Just as everyone thought victory was within reach and their taut nerves began to relax, the Skeleton Warlord was seemingly reawakened by some dark power. It violently jerked its head back, letting out a deafening roar even more feral than before—a sound that seemed to pierce the soul and made the surrounding air shudder. In an instant, the black radiance around its body flared up once more like surging black flames, dazzlingly bright and casting an oppressive aura that caused everyone's breath to catch. Its limbs thrashed wildly, muscles straining as it fought desperately, until it actually ripped its legs free from the mysterious swamp cast by Bai Zhi. Thick black mud splattered everywhere, landing on the surrounding ground and the remains of Skeleton Warriors with a sizzling sound, as if being corroded.
Lu Chen had just landed from his previous attack, his feet not yet steady on the ground, and his posture still slightly unsteady. The Skeleton Warlord swung its massive battle axe and lunged at him like a rabid beast. Wherever the battle axe passed, the air seemed torn apart by a sharp blade, letting out a piercing, screeching wail like the prelude to death. Lu Chen's expression shifted drastically, a flash of tension crossing his eyes, but years of combat experience allowed him to react swiftly. He gripped his greatsword with both hands, channeling golden battle qi in front of him to form a defensive barrier. Even so, the sheer impact of the battle axe forced him back step by step, leaving deep footprints in the ground with every stride, while his arms throbbed with dull aches from the block.
Seizing the moment when the Skeleton Warlord attacked Lu Chen with all its might, a flash of determination crossed Lin Xiu's eyes. He quickly focused his mind, using his will to command his Shadow Clone to charge straight at the Skeleton Warlord from the front. The clone's movements mirrored his own—agile and swift, the phantom dagger in its hand gleaming faintly, instantly drawing the Skeleton Warlord's attention. Meanwhile, making use of this precious opportunity, Lin Xiu slipped around to the flank like a ghost. His figure flickered in and out of view in the dark, resembling a wisp of shadow in the night sky. With his knees slightly bent and muscles coiled like springs, a dense surge of shadow energy gathered on his dagger, shrouded in a dark curse, waiting only for the optimal moment to deliver a fatal strike.
Su Yu stood a short distance back, her gaze resolute and focused, her forehead beaded with fine sweat that did not detract from her movements in the slightest. She swiftly drew a specialized arrow from her quiver, notching it and drawing the bow with steady hands in one fluid motion. This time, she took a deep breath, gathered all her strength into her palms, and slowly infused her surging battle qi into the arrow. As she did so, the arrow ignited with a dazzling brilliance, resembling a star on the verge of exploding. With a sharp look in her eyes, Su Yu released the string. Empowered by formidable strength and light, the arrow streaked toward the Skeleton Warlord like a shooting star piercing the night sky. However, the Skeleton Warlord seemed to possess some extraordinary perceptive ability; the moment before the arrow struck, it violently swung its battle axe. With a deafening clang, the arrow was batted away, embedding itself diagonally into the ground nearby and kicking up a spray of dust.
Bai Zhi's face was pale, mana exhaustion causing her body to tremble slightly, yet an indomitable resilience shone in her eyes. She knew the battle had reached a critical juncture and she could not afford the slightest slack. Enduring her physical weakness, she closed her eyes and chanted an ancient, mystical incantation. As she chanted, the voice seemed to travel from a distant time and space, carrying a mysterious rhythm. The ruins' floor began to tremble faintly—at first a subtle vibration, then growing increasingly pronounced. Mystical runes slowly emerged from beneath the ground, glowing with a strange light. Ancient and complex in shape, they seemed pregnant with endless mysteries. The runes gradually converged beneath the Skeleton Warlord's feet, forming an invisible net as they attempted to bind it tightly.
Sensing the threat of the runes, the Skeleton Warlord's eyes flashed with rage and terror. It let out manic roars, swinging its battle axe wildly in an attempt to shatter the binding runes. Each sweep of the battle axe whipped up powerful currents of air, forming miniature whirlwinds that blasted the scattered remains of the Skeleton Warriors in all directions, some even pulverized by the turbulent air.
Spotting the opening, Lin Xiu's eyes flashed with cold light. He instantly triggered Shadow Strike, his body transforming into a black phantom that zipped toward the Skeleton Warlord's backside at blinding speed. Leaping high into the air, his dagger, laden with potent shadow energy like a bolt of black lightning, viciously plunged into the Skeleton Warlord's back. This time, the blade successfully pierced its body. With a muffled thud, black fluid gushed from the wound, releasing a sickening stench reminiscent of the abyss of hell, nearly making everyone retch.
Seeing this, a surge of fighting spirit welled up in Lu Chen. Refusing to be outdone, he let out a roar that resounded across the entire battlefield. He raised his greatsword high, the blade glowing with golden light as the golden battle qi around him burned to its absolute limit, resembling a dazzling sun. Pouring every ounce of his strength into the greatsword without reservation, he pushed off the ground hard, launching himself like a cannonball to slash at the Skeleton Warlord's neck. The air itself seemed torn apart by his momentum, hissing sharply.
Detecting mortal peril, the Skeleton Warlord tried to evade Lu Chen's attack, but the runes binding its feet made its movements sluggish and clumsy. It twisted its body frantically, yet could not entirely dodge the fatal blow. Lu Chen's greatsword crashed heavily against its neck with a dull, concussive roar, sounding like a boulder smashing into steel. A deep fissure opened on the Skeleton Warlord's neck, flashing with black light. Its massive frame began to sway precariously, trembling as though it could topple over at any second.
Su Yu seized this prime opportunity, a flash of excitement in her eyes. She swiftly drew several arrows from her quiver, nocked them to the string, and released them in rapid succession. Each arrow carried her hopes and strength, flying like a volley of shooting stars to strike precisely into the Skeleton Warlord's wounds. The instant the arrows pierced the flesh, black fluid splattered, eliciting a series of agonized screeches from the beast.
Bai Zhi also ramped up her mana output, gripping her staff tightly as the gemstone at its tip blazed with an intensity that made it almost blinding. As her mana poured in, the runes on the ground flared brilliantly, their lines growing sharper as they locked the Skeleton Warlord firmly in place, rendering its struggles increasingly futile.
Under their combined assault, the Skeleton Warlord could hold out no longer. It let out a reluctant roar filled with despair and rage. Then, its massive form slowly toppled over, crashing heavily to the earth like a collapsing mountain and kicking up a sky-filling cloud of dust. The entire ground quaked as if struck by a minor earthquake.
[Experience points gained: 5000]
[Level increased to Level 22]
[Rare material obtained: Battle Soul Crystal]
The four of them slumped onto the ground, panting heavily. Sweat soaked their clothes, and their bodies were covered in battle scars. This fight had been even more arduous than they imagined, but relying on unyielding willpower and tacit teamwork, they had successfully triumphed over the formidable Skeleton Warlord.
After resting for a moment, Lu Chen was the first to rise. His legs were still somewhat weak, but his gaze was resolute and burning. Looking toward the gates of the ruins, he said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Now, we can finally enter the ruins."
As they slowly approached, the previously sealed gates seemed to sense their arrival and drifted open. An ancient, mysterious aura washed over them, laden with the vicissitudes of time and an unknown allure. Beyond the threshold lay a deep, dim corridor, its walls inlaid with faintly glowing gemstones. Though dim, the light was enough to illuminate the path ahead, dancing along the stone walls as if whispering ancient tales.
The four of them stepped cautiously into the corridor, their footsteps falling softly as if afraid to disturb the mystical presence lingering within these ancient ruins. They did not know what awaited them ahead—whether deadlier challenges, long-hidden treasures, or the crucial secret that would alter their destiny. Yet their eyes were filled with determination and anticipation; it was the urge to explore an unknown world and the brave pursuit of their own fate. At the end of the corridor seemed to lie a profound secret, one that might completely transform their destiny in this otherworldly realm and kickstart a brand-new adventure.