The chamber of the Crimson Blossom Temple pulsed with energy, the walls trembling as the guardian spirit beast roared its challenge. Its form was a chaotic amalgamation of shadows and flames, eyes glowing with an unholy crimson light that matched the relic's aura.
Li Zhen tightened his grip on his blade, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders. The second relic was just within reach, but the guardian's overwhelming presence made it clear that claiming it would not come easily.
"Focus, Li Zhen!" Master Yan's voice cut through the chaos. "I'll stabilize the array to keep this place from collapsing. You need to hold that thing off until I finish."
The beast lunged, its fiery claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Li Zhen barely had time to dodge, rolling to the side as the ground where he'd stood moments ago exploded in a burst of molten rock and ash.
He rose swiftly, channeling his spiritual energy into his blade. The weapon glowed faintly, its power amplified by the hotel's connection to him. Slashing forward, he sent a wave of energy slicing through the air toward the guardian.
The attack struck true, carving a gash in the beast's shadowy form. It let out a guttural howl, recoiling momentarily before reforming, its wounds knitting together almost instantly.
"So, it can regenerate," Li Zhen muttered, his mind racing. "There has to be a weakness."
The system's calm voice echoed in his mind. "Keeper, the guardian's form is bound to the relic's energy. To weaken it, you must disrupt the flow of energy emanating from the core chamber."
"Easier said than done," Li Zhen gritted out as the beast charged again, forcing him to parry its claws with his blade. The impact sent shockwaves through his arms, the force nearly knocking him off his feet.
Master Yan's Precision
Behind him, Master Yan worked tirelessly, his hands moving in precise patterns as he traced glyphs into the air. Each symbol shimmered briefly before embedding itself into the chamber's walls, forming a protective barrier to contain the array's instability.
"Li Zhen!" he called, his voice strained. "The relic is amplifying the guardian's strength. You need to disrupt the flow of energy from those runes on the pedestal!"
Li Zhen's eyes darted to the relic's pedestal. Around its base, intricate runes glowed with the same crimson light as the orb, pulsating in a steady rhythm. Each pulse sent a surge of power into the guardian, fueling its relentless attacks.
"Got it!" he shouted back.
Dodging another swipe from the beast, Li Zhen surged toward the pedestal. The guardian roared in fury, its massive form dissolving into a whirlwind of shadows that moved to intercept him.
A Race Against Time
Li Zhen skidded to a halt as the shadow whirlwind closed in, cutting off his path to the pedestal. Tendrils of dark energy lashed out, striking like whips and forcing him to defend himself. He swung his blade in wide arcs, deflecting the attacks with bursts of spiritual energy, but the onslaught was relentless.
"You're running out of time!" Master Yan shouted, his voice laced with urgency. "If I can stabilize this array, you'll have a narrow window to sever the relic's connection. Don't waste it!"
Gritting his teeth, Li Zhen forced himself to think. The beast's movements were erratic, but it always positioned itself between him and the pedestal. It wasn't just attacking him—it was guarding the relic with a single-minded purpose.
A plan began to form in his mind.
A Bold Strategy
Li Zhen reached into his satchel, pulling out one of the talismans Elder Shu had given him. Channeling his energy into it, he activated the talisman and hurled it toward the pedestal. The paper charm glowed brightly before exploding in a burst of light, temporarily blinding the guardian.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Zhen dashed to the side, using the distraction to reposition himself. The beast recovered quickly, roaring in anger as it lunged after him, but this time he was ready.
With a calculated swing of his blade, he sent another wave of spiritual energy crashing into the chamber wall, creating a cloud of debris that obscured his movements. Hidden within the dust, he sprinted toward the pedestal.
The glowing runes came into view, their rhythmic pulses almost hypnotic. Li Zhen raised his blade, focusing his energy into a single, decisive strike.
"Now or never," he muttered.
With a sharp cry, he brought the blade down, slicing through the runes. The pedestal shuddered violently, and the flow of energy to the guardian faltered.
Turning the Tide
The guardian let out a deafening roar as its form flickered, its once-massive frame shrinking noticeably. Its attacks became slower, more erratic, and the crimson glow in its eyes dimmed.
"It's working!" Master Yan called, his hands still weaving glyphs in the air. "Finish it off!"
Li Zhen didn't hesitate. With the beast weakened, he launched himself forward, channeling every ounce of his remaining strength into his blade. The weapon glowed brighter than ever, its energy crackling like lightning as he struck.
The blade pierced the guardian's chest, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. The beast's form convulsed, its shadowy body disintegrating into tendrils of dark energy that dissolved into the air.
The chamber fell silent.
Claiming the Relic
Breathing heavily, Li Zhen approached the pedestal. The relic—a glowing orb—hovered above it, its light now dim but steady. He reached out cautiously, half-expecting another trap, but the orb remained still.
As his fingers closed around the relic, a surge of warmth coursed through him. The energy was calming, almost soothing, a stark contrast to the chaos of the battle.
"The second relic is yours," Master Yan said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and admiration. "You've done well, Keeper."
Li Zhen turned to him, exhaustion evident in his expression. "And we're one step closer to stabilizing the hotel."
Master Yan smiled faintly. "Indeed. But remember, the journey ahead will only grow more difficult. The Crimson Blossom Temple was merely the beginning."
A Quiet Reflection
Later, as they made their way back to Chengdu, Li Zhen couldn't help but reflect on the events of the day. The battle with the guardian had tested not only his strength but also his resolve. He realized that every relic, every task, would push him further, forcing him to grow in ways he hadn't anticipated.
"Keeper," the system's voice interrupted his thoughts, "the second relic's energy has begun integrating with the hotel's centroid. Its stability has improved significantly, but further relics are required to complete the process."
Li Zhen nodded. "How many more are there?"
"Four remain within the mortal realm," the system replied. "Each tied to a location of great spiritual significance. The next target will be revealed once you return to the Moonshadow Haven."
Li Zhen sighed, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him once more. "No rest for the Keeper, I suppose."
Master Yan chuckled beside him. "You're learning, boy. The path you've chosen is not an easy one, but it is a worthy one. Remember that."
Li Zhen glanced at him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Master Yan. I'll keep that in mind."