Just as Lin Feng's strength surged after obtaining the treasure, a violent tremor suddenly erupted from outside the ruins. The ground shook and rocks tumbled, as if the entire world were quaking. Everyone was startled, instantly turning alert.
"Not good, something new might be happening!" Elder Yun said with a solemn expression.
Everyone hurriedly rushed toward the exit of the ruins, and as they stepped outside, they were stunned by the scene before them. A group of Mysterious Figures clad in black armor had tightly surrounded the ruins, exuding a powerful and evil aura like demons from the darkness.
"Who are you people?" Lin Feng stepped forward and shouted loudly, his gaze filled with fearlessness.
From among the Mysterious Figures stepped a leader-like figure wearing a ferocious mask. The patterns on the mask were bizarre and terrifying, sending chills down one's spine. He sneered, "Hand over the treasure, or you will all die!"
Lin Feng glared at him and said resolutely, "In your dreams! We obtained this through untold hardship."
The Mysterious Leader waved his hand. "Attack, show them what we've got!"
In an instant, the Mysterious Figures swarmed toward them like a tide. Their weapons flashed with cold light, and their battle cries were deafening.
Lin Feng and Liu Yan showed no fear and immediately plunged into battle. Liu Yan executed her agile movement techniques, darting freely through the enemy ranks like a light swallow. Her short sword pierced straight for the vital spots of the enemies like a venomous snake, every strike precise and deadly, catching the enemy off guard. With a delicate cry, she shouted, "Take my sword!" and her short sword instantly pierced an enemy's throat.
Relying on his newly elevated strength, Lin Feng swung his long sword, sending sword qi flying in all directions. Every wave of sword qi contained immense power, beating back the enemies one by one. He shouted loudly, "Come on, you scoundrels!" But the enemies seemed endless, surging forward continuously.
Elder Yun was not to be outdone either, unleashing a powerful martial art. He condensed a ball of scorching flames between his hands and hurled it toward the enemies. Wherever the flames reached, the enemies were burned to ashes. However, there were experts among the enemy ranks as well; one of them deployed an ice-type martial art, clashing head-on with Elder Yun's flames. The collision of ice and fire produced massive energy fluctuations.
Yet, with the enemies so numerous and formidable, everyone gradually began to feel overwhelmed. They all sustained varying degrees of injuries, and their stamina was depleting rapidly.
"We can't keep going like this; we must find a way to break through!" Lin Feng shouted, sweat streaming down his cheeks.
Just then, the System's voice echoed in Lin Feng's mind: "Host, activating the power of the treasure can repel the enemy, but it comes with certain side effects and may cause you to fall into a brief unconsciousness."
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Feng resolutely decided to take the risk. He concentrated his mind and mobilized the power of the treasure within his body. Instantly, a mighty surge of energy erupted from him, forming a powerful shockwave that rippled outward with him at the center. The surrounding enemies were instantly blown back by this shockwave, some even vomiting blood and dying on the spot.
Upon seeing this, the Mysterious Leader's expression darkened. "I didn't expect you to have this trick up your sleeve. Still, do you think you can escape just like that?"
With that, he personally attacked, lunging at Lin Feng. Moving with extreme speed like a ghost, he appeared before Lin Feng in a flash and delivered a palm strike. This palm strike contained terrifying force, seemingly capable of tearing space apart. The wind of the palm whistled, carrying boundless pressure.
Lin Feng gritted his teeth and met the attack head-on, only to feel an immense force impact him. His body felt as though it had been struck by a heavy hammer, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying backward.
"Brother Lin!" Seeing Lin Feng injured, Liu Yan was frantic with worry and recklessly charged at the Mysterious Leader, wanting to buy time for Lin Feng.
"Yan'er, don't come over!" Lin Feng shouted, his voice filled with anxiety.
The Mysterious Leader swept his hand backward, a powerful force striking Liu Yan and sending her flying. She crashed heavily to the ground, her face pale.
Seeing Liu Yan injured, Lin Feng's anger flared, and the power within him erupted once more. His eyes turned blood-red, resembling an enraged lion. "I'll kill you!" He engaged the Mysterious Leader in a thrilling duel. The two exchanged blows fiercely, neither giving an inch. Every collision generated massive energy waves, and the surrounding space seemed on the verge of tearing apart.
Amidst the intense combat, Lin Feng gradually discovered a flaw in the Mysterious Leader. Seizing the opportunity, he unleashed an all-out strike, forcing the Mysterious Leader back. The Mysterious Leader retreated a few steps, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
"Now's our chance, let's go!" Lin Feng shouted loudly.
Led by Lin Feng, the group broke through in one direction. But the enemies pursued them closely from behind, launching continuous attacks.
Just when everyone thought they were about to escape, a massive barrier suddenly appeared ahead, blocking their path. This barrier flickered with a bizarre light, appearing utterly impassable.
"What is going on here?" someone cried out in despair.
Looking at the barrier, Lin Feng pondered a countermeasure. He tried attacking the barrier with his sword, only to find the blade bounced right back, the recoil numbing his arm.
At that moment, the Mysterious Leader caught up again, smiling triumphantly, "You can't escape! Hand over the treasure obediently!"
With a resolute gaze, Lin Feng said, "Even if we die, we won't let you succeed!"
At that very critical juncture, Liu Yan suddenly spotted a weak point in the barrier—a tiny spot where the flickering light was abnormal.
"Brother Lin, look there!" Liu Yan shouted.
Following the direction Liu Yan pointed, Lin Feng immediately understood her intent.
He once again mobilized the power of the treasure within him, channeling all his strength into his sword. The sword glowed with blinding radiance, and he threw himself into a final strike aimed squarely at the weak point.
Amidst a dazzling flash of light, the barrier finally shattered. A gap opened up, and taking advantage of the opening, the group rushed through and continued their desperate flight.
Yet, what they did not know was that an even greater conspiracy awaited them. Behind them, the Mysterious Leader watched the direction of their departure, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth...