Chapter 54: The Truth of the Relic

Ji Chen and Ceng Yue stood before that massive energy barrier, as motionless as two statues.

That barrier radiated a dazzling light, as if mocking their overestimation of their own abilities.

The surrounding energy fluctuations were like boiling water, churning and bubbling, and the air was filled with suffocating heat, as if they were in an oven; their nerves were also like taut strings, ready to snap at any moment.

"This thing... has got something to it!" Ji Chen broke the silence; he tried to use a joke to ease the tense emotions, but his voice was a bit dry.

He reached out, attempting to touch the barrier, and a powerful electric current instantly surged through his entire body, making him gasp.

"Hiss... this thing didn't just turn on a 'defense' cheat, did it?"

Ceng Yue's brow furrowed tightly, saying nothing.

She knew this was definitely the final hurdle; once broken through, they could uncover the truth of the relic, but at this moment, this barrier was like a cold gatekeeper, leaving them in a dilemma.

"Looks like we can only go head-to-head." She said coldly, unyielding light flashing in her eyes.

The two began to take turns, various supernatural abilities roaring toward the barrier like a fierce storm.

Ji Chen's energy was like a rushing river, constantly impacting the barrier, while Ceng Yue's attacks were like sharp blades, attempting to tear through its defense.

However, that barrier was like an indestructible rock; no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't shake it in the slightest.

"This barrier's health bar is way too thick!" Ji Chen said panting, feeling as if his body had been hollowed out.

Time ticked by, second by second, and their faces grew increasingly pale.

The frustration of failure washed over them like a tide, making it hard to breathe.

The barrier's powerful energy made them feel unprecedented pressure; this sense of powerlessness made them begin to doubt themselves.

"Could it be... are we really going to stop here?" A hint of wavering rose in Ji Chen's heart.

Ceng Yue didn't speak, just silently gripping the weapon in her hand, her eyes firm and persistent.

"I don't believe it, there must be some way!" She gritted her teeth, the flames of unwillingness burning in her eyes, and she raised her hand again, preparing to release a new attack.

"Do you feel like something is wrong?" Ji Chen suddenly said, his gaze fixed tightly on the barrier. "This barrier... seems to be... absorbing our energy?"

Ceng Yue was startled upon hearing this; she also realized something was wrong. The light of the barrier seemed to become even more intense, as if it were a bottomless pit, greedily devouring all their power.

She looked at Ji Chen, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation: "What do we do now?"

Ji Chen didn't answer, just slowly raising his hand, his palm aimed at the barrier.

"Looks like we have to gamble." He muttered to himself.

Ji Chen and Ceng Yue's attacks were like a clay ox entering the sea, failing to shake the barrier in the slightest.

Instead, as their supernatural energy continued to output, they felt their bodies growing increasingly weak, as if all their strength had been drained.

The surrounding temperature plummeted, the chill biting, as if it were about to freeze them completely.

Despair clung to their wills like maggots on bones.

"Could it be... are we going to end up here today?" Ji Chen smiled bitterly, his voice as hoarse as a broken bellows.

Ceng Yue didn't speak, just silently standing by his side, her clenched fists trembling slightly.

Her face was as pale as paper, her lips dry and cracked, but the flames of refusal to admit defeat still burned in her eyes.

Just when the two were almost about to give up, Ji Chen suddenly thought of something.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the stray energy in the surroundings.

A bold idea emerged in his mind.

"Fight!" Ji Chen roared, mobilizing all his supernatural energy and crazily absorbing the surrounding energy.

He felt his body was like a massive container, greedily devouring everything around it.

An unprecedented power surged within his body, making him feel filled with explosive strength.

He suddenly opened his eyes, light shooting from them.

He gathered all the energy into one point, aimed at the barrier, and threw a punch with all his might.

"Break for me!"

With a heaven-shaking roar, dazzling light erupted instantly, and everything around them was shrouded in blinding white light.

The violent energy impact swept out like a tsunami, the ground shaking violently, as if the end of the world had arrived.

When the light dissipated, everything returned to peace.

Ji Chen and Ceng Yue stood panting in place, looking at everything before them in disbelief.

That indestructible energy barrier had actually... disappeared.

"This..." Ceng Yue stared ahead, unable to speak for a moment.

Ji Chen wiped the dust from his face, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

"Let's go, let's see what's hidden inside." He said calmly, but carrying a hint of imperceptible excitement.

The two passed through the empty space and arrived at the deepest part of the relic.

There, a massive spherical object floated in the air, radiating a soft light.

"What is this..." The two passed through the space behind the barrier and arrived at the deepest part of the relic.

There, a massive spherical object floated in the air, radiating a soft light, pulsing rhythmically like a heart.

This was the energy core of the relic.

However, guarding the core was the final line of defense—a puppet guard constructed entirely of metal.

It was tall and mighty, radiating cold murderous intent, holding a giant energy sword in its hand, standing before them like the god of death.

"Holy crap, there's a Boss Battle too!" Ji Chen complained, but there was no fear in his eyes; instead, he ignited with burning fighting spirit.

The puppet guard moved, its speed astonishing.

It waved its energy sword, sharp sword qi attacking like a fierce storm, the surrounding space shattered by the energy impact.

"Come on, let's have a good fight!" Ji Chen and Ceng Yue didn't retreat, meeting it head-on.

Their figures intertwined, supernatural abilities and sword qi colliding, erupting with deafening roars.

The battle entered a white-hot stage, and the two gradually felt overwhelmed.

The puppet guard's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and many wounds appeared on their bodies.

Under one violent attack, Ji Chen was sent flying, slamming heavily into the ground.

He felt as if all the bones in his body were about to fall apart, his vision blurry.

"Ji Chen!" Ceng Yue exclaimed, hurriedly rushing to his side.

"I'm fine..." Ji Chen struggled to stand up, only to feel his entire body weak.

The puppet guard approached step by step, the energy sword in its hand raised high, preparing to deliver a fatal blow.

Just at this critical moment, Ceng Yue blocked in front of Ji Chen, using her own body to block the attack.

"Ceng Yue!" Ji Chen's eyes were filled with rage, and he shouted with a broken heart.

Ceng Yue groaned, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth. But her eyes were firm, without the slightest retreat.

"Don't be afraid, I'm still here." She looked at Ji Chen.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still.

The two looked at each other, the look of mutual trust conveying strength.

Their love was indestructible at this moment, this emotion giving them extra strength, and a thick aura of love permeated the surroundings.

Ji Chen felt a warm current surge through his entire body, and the pain from his wounds miraculously disappeared.

He stood up and pulled Ceng Yue into his arms.

"Let's do it together, finish it off!"

The two cooperated even more closely, their attacks coordinating seamlessly, like a single entity.

Finally, under one joint attack, the puppet guard collapsed, turning into a pile of ruins.

Ji Chen and Ceng Yue stood at the core of the relic, the light shining on them. Ji Chen held Ceng Yue's hand, feeling the temperature of the other.

"We..." ===== CHAPTER 55 =====