The Flame Soul Crystal hovered above the altar, its radiance blazing like a fiercely burning sea of fire, so dazzling that the surrounding air rippled with layers of distorted heat waves. The attacks of the Black-robed Man grew increasingly fierce, his ten fingers curved like hooks. With every sweep, shadowy black claws tore through the air, trailing wisps of decaying black smoke as they lunged for Xu Tiancai's throat and chest.
Xu Tiancai flashed aside swiftly, his Stellar Sword dancing into a screen of light before him. The sword shadows were impenetrable, and the clanging of metal rang out incessantly, resembling a torrential downpour beating against a bronze bell. Yet the Black-robed Man's bizarre power seemed to possess an adhesive quality. Although the sword shadows blocked the ferocious claw strikes, wisps of dark energy snaked along the blade, encroaching upon his arm. He immediately felt a wave of icy numbness, as though a hundred ants were gnawing at his heart. "Hmph, a petty trick!" he let out a low shout, channeling the Starlight Power within his body like a roaring river reversing into his right arm, forcefully driving back the dark energy until it dissipated into wisps of blue smoke.
A'gang seized the gap in the Black-robed Man's attack, his muscles taut and veins bulging like coiled, angry dragons. Wielding the Battle Axe with the force of a thousand jun, he brought it down in a chop. The blade sliced through the air, emitting a sharp whistle like the cry of …
Chapter 296