Chapter 337: Counterattack in the Face of Adversity

The deep blue light shattered, like stars exploding in the night sky, scattering into countless points of light that merged into every Shadow Tribe assassin's body.

Their originally sluggish movements instantly recovered, becoming even swifter and more ferocious than before.

Xian gave a vicious grin, like a demon from hell. "Fools, taste despair!"

The Shadow Tribe assassins surged forward again like a black tide, their sharp blades slicing through the air with a chilling whistle.

Xingji Xiake and Mark bore the brunt of the assault; though they fought back with all their might, they still could not withstand the storm-like attack.

A wound deep enough to expose bone was slashed across Mark's shoulder, and blood instantly stained his battle armor red.

Xingji Xiake fared no better, sporting multiple wounds, and his once-imposing energy battle-axe had also acquired several nicks.

Guangming Shizhe anxiously channeled healing arts, and gentle light enveloped the wounded, easing their suffering.

But that was all she could do; facing such a fierce onslaught, she had no way to get close to the front lines for more effective treatment.

"We can't keep going like this! We'll be worn down to death!" Xingyun Zhizhe's expression was grave as he constantly analyzed the battle, trying to find a breakthrough.

The psychic Li li gave a sharp cry, waving both hands as beams of psychic light shot toward the Shadow Tribe assassins, but to the assassins empowered by the deep blue light, these attacks were like tickles, utterly unable to deal any real damage.

"Damn it! What kind of monsters are these!" the interstellar warrior Mark roared, swinging his greatsword as he charged back into the enemy formation.

Zhang Cheng's face also turned extremely grim. His gaze fell on the divine artifact gripped tightly in his hand, and its cold metallic texture sparked a glimmer of hope in his heart.

"This thing… might still have a chance…" he murmured to himself, his fingertips beginning to trace the intricate patterns on the divine artifact, sensing the powerful energy contained within.

"Zhang Cheng, what are you doing?" Guangming Shizhe noticed his actions and asked anxiously.

Zhang Cheng did not answer. His entire mind was focused on the divine artifact in his hand as he tried to establish some kind of connection with it.

Suddenly, the patterns on the divine artifact began to emit a faint glow, resonating with the touch of his fingertips…

"Could it be…

Zhang Cheng's eyes lit up.

The patterns on the divine artifact suddenly blazed with dazzling light, like the rising sun, dispelling the surrounding darkness.

A powerful energy wave rippled outward from Zhang Cheng, rapidly spreading to form a translucent Energy Shield that enveloped all the members of the Interstellar Exploration team.

The Shadow Tribe assassins' blades struck the shield, stirring up only ripples, unable to harm them in the slightest anymore.

"It worked!" Zhang Cheng felt a surge of joy—the divine artifact's power was even greater than he had imagined.

"What is this?!" Xian stared in disbelief; he had never seen such powerful defensive force.

The deep blue light flickered again as he tried to further enhance the Shadow Tribe assassins' attacks, but it was still to no avail.

The Energy Shield was impenetrable, like a wall of bronze and iron, blocking every attack completely.

Xingji Xiake and Mark exchanged a glance, both seeing the elation in each other's eyes.

"Now's our chance!" Xingji Xiake growled. His energy battle-axe blazed with roaring flames once more, and like a tiger descending a mountain, he lunged fiercely at the Shadow Tribe assassins from the left.

Mark followed close behind, swinging his greatsword like a raging storm, flanking from the right and completely cutting off the Shadow Tribe assassins' retreat.

The two coordinated flawlessly, like two sharp blades stabbing ruthlessly into the Shadow Tribe assassins' formation.

Shielded by the Energy Shield, Xingling xue zhe and the mechanic A li also seized the opportunity and began repairing damaged equipment.

The psychic Li li circled to the rear, her beams of psychic light striking precisely those Shadow Tribe assassins whose formation had been disrupted by Xingji Xiake and Mark, adding insult to injury.

The situation reversed in an instant. The Shadow Tribe assassins, who had held absolute advantage, now found themselves in a position of taking a passive beating.

Xian's face turned ashen. A trace of ruthlessness flashed through his eyes as a black sphere suddenly appeared in his hand, radiating a heart-palpitating energy wave…

"So what if you have a shield? You'll all be buried together!" Xian roared hoarsely.

Xian's hysterical roar failed to halt the Interstellar Exploration team's desperate counterattack.

Zhang Cheng controlled the divine artifact, the Energy Shield steady as a mountain, neutralizing every attack completely.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from his temples—maintaining such a powerful shield required immense mental strength—but he clenched his teeth, knowing he was the team's last line of defense.

Guangming Shizhe moved closer to Zhang Cheng, her eyes filled with admiration. She gently clasped Zhang Cheng's hand, conveying her trust and support.

Zhang Cheng felt the warmth of her palm, and a warm current surged through his heart, strengthening his resolve to protect his companions.

Xingling xue zhe and Xingyun Zhizhe worked together, using the divine artifact's power to jam communications among the Shadow Tribe assassins, throwing their coordination into chaos.

The Shadow Tribe assassins, who had operated like precision instruments, were now thrashing about like headless flies, their attacks completely devoid of order.

Xingji Xiake and Mark seized the opportunity, rampaging through the enemy formation like two ferocious beasts.

Every swing of Xingji Xiake's energy battle-axe claimed the lives of several Shadow Tribe assassins.

Mark's greatsword was even more unstoppable—every strike was accompanied by the screams of Shadow Tribe assassins.

The psychic Li li's attacks also became more precise, each beam of psychic light like the Death God's scythe, reaping the lives of Shadow Tribe assassins.

The mechanic A li was busy in the rear, repairing damaged equipment and ensuring the team's combat readiness.

The energy fluctuations from the black sphere in Xian's hand grew increasingly violent, exuding a suffocating pressure.

The madness in his eyes deepened, as if he had already made preparations to die together with them.

At this critical juncture, the psychic Li li suddenly stopped her attack. She took a deep breath, and a trace of resolve flashed through her eyes…

"Maybe… I can try this…" she said softly, reaching her hand toward the divine artifact…

As Li li's slender fingers touched the divine artifact, a stream of pure psychic energy poured into it like a gentle brook.

The divine artifact let out a hum, and its light surged violently, releasing an unprecedentedly powerful energy wave like a supernova eruption.

This energy wave swept across the battlefield with overwhelming force, blasting the surrounding Shadow Tribe assassins away like falling leaves, their screams echoing through the sky.

Some of the weaker assassins were shaken directly into dust, vanishing into the air.

Even Xian was forced back several steps by the powerful energy wave, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

His face was deathly pale, his eyes filled with shock and fear.

He knew he had underestimated the power of this divine artifact.

"Retreat!" Xian roared hoarsely, casting an unwilling glance at the divine artifact before turning to flee.

The remaining Shadow Tribe assassins also scattered in all directions like startled birds.

During his escape, Xi'en glanced back at the celebrating stellar explorers team, a flicker of vicious cold light flashing in his eyes.

"This game isn't over yet..." he said softly, disappearing into the darkness.

Zhang Cheng watched the fleeing Xi'en, but did not pursue; he knew the principle of not pursuing a desperate enemy.

He retrieved the artifact, feeling the powerful energy contained within, his heart filled with shock.

The power of this artifact far exceeded his imagination.

"We won!" Xingji Xiake excitedly waved the energy battle-axe, his face brimming with the joy of victory.

"Yes, we won." Guangming Shizhe walked to Zhang Cheng's side, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Zhang Cheng looked at Guangming Shizhe's gentle gaze, a warm current surging in his heart.

He lightly grasped Guangming Shizhe's hand, feeling each other's warmth.

However, just as everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, Xingyun Zhizhe furrowed his brows, always feeling that something was off.

The words Xi'en spoke before leaving made him feel a vague unease.

"Everyone, don't let your guard down," Xingyun Zhizhe said in a low voice, "this battle may not be over yet..."

Zhang Cheng also realized the seriousness of the situation; he nodded, his gaze scanning the surroundings for any possible danger.

Suddenly, his gaze tightened, and he saw a glint of cold light flashing in the distance...

It was a black dagger, silently flying toward Guangming Shizhe...

"Watch out!"