Meeting at the Summit of Destruction

Purple light burst out from the crystal pendant, forming a vague figure of **Xiao Lin**. His body was transparent, like a ghost made of pure energy. The shattered Jiuyinlong was now just a shadow in his hand, but its power was still felt.

"You... are back," Luo Yan whispered, her eyes glistening with tears.

Xiao Lin smiled weakly. "I can't let you face this alone."

Su Liang, who was hovering above the altar, stared at Xiao Lin coldly. "You think the remnants of your power can stop me? You are just a shadow of yourself."

"Even shadows can block light," Xiao Lin replied, raising a hand. The shadow of the Jiuyinlong in his hand flashed, creating a **wall of energy** that blocked Su Liang's attack.

---

**Epic Battle: Shadow vs. Darkness**

Xiao Lin and Su Liang fought in the sky, each clash of their swords creating shockwaves that shattered the peak of Dark Mountain. Luo Yan and Li Feng tried to approach the altar, but the **Ancient Dragon Worshippers** blocked them.

"We must destroy Yinglong!" Li Feng shouted, slashing at one of the Worshippers.

Luo Yan nodded, but his eyes never left Xiao Lin. "I'll help you, but... Xiao Lin can't last long."

In the sky, Xiao Lin began to lose his form. Each of Su Liang's attacks eroded his remaining energy. "You're weak, Xiao Lin," Su Liang taunted. "You're just a shadow of a failed hero."

Xiao Lin smiled. "I may be just a shadow... but that shadow has a purpose."

With the last of his strength, he charged at Su Liang, carrying them both toward the altar.

---

**The Final Sacrifice**

"Luo Yan, now!" Xiao Lin shouted.

Luo Yan didn't hesitate. He leaped onto the altar, stabbing the crystal pendant into the contaminated Yinglong. Xiao Lin's purple blood inside the pendant merged with Yinglong's dark energy, creating a massive explosion.

Su Liang screamed, his body beginning to disintegrate. "No! This is impossible!"

Xiao Lin took one last look at Luo Yan. "Thank you... for everything."

With a final bang, Xiao Lin and Su Liang disappeared in a white light. Yinglong was destroyed, and the darkness spores in the sky began to fade.

---

**Epilogue: Fragile Balance**

Luo Yan woke up in the ruins of Dark Mountain. In her hand, the crystal pendant had shattered, leaving only a drop of sparkling purple blood. Li Feng stood beside her, the wounds on his body still gaping.

"Did... did we win?" Luo Yan asked, her voice hoarse.

Li Feng nodded. "For now. But the balance is still fragile. The Ultimate Dragon... may awaken someday."

In the distance, the sky was beginning to brighten. But behind the clouds, the shadow of the **Primordial Dragon** was still faintly visible, waiting for the right time to return.

---

Luo Yan held Xiao Lin's drop of purple blood. Suddenly, the blood pulsed, forming a faint shadow of Xiao Lin.

"You... are still around?" Luo Yan whispered.

The shadow smiled. "As long as you remember me... I will always be there."

Elsewhere, in the darkness, the badly injured **Xue** rose to his feet, holding the contaminated Jiuyinlong fragment.

"We're not done yet..." he whispered.