Chapter 32 - Chapter 33：Betrayal Unleashed

The revelation of Yuki's betrayal hit the group like a thunderbolt. Chen Jiuzhang's heart sank as he realized how thoroughly they'd been deceived. The woman they'd trusted, who claimed to be a keeper of the realm's secrets, was now their enemy, and she had them cornered in the heart of the Enchanted Labyrinth.​Yuki's laughter echoed through the chamber, cold and mocking. "You were so naive to trust me. This key is the key to my ascension. With it, I'll control the very fabric of this secret realm, and no one will be able to stop me."​The shadowy figures, their red eyes glowing with malice, charged forward. Chen Jiuzhang quickly raised the white crystal, but the light it emitted was weak and wavering. The labyrinth's influence was still suppressing its power. Shen Qingluan, her face pale with shock, strengthened the shield around them with the Imperial Jade Seal fragment.​Zhang Chengying, his broken peachwood sword in hand, growled, "We won't let you get away with this, Yuki! You'll pay for your betrayal." He lunged at the nearest shadowy figure, slashing with all his might. The figure let out a hiss and retaliated with a swipe of its claw - like hand.​Su Nian's chains lashed out, wrapping around the legs of another shadow. She yanked, pulling it off - balance. "How could you do this, Yuki? What are you really after?" she shouted, her eyes blazing with anger.​Yuki merely smiled, her eyes fixed on the silver key on the pedestal. "You wouldn't understand. This realm has been hidden for far too long, and its power has been wasted. I'll use it to reshape the world in my image."​Wu Laogou, his hands shaking, threw a series of talismans. "Spirits of the heavens, aid us in this hour of need!" The talismans exploded, creating a cloud of smoke that temporarily obscured the enemy's vision.​Chen Jiuzhang took the opportunity to focus on the white crystal. He closed his eyes, ignoring the chaos around him. He needed to find a way to break through the labyrinth's hold on the crystal's power. Images of his 二叔,of the battles they'd faced, flashed through his mind. He remembered the lessons his 二叔 had taught him about inner strength and balance.​Suddenly, he felt a surge of energy. The white crystal began to hum, and a bright, pure light filled the chamber. The shadowy figures screeched and recoiled, their forms wavering in the intense light. Yuki's eyes widened in surprise.​"You think a simple burst of light can stop me?" she sneered. But as she spoke, the ground beneath her feet began to crack. The labyrinth was reacting to the sudden change in energy, and it seemed to be turning against her.​Chen Jiuzhang opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on Yuki. "We don't know what your plan is, but we won't let you destroy this realm. The balance must be restored, not shattered."​With a final, desperate move, Yuki lunged for the silver key. But before she could reach it, a tendril of white light from the crystal shot out and wrapped around her wrist. She let out a scream of pain and frustration.​The group, seeing their chance, launched a final assault on the remaining shadowy figures. With the crystal's power now fully unleashed, they were able to push back the enemy. As the last of the shadows dissipated, they turned their attention to Yuki.​"Who are you really?" Chen Jiuzhang demanded. "And what's so special about that key?"​Yuki, her face contorted with anger, spat out, "You'll never understand. I was once a prisoner of this realm, just like you. But I learned its secrets, and I'll use them to become the most powerful being in existence."​Just then, the silver key on the pedestal began to glow even brighter, and a strange, ancient language appeared on its surface. The key seemed to be reacting to the crystal's power, and it held the promise of answers to the mysteries of the Gui Xu Secret Realm. But with Yuki still a threat, the group knew they had to act quickly.