Chapter 323: Venturing into the New Realm, Perils All Around

The golden light was not an attack, but …

It vanished.

The crowd was still shaken, and the anticipated destruction did not arrive.

The energy entity's hands were empty, yet that suffocating pressure did not lessen at all.

"Foolish creatures," the energy entity's voice carried a hint of mockery, "did you think I would treat you so brutally? I prefer to watch your pitiful struggle for survival."

These words inflamed Xingji Xiake, and he raised his massive energy axe again, "Enough chatter! If you have the guts, bring it on!" His impulsive nature could no longer be restrained.

Guangming Shizhe worriedly grasped his arm and said softly, "Xiake, stay calm; we still do not know its strength."

Xingyun Zhizhe furrowed his brow, keenly sensing that the energy entity did not intend to act immediately.

He tried a calmer tone, saying, "Honored being, we mean no offense; we merely entered by mistake. May we ask how to leave?"

The energy entity let out a contemptuous snort, "Leave? This place is not one you can come and go at will." It extended a "hand," and a vortex shimmering with strange light materialized out of nowhere.

"This is the Shen Gui Sha Li Tai. Only by passing a trial can one leave."

A chill ran through the crowd. "Trial?" Xingling xue zhe pushed his glasses, his eyes flashing with curiosity, "What kind of trial?"

The energy entity gave no answer, merely staring coldly at the crowd.

At that moment, psychic Li li stepped forward, a faint aura of psychic light surrounding her, "Perhaps we can talk; there may be a peaceful solution." Xingji Xiake scoffed, "Talk to this thing? It's clearly toying with us!" Tensions instantly rose, the atmosphere becoming tense.

Mechanic A li stepped forward. He did not side with either party, but offered a peculiar idea: "Everyone, instead of arguing, why not try this!" He pulled a palm-sized metal device from his toolbox, its surface etched with strange runes.

"This is my latest mental disruptor; perhaps it can disturb this creature's mental pressure, giving us a chance…" A li's words were cut off as Xingji Xiake shouted impatiently, "Test it now! Rather than waste time here, let's go all out!"

A li nodded and quickly activated the device.

The device buzzed, and a strange wave spread outward, enveloping everyone nearby.

A shocking event occurred: the energy entity's previously overbearing aura began to waver, and the suffocating pressure lessened considerably!

"What's happening?!" the energy entity emitted a startled gasp, clearly taken aback by the sudden change.

Seizing the opportunity, Xingji Xiake roared, "Now's the time!" He brandished his massive energy axe and charged at the entity first.

Mark followed closely, his energy sword tracing a sharp arc of light.

Guangming Shizhe swiftly released a healing light wave, covering everyone as a precaution.

The energy entity became enraged, letting out a deafening roar, "Pathetic insects, daring to challenge my authority!" It swung its "arm," unleashing streams of colored energy beams toward the crowd.

Xingji Xiake and Mark surged ahead, using their weapons to deflect the beams, but the beams grew stronger, making their arms tingle.

Psychic Li li moved nimbly to dodge the beams, while releasing psychic shockwaves in an attempt to disrupt the entity's attacks.

Xingyun Zhizhe kept his eyes fixed on the entity, trying to locate its weakness.

At that moment, Xingling xue zhe suddenly exclaimed, "Wait! These beams…" He thrust his glasses forward, his gaze fixed on the colored energy beams, his expression filled with shock and disbelief.

Xingling xue zhe slapped his thigh hard, shouting, "I've got it! These beams follow a pattern! Everyone dodge according to the directions I indicate!" He spoke at breakneck speed, pointing to various bearings; though the others did not grasp his meaning, they obeyed without hesitation out of trust.

The seemingly chaotic beams were indeed avoided one by one.

Xingling xue zhe shouted excitedly, "Li li, now!"

Psychic Li li understood, inhaled deeply, gathered all her psychic energy, and unleashed a dazzling psychic shockwave that struck the core of the energy entity!

The energy entity let out a painful howl, its light dimming noticeably, and the group's spirits lifted, seeing hope of victory!

"It's weakened! Everyone, push harder!" Xingji Xiake waved his massive energy axe excitedly, charging forward again.

However, the entity did not surrender; it seemed to change tactics, emitting a bizarre shriek, and the surrounding space began to warp violently, as if to engulf everyone.

"Bad! It's trying to scatter us!" Xingyun Zhizhe's complexion changed, and he shouted a warning to the group.

At the critical moment, alien scientist Karl calmly stepped forward, "I know how to stabilize the space! Zhizhe, give me your spatial stabilizer!" Xingyun Zhizhe handed over his device without hesitation, and the two swiftly cooperated, locating several key nodes within the warped space, placing the device on them. The device buzzed, and a stabilizing energy wave spread, gradually calming the distorted space.

The group was still reeling, barely able to catch their breath, when they saw the entity's form becoming ethereal, as if it could vanish at any moment.

"It's trying to flee!" Mark watched the entity warily, ready to pursue.

However, the entity did not flee; instead it let out a cold laugh, "Foolish creatures, you think this is victory? This is only the beginning…" Before the words ended, a flash of golden light flickered, and Guangming Shizhe's figure wavered…

"Guangming Shizhe!" Zhang Cheng shouted, his form flashing…

Zhang Cheng's form flashed, appearing before Guangming Shizhe, and he pulled her behind him.

"Are you okay?" he asked concernedly, warm energy from his palm slowly flowing into Guangming Shizhe's body.

Guangming Shizhe's pale face showed a faint smile, shaking her head gently, "I'm fine, just my spiritual power is heavily drained." Zhang Cheng firmly grasped her hand, offering silent support.

Guangming Shizhe felt the power emanating from his palm, and her heart steadied considerably.

Just as the group thought victory was secured, Xingling xue zhe suddenly pointed at the center of the new space, exclaiming, "What's that?!" Everyone looked where he indicated and saw a massive energy sphere hovering, emitting an eerie violet glow.

The glow was not merely violet; it shifted like a living thing, at times as deep as the cosmos, at others as violent as lightning, inspiring dread.

"What… what is this?" Xingji Xiake swallowed, his massive energy axe seeming to have lost its former edge.

The energy sphere exuded an unsettling aura, as if an ancient beast lay in wait, ready to devour at any moment.

"Could this be… the true face of the Shen Gui Sha Li Tai?" Xingyun Zhizhe murmured, his eyes full of shock and doubt.

He sensed a tremendous power radiating from the sphere, far surpassing any foe they had previously faced, even the energy entity could not compare.

"Should we… get closer and see?" mechanic A li's voice trembled; although his curiosity about the unknown was strong, instinctive fear kept him from approaching lightly.

Zhang Cheng inhaled deeply, his gaze fixed on the sphere, "We must investigate. Only by uncovering its secret can we find a way out of here." He turned to Guangming Shizhe, his eyes filled with tenderness and resolve, "I will protect you."

The group approached the sphere slowly, each step feeling unusually heavy, as if the ground beneath had turned into a swamp eager to swallow them.

The surrounding space began to warp, time slowed, and the air was filled with a suffocating pressure…

"Wait…" Xingling xue zhe suddenly extended his hand, halting the group's advance.

His face turned pale, his lips trembling as he said, "I… I feel…"