Chapter 52 - Chapter 53: Confronting the Mistress of Shadows

The shadowy warriors charged forward, their black - edged weapons slicing through the air with a menacing whistle. Chen Jiuzhang tightened his grip on the crystal - key, its glow intensifying as if in defiance of the encroaching darkness. "Everyone, stay together and watch each other's backs!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the circular chamber.​Shen Qingluan raised the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal, and a shield of golden light flickered to life, barely large enough to encompass the group. The first wave of shadowy warriors slammed into the shield, their weapons sending shockwaves through the barrier. Cracks spiderwebbed across the golden surface, and Shen Qingluan gritted her teeth, her face turning pale from the strain. "I can't hold this for long!"​Zhang Chengying leaped into action, his broken peachwood sword crackling with electricity. He aimed for the legs of one of the warriors, but his blade passed through the shadowy form, just as it had with the Watchers. Before he could react, a sword swung towards him, and he narrowly dodged, feeling the cold air of the blade's passage on his cheek.​Su Nian's chains lashed out, wrapping around the necks of two warriors. She pulled with all her might, but they merely laughed, a cold and hollow sound, and snapped the chains as if they were made of twine. "Damn it!" she hissed, reaching for the spare links hidden in her belt.​Wu Laogou, puffing on his pipe, threw a series of talismans. They exploded in a shower of sparks, temporarily blinding the warriors in the front line. "This'll slow 'em down a bit!" he shouted, but his voice was filled with worry. He knew that the talismans wouldn't hold for long against such a horde.​Luna, her starlight - woven gown flickering, launched a flurry of starlight - infused energy bolts at the Mistress of Shadows. The bolts hit the translucent figure, but she merely laughed, her form dissipating and reforming in a different spot. "Your efforts are in vain, little girl. You cannot defeat me in my own domain."​Chen Jiuzhang focused on the crystal - key, trying to find a way to break through the shadowy warriors' intangible defenses. Images flashed through his mind—visions of his 二叔 using the key to create a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Taking a deep breath, he channeled all his energy into the key and shouted, "Light the path!"​A brilliant beam of white light shot out from the crystal - key, not only illuminating the chamber but also solidifying the shadowy warriors. Their forms became tangible, and Zhang Chengying and Su Nian wasted no time in launching their attacks. Zhang's sword finally made contact, and Su Nian's chains wrapped around their limbs, dragging them to the ground.​But the Mistress of Shadows was enraged. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a massive wall of shadowy tendrils that shot towards the group. Luna quickly stepped forward, her hands tracing intricate patterns in the air. A barrier of silver light formed, but the tendrils pushed against it with incredible force, slowly overpowering her defenses.​As the battle raged on, Chen Jiuzhang could feel the crystal - key growing hotter in his hand. It was as if the artifact was reaching its limit. Looking at the Mistress of Shadows, he realized that they needed to target her directly if they wanted to end this battle. "I'll distract her! The rest of you, find a way to break through her defenses!" he shouted.​Running towards the Mistress of Shadows, Chen Jiuzhang unleashed a continuous stream of light from the crystal - key. The woman turned her attention to him, her blood - red eyes narrowing. "You think you can challenge me, mortal?" she hissed, and a wave of dark energy rushed towards him.​But Chen Jiuzhang was ready. He channeled the power of the key to create a shield of light, and the dark energy crashed against it, sending him flying backward. However, his sacrifice gave the others an opportunity. Shen Qingluan, Zhang Chengying, and Su Nian charged forward, their attacks coordinated. Wu Laogou threw his most powerful talisman, and Luna launched a final, concentrated blast of starlight.​The combined assault hit the Mistress of Shadows, and her form wavered. But she was far from defeated, and with a final, ear - piercing scream, she prepared to unleash a power that could destroy them all.