Chapter 38 - Chapter 39：Confronting the Shadowy Abyss

The shadowy figure loomed over the group, its form a writhing mass of darkness that seemed to devour the very air around it. The silver - haired woman's words echoed in the chamber, "Behold, the true master of this realm—the Guardian of the Abyss. You are but insects beneath its might."​Chen Jiuzhang's heart pounded in his chest, but he stood his ground, the crystal - key pulsating weakly in his hand. The power he had unleashed earlier had drained him, yet he refused to yield. "We've come too far to be intimidated by shadows," he shouted, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.​The Guardian of the Abyss let out a roar that sent shockwaves through the room. Stone tiles lifted from the ground and hurtled towards the group. Shen Qingluan, her face pale from exhaustion, raised the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal with trembling hands. A thin, golden shield materialized, but it buckled under the impact, sending her crashing into a nearby wall.​Zhang Chengying leaped forward, his broken peachwood sword held high. "Hey, you big brute!" he taunted, trying to draw the creature's attention. "Over here!" The Guardian's gaping void - eyes turned towards him, and a tendril of shadow shot out, striking him in the chest. He was sent flying, coughing up blood as he landed.​Su Nian's chains lashed out, wrapping around one of the Guardian's shadowy appendages. She pulled with all her might, but the creature merely swatted her away like a fly. She slammed into a crystal sarcophagus, which shattered upon impact, releasing a noxious gas that filled the air.​Wu Laogou, his hands shaking, threw his last few talismans. They exploded in a burst of flames, but the Guardian of the Abyss walked through them unharmed. "We're in deep trouble," he muttered, his pipe falling from his lips.​As the situation seemed hopeless, the crystal - key in Chen Jiuzhang's hand began to glow again. Images flooded his mind—visions of his 二叔 fighting alongside warriors from a bygone era, all united in their quest to seal away the darkness. "We're not alone," he whispered. "The power of the past is with us."​He closed his eyes and focused, drawing on the memories and the energy of the crystal - key. A bright, white light began to emanate from the key, growing stronger with each passing second. The Guardian of the Abyss let out a pained shriek, as if the light was burning its very essence.​Taking advantage of the creature's momentary distraction, the group launched a coordinated attack. Shen Qingluan, despite her injuries, sent a beam of golden light from the jade seal fragment. Zhang Chengying charged forward, his sword crackling with electricity. Su Nian's chains wrapped around the Guardian's legs once more, and Wu Laogou threw a final, powerful talisman.​But the Guardian was not defeated so easily. It let out a deafening roar and unleashed a wave of dark energy that threatened to engulf them all. In the midst of the chaos, the silver - haired woman watched, her expression unreadable.​Just when all seemed lost, Chen Jiuzhang felt a surge of energy from within. The crystal - key merged with the power of the Imperial Jade Seal, the Broken Snake Saber, and the other artifacts his companions carried. A blinding explosion of light filled the chamber, and when the light faded, the Guardian of the Abyss was no more.​The silver - haired woman stepped forward, her violet eyes filled with a newfound respect. "You have proven yourselves worthy. I am Luna, a protector of this realm, and I was testing you. The true danger still lies ahead, and I will aid you on your journey."​With Luna's revelation, the group realized that their adventure in the Gui Xu Secret Realm was far from over. But now, they had a new ally and a renewed sense of purpose as they prepared to face whatever challenges awaited them in the depths of the mysterious realm.