The chamber around Lin Xi erupted into chaos as Zhūmó unleashed his dark magic. The very air seemed to pulse with malevolence, and the ground beneath their feet trembled violently. Shadow creatures, summoned by Zhūmó's power, surged forward, their glowing red eyes fixed on Lin Xi and her companions.
Lin Xi's heart pounded in her chest as she raised her sword, her senses on high alert. The sheer weight of the dark magic in the room was overwhelming, pressing down on her like an invisible force. She knew they were outmatched here, but there was no turning back.
"Stay close!" Su Qinghe shouted over the roar of the magic. He stood at her side, his own sword gleaming in the dim light as he prepared to fight off the oncoming shadows.
Shēng Lóng was already moving, his spear cutting through the air as he struck down the first of the creatures. Liú Jùn, ever resourceful, had drawn his daggers and was using his speed to outmaneuver the enemies, striking at their weak points.
But Zhūmó was watching them all with a cruel, calculating gaze. His laughter echoed through the chamber, mocking their efforts. "You cannot hope to defeat me here. This temple is mine, and it bends to my will."
Lin Xi's eyes narrowed. She knew he was right—fighting Zhūmó head-on in this place, with the temple's power amplifying his magic, was a losing battle. They needed the relic if they were going to stand any chance of winning.
"We have to find the relic!" Lin Xi called out, dodging a swipe from one of the shadow creatures. "It's our only chance!"
Su Qinghe nodded, parrying an attack and cutting down another creature. "But where is it?"
As if in answer, the symbols on the walls glowed even brighter, and a low hum filled the chamber. Lin Xi felt a strange pull in her chest, as if something was calling out to her. She glanced around, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of the relic.
"There!" Liú Jùn shouted, pointing toward the far end of the chamber. A faint glow was emanating from an alcove, partially obscured by debris.
Lin Xi's heart leapt. That had to be it—the relic they had been searching for. But reaching it wouldn't be easy. The room was filled with shadow creatures, and Zhūmó himself stood between them and the relic.
"We need a distraction," Shēng Lóng said, his voice tense. "Someone has to draw Zhūmó's attention while the others go for the relic."
Lin Xi's gaze flickered to Su Qinghe. They didn't have time to argue or hesitate. "I'll do it," she said firmly. "I'll distract Zhūmó. The rest of you go for the relic."
Su Qinghe's eyes widened in alarm. "No, it's too dangerous! You can't—"
"I can," Lin Xi cut him off, her voice steady. "We don't have a choice. This is the only way."
Su Qinghe hesitated for a moment, his jaw clenched. But then he nodded, his eyes locking with hers. "Be careful."
Without another word, Lin Xi dashed forward, her sword blazing as she slashed through the creatures blocking her path. She could feel Zhūmó's eyes on her, his dark energy growing stronger as he focused his attention on her.
"Foolish girl," Zhūmó sneered, his voice filled with contempt. "You think you can challenge me?"
Lin Xi didn't respond. She knew she couldn't defeat him, but she didn't need to. All she had to do was buy time.
Zhūmó raised his hand, and the air around Lin Xi crackled with dark energy. A blast of magic shot toward her, but Lin Xi was ready. She dodged to the side, her movements swift and precise, as the magic slammed into the ground where she had been standing.
Meanwhile, Su Qinghe, Shēng Lóng, and Liú Jùn were making their way toward the relic, cutting down the shadow creatures that tried to stop them. The glow from the alcove grew brighter with each step, as if the relic itself sensed their approach.
Zhūmó snarled, realizing what they were trying to do. "No!" he roared, turning his attention back to the others. "I won't let you take it!"
Lin Xi saw her opening and lunged forward, slashing at Zhūmó with all her strength. He blocked her attack with ease, his dark magic swirling around him like a storm, but it was enough to divert his attention back to her.
"You are nothing compared to the power of the Black Dragon Emperor!" Zhūmó spat, his eyes burning with fury. He unleashed another wave of dark magic, but Lin Xi was already moving, using the temple's uneven terrain to her advantage as she dodged his attacks.
Behind her, Su Qinghe and the others had reached the relic. It was a small, intricately carved stone, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Su Qinghe reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he touched it.
The moment his fingers brushed the stone, a pulse of energy shot through the room, powerful and pure. The shadow creatures around them recoiled, their forms flickering and weakening under the force of the relic's power.
Zhūmó let out a furious roar, his magic faltering for the first time. "No! This cannot be!"
Lin Xi felt a surge of hope. The relic's power was disrupting Zhūmó's control over the shadows. They had a chance.
"Now!" Su Qinghe shouted, holding the relic high. Its light grew brighter, bathing the chamber in a warm, golden glow. The shadow creatures shrieked and dissolved into nothingness, and Zhūmó staggered, his dark magic unraveling before their eyes.
With a final, desperate scream, Zhūmó unleashed one last blast of magic, but it was too late. The relic's light engulfed him, and his form disintegrated into black smoke, carried away by the wind.
For a moment, there was silence. The dark magic in the room had vanished, leaving only the soft glow of the relic. Lin Xi stood still, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as the weight of what had just happened settled over her.
They had won. Zhūmó was gone, and the relic was theirs.
Su Qinghe walked over to Lin Xi, his expression a mixture of relief and exhaustion. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
Lin Xi nodded, though she was still shaking from the battle. "I'm fine. What about the relic?"
Su Qinghe held it up, the light from the stone casting a warm glow over his face. "It's powerful," he said, his voice filled with awe. "This is what we need to stop Hēilóng Dì."
Lin Xi smiled faintly, though her heart was still heavy with the knowledge that their journey was far from over. They had defeated Zhūmó, but the Black Dragon Emperor was still out there, and his forces would not stop until they claimed the world for their own.
"Let's keep moving," Shēng Lóng said, his voice cutting through the silence. "We have the relic, but the real battle is still ahead."
Lin Xi nodded, tightening her grip on her sword. They had come this far, and there was no turning back now.
Together, they stepped out of the temple, the relic's light guiding their way through the dark, treacherous lands. The Black Dragon Emperor's reign was not yet over—but with the relic in hand, Lin Xi knew they had a fighting chance.