Chapter 359: Steadfastness in the Dire Situation

On the battlefield, the situation had already become stalemated; Ao Li and Lín Jìn were surrounded by the Black-robed People like iron barrels, with black robes swirling all around like a sea of darkness that completely engulfed them. Though in such a desperate plight, there was not the slightest sign of retreat in their eyes; instead a steadfast flame burned within, and they resolutely gave their all to contend with the wolf‑like enemies.

The Black-robed People surged like tides, one wave after another continuously bearing down on Ao Li and Lín Jìn, hemming them in with no escape. Ao Li's long sword swirled densely in her hand, like a golden whirlwind; each swing was accompanied by sharp golden Sword Qi intersecting, precisely repelling every Black-robed Person who dared approach. However, the number of Black-robed People was overwhelmingly vast, seemingly endless; wave after wave of attacks crashed like raging surf against Ao Li's defenses, gradually leaving her feeling powerless. Sweat had already soaked her clothes, sliding down her cheeks and hair; her arms ached from prolonged high‑intensity combat as if bearing a thousand jin, yet she clenched her teeth, her gaze as unshakable as a towering mountain.

Lín Jìn likewise faced unprecedented pressure. His hands formed seals as swiftly as phantoms, muttering incantations, continuously unleashing various powerful spells; blue energy light glittered like dazzling stars, shining amid the Black-robed People. Yet the Black-robed People were like tireless wolves, charging madly one after another, wave after wave, as if never ceasing. Lín Jìn not only had to fend off the tide‑like assaults but also had to search for a way to break through the encirclement; beads of sweat the size of beans rolled from his forehead, his breathing grew rapid and heavy, each gasp seemed to consume the little stamina he had left.

At that moment, two Black-robed elders exchanged a glance, a hint of sinister malice flashing in their eyes; they timed their move and decided to jointly unleash a lethal powerful attack. Their staffs rose high together, the tips flashing with an eerie black light; immediately, black energy surged like a rolling flood from the staffs, instantly coalescing into two black giant dragons with snarling claws, bearing a destructive aura as they lunged ferociously toward Ao Li and Lín Jìn. Sensing the danger, Ao Li and Lín Jìn exchanged a swift look, their gazes meeting in silent understanding, and simultaneously pushed their own power to the limit. Ao Li's body radiated dazzling golden light, her hands quickly formed seals, and a massive golden shield materialized out of thin air, like an indestructible golden fortress; Lín Jìn layered a deep blue energy barrier atop the shield, adding even greater strength to the defense.

The black‑energy dragons roared as they struck the shield, instantly erupting a deafening Boom— that sounded as if it would shatter the heavens and earth. Under this overwhelming impact the shield quivered violently, its surface spider‑web like, quickly sprouting fine Crack. Ao Li and Lín Jìn planted their feet firmly on the ground, fully supporting the teetering shield; the ground beneath them buckled under the strain, forming spider‑web like cracks and scattering shards of stone.

"Ao Li, continuing like this is not a long‑term plan; we must take the initiative and find a breach to break through!" Lín Jìn shouted loudly, his voice carrying a hint of urgency but mostly determination.

Ao Li nodded without hesitation and replied, "Alright, I'll draw their attention; you observe carefully and look for a breakthrough!" Before the words left her mouth, Ao Li unleashed the Inheritance Power to its fullest without reservation; in an instant, golden light shot skyward, illuminating the entire dark battlefield. She became a blazing golden meteor, charging headlong into the Black-robed People. Her long sword whirred like a raging wind, and wherever it swept, several Black-robed People were repelled with wailing cries.

The Black-robed People, seeing this, immediately swarmed like sharks smelling blood, focusing all attention on Ao Li and launching a frenzied assault. In an instant, Ao Li was surrounded layer upon layer, falling into an even more perilous situation. Lín Jìn seized the chance, simultaneously defending against the surrounding Black-robed People while his eyes widened, carefully observing the battlefield. Finally, he noticed a brief chaos in the encirclement on one side, seemingly caused by Ling Yin's magical flute sound, which disrupted the Black-robed People's minds.

"Ao Li, over there! We break out that way!" Lín Jìn pointed, shouting with all his strength; his voice rang especially clear amid the noisy battlefield. Hearing the call, Ao Li instantly understood, and she employed the Dragon Clan's exquisite body technique, moving like a ghost through the Black-robed crowd, deftly evading attack after attack, and swiftly closing in on the direction Lín Jìn indicated.

However, the Black-robed elders were cunning; they keenly sensed Ao Li and Lín Jìn's intent. One elder curled a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, waved his staff, muttered incantations, and a black energy barrier instantly rose like an impenetrable black wall between Ao Li, Lín Jìn, and the breakout direction.

"Want to leave? Not so easy! You won't escape with wings today!" the Black-robed elder said grimly, his voice full of triumph and cruelty.

Facing this sudden obstacle, Ao Li and Lín Jìn showed no fear. Their gazes remained firm, and they again combined forces to attack the energy barrier. Ao Li swung her long sword, sending several streams of golden Sword Qi like sea serpents toward the barrier; Lín Jìn gathered blue energy beams in both hands, like sharp blue swords, striking the barrier together with the golden Sword Qi. The energies collided, light flashed, yet the barrier was unusually sturdy, trembling only slightly under the assault, showing no obvious damage.

At this critical moment, the Silver Armor Guard noticed Ao Li and Lín Jìn's plight. The Leader of the Silver Armor Guard's eyes burned like torches, shouting, "Brothers, follow me, go support them! We cannot let them fall into a dead end!" The Silver Armor Guard responded in unison, swiftly forming a charge formation, like a silver blade surging forward with unstoppable momentum toward the Black-robed encirclement. Their spears glittered with cold light, like scattered stars; wherever they struck, Black-robed People dodged, and for a brief moment a gap appeared in the encirclement.

Simultaneously, Ling Yin amplified the flute's power, placing the Jade Flute to her lips and playing a more vigorous, forceful melody. The flute's sound seemed to materialize into solid powerful sound waves, rippling through the Black-robed crowd like surging seas. The Black-robed People's actions were heavily disrupted; some were dizzy, even spitting fresh blood, and the once tight encirclement grew even more chaotic.

With the full support of the Silver Armor Guard and Ling Yin, Ao Li and Lín Jìn finally saw a sliver of hope for breaking out. They clenched their teeth again, concentrating all their strength to assault the energy barrier. Under the united attack of everyone, the barrier finally developed obvious Crack, like shattered mirrors, the cracks spreading rapidly. In the end, accompanied by a massive roar, the barrier shattered with a thunderous crash, turning into countless black fragments that scattered into the air.

Ao Li and Lín Jìn seized this hard‑won chance, shooting forward like arrows toward the breakout direction. After successfully linking up with the Silver Armor Guard, they quickly formed a tight back‑to‑back defensive formation. By now everyone was exhausted, bearing varying wounds; sweat and blood mingled, yet their eyes still held steadfast belief, like stars that never extinguish in the night sky.

The Black-robed People, seeing this, surrounded them again, but they seemed also wary of Ao Li and the others' tenacious resistance, and did not launch an immediate attack. A brief stalemate emerged on the battlefield, both sides gathering strength, preparing for the next, more intense clash.

"We can't just sit here waiting for death; we must quickly devise a way to utterly defeat them, otherwise once they strike again we may not hold out," Ao Li panted, vigilantly watching the surrounding Black-robed People as she spoke.

Lín Jìn furrowed his brow slightly, thought for a moment, then a flash of wisdom lit his eyes as he said, "We can exploit their Greed for the key fragments, set a trap. Let them think there's an opportunity, then capture them all in one net."

Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing this. Then they began to act methodically according to Lín Jìn's plan. Ao Li deliberately slowed her movements, exposing a flaw, pretending to be injured, stumbling, to draw the Black-robed People's attention. The Black-robed People indeed fell for it, seeing Ao Li 'injured', thinking an opportunity, their eyes showing Greed, and launched a fierce attack again, lunging at Ao Li and the others like starving wolves.

As the Black-robed People drew nearer, Lín Jìn suddenly whirled his hands swiftly, chanting an ancient mysterious incantation. Centered on him, a massive blue rune array instantly rose from the ground, the runes flashing with mysterious dazzling light, emitting powerful energy waves that enveloped all the Black-robed People. The Silver Armor Guard seized the moment to attack, shouting in unison, their spears stabbing the Black-robed People like rain; spears pierced bodies, blood splattered, and cries of agony rose and fell.

Ao Li no longer pretended; she fused the Inheritance Power with her awakened strength, her aura blazing, and unleashed the Dragon Clan's ultimate skill. A vivid golden dragon illusion slowly floated up behind her, the dragon roared toward the heavens, its sound shaking the four corners, its dragon‑chant filled with majesty and power. Then the dragon swung its massive body like a golden lightning bolt, charging ferociously at the Black-robed People. Wherever the golden dragon passed, the Black-robed People were blasted by the overwhelming force, turning to dust.

Under the sealing spell and the combined assault of everyone, the Black-robed People's formation instantly fell into chaos. They panicked, trying to break free of the seal, but the rune array's power was too great, like an invisible shackle tightly binding them. With the golden dragon and the Silver Armor Guard's fierce attacks, the Black-robed People fell one after another, their dark silhouettes dwindling on the battlefield.

The two Black-robed elders, seeing the unfavorable turn, realized the situation was lost, a flicker of fear flashing in their eyes as they attempted to flee. Ling Yin keenly sensed their intent and immediately played a flute passage with tracking effect. The flute sound turned into invisible sound waves, like agile threads, tightly locking onto the two Black-robed elders. Ao Li and Lín Jìn instantly understood and surged after them like a gale.

Under the combined assault of Ao Li, Lín Jìn, and Ling Yin, the two Black-robed elders staggered left and right, gradually unable to resist. Finally, Ao Li timed it perfectly, swung her long sword, and a fierce golden Sword Qi slashed one elder, cleaving him at the waist. The other elder, seeing this, was terrified, his soul scattering, turned to flee, but was struck by a powerful energy beam cast by Lín Jìn, instantly turning into a puff of ash.

With the elders fallen, the remaining Black-robed People lost their command, instantly scattering like birds and beasts, fleeing in all directions…