The battle reached its climax, with each clash accompanied by violent collisions of energy, causing the heavens and earth to change colors.
Ziyan and Xiao Chong, relying on their tacit coordination, managed to find an opportunity to counterattack even in the direst of situations.
Their strength gradually increased with each passing moment of the fight, as if something was quietly awakening on the brink of life and death.
"Old man, have you forgotten that there is still a force in this world called—hope!" Before Xiao Chong words could fully settle, a sword formed from the essence of sand suddenly materialized in his hand.
The sword tip pointed directly at the black-robed elder, its blade flowing with a gentle luster, seemingly imbued with an ancient and powerful will.
The black-robed elder eyes flickered, showing a hint of interest in the sword.
"Hope... huh? Hmph, then let me show you what true despair looks like!"
"It's not time for despair yet!" Ziyan interjected at the perfect moment, the sun of light shining once again, transforming into countless rays that shielded Xiao Chong's flank.
"As long as we're still standing, there are infinite possibilities!"
"Yes, infinite possibilities!" Xiao Chong and Ziyan exchanged a smile, a silent trust in each other and an unwavering belief in the future.
The black-robed elder's eyes suddenly sharpened, his battle qi surging like a raging tide. Dark clouds seemed to gather on the black iron chains, and the dull rumble of thunder echoed through the air, sending shivers down the spine.
"Taste the power of despair!"
With a low shout, the chains accelerated, resembling a black dragon in the night sky, carrying a destructive force as they swept toward Ziyan and Xiao Chong.
Ziyan eyes closed slightly, her hands gently waving as the barrier of light expanded instantly, forming a dazzling curtain that firmly protected the two.
However, the black-robed elder attack was too fierce, and even the barrier of light seemed on the verge of collapse, cracks quietly appearing.
"It seems we have no choice but to use that move."
Xiao Chong voice was resolute, his battle qi surging to its peak.
His eyes seemed to ignite with flames, burning with determination.
"Wait, Xiao Chong, that move is..." A trace of worry flashed across Ziyan face, as she knew the cost of that technique.
"There's no other choice." Xiao Chong smiled warmly yet firmly, then closed his eyes. His entire aura soared to an unprecedented height.
"Dawn—Holy Light Slash!"
With a loud shout, a light a thousand times brighter than before streaked across the sky. It was a holy light that condensed all his faith and power, charging straight toward the black-robed elder's chains.
The moment they collided, a deafening roar erupted, shaking the entire space.
As the light dissipated, the black iron chain was seen broken into two, falling powerlessly to the ground.
The black-robed elder figure appeared particularly disheveled within the light, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"How is this possible... you..." The black-robed elder muttered, seemingly on the verge of losing the strength to stand.
"Because we believe that light will eventually dispel the darkness." Ziyan stepped forward slowly, her voice gentle yet filled with power.
The surrounding light flowed with her movements, as if the entire world was responding to her will.
Within the light, the black-robed elder figure wavered, clearly contemplating escape.At that moment, a cold figure appeared before him like a ghost—it was Xiao Chong, who had been concealing his true strength all along.
His sword gleamed like a dragon, each swing precisely cutting off the old man's retreat.
"Thinking of leaving? Not so easy" Xiao Chong voice was icy and resolute, each word carrying an undeniable pressure. He knew that letting this black-robed old man escape would only bring greater disaster to this land.
Seeing no hope in a direct confrontation, a ruthless glint flashed in the old man's eyes. His hands quickly formed a seal, and the space around them began to distort, as if a portal to the unknown was about to open.
"Spatial Rift, open for me!"
But at this critical moment, a warm yet firm power erupted from Xiao Chong body, transforming into soft yet resilient beams of light that wrapped around the distorted spatial rifts, preventing them from forming.
"Weave a net of light, bind the void!"
"Hmph, you think this can trap me?"
The black-robed old man sneered, releasing countless dark soul entities from his wide sleeves.
They varied in form, wailing as they surged toward Xiao Chong, attempting to overwhelm the guardian of light with sheer numbers.
"Zi Yan, let's go!"
Xiao Chong shouted softly, standing back-to-back with Zi Yan.
An invisible tacit understanding seemed to exist between them, as sword light and radiant beams intertwined, forming an indestructible defense.
Zi Yan chanted softly, gathering light in her hands to form a massive blade of radiance.
"Light of the soul, guide the lost!"
The blade moved as if it had a will of its own, passing through the soul entities.
Each time it touched a soul, a warm light enveloped it, and the soul gradually dissipated, as if being purified.
"You meddlesome girl!" the black-robed old man roared, his face twisted with anger as he watched his army of souls being purified one by one.
"Everyone has the right to return to the light, including these lost souls" Zi Yan replied calmly, her radiance growing brighter, illuminating the entire battlefield.
Just as the battle reached its peak, an unexpected turn of events broke the stalemate.
One of the soul entities, on the verge of being purified, let out a clear cry for help.
"Save me... I don't want to be a slave of the Soul Hall..."
Xiao Chong and Zi Yan exchanged a glance, seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.
"Black-robed old man, your evil deeds end here" Xiao Chong stepped forward, his sword pointed directly at the old man heart.
"Surrender now, and perhaps you'll be given a chance to atone."
The black-robed old man sneered, surrounded by swirling black energy, seemingly preparing for a final struggle.
"Atonement? I'm not here to play games with you!"
As Zi Yan prepared to pursue the strange black mist, Xiao Chong gently pressed her shoulder, his eyes revealing a calm and unshakable resolve.
"No need, Zi Yan. The black-robed old man has already fled into the Soul Realm. Pursuing him would be futile." His voice was calm and low, as if he had anticipated this outcome.
Zi Yan frowned slightly, her eyes filled with confusion and reluctance.
"We're just letting him go? He's from the Soul Hall! How can we let him off so easily?" Her words carried a hint of anger, clearly dissatisfied with not being able to personally bring the enemy to justice.
"The Soul Hall... it is a force far more profound and intricate than you or I could ever imagine."
Xiao Chong sighed softly, his gaze piercing through the dense forest as if it could traverse space and peer into the unknown world.
"The black-robed elder is merely the tip of the iceberg. What we truly need to confront is that colossal organization lurking in the shadows, manipulating everything."
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan expression turned grave, her curiosity and confusion growing even stronger.
"The Soul Hall... what kind of existence is it? Why did he mention becoming a slave?"