Chapter 341: Gathering the Remnant Souls

In the round hall of that mysterious continent, Ao Li stared at the crystal sphere hovering in the center, emitting a soft blue light, and at the mysterious figures in black robes that suddenly appeared around it, and a bold decision formed in her mind—gathering the ancient Dragon Clan's remnant souls. She knew that facing the impending crisis, the power of she and Lín Jìn alone might be far insufficient, and the great power of the ancient Dragon Clan might be the key to breaking the deadlock.

Ao Li slowly closed her eyes, immersing her consciousness deep within, attempting to connect with the ancient Dragon Clan's inheritance. Her breathing grew long and steady, a faint golden light spread over her body, this light resonated with the Inheritance Power within her, and faint dragon silhouettes flickered in the glow.

Lín Jìn stood beside Ao Li, his eyes full of worry. He kept a wary watch on the black‑robed strangers, silently gathering energy in his hands, ready to meet any attack. Though worried that Ao Li might encounter danger during the gathering of remnant souls, he had full confidence in her and believed she would surely succeed.

The leader of the black‑robed strangers' expression shifted slightly. He sneered coldly: "Hmph, daring to gather the ancient Dragon Clan's remnant souls? That's sheer folly! Do you think it's that easy?" With that, he swung his staff, firing a black energy beam toward Ao Li.

Lín Jìn's gaze hardened, and without hesitation he leapt in front of Ao Li, his hands swiftly forming a seal. An energy shield materialized instantly. The black energy beam struck the shield, erupting in a burst of intense light and a thunderous roar; the shield trembled slightly but never broke.

"You bastards, don't even think of disturbing Ao Li!" Lín Jìn shouted, his eyes filled with resolve and anger.

The other black‑robed strangers, seeing this, waved their staffs, sending strange energy beams from all directions at Lín Jìn and Ao Li. Lín Jìn maintained the energy shield while searching for a chance to counter. Spotting a flaw in one stranger, he gathered an energy missile in his hand and launched it at that figure. The missile hit precisely; the stranger let out a howl and was flung backward.

However, the black‑robed strangers' attacks grew fiercer, and cracks began to appear in Lín Jìn's energy shield. At that moment, Ao Li's body quivered slightly; she slowly opened her eyes, a strange light flashing within them, and the golden aura around her intensified.

"Lín Jìn, I have already established a preliminary link with the ancient Dragon Clan's inheritance; now I will begin gathering the remnant souls, so keep holding them off for a while!" Ao Li said, her voice small but carrying undeniable resolve.

Lín Jìn nodded: "Don't worry, Ao Li! I won't let anyone disturb you!" With that, he inhaled deeply, pushing his internal energy to the limit; the cracks in the energy shield began to heal slowly.

Ao Li closed her eyes again, devoting herself wholly to the gathering process. Her consciousness seemed to pierce the limits of time and space, arriving in a mysterious ancient realm. Thick mist filled the area, within which faint dragon silhouettes spiraled.

Ao Li whispered: "Elders of the ancient Dragon Clan, the Dragon Clan now faces a new crisis, and the balance of the universe teeters on the brink. I humbly ask you to lend me your power so that I may protect all of this." Her voice echoed through the space, as if imbued with a strange magic.

After a long while, a dragon silhouette slowly rose from the mist. The colossal dragon radiated an ancient, potent aura; its eyes blazed like a scorching sun, fixed on Ao Li.

"Junior, you bear the Dragon Clan's mission and hold steadfast belief. Yet gathering our remnant souls is no easy task; you must endure numerous trials before earning our approval," the dragon's voice boomed like a great bell across the space.

Ao Li replied without hesitation: "Whatever trials await, I am willing to face them!"

The dragon gave a slight nod, and the scene before Ao Li abruptly shifted. She found herself on a barren battlefield, surrounded by phantasmal clashes between the Dragon Clan and various formidable beasts. Ao Li understood this was a test of her combat will and ability.

She swiftly drew her long sword, and Inheritance Power instantly enveloped her whole being. Without hesitation she plunged into battle. Her figure darted across the field, and as the sword swung, torrents of Sword Qi shot out, engaging the phantoms in a life‑or‑death struggle.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Lín Jìn was under immense pressure. The black‑robed strangers' attacks grew ever fiercer, and his energy shield was on the brink of collapse. Yet Lín Jìn clenched his teeth, his sole belief that he must protect Ao Li.

"You bastards, you're still not enough!" Lín Jìn roared, forcing himself beyond his limits and unleashing a massive energy shockwave. The wave surged like a raging wind, sending the black‑robed strangers tumbling in all directions, temporarily easing the pressure.

Ao Li's trial in the mysterious realm pressed on. After conquering the battlefield phantoms, she faced challenges of wisdom and courage. She had to solve ancient riddles and navigate a trap‑laden maze. With each puzzle solved and each trap crossed, Ao Li felt her connection to the ancient Dragon Clan's remnant souls grow tighter.

Time slipped by second by second; Ao Li continued to grow within the mysterious space, while Lín Jìn strained on the ground world. At last, Ao Li successfully cleared all trials. The great dragon's silhouette reappeared.

"Junior, you have passed the trials, displaying the courage, wisdom, and steadfast belief befitting the Dragon Clan. We are willing to lend you our power," the dragon declared, and other dragon silhouettes gathered, pouring powerful energies into Ao Li's body.

In the real world, a surge of overwhelming aura erupted around Ao Li's body, golden light shooting skyward. The black‑robed strangers were shaken back by the force, retreating repeatedly.

Ao Li slowly opened her eyes, her gaze glittering with immense power. She stared at the black‑robed strangers and said coldly: "Your interference ends here!" With that, she swung her long sword, unleashing a stream of Sword Qi infused with the ancient Dragon Clan's power toward them.

Where the Sword Qi passed, space seemed to rip, and the black‑robed strangers scrambled to muster all their defenses. Yet the Sword Qi's power was overwhelming; their shields shattered instantly.

The leading figure's complexion darkened; he knew that continuing would lead only to death. "Retreat!" he shouted, and the remaining black‑robed strangers fled the hall in haste.

Lín Jìn looked at Ao Li, his eyes full of satisfaction and admiration: "Ao Li, you did it!"

Ao Li gave a slight nod, feeling the great power within her: "This is only the first step. Next, we'll use this power to uncover this continent's secrets and stop the crisis caused by the imbalance of the spiritual source."

But they did not know that, although the black‑robed strangers had temporarily fled, they were secretly plotting an even more dreadful scheme. Moreover, on this mysterious continent, more unknown dangers and secrets awaited their discovery. After Ao Li gathers the ancient Dragon Clan's remnant souls, what challenges will she face? Can they succeed in halting the spiritual source's imbalance and save this continent—and perhaps the entire universe? Everything is shrouded in uncertainty and suspense…