Chapter 293

The fissure in the ground grew larger and larger, stones falling like raindrops, and choking dust permeated the air.

A deafening roar came from the depths of the underground, carrying a heart-palpitating sense of pressure, pressing down on the group so they couldn't breathe.

The group looked at the constantly expanding crack in horror, an ominous premonition shrouding their hearts.

"Retreat!" The Nebula Sage shouted, his voice somewhat distorted by fear.

However, it was too late.

A huge claw reached out from the crack, slapping fiercely on the ground, making a heaven-shaking sound.

Immediately after, a behemoth drilled out from underground, dust flying, covering the sky and sun.

This was a monster shaped like a giant centipede, over ten meters long, its whole body covered in hard carapaces, flashing with metallic luster.

It had dozens of pairs of sharp limbs, each pair as sharp as a steel knife, exuding a chilling cold light.

It opened its huge mouthparts, revealing dense sharp teeth inside, letting out a hair-raising roar.

The group was dumbfounded by this sudden monster.

"This... what is this monster?!" The Messenger of Light's face turned pale, her voice trembling as she asked.

"It's over, we're dead..." The Blue Star Guardian muttered to himself, his eyes full of despair.

"Don't panic!" Zhang Cheng tried to stay calm; he knew if they lost their footing now, there would truly be no way to survive.

The underground monster launched an attack as soon as it appeared; it waved its huge claws and swept over.

The Starry Knight bore the brunt; he swung his sword to block, but was shaken away by the huge force, falling heavily to the ground, blood flowing from his mouth.

"Knight!" Kelinda exclaimed, wanting to step forward to help, but was stopped by the Nebula Sage.

"Don't go over, it's too dangerous!" The Nebula Sage's expression was solemn. "Its power is too strong; we are simply no match for it."

"Are we just going to wait for death?" Kelinda's eyes were full of unwillingness.

Just then, the White-Clothed Elf and the Green-Clothed Elf descended from the sky; the White-Clothed Elf's hands radiated soft white light, shrouding the Starry Knight, and his injuries actually began to recover miraculously.

"You..." Zhang Cheng looked at these two suddenly appearing elves in surprise.

The Green-Clothed Elf smiled contemptuously: "You ants want to challenge this ancient fierce beast? It's just overestimating your own capabilities!" She turned to the Red-Robed Mage, her tone carrying a hint of flattery, "Mage, look, these humans are so vulnerable; should I..."

The Red-Robed Mage ignored the Green-Clothed Elf, instead staring fixedly at the underground monster, his brow furrowed.

Suddenly, Zhang Cheng felt a burning sensation in his chest; he looked down and found that the mysterious rune he had obtained in the labyrinth earlier was emitting dazzling light...

The light emitted by the rune became increasingly intense, like a small sun illuminating the entire space.

Zhang Cheng felt a powerful force surge into his body; he instinctively guided this force out and pushed it fiercely toward the underground monster.

A dazzling beam of light shot from his hand, hitting the monster's head squarely.

The monster let out a miserable roar, its huge body actually pushed back a few steps by this force. Seeing this, the group's spirits were lifted.

"Success!" The Messenger of Light shouted happily.

However, the underground monster was enraged.

It waved its claws frantically, its attack speed and power increasing several times over.

Stones flew, the ground shook violently, and the group could barely stand.

Seeing this, the Green-Clothed Elf laughed sharply: "Stupid humans, do you think you can defeat it like this? It's just wishful thinking!" She turned to look at the Red-Robed Mage, her tone full of fawning, "Mage, this monster's power has been fully stimulated; now is the best time for you to act..."

The Red-Robed Mage still ignored her, instead gazing deeply at Zhang Cheng, seemingly thinking about something.

Fear shrouded the group's hearts again.

The Starry Knight clutched his chest, his face pale; the attack just now caused him no small injury.

"We... we are simply no match for it..."

Kelinda held the Star Spirit tightly, her eyes full of worry. Although the Star Spirit had no expression, the light it radiated also dimmed a bit.

Just when the group was in despair, Zhang Cheng raised his hand again, the light of the rune becoming even more dazzling.

"No, we haven't lost yet!" His voice was firm and powerful. "Everyone, don't give up, lend me your power!"

A flash of brilliance crossed the Nebula Sage's eyes. "That's right, we still have hope! Everyone concentrate your power on me, I will guide it!"

The group did not hesitate, gathering their power to the Nebula Sage one after another.

The Nebula Sage's body was shrouded in a layer of dazzling light; he pressed his hands together and chanted.

The surrounding space began to distort, and a powerful energy fluctuation radiated from him.

"Are you ready?" The Nebula Sage's voice sounded in everyone's ears. "We are going to fight to the death!" He pushed his hands forward, and a huge energy beam, like a pillar of light piercing the heavens and earth, shot straight at the underground monster...

The energy beam, like a pillar of light piercing the heavens and earth, smashed fiercely onto the underground monster.

The monster let out a deafening roar, trying to block this powerful force with its huge claws.

Black light flashed on its claws, colliding with the energy beam and erupting with dazzling sparks.

The surrounding space was illuminated by the collision of energy, like broad daylight.

The underground monster's defense appeared vulnerable in front of the powerful energy beam, and the black light was gradually swallowed by the dazzling white light.

Its body began to tremble, its huge body swaying.

Seeing this, the group ignited the fire of hope in their hearts, working even harder to transmit their power to the Nebula Sage.

The Messenger of Light and Kelinda took care of the injured Starry Knight together.

The Messenger of Light gently bandaged his wounds, while Kelinda transmitted healing energy to him from the side.

The Starry Knight's face was pale, his lips cracked, but looking at the concerned eyes of his two companions, his heart was filled with warmth.

He gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and struggled to stand up.

"I can still fight!" He said firmly.

The Nebula Sage felt the continuous power from the group, his heart filled with confidence.

He controlled these powers more precisely, the energy beam becoming more concentrated, and its power becoming even more powerful.

The underground monster's defense was finally completely broken, the energy beam piercing through its body and leaving a huge hole.

The monster let out a miserable scream, its huge body collapsed to the ground, stirring up dust that filled the sky.

The group cheered, celebrating this hard-won victory.

However, the Star Spirit suddenly let out an exclamation, its light flickering, seemingly having sensed something.

"Wait, this power..."

The Green-Clothed Elf interrupted impatiently, "What's wrong? Now that the monster has been eliminated, what are you still worried about?"

The Star Spirit ignored the Green-Clothed Elf, turning to the Nebula Sage, its voice urgent, "Sage, we must stop the energy output! This power is too powerful, I feel it's about to lose control!"

The Green-Clothed Elf sneered, "Lose control? What nonsense are you talking about? Now is the best time to strike while the iron is hot; why stop?"

The Star Spirit and the Green-Clothed Elf were at daggers drawn, neither giving way.

The Nebula Sage looked at them, his brow furrowed, seemingly weighing something.

He spoke slowly, "Star Spirit, you..."

"Star Spirit, are you sure you want to continue outputting? This power is too violent, I'm afraid..." The Nebula Sage's brow furrowed, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by the Green-Clothed Elf.

"Afraid of what? Now is the best time to beat a dog in the water! Continue outputting, eliminate it completely!" The Green-Clothed Elf's sharp voice echoed in the cave, carrying a hint of unquestionable arrogance.

She glanced at the Star Spirit contemptuously, "Dithering, not at all like a follower of the Red-Robed Mage."

The Star Spirit's light flickered more violently, retorting: "Continuous output is the only way to eliminate it completely and prevent it from regenerating! Intermittent release will only give it a chance to catch its breath, and then we'll all be finished!"

"Nonsense! Intermittent release is to save energy! You are acting recklessly like this; when the energy is exhausted, what will we use to deal with the next enemy?" The Green-Clothed Elf crossed her arms, a high-and-mighty posture.

Zhang Cheng walked to the Nebula Sage's side and said in a deep voice: "Sage, I trust the Star Spirit's judgment. Although this power is violent, under the Star Spirit's guidance, we can control it."

The Nebula Sage looked at Zhang Cheng's firm eyes, then at the flickering Star Spirit, and finally made up his mind.

"Okay! Do as the Star Spirit says, continuous output!"

The group gathered their power to the Nebula Sage again, the energy beam becoming thicker, like an angry dragon roaring, fiercely swallowing the remnants of the underground monster's body.

The monster let out a final desperate roar and turned completely to ashes.

The dangerous creatures that had originally been stirring around, feeling this destructive power, fled with their tails between their legs.

Only the heavy breathing of the group and the joy of victory remained in the cave.

"We won!" The Starry Knight waved his fist excitedly; although he was still injured, his eyes were full of excited light.

Kelinda and the Messenger of Light smiled at each other, tears shining in both their eyes. They knew this victory was hard-won.

Just when the group was immersed in the joy of victory, a low voice sounded in the cave: "Congratulations, you have defeated the first level of the labyrinth."

The group looked in the direction of the sound, only to see an old man in a gray robe with a vicissitudinous face appearing at the entrance of the cave at some point.

He held an ancient wooden staff, exuding a mysterious aura.

"Who are you?" Zhang Cheng asked vigilantly.

"I am the guardian of the labyrinth," the old man said slowly. "You defeated the underground monster, proving your courage and strength. However, there are more unknown dangers waiting for you in the depths of the labyrinth. Are you ready?"