Chapter 301

The passage was narrow and cramped, and everyone ran wildly within it; the rumbling footsteps of the Giant Stone Puppet behind them were like a death warrant, shaking dust from the stone walls on both sides.

"Damn, this thing is like a dog-skin plaster; we can't shake it off!" The Interstellar Knight complained while running, his heavy panting echoing in the narrow space.

"Everyone watch your feet!" The Light Messenger reminded; the passage floor was uneven, and a moment of carelessness would lead to a face-plant.

Suddenly, a fork appeared ahead, two pitch-black passages like the gaping maws of giant beasts, quietly waiting for them to make a choice.

"Which way?" The Interstellar Knight braked hard, nearly crashing into Zhang Cheng running in front.

Time was tight, and the footsteps of the Giant Stone Puppet were getting closer; they could almost feel the hot air it exhaled.

"Left!" The Nebula Sage pointed to the left passage, his tone certain, "I've observed the direction of the passage; the left one conforms more to the design pattern of the labyrinth, and the possibility of it leading to an exit is greater."

"Wrong!" Zhang Cheng retorted, "Look at the stone wall of the right passage; there are obvious friction marks, indicating that someone has walked here before; the exit should be on the right!"

"Friction marks? That could also be left by the Giant Stone Puppet!" The Nebula Sage argued, "Trust my judgment, the left is safer!"

"Safe my hammer! Which road is safe now? Rather than trusting your metaphysical deduction, it's better to gamble!" Zhang Cheng pointed to the right passage, "Wealth is sought in danger, charge!"

"This is reckless behavior!"

"Old Master, now is not the time for class!"

The two argued without result, while the Giant Stone Puppet behind them grew closer; they could almost see its ferocious silhouette.

"Stop arguing!" The Light Messenger shouted anxiously, "If we don't go now, it'll be too late!"

"Listen to me, go left!" The Nebula Sage emphasized again.

Zhang Cheng gritted his teeth, "I'm betting on the right! If you want to go, go, I'm charging first!" With that, he rushed into the right passage without looking back.

"Zhang Cheng!" The Light Messenger exclaimed, hesitated for a moment, but still followed Zhang Cheng in.

The Interstellar Knight shrugged, "Follow Brother Cheng, have meat to eat! Let's go!"

The Nebula Sage sighed helplessly, and could only follow everyone into the right passage.

"Wait..." he suddenly stopped, his face turning pale, pointing to a blurred silhouette in the darkness ahead, "That... what is that..."

The silhouette gradually became clear, massive and twisted, like a monster crawled out of a nightmare—the Shadow Demon.

It spread its huge black wings, blotting out the sky, and a suffocating dark aura instantly permeated the air.

"Holy crap! What the hell is that?!" The Interstellar Knight yelled, feeling his body as heavy as if filled with lead, even lifting his legs was difficult.

"Not good, it's the Shadow Demon!" The Nebula Sage's face turned pale, "Its dark aura can suppress our power!"

"Fear what? Fight it!" The Interstellar Knight lived up to his reputation as a reckless man, enduring the discomfort in his body, grabbing his weapon and charging up.

"Eat my stick, old Knight!"

Unfortunately, his proud attack was like a tickle in front of the Shadow Demon, easily neutralized.

The demon backhanded a swing, directly knocking the Interstellar Knight's weapon away, and his entire body was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, unable to crawl up for a long time.

"Knight!" The Light Messenger exclaimed, exchanged a look with the Nebula Sage, and both chanted spells at the same time, unleashing a joint spell.

A dazzling light illuminated the entire passage; however, this seemingly powerful attack hit the Shadow Demon like a mud ox entering the sea, with little effect.

A feeling of despair began to spread; were they really going to die here today?

Just then, a green light flashed, accompanied by a breeze, and the originally thick dark aura instantly dissipated; everyone felt their bodies lighten, recovering their mobility.

A figure appeared before everyone, green hair dancing in the wind, her agile posture like an elf—it was the Wind Elf.

She landed lightly in front of everyone, a smile on her lips: "It seems you need a little help."

Before everyone could react, the Wind Elf turned to look at the Shadow Demon, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes: "You guy, you really are a lingering ghost..."

Before the Wind Elf could finish, her figure turned into a green light, spinning around the Shadow Demon at high speed.

In her slender hands, a wind blade condensed, and every attack landed precisely on the demon's weakness.

The demon let out roars, but could do nothing about this lightning-fast elf, and could only be beaten passively.

"Good opportunity! Brothers, grab your weapons!" Zhang Cheng gave the order, and everyone's spirits were lifted, each using their best efforts to launch a fierce attack on the Shadow Demon.

The Nebula Sage unleashed powerful spells, the Light Messenger continuously released healing and buff magic, and the Interstellar Knight, as if injected with chicken blood, swung his retrieved weapon, outputting crazily.

"Eat my 'Lightning Five-Chain Whip'!" The Interstellar Knight shouted, unleashing a dazzling stick technique, actually leaving several wounds on the demon.

"666, old Knight's operation is good!" Zhang Cheng couldn't help but praise.

The Shadow Demon was forced to retreat step by step by the joint attack of the Wind Elf and the group, the black aura on its body gradually dissipating.

"Roar—" It let out a final roar of unwillingness, its massive body collapsed with a crash, eventually turning into a wisp of black smoke and disappearing without a trace.

"Done!" The Interstellar Knight waved his weapon excitedly, looking invincible.

The Wind Elf landed lightly in front of everyone, but there was no joy on her face; instead, her brows were locked in a frown, her expression grave.

"Although the Shadow Demon is solved, this is just the beginning..." She paused, looking deeply into the depths of the labyrinth, "More dangerous things are still waiting for us..."

Everyone couldn't help but hold their breath, an inexplicable sense of tension rising in their hearts.

The Wind Elf led them to continue forward, passing through a long, narrow passage, and arriving at an open area.

Suddenly, the Wind Elf stopped, she slowly looked up, her gaze filled with awe... and a hint of imperceptible fear.

Zhang Cheng followed her gaze, his pupils shrinking suddenly.

"This..." he said only one word, and could say no more.