325: Obsidian carving

Xiao Xing charged toward the Black-Robed Leader like an arrow leaving a bow, his longsword enveloped in brilliant Light Magic. The blade sliced through the air with a series of whistles. Seeing this, the Black-Robed Leader remained calm, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. With a wave of his hand, the dark magic gushing from the Obsidian Statue instantly condensed into black chains that coiled toward Xiao Xing.

Xiao Xing's figure flickered as he nimbly dodged the chain attacks, but the black chains seemed to possess a mind of their own, pursuing him relentlessly. Just as the chains were about to wrap around Xiao Xing, Ji Ziyue cast a spell in time. A holy screen of light unfolded behind Xiao Xing, blocking the chains. Black and white magic collided with a sizzling sound, and amidst the flickering light, the surrounding air was agitated into a distorted state.

“Everyone, attack together! We cannot let him complete the sacrificial ritual!” Ji Ziyue shouted. She then formed hand seals and chanted an even more powerful purification incantation. Strands of pure Light Magic gathered in her hands like trickling streams, eventually transforming into a dazzling pillar of light that shot toward the Black-Robed Leader and the Obsidian Statue.

Yin Ping also led the other Guardians to flank the stone platform from all directions. They unleashed their respective signature techniques, the glow of magic and the cold glint of weapons reflecting off each other as they attacked the Black-Robed Leader one after another.

The Black-Robed Leader snorted coldly. His hands rapidly shifted through hand seals, and a massive dark shield appeared before him, blocking all the attacks. Not only that, the shield also released a powerful counter-shock force, knocking back the approaching Guardians. Many fell to the ground, suffering significant internal injuries.

“With just this bit of ability, you think you can stop me? You're like a mantis trying to stop a carriage!” The Black-Robed Leader laughed arrogantly, his voice echoing through the valley, filled with endless insolence and evil.

Xiao Xing stabilized himself and looked at the Black-Robed Leader, understanding that brute force wasn't the answer; he had to find a flaw in that shield. While dodging the dark magic attacks, he carefully observed the flow of magic within the shield. Soon, he discovered a node at the top of the shield where the magic was slightly weaker.

“Everyone, listen to my command! Concentrate your power on the top of the shield; that is the weak point!” Xiao Xing shouted. Hearing this, the crowd endured their pain and reconcentrated their power, placing all their hopes on this single attack.

At Xiao Xing's command, the Guardians worked in unison, unleashing an incredibly dazzling combined attack that blasted straight toward the top of the dark shield. With a loud boom, the dark shield fluctuated violently. A gap appeared at the top and rapidly spread until, with a final crash, it shattered completely.

The Black-Robed Leader hadn't expected his shield to be broken. His expression changed, and a flash of panic crossed his eyes, but it was soon replaced by a hideous look. He no longer held back his strength, raising both hands and chanting under his breath. The dark magic on the Obsidian Statue grew even denser, as if it were about to pierce the heavens.

“Since you seek death, I shall grant it to you! First, I will use your Souls to nourish the Demon God!” the Black-Robed Leader roared. The dark magic gushing from the statue transformed into countless black tentacles that swept toward the Guardians. Wherever the tentacles passed, the ground was corroded into deep pits, emitting pungent black smoke.

The Guardians resisted with all their might, but the black tentacles were numerous and extremely powerful. For a time, everyone was plunged into a bitter struggle, with people constantly being struck by tentacles and letting out groans of pain.

Ji Ziyue was anxious as she saw her companions getting injured. She grit her teeth and made a bold decision. She began to cast a forbidden Light Magic. This spell was immensely powerful, but the toll on herself was immeasurable; once cast, she would likely exhaust her magic and fall into a state of extreme weakness.

“Ji Ziyue, have you gone mad? You can't use that magic!” Xiao Xing shouted, sensing Ji Ziyue's intention.

“There's no time! Only this way can we have a glimmer of hope. Trust me!” Ji Ziyue looked at Xiao Xing with a determined gaze and continued chanting. Her entire body began to emit a holy light so dazzling it reached an extreme, brightening the entire valley as if it were broad daylight. The Light Magic contained within that glow was so pure that even the surrounding black tentacles began to slowly retreat.

“Now! Everyone, attack that statue together!” Ji Ziyue shouted, then violently thrust the condensed Light Magic in her hands toward the Obsidian Statue.

Seeing this, Xiao Xing, Yin Ping, and the other Guardians didn't care for anything else and used all their skills to blast their strongest attacks at the statue. For a moment, the forces of light and darkness collided fiercely before the statue, erupting in an earth-shattering explosion. The powerful impact caused the entire valley to tremble violently, and many ancient architectural ruins collapsed under the shock.

Under the combined attack of the crowd, cracks finally appeared on the Obsidian Statue, and the dark magic began to scatter in a chaotic frenzy. Seeing this, the Black-Robed Leader's face turned pale. He wanted to step forward to stabilize the statue, but it was already too late.

As the final attack landed, the statue exploded with a boom. Powerful Light Magic instantly filled the entire valley, completely purifying the remaining dark magic. Hit by the impact of this power, the Black-Robed Leader spat out a mouthful of blood, his body swaying unsteadily.

The Guardians pressed their advantage. Xiao Xing seized the opportunity, lunging forward with a stride and piercing his longsword into the Black-Robed Leader's chest. The Black-Robed Leader's eyes widened in disbelief before his body slowly collapsed, turning into a wisp of black smoke that dissipated into the air.

With the death of the Black-Robed Leader, the remaining Black-Robed Figures instantly lost their leader and fell into disarray. The Guardians took the opportunity to subdue them one by one.

The fierce battle finally drew to a close. Although the Guardian Alliance had paid a heavy price, they had successfully thwarted another plot by the Dark Forces. However, as everyone looked at the mess in the valley, they knew in their hearts that this was only a temporary victory. The Dark Forces hidden in the shadows would certainly not let it go at that; their conspiracy might have even deeper levels waiting for the Guardians to continue excavating and resolving.

“Let's return to the Alliance Headquarters to recover first. Once everyone has recovered, we will re-examine the clues. We must uproot these Dark Forces and completely protect the peace of the continent,” Xiao Xing said, exhausted yet determined. Supporting each other, the group slowly left the ruined valley filled with smoke and war, embarking on the journey back to the Alliance Headquarters. Their mission to protect the continent remained long and difficult.