Having passed the test of will, Lu Ming advanced towards the last room of the shrine, aware that the final challenge would not only test his physical strength, but also his ability to lead his troops to victory. The air grew thicker, and each step resonated off the ancient stone walls like an echo of the ancient warriors who had walked that same path before him.
As he reached the final chamber, an immense portal of pure energy glowed in the center of the room, radiating overwhelming power. In front of the portal, a dark, gigantic figure awaited him: an **Abyssal Guardian**, a creature that combined the power of shadows with that of flames, whose sole purpose was to stop any intruders who tried to access the knowledge and riches of the shrine.
"This is your last obstacle, Lu Ming," the ancestor whispered in his mind. "If you defeat him, you will gain the power to consolidate your empire. But be careful, this being has destroyed many before you."
Lu Ming looked at his accompanying draconic soldiers, all of them ready for battle. He knew this fight would not be like the previous ones. The Nether Guardian was a colossal creature, made of pure dark energy and fire, with eyes that glowed like embers and a presence that dominated the entire room.
"Prepare yourselves!" Lu Ming shouted, raising his sword and activating **Dragon's Breath**. Fire energy filled the room as his soldiers advanced alongside him, strategically deploying themselves to surround the Guardian.
The Guardian roared, launching a blast of dark flames towards Lu Ming's soldiers. But the tall draconic soldiers, with their superior prowess, blocked the initial attack with their powerful scales, though the impact sent them back a few steps.
**[System Notification: You have lost 1 tall draconic soldier. -150 HP.]**
One of the tall soldiers fell under the guardian's fire, his body limp before he could even counterattack. The loss was a heavy blow, but Lu Ming could not afford to be distracted.
"Attack with everything you have!" he ordered, launching a powerful bolt of lightning from his hands, using his **Lightning Control** ability. The electricity struck the Abyssal Guardian, but it barely seemed to flinch.
The fight continued, with the draconic soldiers attempting to flank the beast as the guardian lashed out with brutal attacks of fire and darkness. Each blow was devastating, and with each passing second the battle grew more desperate.
**[System Notification: You have killed a lesser guardian. +50 gold coins.]**
The lesser guards accompanying the main guardian were also a constant threat, but the draconic soldiers managed to eliminate them one by one.
The battle was reaching its climax. The guardian let out a piercing scream, raising both arms and creating a massive sphere of black fire above its head, ready to launch it at Lu Ming and his army. It knew that if that attack hit, all would be lost.
"We can't let that happen!" Lu Ming thought, his eyes shining with determination. Using every drop of his remaining energy, he focused all of his strength into a single attack. His **Dragon's Breath** and his **Lightning Control** combined, creating a devastating attack that launched straight towards the Abyssal Guardian.
The lightning pierced through the guardian's body, and the sphere of fire it had created began to fade as the creature roared in agony. The flames engulfing its body dissipated, and its massive figure began to collapse in on itself until finally, the Abyssal Guardian fell to the ground with a thunderous thud.
**[System Notification: You have defeated the Abyssal Guardian. +500 gold coins.]**
**[System Notification: You have risen to level 13.]**
Lu Ming took a deep breath, looking at the creature's lifeless body. The battle was over, and they had succeeded, albeit at a high cost. Many of their soldiers and high-ranking soldiers had fallen, but their sacrifice had not been in vain.
The portal that the Abyssal Guardian guarded began to shine brighter, and a voice echoed through the room, soft but imposing: "Lu Ming, you have proven your strength, your will, and your leadership. Enter the portal and obtain the reward you have long sought."
Without hesitation, Lu Ming advanced towards the portal, leaving the battlefield behind. As he passed through it, he found himself in a much smaller room, illuminated by a warm light. In the center, an altar with an ancient tome floating above it. It was the **Abyssal Dragon Tome**, a legendary book that contained the secrets of absolute power that he had long sought.
"With this knowledge," Lu Ming thought as he took the tome in his hands, "I will lead my empire to glory. No one will be able to stop us now."
He knew that although he had won a great victory, this was only the beginning of the and something much bigger.