Chapter 78: Breaking the Guardian’s Shell

Xiao Tian's heart thundered in his chest as the shockwave from the Guardian's attack reverberated through the chamber. His body ached, but he could feel the power of the Blessings coursing through his veins, urging him to keep moving, to keep fighting. He could sense Yue'er and Lian'er getting to their feet, their expressions resolute despite the brutal attack.

The Guardian loomed over them, its stone body now scarred with cracks from their initial attacks. Its eyes burned with an unyielding light, a silent testament to its ancient purpose. The air around them crackled with power as the Guardian slowly raised its massive fist again, preparing to strike.

"Don't give up!" Xiao Tian shouted to his companions, his voice cutting through the tension in the air. "We're not done yet!"

Yue'er nodded, her wind-element soul ring flaring brightly around her. She shot forward in a blur of motion, her speed amplified by the Blessings. With a swift, graceful leap, she aimed a powerful kick at the Guardian's knee joint, hoping to unbalance it.

Lian'er, her eyes sharp with determination, lashed out with her whip, the electrified tendrils striking at the cracks in the Guardian's stone armor. Each strike sent sparks flying, but it was clear the stone was much harder than they had anticipated.

Xiao Tian followed suit, dashing forward with his sword raised high. His blade crackled with the energy of his newfound Blessings, glowing with a faint blue aura. The Guardian's stone body seemed to vibrate with the impact of each attack, but it remained unyielding.

They had to find a weak point—somewhere vulnerable to exploit.

Xiao Tian's mind raced as he fought, his movements fluid and precise, his focus honed like a blade. The Guardian's stone exterior was strong, but it wasn't invulnerable. If they could wear it down just enough, they might be able to break through.

The Guardian swung its fist again, this time aiming directly at Yue'er. Xiao Tian's heart skipped a beat as he saw her in the path of the blow. Without thinking, he lunged forward, positioning himself between her and the Guardian's fist. His sword met the Guardian's stone hand with a violent clash, and the force of the impact rattled his bones. But it wasn't enough to stop the blow. The Guardian's fist continued toward him, the sheer weight and power behind it enough to crush him.

"Xiao Tian!" Yue'er screamed in desperation.

But at the last moment, Lian'er acted. Her whip cracked through the air, wrapping around the Guardian's arm and pulling with all her might. The electric current surged through the whip, numbing the stone limb and causing it to falter just before the final strike.

Xiao Tian's eyes widened as he seized the opportunity. With all his strength, he twisted his sword in a powerful arc, slashing at the Guardian's exposed wrist. The force of the blow caused the stone to crack, and a deep fissure appeared, running up its arm.

"Now!" Xiao Tian roared.

Yue'er and Lian'er didn't hesitate. They launched themselves at the Guardian, targeting the cracks in its stone body. Yue'er's kicks sent tremors through the Guardian's legs, while Lian'er's whip continued to strike at the growing fissures in the Guardian's stone skin.

The Guardian roared in fury, its glowing eyes flashing as it attempted to retaliate. But the cracks in its body deepened with each strike, and Xiao Tian could see the edges of its armor beginning to crumble.

"We're close!" Lian'er shouted, her eyes fierce with determination.

With one final, coordinated attack, Xiao Tian leaped into the air, his sword raised high. Yue'er and Lian'er followed suit, their attacks synchronized. Xiao Tian brought his sword down with all his might, the Blessings of the Ancients amplifying his strength.

The sword struck the Guardian's chest with a deafening crack, and the stone armor shattered. The Guardian's body erupted into a shower of dust and debris as it collapsed to the ground, defeated.

Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er stood in the aftermath, panting heavily, their bodies bruised but unbroken. The chamber was filled with the echoes of the battle, but now, silence reigned.

"We did it," Yue'er said, her voice filled with both relief and triumph.

Xiao Tian nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "We've passed the first test. But there will be more challenges ahead. We must stay vigilant."

Lian'er's gaze never wavered from the now-empty space where the Guardian had stood. "That was just one Guardian. Who knows what other trials await us?"

As if to answer her question, the voice of the Ancients echoed through the chamber once more, its tone both grave and commanding.

"The first Guardian has been defeated. But more await. The next test will be more difficult. Only those who can overcome their greatest fear will succeed."

Xiao Tian's heart skipped a beat. "Greatest fear?" he muttered under his breath.

Yue'er frowned. "What does that mean? Fear? Are we meant to face our own inner demons?"

The voice responded, "Yes, those who cannot face their fears are not worthy of the Blessings. Only by confronting your deepest, darkest fears can you unlock the true potential of the Blessings of the Ancients."

Xiao Tian's expression hardened. "I've faced enough of my past to know that I can't let fear control me. But what about you two?" He looked at Yue'er and Lian'er, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you ready to face your fears as well?"

Yue'er stepped forward, her gaze steady. "I've already faced my fears. But I'll face them again, if I have to, as long as we're together."

Lian'er's lips curled into a faint smile. "I've never been one to back down from a challenge. Whatever comes, we'll face it together."

Xiao Tian nodded, a sense of resolve settling over him. "Then we will face whatever comes next. Together."

The chamber began to shift once again, the air thick with tension. A dark mist began to swirl around them, and the temperature dropped. The path ahead would be filled with even greater challenges, but Xiao Tian knew one thing for certain: as long as they stood together, there was no fear they could not overcome.

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[End of Chapter 78]