The towering figure from the violet shadow towered over the Starfall Altar, its glowing eyes blazing like hot coals, shaking the hill with a thunderous roar. The Lotus Soul Amulet in Lin Hao's hand pulsed with a warm glow, its golden lines flaring like tiny stars, as if begging for one last fight. His leg throbbed where the cut still bled, but his heart burned with fierce courage to keep going.
The Verdant Lotus Sect fought with all their might under the Starfall Festival's golden dawn, the air buzzing with wild magic energy. Disciples stood strong, their staffs glowing green, their chants rising like a brave song that echoed off the hills. Elder Qian Yu stood tall in the chaos, her robe torn and dirty, her face set with unyielding determination.
"This is the Ethereal Gate's biggest attack," she yelled, her voice slicing through the noise like a sharp blade. She raised her staff high, a green shield flaring up to block the towering figure's dark power with a loud hum. "Lin Hao, use the amulet—now's your moment to shine!"
Lin Hao nodded, clutching the amulet with both hands. "I won't let them take it," he said, his voice steady and bold. Lian Wei moved closer, their silver robe sparkling like a moonlit river, their staff glowing a soft blue. "The Gate wants the amulet to smash the sky's barrier," they whispered. "The festival's power is at its strongest, like it was in the 8th Cycle—give it everything!"
The towering figure swung a massive arm, its dark energy crashing down like a wild storm. The hill shook hard, the chasm widening with a loud crack that split the ground. Rong Shen laughed loud and cruel, his red cloak flapping, purple fire blazing in his hands like a furious dragon.
Jiao Mei darted forward, her sword flashing with glowing magic lines. The gaunt guy summoned a black-flamed dragon, its wings beating the air with a mighty roar that made the ground tremble. Lin Hao stood firm, the amulet hot against his skin, his energy vein surging with wild, brave strength.
Qian Yu's green shield held strong, but it wobbled under the figure's heavy blow. Wei Tao led the disciples, their chants growing louder, their magic light blending with the dawn's golden rays. Lian Wei's blue light clashed with the dragon, ice shards flying like a sharp, icy rain across the hill.
Lin Hao chanted the Starfall Codex, a golden flower shield blooming big and bright before him. The towering figure's dark wave slammed into it, shaking him hard, but the shield stood tall like a warrior. He focused with all his might, the codex shapes guiding his energy, the flower glowing like a bright sun.
Rong Shen's purple fire joined the attack, the hill trembling under the fiery blast. Jiao Mei's sword sparked against the shield, her moves fast and fierce like a striking snake. The dragon's flames roared, the chasm growing wider with every fiery breath, threatening to swallow the altar.
The Starfall Altar pulsed with life, its starry carvings lighting up with magic energy that danced in the air. Lin Hao pushed harder, the golden flower holding steady, its petals shimmering like jewels. Qian Yu's green magic boosted him, the colors mixing into a dazzling wave that lit up the hill like a festival fire.
Lian Wei's staff smashed the dragon with a loud crack, turning it to fading smoke that drifted away. The gaunt guy stumbled back, his face pale and shocked, his hands shaking. The towering figure roared again, its dark energy swelling into a huge, swirling storm that darkened the sky.
"You can't stop the Gate's power," it boomed, the storm swirling wild and loud like a angry beast. The hill split more, rocks tumbling into the chasm with a crash that echoed far away. Lin Hao's shield wobbled, his energy slipping fast, his legs trembling under the strain.
A blue wall shot up from Lian Wei, joining Qian Yu's magic in a bright, dazzling flash. The storm slowed, its edges tearing apart like old paper under their power. Jiao Mei stabbed quick and hard, her sword nicking the shield's edge, cutting Lin Hao's arm with a sharp, burning sting.
Blood dripped down, pain shooting through him like a hot arrow, but he held on with every bit of strength. He poured the amulet's last power into the codex, a golden wave blasting out, pushing Jiao Mei and the gaunt guy back with a loud thud. The storm weakened, the towering figure staggering with a deep grunt that shook the ground.
"Keep pushing," Qian Yu shouted, her voice ringing out like a leader's call. The disciples' shields held firm, their chants rising with hope and power. The altar glowed brighter, its magic surging with the festival's peak, filling the air with a warm buzz.
Lian Wei's blue light hit the figure, ice cracking its dark skin with a loud snap. The black-cloaked figure chanted in a creepy voice, a new dark wave rolling toward the altar like a shadowy flood. Lin Hao's energy drained away, the amulet cooling fast, his vision blurring with heavy tiredness.
He gripped the amulet tight, its warmth flickering like a tiny candle in the wind. The golden flower dimmed, the festival's power slipping away like sand through his fingers. Qian Yu's green array faltered, the disciples struggling, their magic fading under the dark wave's push.
"Dig deep inside," Lian Wei urged, their staff glowing bright like a guiding star. Qian Yu rallied the team, their green light flaring up again with a loud cheer that lifted spirits. Lin Hao sang the codex with all his heart, a final golden burst lighting the hill like a second sunrise, pushing back the darkness.
The dark wave paused, the black figure stumbling back with a hiss of anger. Rong Shen roared like a wild beast, the violet tear widening, pulling at the altar's magic with a hungry, greedy pull. The towering figure raised its arms, dark energy swirling into a massive blast that lit up the sky.
Lin Hao's shield cracked with a loud pop, his energy nearly gone, his body shaking with exhaustion. The blast hit hard, the hill exploding with light and sound, rocks flying like angry birds. He fell to his knees, the amulet slipping from his hand, rolling toward the chasm's jagged edge.
Qian Yu and Lian Wei pushed back with all their might, their magic clashing with the blast in a wild burst. The disciples' chants grew weak, their shields breaking apart like glass. The altar shattered into pieces, its starry stones tumbling into the dark chasm with a roaring crash that shook the earth.
The violet tear pulsed with a deep beat, the towering figure growing even larger. Rong Shen laughed, his fire flaring bright, Jiao Mei and the gaunt guy rushing forward with renewed fury. Lin Hao crawled through the dust, reaching for the amulet, its glow faint but alive like a stubborn spark.
His fingers brushed it, the warmth rushing back with a bright spark that lit his hand. The hill shook harder, the chasm widening with a groan, the festival's energy wild and uncontrollable. A new violet shape emerged from the tear, its eyes glowing brighter than the sun, a voice booming, "The Gate rises to rule!"
The shape grew into a giant figure with wings of dark flame that danced like shadows. Lin Hao clutched the amulet, his energy sparking back to life, the Starfall Festival's fate hanging by a thin, fragile thread. The giant roared, its power shaking the dawn sky, its wings spreading wide to crush the hill and everyone on it.