Chapter 17: Battle of the Reverse Scale

The Guixu Gatekeeper Beast roared toward the sky, and the shockwave from its howl sent debris tumbling from nearby cliffs, causing everyone's eardrums to ache.Chen Jiuzhang gripped the Celestial Master Token tightly, the residual warmth from Shen Qingluan's fingers still lingering on his skin. Her icy touch had become a source of strength, flowing through his veins and clearing his thoughts.

"Jiuzhang! Watch its dragon breath!"Shen Qingluan's voice trembled with weakness but was filled with urgency.

Just in time, Chen Jiuzhang dodged sideways as a blast of putrid black dragon breath grazed his shoulder, corroding a deep trench into the ground.

Zhang Chengying was weaving through the beast's claws on half the frame of his blown-up electric scooter, slashing at its joints with his peachwood sword.

"This thing's skin is thicker than my worst customer reviews! The sword's barely scratching it!"

Su Nian swung her cracked bell, sending nine chains transforming into blood-red whips that wrapped around the beast's hind legs, trying to slow it down. But the beast merely gave a slight shake, flinging her high into the air.

Chen Jiuzhang's pupils shrank. The Celestial Master Token flared with gold light, and golden chains shot out, catching Su Nian mid-air and drawing her safely back.

"Cousin… its reverse scale is—"Before she could finish, the beast's tail swept across. Chen Jiuzhang rolled with Su Nian in his arms, narrowly dodging the fatal blow.

Old Wu tossed the last few Prophecy Scroll fragments into the air. They transformed into a sky full of talisman papers that formed an eight-trigram formation, momentarily trapping the gatekeeper beast.

"Jiuzhang! Now's your chance!"He slammed his smoking pipe on the ground,"Use the Celestial Master Token to awaken the Dragon Vein—I'll shield you!"

Chen Jiuzhang nodded, raising the Celestial Master Token high above his head.

"Twenty-Eight Constellations—grant me your strength!"

At once, phantoms of the Twenty-Eight Celestial Mansions resonated with the token in the sky. A pillar of golden light descended from above.Chen Jiuzhang felt the power inside him erupt like a volcano. Clutching the Broken Snake Blade, he charged toward the beast's reverse scale.

But just as he neared, the beast broke free of the formation and opened its gaping mouth, preparing to unleash a more powerful dragon breath.

In that split second, Shen Qingluan threw the Imperial Jade Seal fragment toward him.

"Combine them!"Her voice, though exhausted, rang clear. A flush of unnatural red crept up her pale face as she used the last of her strength.

Chen Jiuzhang caught the seal and pressed it against the Celestial Master Token. The two ancient relics merged, emitting a brilliant, blinding light that illuminated the entire battlefield.

"Break!"Chen Jiuzhang roared, plunging the glowing Broken Snake Blade into the beast's reverse scale.

The gatekeeper beast let out an ear-splitting shriek. Its reverse scale was torn open, and black blood gushed like a fountain. But it didn't fall—instead, it grew even more frenzied. The space around it began to twist and warp as if trying to consume them all.

A violent swing of its tail sent Chen Jiuzhang flying. He crashed through the air—until Shen Qingluan ran forward and shielded him with her body.

They rolled together across the ground, and Chen Jiuzhang instinctively shielded her in his arms as his back slammed into a massive tree trunk.

"Are you crazy?!"he yelled in panic and pain, seeing more blood trickle from her lips. His heart ached unbearably.

But Shen Qingluan simply smiled and reached out to gently touch his face.

"I'm fine… as long as you're safe."Her eyes shimmered with unwavering resolve."Jiuzhang, we will win."

Something ignited in Chen Jiuzhang's chest—a fire that could not be extinguished.He grasped the fused relic blade with renewed purpose. The power of both the Celestial Master Token and the Imperial Jade Seal surged through him.

"Everyone—together!"he shouted.

And so, side by side, they all charged the beast again.The life-or-death battle was far from over.But united by purpose, they would not back down.