The Shadow Attacks

Chapter 27: The Shadow Attacks. Just as Mu Chen and the others were about to leave the ruins, a familiar, heart-chilling aura of evil swept toward them from behind. They spun around and saw that the mysterious shadow, which had already dissipated, had appeared again. This time, its presence was even more ferocious than before, like a vengeful spirit returned from the depths of hell. The dark spiritual energy surrounding the shadow burned fiercely like black flames, its figure flickering in and out of sight within that shroud of power. Its featureless "face" seemed to be staring at Mu Chen and the others, radiating endless malice. Before anyone could react, the shadow attacked. With a sweep of its arms, it sent countless black spiritual energy arrows raining toward them. The arrows were blindingly fast, streaking through the air in black trails. Each carried tremendous destructive power, as though it could pierce any defense. Mu Chen's heart jolted, and he hurriedly shouted, "Everyone, watch out! Defend yourselves!" At the same time, he swiftly formed hand seals and raised a Spiritual Energy Shield before him. Runes flickered across its surface; this was a unique defensive method he had developed by combining several cultivation techniques. The other cultivators unleashed their defensive skills as well, and shields of every color lit up throughout the ruins. The black spiritual energy arrows battered the shields like a torrential downpour, producing a dense succession of impacts. Every strike made the shields tremble, and those belonging to some of the weaker cultivators began to crack under the barrage. "We can't just defend! We have to fight back!" Mu Chen shouted. His hands rapidly formed seals as he fused the spiritual energy within him with Star Power and unleashed First Glimmer of Starlight from Star Transformation. His spiritual energy transformed into sharp blades gleaming with starlight and shot toward the shadow. The other cultivators attacked as well. Beams of spiritual energy, fiery tornadoes, enormous frost blades, and all manner of other offensive skills blasted toward the shadow. Yet it neither dodged nor retreated. Black mist churned over its body, and their attacks struck it like clay oxen sinking into the sea, stirring only a ripple through the mist without inflicting any real damage. "How is this possible? Our attacks don't work on it?" one cultivator said in terror. Mu Chen knitted his brows. He knew the shadow had to possess some special defensive mechanism. While maintaining his shield against the spiritual energy arrows, he carefully watched the changes in the shadow. He noticed that whenever it was struck, the black mist swiftly flowed to the point of impact and dissipated the force of the attack. "Attack its mist! That might be the key to its defense!" Mu Chen shouted. Everyone changed tactics, concentrating their strength on the black mist surrounding the shadow. Their offensive skills rained down on it, and at last, through their combined efforts, they tore a small opening in the mist. The shadow seemed enraged that its defense had been breached and let out a low roar. The sound struck their minds as though it had physical substance. Some of the weaker cultivators immediately turned pale, clutching their heads and groaning in agony. "Steady your minds! Don't let it affect you!" Mu Chen bellowed. He forcibly circulated his spiritual energy to protect his own mind and those of his companions. At the same time, he seized the opening in the shadow's defense and charged toward it. As he closed in, Mu Chen constantly dodged the black spiritual energy arrows. Using nimble footwork, he darted through the rain of arrows like a phantom. Once he was near the shadow, he compressed the spiritual energy within him to its utmost limit, then drove a punch toward its core. The punch carried his powerful spiritual energy and soul power. Wind howled around his fist, and the surrounding air cracked explosively under the crushing force. The shadow sensed Mu Chen's attack and tried to restore its defense with black mist, but it was already too late. His fist slammed into its core. The shadow let out a piercing scream and flew backward. Yet it had not been defeated. After steadying itself in midair, it lunged toward Mu Chen and the others again. This time, its body changed. Its indistinct human shape became even more twisted, and its limbs grew long and slender, like sharp claws. Its attacks became faster as well, and in an instant, it was upon them. The shadow swung its claws at the nearest cultivator. The terrified cultivator tried to dodge, but it was far too fast. Its claws slashed across his shoulder, and blood immediately spurted out. He screamed and fell to the ground. "Everyone, be careful! It's gotten stronger!" Mu Chen shouted. He unleashed Star Transformation again, this time using Surging Star River. A small phantom star river appeared around him, and the Star Power within it erupted along with his attack. He swung a sword at the shadow, delivering an immensely powerful slash infused with the strength of the star river. Sensing the threat of the strike, the shadow blocked with its claws. Clang! Sword and claws collided, throwing off a dazzling burst of light. The tremendous impact forced both the shadow and Mu Chen back several steps. The other cultivators joined the battle, fighting desperately against the shadow. The clash grew fiercer, spiritual light intertwining with black mist and illuminating the entire ruins. As the battle wore on, the shadow's attacks became increasingly savage. Wherever its claws passed, they left deep gouges, and several more cultivators were injured. Anxiety burned within Mu Chen. He knew that if this continued, they would all die here. He had to find the shadow's weakness and destroy it completely, as quickly as possible. During one close encounter, he spotted a black rune flickering in and out of sight at the shadow's core. It radiated powerful, evil spiritual energy, and he suspected it might be the source of the shadow's strength. "Attack the rune at its core!" Mu Chen shouted to his companions. Hearing his words, everyone directed their attacks toward the shadow's core rune. All manner of offensive skills surged toward it like a tide. The shadow tried to protect the rune, blocking their attacks with its body and black mist, but the barrage was too dense and relentless for it to fend off easily. Under their sustained assault, the black mist surrounding the core rune began to dissipate. The rune gradually grew unstable, flickering faster and faster. The shadow let out a desperate roar and attacked them frantically, trying to stop them from continuing their assault on the rune. Mu Chen seized the right moment, gathered all his spiritual energy, and unleashed Wrath of the Starry Firmament. A complete phantom starry firmament condensed around his body, containing vast Star Power. With a thunderous shout, he blasted that power toward the rune at the shadow's core. The strike was tremendously powerful, like a burning meteor crashing into the earth. When Wrath of the Starry Firmament struck the rune, it blazed with an utterly dazzling light, then shattered in a violent explosion. The shadow gave one final scream. Its body rapidly dissipated, turning into a cloud of black mist before vanishing completely into the air. With the shadow gone, the attacks within the ruins ceased as well. The black spiritual energy arrows disappeared, and the wounded cultivators breathed sighs of relief. But they were all utterly exhausted; the battle had nearly drained their spiritual energy. "It's finally over," one cultivator said weakly. "I hope it really is over this time. We need to get out of here quickly and go back to check on the Spirit Road," Mu Chen said. Taking their wounded companions with them, they left the ruins. The moment they emerged, sunlight spilled over them, feeling especially warm. Yet they knew that this incident had dealt the Spirit Road a grievous wound. There was still much they needed to do, and they had no idea whether other hidden dangers lay in wait.