Strange Paths to Immortality

In the soul - realm, Chen Jiuzhang at the shadowy figure, which was now writhing in agony as the taint within the crystal - key was purged. The blue - glowing energy in his hands had intensified, crackling with raw power. "You're wrong," he panted, his chest heaving from the exertion of battle. "I'm not defined by my fears, but by my will to overcome them."​With a final, decisive move, he thrust his hands forward, channeling all the energy towards the shadowy figure. A blinding blast of light erupted, consuming the dark entity. The figure let out a final, ear - piercing scream before dissipating into nothingness. As it vanished, a wave of pure, untainted energy surged through Chen Jiuzhang, and he could feel the crystal - key's true power fully awaken within him.​Back on the floating platform, Su Nian, Zhang Chengying, and Lyra took advantage of the light - beings' momentary hesitation. Su Nian, her chains swinging with renewed vigor, wrapped them around the arm of one of the figures and yanked it forward. The light - being stumbled, its staff wavering and disrupting the flow of energy it was channeling.​Zhang Chengying, despite his injuries, picked up a shard of debris and charged. He aimed for the glowing core of another light - being. This time, instead of passing through, his attack seemed to make contact, causing the figure to flicker and lose its form for a moment.​Lyra, seeing an opportunity, began to chant a new incantation. She focused all her remaining energy on the central orb that Zhang Chengying had pointed out earlier - the source of the light - beings' power. A beam of silver light shot from her outstretched hands, hitting the orb dead center. The orb shuddered, and cracks began to form across its surface.​The light - beings let out a collective cry of alarm and turned their full attention to Lyra. A barrage of energy bolts headed her way, but Su Nian and Zhang Chengying jumped in front of her, using their bodies as shields. The impact sent them crashing to the ground, but they managed to absorb most of the attack.​Just then, a swirling portal opened up beside them, and Chen Jiuzhang stepped through. The crystal - key in his hand glowed brightly, radiating a pure, white light that filled the entire platform. "I'm here!" he shouted, his voice filled with newfound strength. "Let's finish this!"​With a nod from his friends, Chen Jiuzhang raised the crystal - key high. The key emitted a powerful pulse of energy that rippled outwards, disrupting the light - beings' attacks and weakening their forms. Su Nian, Zhang Chengying, and Lyra pushed themselves up and joined him, ready to launch a final, decisive assault against the light - beings and the pulsating orb that powered them. But as they prepared to strike, the light - beings seemed to merge together, forming a single, massive entity. Its form towered over the group, and a menacing, red glow emanated from its core. The battle was far from over, and the group would have to face this new, more powerful foe if they hoped to continue their journey through the Gui Xu Secret Realm.