Chapter 40 - Chapter 40 Desperate Stand at the Threshold

Jack's vision swam as he staggered towards Selene, each step sending jolts of pain through his battered body. The ground trembled beneath his feet, the ancient temple groaning in protest as the outline of the Gate of Oblivion shimmered into existence. The air around the gate crackled with dark energy, a swirling maelstrom that threatened to suck everything in its vicinity into the abyss.​Selene, her form now a towering mass of writhing shadows, turned to face Jack. Her eyes, two glowing orbs of pure malevolence, narrowed. "You're a persistent one, aren't you? But your struggle ends here!" she shrieked, her voice echoing with a thousand tortured souls. A dozen tendrils of shadow shot out from her body, hurtling towards Jack with blinding speed.​Just as the tendrils were about to strike, a figure leaped in front of him. The Keeper's ice - blue shield flared brightly, intercepting the attack. The impact sent her skidding backward, but she held her ground. "Jack, now!" she shouted, her voice strained with effort.​Jack nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. He could feel the Chaos Orb's new, rhythmic energy surging through him, but it was fading fast. He knew he had only one chance. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his spiritual sense, seeking the connection between the orb, the ancient symbols on the temple walls, and the very essence of the Gate of Oblivion.​Suddenly, a vision flashed before his eyes. He saw the original guardians of the gate, a group of powerful cultivators who had sacrificed everything to seal away the abyssal power. Among them was a figure with a familiar crescent - moon pendant—Su Yao's ancestor. The vision showed the guardians channeling their combined energy into the symbols, creating a seal that had lasted for millennia.​Jack's eyes snapped open. He understood what he had to do. "Everyone, focus your energy on the symbols!" he roared, his voice carrying through the chaos. "We have to recreate the seal!"​The Mysterious Yin Alliance disciples, though battered and bruised, scrambled to obey. They placed their hands on the glowing symbols, channeling their spiritual power. Elder Li, who had been unconscious since the explosion, groaned and joined them, his staff glowing with a weak, golden light.​Selene let out a furious scream as she realized their plan. She launched herself at the group, her shadowy form engulfing everything in her path. But the Keeper refused to budge. She launched a flurry of ice - blue attacks, her swordsmanship reaching new heights as she fought to hold the abyssal abomination at bay.​Jack, at the center of the group, poured every ounce of his remaining strength into the Chaos Orb. The orb responded, its light and dark energy merging with the power of the disciples and the ancient symbols. A bright, multicolored barrier began to form around the Gate of Oblivion, slowly pushing back the swirling maelstrom of dark energy.​Selene thrashed against the barrier, her tendrils pounding on it like a relentless storm. But with each passing moment, the barrier grew stronger. With a final, earth - shattering scream, she was forced back, her form dissipating into the air.​The gate, now fully formed, stood before them, a massive, black portal that pulsed with an otherworldly energy. But the barrier held. Jack and his allies had done it—they had sealed the gate once again.​Exhausted, Jack sank to his knees. The Keeper rushed to his side, helping him up. "We did it," she said, her voice filled with relief.​But before Jack could respond, a strange humming sound emanated from the gate. The barrier began to flicker, and a figure emerged from the darkness within. It was a man, his face hidden beneath a black hood, and he held a staff that glowed with the same red light as in Jack's vision.​"Your efforts are commendable," the figure said, his voice cold and menacing. "But the seal is only temporary. The Gate of Oblivion will open, and when it does, nothing will stop the abyss from consuming this world." With that, the figure vanished, leaving behind a trail of dark energy that sent shivers down everyone's spines.​Jack clenched his fists. The battle might be over for now, but the threat remained. He looked at his allies, determination burning in his eyes. "We'll be ready. No matter what comes next, we'll protect this world."​