Chapter 34 - Chapter 35：Desperate Struggles

The portal pulsated with a malevolent energy, casting an eerie glow over the chamber. Yuki stood before it, her arms outstretched, her face contorted with a manic glee. The first tendrils of shadowy forms began to emerge from the swirling void, their presence sending a bone - chilling fear through the group.​Chen Jiuzhang clutched the white crystal tightly, his mind racing. He could feel the crystal's power, but it seemed to be in conflict with the dark energy of the portal. "There has to be a way to use the crystal to seal the portal!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the deafening roar of the emerging chaos.​Shen Qingluan's brow was furrowed in concentration as she poured more energy into the golden beam. But the portal's pull was too strong, and her beam was slowly being absorbed. "Jiuzhang, I can't hold it much longer!" she cried, her nose and ears starting to bleed from the strain.​Zhang Chengying and Su Nian reached Yuki, but she turned and unleashed a wave of dark magic. Their attacks were deflected easily, and they were sent crashing into the stone walls. Wu Laogou's talismans exploded harmlessly against the shield of dark energy surrounding the portal.​In the midst of the chaos, a voice echoed in Chen Jiuzhang's mind. It was his 二叔,but the voice was faint and strained. "Jiuzhang... the crystal... it needs a balance... with the key..."​Suddenly, Chen Jiuzhang understood. The white crystal represented light and order, while the silver key, in the wrong hands, was a catalyst for chaos. He needed to combine their powers to restore balance. "Everyone, hold her off!" he yelled, pointing at Yuki. "I'm going for the key!"​Su Nian's chains shot out, wrapping around Yuki's legs, while Zhang Chengying charged forward, his sword aimed at her chest. Yuki snarled and fought back, but their combined efforts gave Chen Jiuzhang the opening he needed.​He sprinted towards the pedestal, the white crystal leading the way. As he reached for the silver key, a surge of energy coursed through his body. The ancient characters on the key began to glow in sync with the crystal, and a powerful force pushed him back. But he gritted his teeth and held on, focusing all his willpower on merging the two.​The portal began to shake violently as the combined energy of the crystal and the key clashed with the dark power. Yuki's eyes widened in horror as she realized what Chen Jiuzhang was trying to do. "No! You can't!" she shrieked, breaking free from Su Nian and Zhang Chengying.​She launched herself at Chen Jiuzhang, but Shen Qingluan intercepted her with a wall of golden light. Wu Laogou took the opportunity to throw a special talisman, one that he had been saving for a desperate situation. The talisman exploded in a shower of golden dust, temporarily blinding Yuki.​With Yuki distracted, Chen Jiuzhang pushed harder. The white crystal and the silver key began to merge, their powers combining into a brilliant, pure light. The shadowy forms emerging from the portal let out ear - piercing screams as the light touched them, and they were forced back into the void.​The portal started to close, but not before a massive, clawed hand reached out and grabbed Yuki. She let out a scream of terror as she was pulled into the portal. "No! I can't...!" Her voice was cut off as the portal sealed shut with a final, earth - shattering boom.​The group collapsed to the ground, exhausted but alive. The chamber was silent, save for their heavy breathing. Chen Jiuzhang looked at the now - merged crystal - key in his hand. It glowed with a gentle, harmonious light, a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.​But he knew their journey wasn't over. The Gui Xu Secret Realm still held many more secrets, and who knew what other threats lurked in the depths. As he helped his companions to their feet, he prepared himself for whatever lay ahead.