Chapter 40 - Chapter 41：Clash with the Watchers

The shadowy Watchers emerged from the portal with a menacing hiss, their red - glowing eyes fixated on the group. The air around them crackled with dark energy, sending a chill down the spines of Chen Jiuzhang and his companions. Luna, her starlight - woven gown fluttering, stepped forward, her violet eyes narrowing. "These creatures are not to be underestimated. They are manifestations of the realm's protective barriers, and they will stop at nothing to keep us from the Path of Eternity."​Chen Jiuzhang tightened his grip on the crystal - key, feeling a strange resonance between the artifact and the approaching threat. The key's surface began to shift, the runes rearranging themselves into a pattern he had never seen before. "Everyone, stay on your guard!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.​Zhang Chengying, his broken peachwood sword in hand, was the first to charge. "Let's show these shadowy fiends what we're made of!" he roared. But as he swung at one of the Watchers, his sword passed through its form as if it were made of smoke. The creature let out a mocking laugh and retaliated with a blast of dark energy, knocking Zhang Chengying off his feet.​Su Nian's chains lashed out, wrapping around another Watcher. She pulled with all her might, but the creature merely tugged back, sending her flying. "What the...? How do we fight something that doesn't seem solid?" she exclaimed, scrambling to her feet.​Shen Qingluan raised the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal, creating a shield of golden light around the group. But the Watchers' attacks were relentless, pounding against the shield with increasing force. Cracks began to form in the golden barrier, and Shen Qingluan's face grew pale from the strain.​Wu Laogou, puffing on his pipe, threw out a series of talismans. They exploded in a shower of sparks, but the Watchers seemed unaffected. "These things are tougher than they look," he muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration.​Luna, seeing the group in trouble, joined the fray. Her hands glowed with a soft, silver light, and she sent waves of energy towards the Watchers. The creatures screeched in pain, their forms flickering for a moment. "Their strength lies in their intangibility," she shouted. "But they have a weakness—if we can synchronize our attacks, we can disrupt their energy and make them vulnerable."​Taking her advice, the group coordinated their efforts. Chen Jiuzhang channeled the power of the crystal - key, sending out a beam of white light. Shen Qingluan reinforced the attack with a blast of golden energy from the jade seal. Zhang Chengying and Su Nian charged forward, their weapons aimed at the Watchers' now - tangible forms. Wu Laogou threw his most powerful talismans, creating a distraction.​The combined assault was devastating. One by one, the Watchers let out ear - piercing screams as they were consumed by the light. But just as it seemed they had the upper hand, the portal behind the Watchers began to glow brighter. A larger, more powerful figure emerged—a Watcher Lord, its body twice the size of the others, and its eyes burning with a furious red - orange light.​Luna's expression turned grave. "This is the true test. The Watcher Lord controls the others. If we can defeat it, we may be able to pass through the Path of Eternity unhindered."​Chen Jiuzhang felt a surge of energy from the crystal - key, as if it was responding to the challenge. The key's light grew stronger, and he could sense a connection between the artifact and the Watcher Lord. "I think I can weaken it," he said, his voice filled with determination. "But I'll need all of you to cover me."​With his companions providing support, Chen Jiuzhang closed his eyes and focused all his energy on the crystal - key. Images flashed through his mind—visions of his 二叔 facing similar creatures, of ancient battles fought to protect the balance of the realm. When he opened his eyes, the key was ablaze with a blinding white light, and he sent the beam hurtling towards the Watcher Lord.​The battle raged on, the fate of the group and their journey through the Gui Xu Secret Realm hanging in the balance. As the Watcher Lord let out a roar of anger and charged forward, Chen Jiuzhang knew that they were in for the fight of their lives.