Chapter 98: Breakthrough and Desperation

In the fog - enshrouded landscape of his soul, Chen Jiuzhang's knuckles were white as he gripped the glowing blue energy that had manifested in his hands. The horde of nightmare creatures circled him, their growls echoing through the void. The shadowy figure watched with a sneer, but a hint of unease flickered in its dark eyes.​A massive, spider - like creature with pincers as long as Chen Jiuzhang's arm lunged at him. He leaped back, the creature's pincers grazing his side. Pain flared, but he gritted his teeth and counterattacked. His blue - glowing fist slammed into the spider's abdomen, and it let out a screech as it dissolved into a cloud of black mist.​"Your fear is your weakness!" the shadowy figure taunted, but its voice lacked the earlier confidence. "These creatures are a part of you, and you can never truly defeat them."​Chen Jiuzhang's mind flashed back to the countless battles he'd fought alongside his friends, to the times they'd faced impossible odds and emerged victorious through sheer determination. "My fear... is also my strength," he growled. "It reminds me of what I can't afford to lose."​With a roar, he charged at the remaining creatures. His attacks became a blur of blue light, each strike shattering the nightmare beings. The shadowy figure's form began to waver, its dark facade cracking under the onslaught of Chen Jiuzhang's new - found resolve.​Meanwhile, on the floating platform, Su Nian, Zhang Chengying, and Lyra were pushed to the very edge. Lyra's incantation had fizzled out, and her broken staff lay at her feet. Su Nian's chains were nearly torn to shreds, and Zhang Chengying was bleeding from multiple cuts. The light - beings' attacks formed an impenetrable wall of energy, slowly but surely forcing them towards the endless abyss below.​"We can't give up!" Su Nian shouted, her voice hoarse. She lashed out with her chains one last time, but they were immediately knocked back by a blast of golden energy.​Zhang Chengying stumbled, his knees hitting the platform. "Is this... the end?" he gasped.​Just as hope seemed lost, a powerful surge of energy rippled through the air. The crystal - key, which had been left behind on the platform, began to glow with a blinding white light. A connection formed between the key and Chen Jiuzhang, still battling in the soul - realm. The shadowy figure let out a scream as the taint within the key was drawn out, and the key's true power began to awaken.​The light - beings on the platform hesitated, their attacks faltering. The barrier of energy that had trapped Su Nian, Zhang Chengying, and Lyra started to crack. With a final, desperate push, the trio launched themselves at the weakened light - beings, hoping to turn the tide of the battle before it was too late.