Chapter 97: The Shadow’s Grasp

The Forgotten Ruins trembled as the corrupted tamer unleashed a wave of dark energy. His shadow beast, a hulking creature with tendrils of writhing darkness, loomed menacingly behind him.

"You have no idea what you've taken," the tamer growled, his voice distorted. "Return the relic, or face oblivion!"

Lin Tian remained calm, analyzing the enemy through his system.

[System Notification: Hostile Detected – Shadow Tamer (Rank: High Elite). Shadow Beast Classification: Abyssal Wraith (Peak Rank). Recommended Strategy: Target Core Link.]

"Elara, keep your distance and support with ranged attacks. Yuefeng, maintain barriers. Phoenix and Shadow Serpent, with me!" Lin Tian commanded.

The Battle Begins

The corrupted tamer raised his hand, and tendrils of darkness lashed out, aiming to crush the group. Yuefeng quickly formed a shimmering barrier, deflecting the attack, while Elara fired bolts of energy infused with her water affinity, piercing the shadows.

"Phoenix, light up the area!" Lin Tian shouted.

The fiery bird soared into the air, releasing a burst of radiant flames that illuminated the chamber. The Abyssal Wraith recoiled, its dark tendrils momentarily weakened by the light.

Lin Tian seized the opportunity, launching forward with Shadow Serpent coiled around his arm. The serpent struck with precision, aiming for the wraith's core.

"Direct hit!" Lin Tian exclaimed as the beast let out an agonized shriek.

[System Notification: Abyssal Wraith Core Stability Reduced by 20%. Continue Targeting Core for Maximum Effectiveness.]

The Shadow Tamer's Retaliation

The corrupted tamer roared in fury, channeling the energy of the ruins into his beast. The Abyssal Wraith surged with power, its tendrils growing thicker and more aggressive.

"You won't defeat me so easily!" the tamer snarled.

Dark glyphs appeared on the ground, spreading toward Lin Tian's group. Phoenix swooped down, burning the glyphs with its flames, but the corrupted energy began to overpower the group's defenses.

"Elara, focus on disrupting his connection to the ruins!" Lin Tian yelled.

Elara nodded, closing her eyes to concentrate. Her staff glowed with water and ice energy as she launched a stream of icy shards at the tamer, forcing him to dodge and weakening his control.

Unleashing the Relic's Power

Lin Tian placed a hand on the relic, still pulsing with golden energy.

"System, can the relic amplify our synergy?" he asked.

[System Response: Relic Synergy Amplification Ready. Boosting Beast Attributes by 50%. Initiating Teamwide Resonance.]

Lin Tian's beasts roared in unison as their auras flared with newfound strength. Phoenix's flames burned brighter, Shadow Serpent's strikes grew sharper, and Yuefeng's barriers became nearly impenetrable.

The balance of power shifted.

"Phoenix, go for the head! Shadow Serpent, bind the wraith's core!" Lin Tian commanded.

The coordinated assault overwhelmed the Abyssal Wraith. Phoenix's flames consumed its tendrils, while Shadow Serpent constricted its core, cracking it.

Victory and Revelation

With a final roar, the Abyssal Wraith disintegrated, leaving behind a black crystal. The corrupted tamer collapsed, his connection severed. Lin Tian approached cautiously, his system scanning the area for lingering threats.

[System Notification: Abyssal Wraith Defeated. Shadow Crystal Obtained. Analysis: Crystal Contains Residual Corrupted Energy – Handle with Caution.]

The tamer, now weakened and trembling, looked up at Lin Tian. "You… don't understand what you've awakened. The relic is tied to something far greater… far more dangerous."

Before Lin Tian could press for answers, the tamer's body dissolved into shadows, leaving only his words echoing in the chamber.

A New Path

As the ruins settled, the golden light of the relic dimmed, signaling its integration with Lin Tian's system. The group gathered to catch their breath, the tension slowly dissipating.

Elara spoke first, her voice tinged with concern. "If what he said is true, we may have unleashed something beyond our comprehension."

Lin Tian nodded, his resolve firm. "Whatever lies ahead, we'll face it together. This relic is the key to unlocking our potential and protecting this world."

Yuefeng placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We've come this far because of your leadership. We trust you."

Lin Tian smiled, looking at his companions and beasts. "Then let's prepare. The main world awaits, and our adventure is just beginning."

End of Chapter 97