Chapter 39 - Chapter 40：The Path Ahead

The air in the chamber still crackled with the aftershocks of the battle, the remnants of the Guardian of the Abyss dissipating into the shadows. Luna, the silver - haired woman now revealed as a protector of the realm, glided towards the group. Her gown of woven starlight shimmered with every step, and the violet glow in her eyes had softened, though it still held an air of mystery.​Chen Jiuzhang, his body battered and exhausted, but his spirit unbroken, looked at Luna. "Why the test? And what is this 'true danger' you speak of?"​Luna let out a sigh, her gaze fixed on the swirling symbols that had begun to appear on the chamber walls. "The Gui Xu Secret Realm is a delicate balance of power, a prison for the darkest forces and a source of great wisdom. Over the ages, the balance has been teetering. I needed to ensure you were strong enough, not just in power but in spirit, to face what lies ahead."​She pointed to the symbols, which seemed to be forming a map. "These are the markings of the Path of Eternity. It leads to the heart of the realm, where the source of the imbalance resides. But the path is filled with trials—each one designed to test a different aspect of your being."​Shen Qingluan stepped forward, wincing as she held her side. The fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal around her neck was duller than before, but it still pulsed with a faint light. "What kind of trials?"​Before Luna could answer, the ground began to shake violently. The symbols on the wall started to glow with an intense, blood - red light, and a low, mournful wail filled the air. From the corners of the chamber, ghostly figures emerged, their forms translucent but their expressions filled with pain and anger.​"These are the souls of those who failed the trials," Luna said, her voice barely audible over the wailing. "They are bound to this place, forever trapped in a cycle of suffering."​Zhang Chengying, his broken peachwood sword at the ready, gritted his teeth. "Well, we're not going to end up like them. Let's show these ghosts what we're made of!"​But as the ghostly figures advanced, Chen Jiuzhang noticed something strange. The crystal - key in his hand was reacting to the souls, emitting a soft, white light that seemed to soothe their anger. One of the figures, a woman with long, flowing hair, reached out towards him. "Help us... break the curse..." she whispered.​Luna's eyes widened in surprise. "The crystal - key has the power to free these souls. But it will require a great deal of energy, and we cannot afford to be distracted on the Path of Eternity."​Chen Jiuzhang looked at his companions, then at the suffering souls. "We can't just leave them like this. If we have the power to help, we should."​With a nod from the others, he closed his eyes and focused on the crystal - key. The white light grew brighter, enveloping the ghostly figures. One by one, they let out sighs of relief, their forms beginning to dissolve into the air. But as the last soul was freed, a new, more menacing presence filled the chamber.​A large, black portal opened up, and from it emerged creatures made of pure shadow, their eyes glowing with a malevolent red light. Luna's expression turned grim. "We've attracted the attention of the Watchers. They guard the Path of Eternity, and they will stop at nothing to prevent us from moving forward."​The group readied their weapons, the crystal - key, the Imperial Jade Seal, and the rest of their artifacts glowing with renewed determination. The battle for the Path of Eternity had begun, and with every step forward, they were one step closer to uncovering the true secrets of the Gui Xu Secret Realm.