Chapter 56 - Chapter 57: The Battle for the Heart

The dark energy wave rushed towards the group like a tidal wave of pure malevolence, its surface rippling with tendrils of shadow that seemed to reach out and grasp at the air. Shen Qingluan let out a cry of desperation, her hands shaking as she tried to raise the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal once more. The golden light that flickered to life was weak and uneven, a pale imitation of its former strength.​Luna leaped in front of the group, her starlight - woven gown flaring as she channeled every ounce of her remaining energy. Her hands traced intricate patterns in the air, and a shield of silver light materialized, but it buckled under the pressure of the dark energy, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. "I... I can't hold it for long!" she gasped, her face drained of color.​Zhang Chengying scrambled to his feet, his eyes searching frantically for his fallen sword. Su Nian, seeing his struggle, threw him her chain, and he caught it mid - air. With a determined grunt, he swung the chain at the encroaching darkness, but the tendrils merely wrapped around it and yanked, nearly pulling him off his feet.​Wu Laogou, his face etched with fear, fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a small, vial filled with a glowing powder. "This better work," he muttered, and with a flick of his wrist, he threw the powder into the path of the dark energy. The powder exploded in a shower of sparks, creating a momentary distraction, but the wave continued its relentless advance.​Chen Jiuzhang, his gaze fixed on the shadowy figure, felt the crystal - key in his hand vibrating violently. The white and black - mixed light that had disrupted the metallic creatures earlier began to swirl around him, growing stronger with each passing second. Images flashed through his mind—visions of ancient battles, of warriors who had faced similar darkness and triumphed.​"Everyone, focus!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to combine our powers and hit it with everything we've got!"​He closed his eyes and delved deep into the connection with the crystal - key, drawing on the energy of his companions and the artifact itself. Shen Qingluan, her teeth gritted, poured the last of her energy into the Imperial Jade Seal, sending a stream of golden light towards the key. Zhang Chengying and Su Nian, their hands clasped together, channeled their strength, and Wu Laogou added the remnants of his mystical energy.​Luna, her shield on the verge of shattering, released a final burst of starlight - infused power. The crystal - key absorbed all the energy, its glow intensifying until it was a blinding beacon in the midst of the darkness.​With a mighty roar, Chen Jiuzhang unleashed the combined power of the key, sending a massive beam of multicolored light towards the shadowy figure and the oncoming wave of dark energy. The two forces collided in a cataclysmic explosion, the shockwave knocking everyone off their feet.​When the smoke cleared, the shadowy figure stood at the center of the platform, its cloak torn and tattered. The staff in its hand was cracked, but its grip on it remained firm. "You think you can defeat me so easily?" it sneered, and with a wave of its hand, it summoned a horde of smaller, shadow - like creatures from the ground.​But Chen Jiuzhang was ready. He could feel a newfound confidence coursing through his veins, a power that he knew was not just his own, but the collective strength of his companions. "We're not going to let you stop us," he said, his voice steady and resolute. "We will reach the Heart of the Realm and restore the balance."​As the new wave of creatures charged towards them, the group readied themselves for the next phase of the battle, their determination unwavering in the face of the seemingly insurmountable odds.