Chapter 46

The Celestial Citadel was ablaze with celestial light, its defenses shimmering as waves of void energy crashed against them. The cult's assault was relentless, their twisted creatures and dark magic hammering at the coalition's forces without mercy. Yet, the warriors of the citadel stood firm, each one determined to hold the line against the growing tide of darkness.

Xu Han moved with precision and purpose, his presence commanding as he fought at the heart of the battle. The cultists pressed forward, their dark spells tearing at the citadel's barriers, but every time they gained ground, Xu Han pushed them back with overwhelming power.

The Dao of Absolute Darkness and the Dao of Elemental Cataclysm flowed through him effortlessly, unleashing waves of destructive energy that tore through the cult's ranks. Void creatures disintegrated under the weight of his attacks, their forms crumbling into nothingness as Xu Han cleared a path through the battlefield.

But even as Xu Han fought, he could feel the growing presence of the Void Sovereign, its malevolent will pressing down on the citadel. The air itself felt heavy with the weight of the coming storm, and Xu Han knew that this battle was only a prelude to something far more dangerous.

At the heart of the citadel, the Nexus Key fragments continued to pulse with power, protected by layers of celestial wards and the coalition's most skilled mages. But Xu Han could sense that the cult was no longer interested in breaking through the outer defenses—they were after the key.

"We need to fall back to the inner sanctum," Xu Han called to his allies as he deflected a bolt of void magic. "The cult is trying to reach the Nexus Key."

Tian Long, his celestial fire burning brightly, nodded. "Agreed. If they get their hands on the key, this battle is lost."

Seraphina, her silver eyes glowing with lunar energy, cut through a group of advancing cultists with a graceful sweep of her blade. "I'll cover the rear. Go!"

Xu Han moved swiftly, his aura flaring as he led the coalition forces toward the inner sanctum of the citadel. The cultists, sensing the shift in strategy, redoubled their efforts, sending waves of void energy crashing against the retreating forces.

Kairo fought alongside Xu Han, his blade a blur as he struck down any enemy that dared approach. "They're not letting up," he said between strikes. "We're going to have to hold them off here."

Xu Han's expression remained calm, though his mind raced. "We hold the line at the sanctum. The key must be protected at all costs."

As Xu Han and his allies reached the inner sanctum, the coalition mages activated the final barrier—a shimmering wall of pure celestial energy that separated the Nexus Key from the cult's forces. The sanctum itself was a large, circular chamber, its walls lined with ancient runes that glowed faintly in the dim light.

The cultists, sensing that their prize was just out of reach, launched a full-scale assault against the barrier. Void energy crackled in the air, and the ground trembled as dark magic collided with the celestial wards.

"We can't let them breach the sanctum," Kairo said, his voice tense. "If the Void Sovereign gets its hands on the key…"

Xu Han stepped forward, his gaze locked on the swirling chaos outside the barrier. "They won't."

With a flick of his wrist, Xu Han summoned the Dao of Temporal Severance once more, slowing the flow of time around the sanctum. The cult's attacks, which had been crashing against the barrier with relentless force, seemed to slow, their energy dissipating as the temporal field took hold.

The coalition warriors, emboldened by Xu Han's power, took their positions at the edge of the sanctum, ready to defend it with their lives.

Tian Long stood beside Xu Han, his fiery aura flaring with intensity. "We've fought harder battles than this," he said, a fierce grin on his face. "Let's give them something to remember."

The ground beneath the citadel trembled as a new wave of void energy surged through the air. Xu Han's eyes narrowed as he felt the familiar presence of Nihira approaching, her aura like a dark stain on the battlefield. She emerged from the shadows, her violet eyes glowing with malevolent light, and this time, she was not alone.

By her side stood three more figures, each cloaked in the same void energy that radiated from Nihira. Their power was palpable, and Xu Han could tell that they were high-ranking members of the Cult of the Void—servants of the Void Sovereign, sent to ensure the destruction of the citadel.

"Xu Han," Nihira said, her voice carrying across the battlefield. "You've fought well, but this is the end. The Void Sovereign will rise, and your precious citadel will fall."

Xu Han's aura flared, his expression cold and unyielding. "You keep making that mistake—thinking the Void can consume everything. But I'm still standing."

Nihira's smile faded, her gaze hardening. "We shall see."

With a wave of her hand, Nihira unleashed a torrent of void energy, sending it hurtling toward the sanctum's barrier. The three cultists at her side followed suit, their dark magic converging into a single, overwhelming attack.

Xu Han reacted instantly, summoning the Dao of Elemental Cataclysm and the Dao of Absolute Darkness in tandem. The ground shook as his power clashed with Nihira's, the two forces colliding with such intensity that the very air seemed to vibrate with the energy of the battle.

Kairo and Tian Long fought at Xu Han's side, their combined strength holding back the cultists who attempted to breach the sanctum. But Nihira's power had grown since their last encounter, and Xu Han could feel the weight of her attacks pressing down on him.

"You can't win this," Nihira said, her voice filled with cold certainty. "The Void is inevitable."

Xu Han's gaze locked onto hers, his aura blazing with determination. "You've said that before. You're still wrong."

With a surge of power, Xu Han unleashed the Dao of Temporal Severance once more, freezing Nihira's attack in place just long enough for him to counter with the Dao of Eternal Light. A beam of radiant energy shot from his hand, cutting through the void magic and forcing Nihira to retreat.

But even as Nihira faltered, Xu Han could feel the strain of the battle weighing on the coalition. The cult's forces were unrelenting, and the Void Sovereign's influence was growing stronger with each passing moment.

As the battle raged on, the Nexus Key fragments, which had been quietly pulsing with power, suddenly flared to life. A surge of energy radiated from the fragments, filling the sanctum with a brilliant, golden light.

Xu Han felt the key's power resonate within him, its energy aligning with the Great Daos that flowed through him. The key was reacting to the battle, its ancient magic awakening in response to the Void Sovereign's threat.

"The key…" Kairo said, his voice filled with awe. "It's activating."

Xu Han's eyes narrowed as he sensed the key's energy reaching out, searching for the final pieces that would complete it. The fragments were calling to one another, and Xu Han knew that the time to find the last pieces was running out.

But before they could retrieve the remaining fragments, they had to survive this battle.

With renewed resolve, Xu Han turned his focus back to the battlefield. The cult's forces were closing in, and Nihira was preparing for another strike.

But Xu Han wasn't done yet.

With a roar, he unleashed the full power of the Dao of Elemental Cataclysm, sending a wave of fire, wind, and earth crashing toward Nihira and her cultists. The ground shook, and the air crackled with energy as the attack tore through the battlefield, scattering the cult's forces and driving them back.