Chapter 29 - Chapter 30：Perils on the Path

The group followed Yuki deeper into the Gui Xu Secret Realm, the air growing thicker and more oppressive with each step. The walls of the passageway seemed to close in around them, and the only light came from the faint glow of Chen Jiuzhang's white crystal and the shifting symbols on Yuki's robe.​Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the darkness. Su Nian's chains instinctively whipped out, her eyes scanning the shadows. "What was that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.​Yuki stopped, her eyes narrowing. "The first of the guardians. Be on your guard."​From the shadows emerged a massive, multi - limbed creature. It had the body of a lion, but its mane was made of writhing serpents, and its eyes glowed a sickly yellow. Each of its six legs ended in sharp, curved claws that clicked menacingly on the stone floor.​Zhang Chengying raised his broken peachwood sword, trying to hide the tremor in his hand. "Is that thing out of a nightmare?"​The creature let out a deafening roar and lunged forward. Chen Jiuzhang quickly raised the white crystal, but instead of unleashing a powerful blast of light, the crystal flickered and dimmed. Panic surged through him. "What's happening? Why isn't it working?"​Yuki's expression grew serious. "The guardians are attuned to the imbalance. They draw strength from the chaos you've unwittingly caused. You must find a way to channel the crystal's power differently."​Shen Qingluan stepped forward, holding the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal. A shield of golden light formed around the group, just in time to block the creature's first attack. The serpents in its mane lashed out, hissing and spitting venom that sizzled as it hit the shield.​Wu Laogou took out a few remaining talismans from his pocket. "Spirits of the elements, aid us!" he shouted, throwing the talismans into the air. They burst into flames, creating a wall of fire that temporarily kept the creature at bay.​Su Nian used the distraction to her advantage. Her chains shot out, wrapping around one of the creature's legs. "Now!" she yelled. Zhang Chengying charged forward, his sword aimed at the creature's side. But as he struck, the sword bounced off, sending him flying backward.​Chen Jiuzhang closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He remembered his 二叔's words: "Release your fear, and embrace the power." Taking a deep breath, he focused on the connection between the crystal, the Celestial Master Order, and the jade pendant.​Suddenly, a warm surge of energy coursed through him. The white crystal blazed to life, and a beam of pure, blinding light shot towards the creature. The serpents in its mane let out ear - piercing screams as they were consumed by the light, and the creature itself let out a pained roar.​But just as they thought they had the upper hand, the creature's body began to change. Its skin cracked, and a dark, pulsating mass emerged from within. Yuki's eyes widened in alarm. "It's transforming! This is a more dangerous form. We must attack with everything we have!"​The group launched a coordinated assault. Shen Qingluan increased the power of the shield, while Wu Laogou threw out a series of powerful talismans. Su Nian's chains wrapped around the creature's new, tentacle - like appendages, and Zhang Chengying used his sword to slice at the weak points.​Chen Jiuzhang channeled all his energy into the white crystal. The light grew brighter and more intense, finally piercing through the creature's dark form. With a final, earth - shattering roar, the creature collapsed to the ground, its body disintegrating into a pile of ash.​Exhausted and battered, the group slumped to the ground. But Yuki's voice broke the silence. "That was just the first guardian. Many more await us on the path to the Well of Origins. We must keep moving."​As they got up and prepared to continue, a sense of unease settled over the group. If the first guardian was this powerful, what terrifying challenges lay ahead? And could they truly restore the balance of the Gui Xu Secret Realm before it was too late?