Chapter 7 - Hesitation

The last rays of dusk bathed the ancient Golden Temple, cloaking the towering structure in a mysterious golden veil. In the center of the temple stood a massive and intricate magic formation—the Illusion Path Array, silently facing everyone. The runes of the formation shifted, emitting a soft glow as if calling for something.

Long Tian and Long Yan stood before the array, their expressions serious. They knew that stepping into this formation meant bidding farewell to everything and embarking on the final path to eliminate Long Xie. This would not only be a battle but the ultimate test of their fate.

"Are we really going?" Lei Ji's voice broke the silence of the temple, filled with deep reluctance. Her gaze moved between Long Tian and Long Yan, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.

Tian Rong and Bing Xi stood beside her, though they remained silent, their expressions revealing the same hesitation and reluctance.

Long Tian took a deep breath, turning to look at the three companions, his eyes filled with tenderness and resolve. "Lei Ji, Tian Rong, Bing Xi, you are my most important companions, and I will miss you dearly. But it is my responsibility, and the mission Long Yan and I must complete, to defeat Long Xie."

Long Yan gently grasped Long Tian's hand, smiling at the three young warriors. Her eyes were filled with both reluctance and hope. "We've fought together and faced so many hardships. You've all grown into warriors who can stand on your own. We will finish our mission, and you will have your own paths to walk."

"But... can we really not stay with you?" Lei Ji's voice quivered, tightening her grip on her sword as if, at any moment, she might waver and follow them into the Illusion Path Array.

"Yeah, we can't just let you face the final battle alone." Tian Rong furrowed his brow, a strong protective instinct in his eyes. He didn't want Long Tian and Long Yan to bear everything alone.

Bing Xi remained silent, but her eyes held the same hesitation and determination. Normally calm, this time, she too felt an unsettling unease and concern deep within.

Long Tian gazed at them, a warmth rising in his chest. He knew that the bond between them had surpassed ordinary friendship, and that was why they felt such reluctance.

"I understand how you feel, but this path must be walked by Long Yan and me alone." Long Tian's voice was gentle but firm. "Long Xie's power is immense, and this battle is not just one of strength but a duel of souls. Only Long Yan and I together can truly end this."

"And," Long Yan continued, her voice soft but clear, "your mission is not yet complete. The peace between the mortal realm and the divine realm still needs your protection. Only by staying here can you ensure that Long Xie's remaining followers will not invade again."

"But..." Lei Ji started, but Long Tian gently interrupted her.

"Lei Ji, Tian Rong, Bing Xi," Long Tian spoke softly, "You are my most trusted partners. I believe you can stand strong on your own and protect the peace of the mortal realm. The road ahead is long, and more challenges await you, but I know you will rise to meet them."

Tears flickered in Lei Ji's eyes as she gritted her teeth, finally nodding. "We... will continue to protect the mortal realm, until you return."

Tian Rong took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, but the reluctance in his eyes was undeniable. "Long Tian, Long Yan, promise us you'll come back. We still need to fight together, to protect this world."

Bing Xi remained calm, but her voice betrayed an underlying tremor, "No matter what happens, we will wait for you here, until the day we can fight together again."

Long Tian and Long Yan felt their companions' loyalty, and their hearts were filled with emotion. They exchanged a look, and it was as if their bond gave them renewed strength.

"We will return." Long Tian promised solemnly, then turned his gaze back to the Illusion Path Array, determination reigniting in his eyes. "Now, we must do what we must to finish this."

Lei Ji, Tian Rong, and Bing Xi embraced Long Tian and Long Yan one last time, silently passing on their blessings and support. Then, step by step, they backed away, watching as Long Tian and Long Yan moved toward the Illusion Path Array.

The glow of the array grew brighter as Long Tian and Long Yan drew closer, as if responding to their resolve. Long Tian stood at the edge of the array, casting one last look at his three companions, a warm smile on his face.

"Take care, we will meet again." Long Tian said, then stepped into the Illusion Path Array with Long Yan.

As their feet touched the center of the formation, the runes activated, and a brilliant light exploded. A deep rumble echoed throughout the array, and their figures were swallowed by the light, disappearing from the sight of their companions.

Lei Ji, Tian Rong, and Bing Xi stood silently outside the Illusion Path Array, unmoving for a long time. Their hearts were filled with both reluctance and anticipation for the future. They knew that Long Tian and Long Yan were walking towards their fate's final chapter, and they, too, must continue to fight for the future of the mortal realm. In the light of the Illusion Path Array, Long Tian and Long Yan's figures slowly emerged in a completely unfamiliar world. It was a space filled with chaos and power, surrounded by endless darkness and nothingness, as though everything had been torn apart by a ruthless force.

"This is the final battleground." Long Yan whispered, her gaze drifting through the chaotic space. She felt the immense power surrounding them, as if the very space itself was twisting and distorting.

"Yes, this is where Long Xie is hiding." Long Tian's expression grew grim. He could sense Long Xie's aura pervading the space, as if he could appear at any moment.

At that moment, a cold, sinister aura suddenly swept towards them from all directions. The dark force began to converge around them, forming a massive vortex. In the center of the vortex, Long Xie's figure began to appear, a cold and savage smile on his face.

"You've finally arrived, Long Tian, Long Yan. I've been waiting for a long time." Long Xie's voice was ice-cold, filled with endless hatred and madness.

"Long Xie, this time, we will put an end to you." Long Tian shouted, the Holy Emperor Sword gleaming with golden light in his hand, as though heralding the victory to come.

Long Yan also gathered her strength, her staff glowing with blue brilliance. "We've lost so much, but this time, we won't let you continue to harm the innocent."

Long Xie laughed harshly, the dark force around him surging violently. "End me? Hahaha! You're so naive. This space was created by my power. No matter how strong you are, you can't escape my control here!"

"Then let's see about that!" Long Tian sneered, and the Holy Emperor Sword struck out with a golden sword light aimed directly at Long Xie.

Long Xie's figure instantly turned into black mist, and the sword light passed through the mist, striking into the distance but missing its mark. The black mist coalesced again, and Long Xie's figure reappeared, a sly glint in his eyes.

"Your powers are weakened here, but mine are limitless," Long Xie sneered, and with a sudden swipe of his dark sword, a jet-black sword aura surged toward Long Tian and Long Yan.

Long Tian and Long Yan quickly split apart, dodging the sword aura. The cold wind from the sword's pass chilled them to the bone.

"We must work together to fight him here." Long Yan whispered, her gaze fixed on Long Xie. She had already sensed the special power in this space, which was constantly diminishing their attacks, while Long Xie seemed to fully control the energy within.

"Exactly, this battle cannot be won by raw strength alone." Long Tian nodded, then took a deep breath. The Holy Emperor Sword was once again raised high, its golden light gathering at the blade's edge.

Long Yan immediately understood Long Tian's intention. She began to gather her own strength, her staff starting to shimmer with blue light. This was a joint attack they had used many times before—combining Long Tian's light-based powers with her holy magic to form a more powerful offensive.

Long Xie laughed coldly, watching their movements as though he had no fear of their combined assault. "Do you think this will defeat me? In this place, no matter how strong you are, it's all futile!"

"Then let's find out!" Long Tian shouted, his Holy Emperor Sword slashing downward. The golden light erupted instantly, slicing through the void, heading straight for Long Xie. At the same time, Long Yan's staff released a dazzling blue light beam, intertwining with the sword light, creating an unstoppable force.

"Divine Judgment of Light!" Long Tian and Long Yan simultaneously shouted the name, their golden and blue lights merging together like the judgment of gods, carrying the power to obliterate all darkness as it surged toward Long Xie.

A flash of surprise appeared in Long Xie's eyes; he had clearly underestimated their combined strength. The Divine Judgment of Light carried an irresistible power, instantly engulfing the darkness around him.

"It's impossible!" Long Xie howled in rage, swinging his dark sword to try and block the powerful beam. But his strength seemed insignificant compared to the Divine Judgment of Light, and the dark sword aura was torn apart the moment it touched the beam, unable to stop the destructive force.

The beam struck Long Xie directly, and he let out a shrill scream as his body trembled violently in the light. The dark power began to collapse, and his figure gradually blurred, as though he was about to be completely destroyed.

Long Tian and Long Yan didn't ease up for a moment, continuing to unleash their power, ensuring that this attack would completely eliminate Long Xie's threat.

However, just as Long Xie's figure was about to vanish, a glint of madness flashed in his eyes. "Do you really think it's over? Hahaha... I won't let you succeed!"

With that, Long Xie's body suddenly turned into a thick black smoke, quickly scattering in the beam of light. The smoke dispersed in all directions and vanished into the void.

"He escaped!" Long Yan exclaimed, a trace of regret flashing in her eyes. Though their attack had been incredibly powerful, it still hadn't been enough to completely annihilate Long Xie.

"Don't chase him. This space is his domain. If we follow, we'll fall into his trap." Long Tian quickly assessed the situation, stopping Long Yan from pursuing. He knew Long Xie's cunning and tricks, and chasing him would be too risky.

Long Yan nodded reluctantly, understanding that Long Tian's judgment was correct. In this space controlled by Long Xie, they needed to be more cautious.

"We need to find a way out of here quickly. Long Xie may have escaped for now, but he certainly won't give up so easily." Long Yan withdrew her staff, speaking calmly.

Long Tian surveyed the area. The chaotic power in this space seemed to be dissipating, and the dark forces that had once raged were no longer as potent.

"I feel like this space is becoming unstable." Long Tian furrowed his brow, sensing the abnormal flow of energy around them. It felt as if the entire space was on the brink of collapse.

"It seems our attack has had an effect here." Long Yan confirmed, also feeling the change in the surroundings.

"But that means we need to leave quickly, or if the space collapses, we could be trapped here." Long Tian reasoned calmly.

Just then, a brilliant light suddenly appeared in the void, shining from the distance, like a beacon guiding their way forward.

"What is that?" Long Yan asked, her gaze fixed on the light.

"It might be the exit, or our only chance to escape." Long Tian said, his voice filled with both caution and hope.

"We don't have many choices." Long Yan nodded, then she and Long Tian quickly moved toward the light.

As they approached, the light grew brighter, and the surrounding darkness began to recede as if being dispelled by this radiant glow.

Eventually, they reached the source of the light—a massive gate of light, carved with ancient runes that radiated pure and powerful energy.

"This is the exit." Long Tian confirmed, gazing at the gate of light.

"Let's go." Long Yan whispered, gripping Long Tian's hand, and together they stepped onto the final

path, heading toward whatever awaited them on the other side.