Shadowy Ancient Castle

Black light struck like poisonous snakes. Ning Xiaochuan grabbed Su Linger, and they rolled to avoid it. The Sacred Spirit Dragon soared into the sky, spitting a breath of dragon fire to intercept the follow-up attacks.

"We're exposed!" Su Linger quickly got up, an ice crystal longsword already in her hand. "What do we do?"

Ning Xiaochuan rapidly surveyed the terrain: a steep cliff on the left, the entrance to Shadowy Valley on the right, and Han Li approaching rapidly with over a dozen black-robed figures in front of them.

"Into the valley!" he decided instantly. "Since we've been found, we might as well barge in!"

Su Linger understood. They both leaped onto a Cloud Wing Beast at the same time. The Sacred Spirit Dragon swooped down and landed on Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder. The three of them took to the sky before the black-robed figures could surround them, heading straight for Shadowy Valley!

"Stop them!" Han Li's roar came from behind. "At all costs!"

Dozens of black lights shot up from the ground. The Cloud Wing Beast dodged skillfully, but several grazed its wings, instantly corroding its snow-white feathers and turning them black. Ning Xiaochuan's mount let out a pained cry, its flight altitude plummeting.

"No, they can't hold on!" Su Linger anxiously watched her own Cloud Wing Beast begin to sway.

Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth. "Prepare to jump! Hide immediately once we're in the valley!"

The three of them leaped off at a hundred zhang from the valley entrance, while the Cloud Wing Beasts continued flying forward to draw away the pursuers. Ning Xiaochuan released Sacred Source Power in mid-air to slow their descent, catching Su Linger, who couldn't fly. The Sacred Spirit Dragon spread its wings and glided, landing in the black mist first.

"Hold your breath!" Ning Xiaochuan warned. "The mist is poisonous!"

The two of them and the dragon plunged into the thick black mist, their vision instantly reduced to less than three steps. Ning Xiaochuan activated Sacred Source Vision, barely able to make out the silhouettes within ten zhang—craggy strange rocks, twisted dead trees, and eerie bubbles occasionally emerging from the ground.

"This place..." Su Linger stayed close to him, her voice taut. "Even the Source Qi is polluted."

Indeed, Ning Xiaochuan felt the Sacred Source Power within him circulate sluggishly, as if being suppressed by something. The Sacred Spirit Dragon also seemed restless, its scales occasionally bristling, spitting small puffs of dragon fire to dispel the approaching black mist.

"Han Li and the others didn't follow us in," Ning Xiaochuan listened intently. "Either they don't dare, or..."

"Or there's something more terrifying inside the valley," Su Linger finished his sentence, her hand unconsciously tightening on her sword hilt.

The two proceeded cautiously. The black mist grew thicker as they went deeper, until even Sacred Source Vision could only see three steps ahead. Strange skeletons began appearing on the ground—some clearly human, others resembling the remains of some giant insect.

"Watch your step," Ning Xiaochuan suddenly stopped Su Linger. "There's a trap."

He pointed to a nearly invisible thin line on the ground. Following the line, it connected to an intricate mechanical crossbow, its arrowhead glowing with an eerie green light.

"This is the Black Tide's style," Su Linger identified. "It seems they've been active here... My Book City."

Bypassing the trap, they found a man-made path ahead, leading deeper into the valley. Strange sacs hung from the dead trees lining the path, swaying gently with the movement of the black mist.

"Don't touch those," Ning Xiaochuan stopped the curious Sacred Spirit Dragon. "They might be World Devourer eggs."

As he spoke, a harsh metallic grinding sound suddenly came from the distance, like a massive mechanism being activated. Immediately after, Han Li's voice, amplified by some device, echoed throughout the valley:

"Ning Xiaochuan, I know you can hear me! I'll see you at the ancient castle, if you can survive long enough to get there! Hahaha..."

Before the laughter died down, the ground suddenly began to shake! Rocks tumbled down from the mountain walls on both sides, and the sacs burst one after another, revealing countless black beetles the size of fists!

"Gold Devouring Insects!" Su Linger's face turned pale. "Run!"

The three of them sprinted along the path, the beetles surging behind them like a tide. Worse still, blurred humanoid shadows began to appear in the black mist, wielding various weapons and blocking their path.

Ning Xiaochuan tried to use Sacred Source Power, but found its effectiveness greatly reduced. A beam of golden light shot out, only shattering the first few beetles, and the ones behind immediately filled the gap.

"The mist contains something that suppresses Source Qi!" he gritted his teeth. "Conserve your strength!"

Su Linger's ice crystal longsword also had its power greatly diminished; each swing could only freeze a small area. The Sacred Spirit Dragon's dragon breath was effective, but its range was limited.

"There's light ahead!" Su Linger suddenly pointed to the end of the path.

Indeed, the black mist thinned there, and the silhouette of a Gothic castle could be vaguely seen. The three quickened their pace, but just as they were about to break through the black mist, the ground suddenly collapsed!

"Trap!" Ning Xiaochuan only had time to shout a warning before he and Su Linger plummeted into a deep pit.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon urgently ascended, narrowly avoiding the fall, and circled anxiously above. The bottom of the pit was covered in spikes. Ning Xiaochuan twisted his body in mid-air, unleashing his Sacred Source Power to its fullest, forming a cushioning air cushion.

"Bang!"

They landed heavily on the cushion. Though not impaled, the impact made Ning Xiaochuan's vision go black. Su Linger fared no better; her right leg was cut by a spike, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound.

"Are you alright?" Ning Xiaochuan helped her sit up, quickly checking her injuries.

Su Linger gritted her teeth and shook her head. "It's not serious." But her pale face betrayed her.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon tried to fly down to rescue them but was blocked by a suddenly appearing metal net. Worse still, black viscous fluid began to seep from the pit walls, rapidly spreading towards the bottom!

"Corrosive fluid!" Ning Xiaochuan immediately recognized it as identical to what the Gray Robe Elder used. "We have to get out immediately!"

He tried to use Sacred Source Power to lift them both up, but there seemed to be some kind of restriction at the bottom of the pit, greatly weakening his power. The fluid had already reached their feet, and their boots began to smoke.

"Use this!" Su Linger suddenly untied a silver thin chain from her waist—the hair tie given by the Cloud Wing Beast!

She flung the hair tie towards the pit wall. The thin chain surprisingly extended automatically, its tip like a hook firmly gripping a protruding rock.

"Hold onto me!" Su Linger wrapped her arms around Ning Xiaochuan's waist and leaped up using the hair tie's strength!

The hair tie was unexpectedly tough, withstanding their weight as it continuously retracted and pulled them upward. The fluid churned below, narrowly missing Su Linger's boot.

"The Cloud Wing's gift saved our lives," Ning Xiaochuan sighed.

Seeing her master escape danger, the Sacred Spirit Dragon immediately swooped down and spat dragon fire, burning through the metal net. The three were finally reunited and continued towards the ancient castle.

The black mist miraculously dissipated around the ancient castle, as if an invisible barrier existed. In the moonlight, Ning Xiaochuan saw the peculiar nature of the building—the entire castle was built from a black stone, its surface covered in honeycomb-like holes, from which black mist occasionally entered and exited, as if... breathing?

"This isn't an ordinary building," Su Linger's voice grew tense. "It might be alive."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a nervous "chū chū" sound, its small claws gripping Ning Xiaochuan's collar.

The castle gate was wide open, as if inviting them in. Inside was a long corridor, with eerie portraits on both walls—not of people or landscapes, but of contorted, suffering faces. The eye sockets held real eyeballs that turned to follow the trio as they moved!

"The World Devourers' twisted sense of humor," Ning Xiaochuan suppressed his discomfort. "Watch out for traps."

At the end of the corridor was a circular hall. In the center, a massive black crystal floated, identical to the one on the Gray Robe Elder's chest, only dozens of times larger. Below the crystal stood Han Li and over twenty black-robed figures, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

"Welcome to the Shadowy Ancient Castle, Son of Sacred Source," Han Li's voice was no longer disguised, filled with madness. "Or rather, your grave!"

Ning Xiaochuan noticed that Han Li's right eye had turned pure black, with no sclera or pupil, forming a disturbing contrast with his normal left eye.

"Han Li, you defected to the World Devourers for this?" Ning Xiaochuan tried to stall for time, secretly observing their surroundings. "An ugly eye?"

"Foolish!" Han Li stroked his right eye. "This is a gift from the gods! It allows me to see the truth of the world!"

He suddenly raised his hand, and a beam of black light shot towards the black crystal. The crystal vibrated violently, releasing a piercing sound wave, and the entire castle trembled!

"Not good!" Ning Xiaochuan immediately activated the Sacred Source Shield, blocking the sonic attack. "He's activating something!"

Images began to appear on the crystal's surface—the Primal Gate was being assaulted by some force, and cracks were widening! Even more terrifying, countless dark shadows writhed on the other side of the gate, ready to surge through at any moment.

"Do you see?" Han Li cackled. "When the twin moons bleed, the Primal Gate will shatter! And you will witness this moment!"

With his command, the black-robed figures attacked simultaneously. At the same time, the castle's walls and ceiling began to writhe, extending countless black tentacles!

"Primal Covenant!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted, and the three immediately activated their soul link.

But this time, the fusion process was exceptionally difficult. The castle was filled with a field that suppressed Sacred Source Power, and the three's energy flow was like sinking into a swamp.

"It's useless!" Han Li approached triumphantly. "The Shadowy Ancient Castle is a stronghold left by the World Devourers a thousand years ago, specifically designed to counter your Sacred Origin Tribe!"

Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth and persisted, finally managing to complete the fusion. However, the resulting energy body was much weaker than before, only enough to sustain them for a few minutes.

"End this quickly!" he transmitted to Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon through their link.

The three cooperated seamlessly. Ning Xiaochuan focused on attacking Han Li, Su Linger engaged the black-robed figures, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon dealt with the disgusting tentacles. The battle was fierce and brief, and the fused state soon dissolved due to energy depletion.

"Hahaha! Is that all you've got?" Han Li was injured, but the black crystal continuously supplied him with energy. "It seems the Son of Sacred Source is nothing special!"

Ning Xiaochuan knelt on one knee, gasping for breath. The situation was worse than he had imagined—not only was the Primal Covenant suppressed, but even ordinary attacks were greatly weakened. Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon were also covered in wounds, barely holding on.

"Surrender," Han Li looked down at them. "Join us, and the Eye of the Deep Sea will grant you eternal life!"

Ning Xiaochuan suddenly smiled. "Eternal life? Like a half-human, half-ghost monster like you?"

Han Li's expression darkened. "You're seeking death!"

He lunged forward, and the black crystal simultaneously fired a thick beam of light, aimed directly at Ning Xiaochuan's heart! At the critical moment, the Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly pounced forward, blocking the attack with its body!

"Little one!" Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger cried out simultaneously.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon was struck by the black light, screeching in pain as it fell to the ground. Large patches of its scales peeled off, revealing corroded flesh beneath.

"No!" Ning Xiaochuan's heart ached, his Sacred Source Power boiling with rage!

An unprecedented power surged from the depths of his soul, no longer purely golden, but mixed with blue and white threads—the characteristics of Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon's power!

"You... how can you still use Source Qi?" Han Li recoiled in surprise.

Ning Xiaochuan didn't answer, but slowly walked forward. With each step, the light emanating from him grew stronger. By the time he reached the Sacred Spirit Dragon, the light had illuminated the entire hall!

He gently touched the little dragon's wound, and the mixed energy flowed automatically, beginning to repair the damage. The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a weak "chirp" and licked his finger.

"Impossible!" Han Li shouted hysterically. "The castle should suppress all Sacred Source Power!"

"You are mistaken," Ning Xiaochuan stood up, his eyes blazing with golden light. "This is not mere Sacred Source Power, but the soul resonance between the three of us. No force can suppress this bond."

Han Li frantically ordered all the black-robed figures and tentacles to attack, but it was too late. Ning Xiaochuan clasped his hands together, and the mixed energy erupted like a tsunami. Wherever it passed, the black-robed figures turned to dust, and the tentacles were reduced to powder!

"No! Divine Eye, save me!" Han Li desperately reached out to the black crystal.

The black crystal did respond, but not to save him—a beam of black light shot out, engulfing Han Li entirely and beginning to absorb his life force!

"Ah! No! I am your loyal..." Han Li's scream was cut short as his body collapsed like a dried husk.

After absorbing Han Li, the black crystal doubled in size and began to vibrate violently. The castle shook in response, and more black mist spewed from the holes in the walls.

"It's self-destructing!" Su Linger exclaimed. "The entire valley will be blown away!"

Ning Xiaochuan scooped up the Sacred Spirit Dragon. "Run!"

The three rushed towards the exit, the crisp sound of shattering crystal echoing behind them. A terrifying shockwave swept towards them, instantly tearing off the castle's roof!

"There's no time!" Ning Xiaochuan saw the exit just ahead, but the shockwave was already upon them.

At the last second, the Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly broke free from his embrace, turned, and unleashed a dragon's breath intertwined with gold and blue! The breath collided with the shockwave, creating a backward thrust that propelled the three out of the castle at high speed!

"Boom!"

Amidst the earth-shattering explosion, the entire Shadowy Valley was illuminated by fire. The shockwave sent the three flying hundreds of feet, crashing heavily onto the mountainside outside the valley.

Ning Xiaochuan struggled to his feet, his first action being to check on Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Su Linger had multiple abrasions but was otherwise unharmed; the Sacred Spirit Dragon had fallen unconscious from expending all its energy, but its vital signs were stable.

In the distance, the Shadowy Valley had become a sea of fire. The black mist was dispersed by the explosion, revealing a terrifying sight—in the ruins of the castle, a massive black vortex was forming, and the shadowy figures on the other side were faintly visible...

"A portal for the World Devourers..." Ning Xiaochuan's voice was hoarse. "Han Li used his life to activate it!"

Su Linger helped him to his feet. "We must report back to the Sacred Source Tower immediately!"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded, but as he looked around, the Cloud Wing Beasts were long gone. In their current state, walking back would take at least two days.

"Someone's coming!" Su Linger suddenly pointed to the sky, her voice filled with alarm.

Several black dots were rapidly approaching. Ning Xiaochuan initially thought they were pursuers, but he quickly recognized the Cloud Wing Beast leading them—it was a search and rescue team sent by Star Radiance!

"Your Highness!" The knight at the forefront landed and knelt on one knee. "High Priest Star Radiance sensed unusual activity in Shadowy Valley and specifically dispatched us to escort you!"

Ning Xiaochuan let out a long sigh. "You've arrived at the perfect time. We need to return to the tower immediately; the situation is worse than we imagined!"

As the Cloud Wing Beast carried the three of them into the sky, Ning Xiaochuan took one last look at Shadowy Valley. The black vortex had already expanded to a terrifying scale, and less than twenty days remained until the night of the twin blood moons