Strange Paths to Immortality

The shadowwraith thrashed in a frenzy, its massive tail sweeping across the chamber like a wrecking ball. Su Nian leaped backward, narrowly avoiding being crushed, her chains whipping through the air as she tried to find an opening for another strike. Zhang Chengying ducked under a swipe of the creature's claw, the sharp tip grazing his shoulder and leaving a deep, bleeding gash.​"Hold the barrier!" Shen Qingluan shouted, her voice strained as she poured every last ounce of energy into the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal. The golden light of the barrier wavered under the shadowwraith's onslaught, but Luna and Lyra, their faces pale with exhaustion, held firm, adding their own magic to strengthen it.​Wu Laogou's chanting reached a crescendo, his old body trembling with the effort. The beam of blue light from the runes at his feet drilled deeper into the shadowwraith's core, but the creature let out a deafening screech and retaliated. A wave of dark energy surged from its body, crashing against the barrier and sending Shen Qingluan, Luna, and Lyra flying.​Chen Jiuzhang, seeing the barrier falter, knew they were running out of time. The crystal - key in his hand felt like it was on fire, its light so intense it was almost blinding. Images of the ancient warriors who had once fought in this very chamber flashed through his mind, and he could feel their strength, their determination coursing through him.​With a shout, he charged forward, the key held high. Su Nian and Zhang Chengying, seeing his move, followed close behind. Su Nian's chains wrapped around the shadowwraith's arm, yanking it away from Chen Jiuzhang, while Zhang Chengying used the shard of stone to slash at the creature's legs, trying to bring it down.​The shadowwraith turned its attention to Chen Jiuzhang, its red eyes filled with hatred. It opened its massive maw and let out a blast of dark energy, but Chen Jiuzhang didn't waver. He channeled all the energy from the crystal - key into a single, powerful strike and aimed for the core.​As the key made contact with the core, a blinding explosion of light and dark energy erupted. The shockwave sent everyone flying. When the dust finally settled, the shadowwraith lay motionless on the ground, its core destroyed.​But the victory came at a cost. Wu Laogou lay unconscious, his body drained of all energy. Luna was barely conscious, her starlight - woven gown now completely destroyed. Lyra's silver staff had shattered into pieces, and she sat slumped against the wall, her breathing ragged.​Chen Jiuzhang, Su Nian, and Zhang Chengying slowly picked themselves up. They looked around at the devastated chamber, their hearts heavy. But before they could catch their breath, the ground began to shake violently. Cracks spread across the floor, and a strange, swirling portal opened up in the center of the room. A cold, eerie wind blew out from the portal, carrying with it the faint whispers of ancient secrets.​"What... what is that?" Su Nian asked, her voice filled with dread.​Chen Jiuzhang, holding the still - glowing crystal - key, stepped forward. "I don't know, but I have a feeling it's leading us to the heart of the Gui Xu Secret Realm... and perhaps, to the answers we've been searching for."​With a final, weary glance at their fallen comrades, the group prepared to face whatever new challenges awaited them beyond the portal.