Chapter 19: The Labyrinth of Guixu

The moment they stepped into the Guixu Secret Realm, Chen Jiuzhang felt as if his blood had frozen in his veins.Thick, tar-like fog enveloped everything.Floating within were countless skulls glowing with eerie blue light.Their hollow sockets seemed to stare straight at the group, and from their gaping mouths came bone-chilling wails.

Shen Qingluan instinctively moved closer to Chen Jiuzhang.He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and whispered,

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Above them, the sky glowed a strange shade of purple, with seven crimson stars arranged in the formation of the Big Dipper.Zhang Chengying raised his broken peachwood sword and pointed at the stars, his voice trembling:

"These stars are creepier than the worst customer reviews I've ever delivered to…"

Su Nian tightened her grip on the shattered spirit bell.The chains in her hand gave off a faint hum.

"If we follow the starlight, we should reach the Sky-Piercing Tower."

They moved cautiously.Each step landed on ground that felt soft and squishy, as if they were treading on rotting flesh.Suddenly, Old Wu grabbed Chen Jiuzhang's sleeve:

"Stop! There's something ahead!"

Before he finished, the ground cracked open with a deafening roar.From the fissures surged countless thorny vines, reeking of rot and covered in jagged barbs.

Chen Jiuzhang raised the Broken Snake Blade, now infused with the power of both the Celestial Master Token and Jade Seal.Golden light flashed as he slashed through the vines.But more vines surged like a tidal wave.One coiled around Shen Qingluan's ankle, yanking her toward the crack.

"Qingluan!"Chen Jiuzhang was frantic. He threw aside his blade and grabbed her hands with both of his.Her fingers were ice cold, yet she gripped him back tightly, her gaze full of unwavering trust:"I'm okay, Jiuzhang!"

Zhang Chengying, riding what remained of his electric scooter frame, dashed in and hacked at the vines with his peachwood sword.

"Jiuzhang! Catch!"

He threw a thunderwood talisman.Chen Jiuzhang caught it and slapped it onto the vines.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion shredded the vines to pieces.Shen Qingluan seized the chance and fell into Chen Jiuzhang's arms.He held her tightly, feeling her racing heartbeat.Only then did his own heart begin to settle.

"Ahem… can we save the romance for later?"Zhang Chengying teased, though his concern was plain on his face.

The group pushed forward.As they delved deeper, the scenery grew even more bizarre.

Giant mushroom-like creatures loomed in the mist, their caps oozing green slime.Semi-transparent ghosts drifted through the air, cackling sharply as they passed.

Suddenly, the light from the Big Dipper above intensified, illuminating a towering structure ahead—

The Sky-Piercing Tower.

It rose into the heavens, built from black stone etched with ancient, arcane runes.Each rune gave off a faint glow.Floating around the tower were massive stone platforms, and atop each stood a black-armored sentinel, weapons gleaming with icy light.

"This is it,"Su Nian whispered."But those guards…"

Before she could finish, the sentinels let out a unified shout and charged at the group.

Chen Jiuzhang tightened his grip on the Broken Snake Blade, eyes sharp.

"No matter what dangers lie ahead—we face them together!"

Shen Qingluan raised the Jade Seal fragment, its light harmonizing with the glow of Jiuzhang's blade.Zhang Chengying charged ahead, shouting with his battered sword.Su Nian swung her bell, chains darting like snakes.Old Wu lit his smoking pipe, and pages from the Tui Bei Tu became a flurry of glowing talismans.

An intense battle erupted within the mystical Guixu Realm—A clash between fate and will,Between light and shadow.