken glass.

The Dark Lord let out a painful roar, the dark energy in his hands fluctuating violently, as if about to lose control.

"Now!" A flash of ruthlessness crossed the Starry Knight's eyes; he raised the longsword in his hand, the sword body flashing with cold light.

"Kill!"

Seeing Zhang Cheng succeed, the Starry Knight shot toward the Dark Lord like an arrow from a bow.

The longsword in his hand now seemed to have turned into the wrath of thunder, every swing carrying a whistling sound that tore through the air.

On the edge of the sword, the energy light unique to the Starry Knight flickered, every strike landing precisely on the weak points of the Dark Lord's defense, causing cracks like spiderwebs to appear on the originally indestructible dark shield.

The Dark Lord was caught off guard by this sudden offensive, the magic circle broken, the power connection interrupted, making it difficult for him to control the violent dark energy in his body for a while.

He roared, wielding the dark energy ball in his hand to counterattack, but was dodged nimbly by the Starry Knight time and time again.

The dark energy ball hit the ground, erupting with a deafening roar, blasting deep charred pits into the ground, and the surrounding dark creatures also felt their master's weakness, beginning to stir uneasily and letting out bursts of roars.

Kelinda stood to the side, staring at the Starry Knight's figure without blinking.

His vigorous posture, sharp sword technique, and the courage he exuded made her deeply fascinated.

She clenched her fists, as if she were in the battle herself, feeling every one of the Starry Knight's attacks and every dodge.

Her eyes were full of worship, silently cheering for the Starry Knight: "Go! Knight! You can do it!"

The Dark Lord retreated steadily, the dark aura that had originally been rampant beginning to dim, and his angry roars mixed with a hint of undisguisable fear.

The scales of victory seemed to be tilting toward Zhang Cheng and the others.

Just then, the gray-bearded old man suddenly walked to the labyrinth guardian's side and whispered: "Now is a good time to find the holy relic; the Dark Lord is being held back, we cannot miss this opportunity."

The labyrinth guardian shook his head, his gaze fixed firmly on the battlefield: "No, now is not the time. The Dark Lord's power has not been fully suppressed; acting rashly will only put us in greater danger. We must defeat him completely first..."

The gray-bearded old man frowned, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction: "But..." He wanted to retort, but was interrupted by the labyrinth guardian raising his hand.

The old man stared at the guardian, his eyes flickering, seemingly brewing something.

"Stupid! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" The gray-bearded old man roared, his withered fingers almost poking the labyrinth guardian's chest. "The holy relic is the key! With it, we can truly defeat the darkness and end this dispute once and for all!"

The labyrinth guardian stood firm, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's: "You are too eager for quick success! The Dark Lord is cunning; his show of weakness now might just be a lure! The holy relic is important, but if we lose our lives because of it, everything is over!"

"Coward!" The old man snorted disdainfully. "Your so-called caution is just an excuse for cowardice!" He turned abruptly, seemingly deciding to act alone. "I can't wait anymore! I am determined to get the holy relic!"

The labyrinth guardian grabbed the old man's shoulder, his voice low but carrying unquestionable majesty: "I command you in the name of the guardian, do not act rashly!"

Just as the two were at daggers drawn, the Dark Lord's figure disappeared like a ghost into the depths of the labyrinth.

The Starry Knight's longsword stalled suddenly, the tip of the sword humming, seemingly sensing something.

He looked around and whispered vigilantly: "Careful! He hasn't left!"

Zhang Cheng said in a deep voice: "Everyone, back to back, stay vigilant!" The Messenger of Light quickly released a holy light, illuminating the surrounding environment, but the darkness seemed even thicker, like a huge beast lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity.

Everyone held their breath, the tense atmosphere almost freezing.

The battlefield, which had been fierce just a moment ago, was now terrifyingly silent.

Kelinda held the Starry Knight's hand tightly, feeling the sweat on his palms. She whispered: "Knight, do you think... where he went?"

The Starry Knight didn't answer, just stared fixedly ahead, his gaze like a torch. He slowly raised his longsword, the tip pointing in one direction, his tone cold: "There..."