The path ahead led to a towering shrine surrounded by an eerie black mist. The system chimed, warning of danger.
---
[New Location Discovered: Forbidden Shrine]
Threat Level: Extreme
---
"This place feels... wrong," Yueling said, her usually calm demeanor shaken.
Zhao Yue stepped forward, her violet eyes narrowing. "It's filled with corrupted shadow energy. This is his doing."
"The Shadow God?" Xiao Tian asked.
Zhao Yue nodded. "This shrine is likely one of his strongholds. We'll need to be cautious."
As they entered, the atmosphere grew heavier, and whispers filled the air. The shrine's interior was a labyrinth of dark corridors, each wall adorned with ancient symbols glowing faintly with malevolent energy.
---
The Shadow Beasts
Suddenly, creatures formed from pure shadow emerged, their glowing red eyes fixed on the group.
"Prepare for battle!" Xiao Tian commanded.
The group worked seamlessly, their bond strengthened by the previous trial. Xiao Tian unleashed his Celestial Dragon Strike, while Ling'er froze the beasts in place. Mei Lan's phoenix flames incinerated them, and Renxue's holy light purified their remnants. Yueling supported with healing energy, and Zhao Yue's shadows immobilized stragglers.
Despite their power, the beasts kept coming.
"There's no end to them!" Mei Lan shouted.
"We need to find the source," Zhao Yue said, pointing to a large altar at the shrine's center.
---
The Altar of Corruption
Reaching the altar, they saw a crystal pulsating with dark energy.
"That's the core," Zhao Yue said. "Destroy it, and the shrine will collapse."
Xiao Tian stepped forward, but the Shadow God's voice echoed through the room.
"You think it'll be that easy?"
The crystal erupted, and a massive shadow beast emerged, its form twisted and grotesque.
"This is your final test," the Shadow God sneered.
Xiao Tian and his companions prepared for their toughest battle yet, knowing their unity would be the key to victory