Chapter 356: Fierce Battle with the Guardian Beast

Ao Li, Lín Jìn and Ling Yin faced the Guardian Beast summoned by the Dark Abyss Society, which was as massive as a mountain; though they felt unprecedented pressure, hot blood boiled within them, and they firmly believed that with each other's power and steadfast faith they could defeat the enemy before them and reveal the truth hidden in the darkness.

The Guardian Beast let out a deafening roar, shaking the entire forest as countless leaves fluttered down. Its huge claws slammed the ground, and a black energy wave surged like a tsunami toward Ao Li and the two companions. Ao Li's eyes hardened; she fully merged Inheritance Power with her own strength, quickly forming a golden energy shield before her. Lín Jìn did not hesitate, his hands swiftly forming seals, a blue energy barrier overlapping Ao Li's shield, strengthening the defense. Ling Yin played a rapid, high‑pitched flute melody; the sound‑wave power resonated with the energy shield, countering the impact of the black energy wave.

The energy wave struck the shield, erupting in a flash of intense light and a booming sound; a powerful gust spread outward, uprooting nearby trees. Ao Li and Lín Jìn clenched their teeth, maintaining the shield with all their might, while Ling Yin dared not relax, the flute sound growing ever more fierce. Through their combined effort, the black energy wave was finally repelled.

"This Guardian Beast is powerful; we cannot just defend, we must strike proactively," Ao Li shouted, her eyes flashing with resolve. Lín Jìn nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the Guardian Beast, searching for a weakness. Ling Yin replied, "I will use my flute to disrupt its actions and create an opening for you."

Having said that, Ling Yin played an eerie, melodious tune; the flute sound became an invisible thread that wound around the Guardian Beast. The beast's movements were indeed affected, its once agile actions slowed, and its massive body began to tremble slightly.

"Now!" Ao Li seized the moment, dashing toward the Guardian Beast like lightning. The long sword in her hand gleamed with golden light, resembling a meteor in the sun. Ao Li leapt high, thrusting toward the beast's neck. The Guardian Beast sensed danger, violently swinging its head to fling Ao Li away. Ao Li adjusted her posture mid‑air, deftly evading the attack, and using the momentum of the beast's head swing, she drove her sword into a gap between its neck scales.

The Guardian Beast let out a painful roar, angrily swinging its claws at Ao Li. Lín Jìn, seeing this, immediately released several energy beams that struck the beast's claws, forcing it to withdraw its attack. Ao Li took the chance to draw her sword, leaving a deep wound on the beast's neck; black blood flowed from the wound.

However, the Guardian Beast did not retreat; instead it was enraged, becoming even more ferocious. It opened its huge mouth, spewing black flame that surged toward Ao Li and Lín Jìn. Ao Li quickly returned to Lín Jìn's side, and the two again formed an energy shield to block the black flame. The flame's extreme heat made the shield tremble constantly, on the verge of shattering.

Ling Yin knew she must intensify the disruption now; she poured all her power into the flute sound. The flute tone grew increasingly urgent, and the sound waves formed visible ripples in the air. Under Ling Yin's interference, the black flame emitted by the Guardian Beast briefly stalled.

Ao Li and Lín Jìn seized the opportunity and launched their attacks simultaneously. Ao Li pushed Inheritance Power to its limit, the sword's radiance blazing like the scorching sun, and she thrust toward the beast's eyes. Lín Jìn gathered a massive energy sphere and smashed it hard into the beast's chest. Sensing a mortal threat, the Guardian Beast tried to dodge, but Ling Yin's flute constrained its movements.

Ao Li's sword struck the beast's eye, eliciting a mournful wail as its body convulsed violently. At the same time, Lín Jìn's energy sphere hit the chest, triggering a huge explosion. The massive body of the Guardian Beast shook a few times before crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom.

Ao Li, Lín Jìn and Ling Yin looked at the fallen Guardian Beast, a surge of joy rising within them. Yet they knew the battle was not over; the Black-robed People still posed a threat.

The leading Black-robed Person saw the Guardian Beast defeated, their face turning extremely sour: "You… you actually defeated the Guardian Beast. But don't rejoice too early, this isn't over!"

Just as the Black-robed Person prepared to launch another attack, a regiment of orderly, heavy footfalls echoed through the forest. A group of warriors clad in silver armor rushed in from all directions, surrounding the Black-robed Person.

"Who are you?" the leading Black-robed Person asked in terror.

A Leader of the Silver Armor Guard wearing a silver cape stepped forward from the warriors, his gaze cold as he addressed the Black-robed Person: "We are the Silver Armor Guard, protectors of this forest, and we have been watching your every move from the shadows. You evil scum run rampant in the forest; today is your doom."

Ao Li, Lín Jìn and Ling Yin stared at the suddenly appearing Silver Armor Guard, puzzled. Yet at that moment they understood that the Guard's appearance was an excellent opportunity for them.

The Leader of the Silver Armor Guard looked at the three of them and said, "Thank you for defeating the Guardian Beast and solving a big trouble for us. Now, let us together wipe out these Black-robed People in one net."

Ao Li nodded, "Alright, we'll act together."

Thus, Ao Li, Lín Jìn, Ling Yin and the Silver Armor Guard joined forces and launched a final attack on the Black-robed People. With everyone's combined strength, the Black-robed People were helpless, falling one after another. The leading Black-robed Person, seeing the unfavorable turn, tried to flee but was blocked by the Leader of the Silver Armor Guard and finally subdued.

After the battle, Ao Li, Lín Jìn and Ling Yin conversed with the Leader of the Silver Armor Guard, learning many secret details about the forest and the Dark Abyss Society. They also realized that although the immediate crisis was resolved, a long road still lay ahead before the truth could be uncovered. Nevertheless, after this fierce battle, their confidence grew firmer, their trust in each other deepened. Carrying the Second Key Fragment, they set out again with new clues and hope, convinced that soon they would fully expose the Dark Abyss Society's conspiracy and bring the truth to light.