### Chapter 20: Striking Back Again After the activation of the secret weapon greatly strengthened the clan's defenses, the Black-Robed People still loomed over them like a pall of gloom. This time, however, the clan would no longer wait passively. They decided to take the initiative and use the secret weapon to deal the Black-Robed People a crushing blow. That day, an alarm sounded from the clan's watchtower: the Black-Robed People's forces had appeared at the borders of their territory again. As always, black mist shrouded them from head to toe, and black spiritual energy surged around them, like a dark cloud of death bearing down on the clan. Unlike before, however, there was not a trace of fear in the clan members' eyes. In its place burned a thirst for battle and the conviction that victory was theirs. Mu Chen stood at the forefront of the clan's fortifications, with Tan Qingshan, Tang Qian'er, and the other clan elites beside him. He held the secret weapon, its radiant blade gleaming in the sunlight, the runes along it flickering with mysterious power. Behind him, the other clan members stood ready for battle. They gathered around the secret weapon and linked their spiritual energy to it, forming a vast network of spiritual energy. "Black-Robed People, today is the day you meet your end!" Mu Chen shouted. His voice echoed throughout the clan's territory, stirring every clan member's spirit. The Black-Robed People seemed to sense the change in the clan, and their forces halted a short distance away. Their leader stood at the front, his eyes beneath his black robe glinting with uncertainty and wariness. "Hmph. You think a new weapon will let you defeat us? How naive." The leader of the Black-Robed People gave a low, cold laugh, but a trace of unease crept into his voice. "Then put it to the test!" Mu Chen wasted no more words. He raised the secret weapon, weaving his soul power and spiritual energy together and pouring them into it. Sensing its master's will, the weapon blazed with light, and an enormous pillar of spiritual energy erupted from its tip toward the Black-Robed People. Like a meteor tearing across the heavens, the pillar hurtled toward them with the momentum to destroy everything in its path. The leader's expression changed, and he hurriedly ordered his forces to use their defensive skills. The Black-Robed People swiftly gathered, pooling their black spiritual energy into a black Spiritual Energy Shield. When the pillar struck their shield, a thunderous crash shook heaven and earth. Light and darkness intertwined in an instant, and a powerful shock wave swept outward, ripping up the surrounding ground and tearing trees out by their roots. The Black-Robed People's shield trembled violently beneath the pillar's assault, its black spiritual energy churning like boiling water. "Everyone, hold on!" their leader shouted, pouring his own spiritual energy into the shield in an attempt to steady their defensive line. But Mu Chen's attack did not stop there. He continued feeding spiritual energy and soul power into the secret weapon, increasing the pillar's might. With the clan members supporting him with their spiritual energy, the pillar grew stronger and stronger, and cracks began appearing in the Black-Robed People's shield. "Now! Attack!" Seizing the moment, Mu Chen ordered the clan members to strike. The clan's ranged squads unleashed their spiritual energy skills, sending attacks of every color raining toward the Black-Robed People. Together with the pillar of light, these attacks placed tremendous pressure on their shield. Seeing this, Tan Qingshan swung the Heavy Axe and charged toward the Black-Robed People. Like an enraged bull, he rampaged across the battlefield. Every swing of his axe unleashed a powerful wave of spiritual energy, joining the other attacks battering the Black-Robed People's shield. Tang Qian'er cast support skills from the rear. She waved her spiritual energy staff, showering the clan members with streams of gentle light. The light hastened the recovery of their spiritual energy and strengthened their offensive and defensive capabilities, allowing them to keep fighting. Under the clan's combined assault, the Black-Robed People's shield finally gave way, shattering in a dazzling burst of light. The tremendous impact hurled them backward, leaving many wounded on the ground. "Strike back!" their leader roared. He drew a black Magic Wand from beneath his robe and muttered an incantation. As he chanted, the surrounding air grew bitterly cold, and black spiritual energy gathered at the wand's tip, forming enormous black skulls. With their cavernous, blood-red maws gaping wide, the skulls radiated the aura of death as they lunged toward the clan members. Mu Chen showed no fear at the sight of the leader's skill. He raised the secret weapon above his head, then brought it slashing down in front of him. A crescent-shaped slash of spiritual energy flew from the weapon, shimmering with star power and the light of mysterious runes. It met the black skulls and instantly sliced several apart, scattering them into fragments of black spiritual energy that dissipated in the air. The other clan members did not stand idle either. They continued attacking the Black-Robed People, making full use of their individual strengths and working closely together. The clan's defensive squad deployed Spiritual Energy Shields, protecting those in the rear while providing cover for those attacking at the front. The close-combat squad engaged the Black-Robed People at close quarters, their weapons clashing and sending showers of spiritual energy sparks into the air. Seeing his attack so easily neutralized, the leader's eyes flashed with anger. He decided to act himself. Waving his black Magic Wand, he charged toward Mu Chen at such speed that he appeared before him in an instant. He raised the wand and brought it crashing down at Mu Chen, black spiritual energy coiling around it like venomous snakes and lunging toward him. Mu Chen met the leader's attack calmly. He raised the secret weapon and blocked the blow. The weapon and wand collided with a tremendous crash, and the force sent Mu Chen sliding several steps backward, but his feet remained firmly planted on the ground. "So this is all the strength you have!" Mu Chen taunted, beginning to unleash the secret weapon's special skill. He poured soul power and spiritual energy into it in a unique rhythm. Its blade began to spin, and a small Spiritual Power Vortex appeared around it. The Spiritual Power Vortex rapidly expanded, engulfing the leader of the Black-Robed People. The leader struggled inside it, trying to break free of its restraints, but its suction was too powerful, drawing him ever more tightly into its grip. At the same time, the spiritual energy within the vortex relentlessly battered his body and eroded his spiritual energy. "Everyone, attack their leader together!" Mu Chen shouted. At his command, the clan members unleashed their attacks at the leader. Spiritual energy attacks of every kind converged within the Spiritual Power Vortex, inflicting tremendous damage on him. Under the clan's assault, the leader gradually weakened. Their spiritual energy attacks tore his black robe apart, revealing his pale face beneath it. Terror and despair filled his eyes as he realized that he had underestimated both the clan's strength and the secret weapon's might. "Retreat!" the leader roared in bitter defiance. Using the last of his strength, he broke free of the Spiritual Power Vortex, then fled the clan's territory with the remaining Black-Robed People. As they departed, cheers erupted throughout the clan's territory. Their counterattack had won them a resounding victory. With the secret weapon, they had successfully driven back the Black-Robed People and safeguarded the clan. But Mu Chen knew this victory was only temporary. The Black-Robed People would not let matters rest. The clan had to keep strengthening its defenses and increasing its power, preparing for an even more brutal battle next time. Amid the cheers, the clan members began clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded, while also reviewing the battle to prepare for the fights ahead.
Before you continue