Chapter 37 - Chapter 38：The True Power Unveiled

The air crackled with a mix of dark and divine energy as the awakened ancients closed in on the group. Chen Jiuzhang's palm burned from the searing heat of the crystal - key, but he refused to let go. The circular disk on the ceiling spun faster, its symbols glowing with an intensity that rivaled the sun, yet the onslaught of enemies seemed endless.​A creature with skin like cracked obsidian lunged at Zhang Chengying. His broken peachwood sword, already battered from countless battles, met the creature's claws in a shower of sparks. The impact sent him flying into a nearby crystal sarcophagus, which shattered under the force, releasing a puff of acrid mist. "Watch out!" Su Nian shouted, her chains shooting out to wrap around the creature's neck. But it merely let out a guttural laugh and snapped the chains as if they were made of twine.​Shen Qingluan's shield finally gave way under the combined attacks of three ancients. The golden light flickered and died, and she was sent crashing to the ground. Chen Jiuzhang's heart skipped a beat at the sight. He knew he had to do something, and fast. Closing his eyes, he delved deep into his connection with the crystal - key, ignoring the chaos and the pain in his hand.​Images flashed through his mind—scenes of an ancient battle, where warriors wielding similar keys fought against beings of pure darkness. He saw a figure who looked like his 二叔,standing amidst the chaos, guiding others with a calm yet powerful presence. "Channel the balance," a voice whispered in his mind. "The key is not just a weapon, but a conductor of the realm's very essence."​When Chen Jiuzhang opened his eyes, they glowed with a brilliant white light. The crystal - key in his hand hummed with a newfound power. He raised it high and shouted, "By the power of light and the order of the ages, bind these forces of chaos!"​Rays of light shot out from the key, forming a complex web that ensnared the attacking ancients. They struggled and roared, but the light tightened around them, sapping their strength. The six - armed being let out a deafening scream as its weapons were dissolved by the light, its arms turning to ash one by one.​The silver - haired woman watched in disbelief, her earlier haughty demeanor replaced by a look of horror. "This can't be... You're just mortals!" she screeched.​Wu Laogou took advantage of the momentary respite to light his pipe. "Aye, but we're mortals with a purpose and the power to back it up," he said, puffing out a cloud of smoke.​But just as it seemed they had the upper hand, the ground began to shake violently. The crystal sarcophaguses that hadn't been opened started to pulsate with a dark, menacing energy. A figure emerged from the very center of the chamber, a being even larger and more terrifying than the ones they had faced. Its body was a mass of writhing shadows, and its eyes were two gaping voids that seemed to suck in all the light around them.​The silver - haired woman bowed her head in reverence. "My lord, forgive me for failing to stop these intruders. But they will not escape your wrath."​Chen Jiuzhang's grip on the crystal - key tightened. He could feel the power within him waning, but he knew he couldn't give up. "Companions, we've come too far to be defeated now. This may be our greatest challenge yet, but together, we can overcome it."​As the new, shadowy figure let out a roar that shook the very foundations of the chamber, the group braced themselves for the final battle. The true power of the crystal - key had been partially unleashed, but to save the Gui Xu Secret Realm, they would need to find the strength to unlock even greater abilities.​