The heat from Kael'thar's wall of fire was almost unbearable, singeing the edges of Chen Jiuzhang's clothes and making it difficult to breathe. But he stood firm, his gaze locked on the pale - skinned sorcerer. The crystal - key in his hand vibrated with a new intensity, as if it too was eager to face the challenge.Kael'thar sneered, his red - orange eyes narrowing. "Foolish boy. Your little trinket won't save you." With a flick of his wrist, he sent a volley of fireballs hurtling towards the group.Shen Qingluan was the first to react. She raised the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal, and a shield of golden light flickered to life. The fireballs slammed into the shield, causing it to shudder and crack. "I can't hold this for long!" she shouted, her face strained with effort.Zhang Chengying and Su Nian took advantage of the shield's protection to launch a counterattack. Zhang leaped forward, his broken peachwood sword crackling with electricity, while Su Nian's chains whipped through the air, aiming for Kael'thar's legs. But the sorcerer merely waved his hand, and an invisible force sent them flying back.Wu Laogou, puffing on his pipe to steady his nerves, threw a series of specially - crafted talismans. They exploded in a shower of green - tinged smoke, temporarily obscuring Kael'thar's vision. "Now's our chance!" he shouted.Chen Jiuzhang channeled all his energy into the crystal - key. A blinding beam of white light shot towards Kael'thar, but the sorcerer disappeared in a puff of black smoke, reappearing behind the group. "You'll have to do better than that," he hissed, and a tendril of dark energy lashed out, striking Wu Laogou in the back.The old man crumpled to the ground, and Chen Jiuzhang felt a surge of anger. "You'll pay for that!" he roared. The crystal - key's light transformed into a swirling mix of black and white, as if reflecting the battle between light and darkness within him.Luna, her starlight - woven gown flickering, joined the fray. She launched a flurry of silver - blue energy bolts at Kael'thar, drawing his attention away from the injured Wu Laogou. "Chen Jiuzhang, focus on his weakness! Every dark sorcerer has one!"As Chen Jiuzhang fought, he noticed that Kael'thar's eyes flickered whenever the white light from the crystal - key got too close. "His eyes!" he shouted to his companions. "That's his weak point!"Shen Qingluan concentrated, and a focused beam of golden light shot towards Kael'thar's face. The sorcerer let out a scream of pain and raised his hands to protect his eyes. Taking advantage of the moment, Zhang Chengying and Su Nian charged forward, their weapons aimed at the exposed areas of his body.But Kael'thar was far from defeated. With a deafening roar, he unleashed a wave of dark energy that sent everyone flying. The wall of fire behind him grew taller and hotter, and the shadowy creatures that had been held at bay began to advance once again.As Chen Jiuzhang struggled to his feet, he felt a strange connection to the crystal - key. Images flashed through his mind—visions of his 二叔 using the key in a similar battle, of ancient warriors combining their powers to defeat a great evil."Everyone, join hands!" he shouted. "We need to combine our powers if we're going to defeat him!"The group, battered and bruised but determined, linked their hands. Shen Qingluan's golden light, Zhang Chengying's electric charge, Su Nian's chained energy, Wu Laogou's mystical talismans, and Luna's starlight - infused power all flowed into Chen Jiuzhang and the crystal - key.The key glowed with an intensity that lit up the entire passageway. A massive beam of multicolored light shot towards Kael'thar, and this time, the sorcerer couldn't escape. He let out a final, ear - piercing scream as the light consumed him, leaving behind nothing but a pile of ash.But the victory was short - lived. The wall of fire began to crumble, revealing a deeper, more ominous passageway. And from within, a new, more powerful energy began to stir, promising even greater challenges ahead.
Chapter 49 - Chapter 50: The Battle Against Kael'thar
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