novel-bin Chapter 22 The Search for the Sacred Relic and the Final Showdown
Chapter 22 The Search for the Sacred Relic and the Final Showdown
Xuan Yuanche and Su Yao gazed at the towering pillar of dark energy, knowing time was of the essence. Su Yao quickly calmed herself and began searching the castle's library for clues about the sacred artifact. The bookshelves were filled with dusty ancient books, which she carefully perused one by one, while Xuan Yuanche paced anxiously beside her.
"Your Highness, the sacred object mentioned here may be the Jade of Light. It was once sealed in a temple atop a distant snow-capped mountain, guarded by a guardian beast." Su Yao finally found a clue in a tattered ancient book.
"The summit of the snow-capped mountain? That must be full of hardships and dangers, but no matter how difficult it is, we must go there." Xuan Yuanche's eyes were firm.
They took Murong Xuan and led a team of elite guards, setting off immediately. Heading north, the closer they got to the snow-capped mountains, the lower the temperature became, and the biting wind felt like knives cutting their faces. Their horses gradually succumbed to the cold, and they had to continue on foot.
Below the snow-capped mountains lay a vast ice plain. Numerous crevasses lay hidden beneath the snow, threatening imminent destruction with a single misstep. Xuan Yuanche instructed his guards to connect with ropes and proceed cautiously. Su Yao, meanwhile, constantly monitored the surroundings, assessing the wind direction and the depth of the snowfall to determine the safest path.
Upon reaching the mountainside, they encountered a sudden avalanche. A massive wave of snow surged down, and Xuan Yuanche shouted, "Everyone, hold on to something stable!" The group scrambled to find boulders or thick tree trunks and clung tightly to them. After the avalanche, some guards were unfortunately buried. They dug desperately and rescued some of the surviving guards, but the losses were heavy.
Finally, they saw the temple atop the mountain. The temple emitted a faint golden light, appearing exceptionally sacred against the backdrop of white snow. However, the guardian beast—a gigantic snow unicorn—appeared before the temple. Its entire body was pure white, and its eyes, like blue jewels, sternly gazed upon the group.
The snow unicorn roared and charged at the group. Xuanyuan Che stepped forward, channeling his inner energy into his sword, which shone brightly. He unleashed a fierce swordsmanship, engaging the snow unicorn in battle. The snow unicorn's power was immense; each attack carried the force of a tidal wave. Although Xuanyuan Che fought valiantly, he gradually found himself outmatched.
Su Yao observed the Snow Kirin's attack rhythm and noticed that it would pause briefly after launching a powerful attack. She called out to Xuan Yuanche, "Your Highness, wait for its next pause after an attack, then attack its abdomen!"
Xuanyuan Che did as instructed. In the instant the snow unicorn paused after its initial pounce, he leaped into the air, his sword piercing the unicorn's abdomen. The snow unicorn, in pain, attacked even more frantically. The guards joined the battle, shooting arrows into the snow unicorn's eyes in an attempt to distract it.
During the fierce battle, Xuanyuan Che noticed that the Snow Qilin seemed wary of the Spirit Pearl in Su Yao's hand. He shouted, "Su Yao, use the Spirit Pearl to restrain it!" Su Yao raised the Spirit Pearl, and its light shone on the Snow Qilin, slowing its movements.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xuanyuan Che launched a fierce attack, finally temporarily repelling the Snow Qilin. They quickly entered the temple, where a stone platform was enshrined, upon which the Jade of Light rested. As Xuanyuan Che reached for the Jade of Light, many phantoms suddenly appeared around them, the souls of the ancestors who had once guarded the Jade of Light.
The spirits of their ancestors questioned why they had taken the sacred artifact. Su Yao stepped forward and explained that it was to seal the dark magic array and save all living beings. After learning the truth, the spirits of their ancestors approved of their actions, and the Jade of Light flew into Xuan Yuan Che's hands.
Just then, the Snow Qilin, which had been repelled, charged back into the temple. Its injuries had healed considerably, and its eyes blazed with even greater fury. Xuanyuan Che, wielding the Jade of Light and his sword, engaged the Snow Qilin in a final showdown.
The power of the Jade of Light combined with Xuan Yuan Che's inner strength, making his attacks even more powerful. Although the Snow Qilin's attacks remained fierce, they gradually fell into a disadvantageous position under the suppression of the Jade of Light. Xuan Yuan Che seized the opportunity, unleashing the full power of the Jade of Light, striking the Snow Qilin's vital point in one fell swoop. The Snow Qilin let out a mournful cry and collapsed to the ground.
Xuanyuan Che and Su Yao quickly returned to the castle with the Jade of Light. They placed the Jade of Light in the center of the magic circle, and it emitted a strong light, resisting the pillar of dark energy. As the light grew stronger, the pillar of dark energy gradually dissipated, and the magic circle stopped operating.
Murong Xuan, witnessing all the failure, collapsed to the ground, his eyes vacant. Xuan Yuanche handed him over to the imperial court for punishment, and the crisis caused by Murong Xuan and the mysterious force was finally resolved.
Standing outside the ancient castle, Xuanyuan Che and Su Yao gazed at the land gradually returning to peace, their hearts filled with relief. Having endured so many hardships, their bond had deepened, and they knew the responsibility of protecting their country and its people remained immense. Together, they would embark on a new journey.