Chapter 216: Deeply Perilous Encounters

As soon as they entered the passage, a massive pressure rushed toward them, as if a great mountain were pressing down on their bodies; both Ji Chen and Ceng Yue could not help but sway involuntarily.

The passage was pitch black, so dark one could not see their own fingers, with only a strange, eerie light faintly visible in its depths, like the eye of a Giant Beast waiting to devour someone.

The air was permeated with a peculiar Energy Wave that made one feel palpitations.

"Hold on to me," Ji Chen said in a low voice, while gripping Ceng Yue's hand tightly.

Ceng Yue did not speak, but simply gripped back even tighter.

The two walked forward cautiously, taking every step with extreme care.

As they went deeper, the pressure within the passage grew greater and greater, and the air became thinner and thinner, making it difficult to breathe.

Countless unknown dangers seemed to be hidden in the darkness, making one's hair stand on end.

"Watch out!" Ji Chen suddenly shouted, pulling Ceng Yue behind him.

A massive Energy Vortex appeared before them, rotating at an extreme speed and emitting a piercing whistling sound.

The edges of the vortex flickered with a deep blue light, as if it could Devour everything.

Ceng Yue was pulled by the edge of the vortex, her body tilting involuntarily toward the center.

She struggled with all her might, her face pale.

"Let go! Chen! You'll be dragged down with me!" Ceng Yue's voice trembled with fear.

Ji Chen, however, gritted his teeth and had no intention of letting go.

His gaze was firm, like a towering mountain peak, standing tall regardless of the wind and rain.

"What kind of foolish talk is that! How could I possibly let go!"

The terror in Ceng Yue's eyes was gradually replaced by being moved; she gripped Ji Chen's hand tightly, as if clutching a straw to save her life.

"Trust me!" Ji Chen let out a low roar, and a powerful energy surged out from within his body...

The powerful energy within Ji Chen's body erupted like a volcanic explosion, passing through their tightly clasped hands to Ceng Yue.

This energy not only stabilized Ceng Yue's teetering body but also formed a powerful suction force, countering the Energy Vortex.

Even more miraculously, Ji Chen seemed to have turned into an energy black hole, crazily Devouring the energy of the vortex.

The originally violent Energy Vortex actually shrank at a speed visible to the naked eye, eventually disappearing completely.

Ceng Yue was still shaken, looking at Ji Chen with eyes full of disbelief.

Ji Chen, however, only gave a faint smile, his deep eyes flickering with a reassuring light.

"It's fine now," he said nonchalantly, as if everything that had just happened was merely a minor interlude.

After absorbing the energy of the vortex, Ji Chen felt his strength had increased by a few points.

The oppressive atmosphere around them dissipated as well, replaced by an unprecedented sense of ease.

He took a deep breath, feeling his whole body filled with power.

Suddenly, a deafening roar came from the depths of the passage, and the ground began to shake violently.

Immediately after, a massive figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

It was a warrior condensed from pure energy, standing ten meters tall, its entire body radiating a dazzling light.

It held a massive Energy Greatsword, the blade flickering with a deep blue light and emitting a suffocating pressure.

"Damn it! What the hell is that!" Ji Chen couldn't help but curse.

The energy warrior said nothing, simply raising the greatsword high and slashing fiercely toward Ji Chen and Ceng Yue.

The greatsword tore through the air, emitting a piercing whistle, as if it intended to split the entire passage in two.

"Quick, dodge!" Ji Chen pushed Ceng Yue away and quickly dodged to the side himself.

The greatsword slammed heavily into the ground, emitting a thunderous boom.

The ground instantly collapsed, and gravel flew everywhere.

The powerful shockwave sent Ji Chen and Ceng Yue flying, slamming them heavily against the wall of the passage.

"Cough, cough..." Ji Chen clutched his chest and began to cough violently.

The energy warrior raised the greatsword again, preparing to launch an attack.

"Chen! Watch out!" Ceng Yue exclaimed.

Ji Chen's eyes narrowed, and a fierce fighting spirit burned within his heart.

He stared intently at the energy warrior and said in a low voice, "Yue, protect yourself!"

With that, Ji Chen leaped forward, taking the initiative to meet the energy warrior's attack...

Ji Chen shot toward the energy warrior like an arrow from a bow, neither dodging nor evading, taking the blow of the greatsword head-on!

"Damn! This guy's strength is really not small!" He let out a muffled groan, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, yet he grinned; Ceng Yue's heart tightened sharply, her eyes reddening as she shrieked, "Chen! Are you crazy?!" She wanted to rush over, but was deterred by the energy warrior's aura and could not move.

"Don't come over! Trust me!" Ji Chen roared, the golden Supernatural Ability light within his body surging, resembling a small sun, driving away the surrounding darkness.

He reached out and grabbed the energy warrior's greatsword, actually stopping its attack cold!

"To receive without giving is not polite!" Ji Chen let out a low shout, the golden light spreading along his arm to the greatsword; the energy warrior let out a painful roar, its body trembling violently.

"Chen..." Ceng Yue's voice trembled, her eyes filled with worry and love.

She knew that Ji Chen was burning his own life force!

"Don't worry!" Ji Chen gave her a reassuring look, then pulled hard, actually snatching the greatsword away!

"Now, it's my turn!" He held the greatsword high, the golden light intertwining with the deep blue light of the sword itself, forming a peculiar Energy Wave.

"Hah!" Ji Chen roared and slashed down with the sword!

With a loud boom, the energy warrior was split in two, turning into specks of light that dissipated into the air.

"Whew..." Ji Chen let out a long breath, and the greatsword in his hand dissipated along with it.

He staggered, nearly falling, and Ceng Yue rushed over to support him.

"Chen, are you okay?" she asked with a heart full of pain.

"It's nothing, I won't die." Ji Chen smiled and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, "I'm just a bit exhausted."

The oppressive feeling in the surroundings vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of ease and joy.

Ji Chen felt his strength had increased quite a bit, taking him one step closer to his peak.

"Let's go." Ji Chen took Ceng Yue's hand and continued walking forward.

At the end of the passage, a massive Stone Gate appeared, covered in mysterious Runes that emitted a strange glow.

"What is this..." Ceng Yue muttered to herself.

Ji Chen walked up to the gate and reached out to touch those Runes, and a strange Energy Wave traveled from his fingertips...

"It seems our adventure is not over yet..."