The Benefactor Descends to Save the Day
Xuanjizi radiated an immortal aura with his flowing white beard, looking like a deity descended from the heavens.
His hands moved in a blur, forming a series of profound hand seals as golden light burst forth like sharp arrows, precisely intercepting the billowing waves of black mist unleashed by the robed elder.
Seeing this, a flash of surprise crossed the robed elder's face before he sneered, "Ha! Where did this old man come from? Mind your own business!" The dark energy surrounding him intensified, spreading an eerie, evil aura that seemed to freeze the very air.
At the sight, a small spark of hope ignited in Lu Yao's heart as she gasped, "Wow! This old man is amazing!" The taut lines on Ma Lin's face relaxed slightly as well, and the others wore expressions of joy, knowing they were saved!
Realizing his first strike had failed, the robed elder unleashed his black energy like an untamed horse, transforming it into towering waves that surged madly toward Xuanjizi.
Unflustered, Xuanjizi instantly erected a golden barrier in front of himself, remaining completely motionless despite the churning dark tide.
"Trifling tricks!" Xuanjizi scoffed coldly.
The robed elder summoned several ferocious-looking dark demonic beasts that let out deafening roars and lunged at Xuanjizi.
With a wave of Xuanjizi's horsetail whisk, silver light flashed, and the demonic beasts were instantly sent flying like struck balls, letting out wails of agony.
Everyone watched in utter astonishment, mentally shouting praise!
Just at this critical juncture, Lu Yao suddenly burst forth with incredible speed, charging forward like an arrow released from a bow. Before the others could react, she was already standing right in front of the robed elder.
Ma Lin's heart skipped a beat; he tried to grab her, but he was a step too late, left to watch helplessly as Lu Yao rushed ahead.
Fixing her gaze on the robed elder, she radiated a fierce momentum, gathering all her strength to unleash a full-powered strike against him.
This blow carried her unshakeable belief in victory, as well as the shocked gazes of everyone present.
Seeing Lu Yao rush right up to him, the robed elder's mouth curved into a grim, sinister grin, as though he were looking at an over-ambitious ant.
Just as Lu Yao's fist was about to reach him, he casually flicked his hand, and a powerful surge of dark energy instantly struck her in the chest.
"Pfft!" Lu Yao flew backward like a kite with a snapped string, slamming hard into the stone wall behind her with a dull thud.
"Yaoyao!" Ma Lin's pupils contracted sharply as he lunged forward, catching the falling Lu Yao securely in his arms.
A trickle of blood spilled from the corner of Lu Yao's mouth, her face as pale as paper, and her breathing grew weak and faint, her eyes filled with shock and frustration.
Ma Lin held her tenderly, his usually expressionless face now fraught with fury, the air pressure around him dropping so low it felt as though it would freeze into ice.
The surrounding atmosphere instantly plunged to its freezing point, tense as the calm before a storm, chilling everyone to the bone.
Seeing Lu Yao injured, Xuanjizi bellowed angrily, "Today, this old man shall uphold justice on behalf of the heavens!" A massive pillar of golden light instantly condensed before him, radiating with boundless brilliance like a descending deity, awe-inspiring to behold.
Sensing this formidable power, the robed elder's face turned pale instantly, cold sweat beading on his forehead as his eyes widened in terror and his heart surged with panic.
Xuanjizi pointed his hand forward, and the golden pillar of light swept toward the robed elder with overwhelming force. Powerless to resist, the robed elder was instantly swallowed by the golden radiance.
Seeing this, the others broke into cheers, and a joyful atmosphere filled the entire space.
Ma Lin carefully cradled the injured Lu Yao, comforting her in a soft voice, his eyes filled with gentleness and worry.
Resting against Ma Lin's chest and feeling his warm embrace, Lu Yao felt an immense sense of security.
Suyi and Lin Yue also gathered around, anxiously inquiring about Lu Yao's injuries. This warm scene melted away the previous tension, filling the surroundings with human warmth.
Just as everyone thought the crisis had passed, a sudden change occurred!
The robed elder, who had been swallowed by the golden pillar of light, suddenly let out a shrill, frantic laugh. The dark energy around him surged violently, ballooning like a black sun before exploding instantly.
"Hehehe, you want to kill me? Not that easily! Then let's all die together!" The robed elder's voice sounded like demonic music straight from hell, chilling everyone to the bone.
An immensely powerful dark energy instantly radiated outward, carrying with it a destructive aura that threatened everything.
Seeing this, Xuanjizi's expression changed, and he hurriedly formed seals once more, attempting to block this terrifying power.
However, just as Xuanjizi finished forming his seals, his protective barrier began to crumble under the impact of the dark energy...