334: Guardian Beast

The Guardian Alliance dragged their scarred and exhausted bodies back to the Alliance Headquarters. Along the way, though everyone remained silent, their hearts were filled with the emotions of surviving a disaster and reflections on the future path of guardianship.

Upon returning to the headquarters, the entire Alliance immediately became busy. Mages used all available healing resources and cast various restoration spells, doing their best to help the participating Guardians recover from their injuries and restore their mana. Meanwhile, those members who hadn't participated took the initiative to handle the Alliance's daily patrol and sentry duties, ensuring the safety of the headquarters so their weary comrades could recover in peace.

After several days of rest, the injuries of core members like Xiao Xing, Ji Ziyue, and Yin Ping had mostly healed, and their mana was gradually recovering. They gathered in the meeting room once more to discuss their next move.

Xiao Xing's face was still somewhat pale, but his eyes shone with his usual determination. He was the first to speak: "Although we destroyed that Dark Shadow and demolished the stronghold on the deserted island this time, I have a premonition that this is likely not the end. That Dark Forces is so cunning and vast; there must be other hidden trump cards. We must take the initiative to attack and continue investigating. We cannot give them a chance to catch their breath and plot again."

Ji Ziyue nodded in agreement. She gently rubbed her temples and said, "Indeed. Previously, we only found out after they had already taken action; we were truly too passive. I've also been thinking while recovering over the last few days. We can try to find clues from those Black-Robed Figures we defeated. Perhaps they know something about other strongholds or information on the higher-ups, it's just that we didn't have time for a deep interrogation before."

Yin Ping slapped her thigh and said, "Exactly! Why didn't I think of that? There must be someone among those Black-Robed Figures who knows the inside story. Let's go and carefully interrogate those still in custody; maybe we'll have an unexpected harvest."

The group immediately got up and headed to where the prisoners were held. They picked out a few Black-Robed Figures who appeared to be of slightly higher rank and began interrogating them one by one.

At first, these Black-Robed Figures kept their mouths shut, preferring death over surrender. However, after the Guardians cast some spells that could detect the truth and persuaded them with reason and emotion, one Black-Robed Figure finally relented.

He said with a face full of resentment, "Hmph, it doesn't matter if I tell you. Our plan won't be so easily destroyed by you anyway. On the northwest border of the continent, there is a cursed valley. One of our Dark Forces' important treasuries is hidden there. It stores many powerful dark Magical Artifacts and precious Forbidden Technique Manuals, all of which we've accumulated over the years to completely subvert the continent. Even if you know, you'll never have the ability to break in. The valley is surrounded by lethal traps and guardian Demonic Beasts. Entering is a one-way trip to death."

Xiao Xing looked at him, his gaze sharp as he said, "What is the name of that valley, and where exactly is it located? You'd better explain everything clearly, or you'll suffer for it."

The Black-Robed Figure hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "That valley is called the 'Abyss of Shadows.' It's deep within the Sunset Mountains on the northwest border. If you're not afraid of death, then go right ahead."

After obtaining this important clue, the Guardian Alliance immediately began preparing for the trip to the 'Abyss of Shadows.' They prepared a large number of magical items to counter dark power, Medicinal Pills to replenish mana and heal wounds, and also conducted meticulous inspections and enhancements of their own weapons and equipment.

Once everything was ready, the group set off toward the northwest border of the continent. Along the way, the further northwest they went, the harsher the climate became. Fierce winds howled, yellow sand filled the sky, and the roads became rugged and difficult to traverse. But the Guardians showed no sign of retreat, braving the harsh environment as they struggled toward the Sunset Mountains.

Finally, they reached the edge of the Sunset Mountains. Looking up, the mountains rose and fell continuously. Under the reflection of the setting sun, the mountain range took on an eerie dark red hue, as if it had been soaked in blood. That oppressive dark aura was faintly emanating from the depths of the mountains, as if demonstrating its power to the group.

"Everyone be careful. This is the mountain range where the 'Abyss of Shadows' is located. Stay alert and advance according to the formation we established," Xiao Xing reminded everyone, then took the lead in stepping into the mountains.

Advancing along the winding mountain path, they hadn't gone far before they encountered the first batch of guardian Demonic Beasts—a pack of Shadow Beasts that resembled dire wolves. These Shadow Beasts were pitch black, as if condensed from dark mana. Their eyes flickered with an eerie green light as they stared hungrily at the Guardians from the shadows, letting out low growls and ready to attack at any moment.

"Prepare for battle! These Shadow Beasts won't be easy to deal with. Everyone, watch each other's backs!" Xiao Xing shouted, gripping his weapon tightly and standing ready.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Shadow Beasts lunged at the Guardians like arrows from a bow. They were extremely fast, their bodies flickering through the mountains like streaks of black lightning.

The Guardians immediately entered a combat state and engaged in a struggle with the Shadow Beasts. Xiao Xing brandished his longsword, each strike accurately piercing the Shadow Beasts' vital points and bringing forth bursts of light power, causing the struck Shadow Beasts to let out painful roars as their forms became somewhat ethereal. Ji Ziyue stood at the rear, casting Light Magic to bolster her companions' defensive shields while simultaneously releasing streaks of Purifying Light to dispel the dark mana on the Shadow Beasts and weaken their combat effectiveness. Yin Ping led some Guardians with high agility to weave through the Shadow Beasts, seeking the right moment to deliver fatal blows.

However, these Shadow Beasts were numerous and extremely ferocious. They seemed tireless; as one wave fell, another would pounce from behind the surrounding rocks. The Guardians gradually found it difficult, and many wounds began to appear on their bodies. Their mana and stamina consumption was immense.

"This can't go on. We have to find a way to break through their encirclement and continue into the valley. We can't let ourselves be bogged down here," Xiao Xing shouted while fending off the Shadow Beasts' attacks.

Just then, Ji Ziyue thought of a solution. She concentrated her mana and cast a large-scale area spell—Light Prison. White walls of magical light rose from the ground, trapping a portion of the Shadow Beasts within. The trapped Shadow Beasts repeatedly slammed against the light walls but could not break through, only able to let out angry roars from inside.

"Now is the time! Everyone, follow me!" Xiao Xing saw the opportunity and led the Guardians to charge in the direction not blocked by the light walls, successfully achieved a Breakthrough of the Shadow Beasts' encirclement and running toward the deeper parts of the Sunset Mountains—the direction of the 'Abyss of Shadows.'

What awaited them was undoubtedly an even more difficult and dangerous challenge. Whether they could once again thwart the Dark Forces' conspiracy and protect the continent remained an unknown.