Stepping Forward

The Black-Robed People's attacks swept toward Mu Chen and his squad like a raging tide. They brandished weapons that radiated black light, each swing sending out blades of black spiritual energy laden with corrosive power, hurtling straight at the group. Mu Chen's gaze sharpened. He knew he had to shoulder the responsibility of protecting his squad and his clan. "Don't panic! Form up and defend!" he shouted. His voice was steady and powerful, lending the squad members a measure of calm amid the tension. They swiftly assembled in the formation they had practiced, standing back-to-back and linking their spiritual energy to form a Spiritual Energy Shield. Mu Chen stood at the very front, his hands rapidly forming seals as he poured his spiritual energy into the shield to strengthen its defenses. Bolstered by everyone's spiritual energy, the shield shimmered with multicolored light, colliding with the incoming black spiritual energy blades in a succession of thunderous crashes. "These people won't be easy to deal with. We can't just defend-we have to find an opening to strike back!" Mu Chen maintained the shield while watching the rhythm of the Black-Robed People's attacks. He noticed that although their assault was fierce, their coordination was not seamless; there were tiny gaps in their timing. "Wait for my signal. We'll concentrate our attacks on the third Black-Robed Person from the left and throw off their rhythm," Mu Chen told his squad in a low voice. The squad members nodded slightly to show they understood. After another round of attacks, Mu Chen seized his moment and shouted, "Now!" He struck first, unleashing First Glimmer of Starlight from Star Transformation. A beam of spiritual energy imbued with Star Power shot toward the third Black-Robed Person from the left. The squad members unleashed their strongest attacks as well, their various spiritual energy techniques raining down on the target. The Black-Robed People had not expected such a sudden counterattack, much less one so concentrated. The targeted figure hurriedly raised his weapon to block, but the powerful barrage still drove him stumbling backward, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. Their attacking formation immediately fell into slight disarray. "This is our chance! Keep attacking!" Seizing the opening, Mu Chen led his squad onto the offensive. His figure flashed as he rushed toward the Black-Robed People like a phantom. Spiritual energy gathered in his hand, forming a longsword whose blade shimmered with starlight. He swung it and engaged them in close combat. Mu Chen's swordplay was fierce and ever-changing. He deftly used his movement techniques to evade their attacks while searching for openings. Every stroke carried powerful spiritual energy and Star Power, and every attack left a wound on a Black-Robed Person. The other squad members were also locked in fierce combat, both sides trading blows as the radiance of their spiritual energy intertwined before the cave. Yet the Black-Robed People were powerful opponents, and they soon regained their footing. One who appeared to be their leader let out a low roar, and they changed tactics. Rather than fighting individually, they began coordinating with one another, forming a ring in an attempt to trap Mu Chen and his squad inside. "Be careful! Don't let them surround us!" Mu Chen shouted. He tried to lead his squad through the encirclement, but the Black-Robed People's attacks were like walls of bronze and iron, making a breakthrough difficult. At this critical moment, Mu Chen calmed himself. He recalled his experiences facing all manner of powerful enemies on the Spirit Road. He knew that in a situation like this, he had to find the enemy's crucial weakness to turn the battle around. He began scrutinizing their movements and discovered that, as they maintained the encirclement, some of their spiritual energy was linked through the stone platform at the center. "The stone platform is the key! Destroy it!" Mu Chen shouted. He charged toward it, and the Black-Robed People rushed to intercept him. But he was extraordinarily fast, using nimble movement techniques to weave through their attacks. As he approached the stone platform, he encountered a particularly powerful Black-Robed Person. This opponent wielded a large black saber covered in eerie runes, each swing releasing a powerful wave of black spiritual energy. The figure brought his saber down viciously at Mu Chen, the blow carrying such immense force that it seemed poised to cleave space itself. Mu Chen did not retreat. Gripping his spiritual energy longsword with both hands, he met the strike head-on. Clang! The weapons collided, scattering dazzling sparks of spiritual energy. The tremendous impact sent Mu Chen sliding back several steps, but he swiftly steadied himself and attacked again. He unleashed Surging Star River, the second level of Star Transformation, and the phantom image of a small star river appeared around him. The Star Power within it erupted along with his attack, and his spiritual energy longsword became a brilliant streak of star-river light, thrusting toward his opponent. The Black-Robed Person sensed the immense power of the blow and tried to dodge, but it was already too late. The star-river light struck him squarely. He screamed as its tremendous force sent him flying. Having dealt with that opponent, Mu Chen continued charging toward the stone platform. The other Black-Robed People tried to stop him, but his squad members held them back. At last, Mu Chen reached the platform. He could feel the powerful, evil spiritual energy emanating from it, trying to eat away at his body. Enduring the discomfort, he raised his spiritual energy longsword and slashed down at the platform. Boom! A crack appeared in the stone platform beneath his strike. The Black-Robed People around it immediately let out roars of pain, and their attacks grew erratic. "Everyone, attack now!" Mu Chen shouted. His squad seized the opening and launched an even fiercer assault. Working together as one, they drove the Black-Robed People into a steady retreat. Seeing his enemies begin to lose ground, Mu Chen did not relax in the slightest. He knew he had to seize this opportunity to defeat them completely, or they would come surging back and continue threatening his clan. He raised his spiritual energy longsword again and delivered another strike at the stone platform. This blow carried all his strength as Wrath of the Starry Firmament, the third level of Star Transformation, erupted. A complete phantom starry firmament coalesced around him, holding a vast expanse of Star Power. The mighty strike landed on the crack in the stone platform. Unable to withstand it any longer, the platform exploded in a burst of dazzling light. The Black-Robed People suffered a tremendous backlash, collapsing one after another beneath the blast's impact as blood gushed from their mouths. "We won!" the squad members cheered. Mu Chen looked at the fallen Black-Robed People, but felt no relief. He knew this was only the tip of the iceberg, and the threat facing his clan remained immense. Yet through this battle, he had proved his strength and leadership to the clan's younger members, and had given them hope. "Let's take these Black-Robed People back for questioning first. We might get some clues out of them," Mu Chen said. The squad members bound the Black-Robed People and headed back to the clan. Along the way, Mu Chen pondered their motives and the force behind them. He knew that to truly protect his clan, he had to unravel these mysteries and find a way to resolve the problem once and for all. This battle was only the beginning. He would lead the clan's younger members through the challenges to come and safeguard the clan's peace.