The hill shuddered under the violet shadow's crushing dominance, its booming voice declaring, "The Gate prevails," the purple light swallowing the valley in a suffocating darkness that drowned the golden wave's faint glow. Qian Yu gripped her staff with bleeding hands, her body trembling as she rose from the cracked ground, the wave's energy flickering within her, her fierce determination reigniting despite the shadow's triumph. Lin Hao's spirit pulsed weakly through the wave, a beacon of hope calling her to fight, stirring the sect's resolve to resist the encroaching night.
The Verdant Lotus Sect staggered under the shadow's weight, the ravine's black waters surging with violent waves, the withered ground splitting as the chasm widened with a hungry roar. Disciples clutched their broken staffs, their chants reduced to desperate gasps, their faces pale with fear yet glowing with a flicker of defiance. Elder Lian Wei stood beside Qian Yu, their torn silver robe fluttering, their staff emitting a dim blue light, their face etched with grim determination as they faced the shadow's towering form.
"The Gate's power is strong, but Lin Hao's light lives in us—rise and fight!" Lian Wei shouted, their voice steady like a rallying horn, the golden wave's energy surging faintly in their staff. They raised their staff with a firm hand, a blue shield flaring with a protective hum, merging with the wave's light to push back the purple surge. "Qian Yu, lead us—his spirit is our strength!" they urged, their eyes locking with hers, filled with a fierce hope that rekindled her fading spirit.
Qian Yu steadied herself, the golden wave flaring as she chanted the Starfall Codex, the purple light searing her skin, her body aching with exhaustion. "We'll reclaim our dawn with his sacrifice," she vowed, her voice hoarse but resolute, the wave pulsing through her veins with a surge of energy that battled her pain. Wei Tao joined her, their green cloak tattered, their staff glowing faintly as they merged their magic with the wave, their face set with determination. "His light guides us—let's stand together!" they cried, voice steady with courage, gripping her arm to lift her.
The valley trembled with a thunderous quake, the shadow's purple form expanding across the sky, its pulse hammering like a war drum that shattered the hill. The ravine's waters lashed out, dark tendrils coiling higher, the split ground turning to a blackened mire as the haze thickened, casting an oppressive gloom over the sect. Rong Shen advanced with a wicked laugh, his red cloak blazing, purple fire roaring as he led the shadow's assault, while Jiao Mei and the gaunt guy followed, their weapons glowing with dark fury.
Jiao Mei struck with a fierce slash, her sword's magic lines flaring like enraged dragons, her face twisted with relentless intent. The gaunt guy chanted with a harsh cry, a black-flamed vulture soaring with a piercing screech, its wings slicing through the purple haze. Qian Yu raised her staff high, the golden wave erupting into a radiant burst, filling her with bold energy that pushed back her exhaustion, giving her strength to confront the shadow's ascent.
Lian Wei's blue shield held with a strained hum, their staff trembling as the golden wave wove into their magic, creating a barrier that resisted the shadow's surge. Wei Tao rallied the disciples with a powerful shout, their chants rising with united strength, their green light merging with the wave to fight the dark, their faces glowing with grim resolve. Qian Yu's magic clashed with the vulture, ice shards flying like a fierce storm, enhanced by the wave to strike the enemy with cold fury that glittered in the gloom.
Lin Hao's spirit flared within the wave, the sect's chant echoing like a battle hymn, the valley radiating a defiant light. A golden flower shield bloomed brightly before them, its petals shimmering like stars piercing the haze, the wave reinforcing it to cast a warm, unyielding glow. The shadow's surge slammed into it with a thunderous crash, the impact sending a shockwave through their frames, but the shield held, the wave's resilience sparking hope like warriors reborn.
Rong Shen's purple fire exploded with a ferocious blast, the hill trembling with its fury that scorched the mire and sent embers flying like angry sparks. Jiao Mei's sword clashed against the shield with a metallic roar, her moves swift and brutal like a striking wolf, her eyes burning with dark triumph as she pressed her attack. The vulture's flames surged, the ravine's waters boiling as the chasm gaped wider, its dark maw threatening to devour the hill with a voracious hunger.
The altar's remnants pulsed with a fierce light, the golden wave clashing with the shadow's pulse, its magic weaving through the air with a whisper of desperate harmony. Qian Yu pushed harder with a determined cry, the golden flower standing strong, its light slicing through the darkness like a blazing blade that rallied the sect and filled them with courage. Lian Wei's green magic boosted the wave with a warm surge that fought the cold, the light blending into a radiant wave that lit the hill like a war torch, sparking defiance in the sect's hearts and lighting their faces with a glimmer of hope.
Wei Tao's staff smashed the vulture with a loud crack, the golden wave amplifying the strike to turn it to fading smoke, leaving a shimmer of ice. The gaunt guy fell back with a scream, his face pale and broken, his hands trembling as his chant dissolved, his strength shattered. The shadow pulsed stronger, its purple glow flooding the valley, the golden wave weakening as it countered the dark, casting a defiant but dim light.
"You cannot stop the Gate's dominion," the shadow boomed, its pulse thundering like a victorious war cry, its energy a crushing menace that chilled their spirits. The hill split with a deep groan, the ravine's waters rising with a roar, shaking the world with violent tremors that threatened to tear it apart. Qian Yu's shield wobbled, her energy draining as the purple light pressed harder, but the golden wave flared, infusing her with a surge of resilience.
A blue wall shot up from Lian Wei with a desperate flash, joining Qian Yu's magic and the golden wave in a fierce burst that lit the ruins, their faces glowing with strain and sweat. The shadow's surge slowed, its edges fraying under their power, giving the sect a fleeting moment to strike, their chests heaving with fear and resolve. Jiao Mei slashed again, her sword piercing the shield, cutting Lian Wei's leg with a burning sting, but the wave's warmth fought the pain as they clenched their jaw.
Blood dripped down Lian Wei's leg, pain shooting through them, but they held on, their eyes fixed on the wave as the golden light flickered, fueling their will. They poured the wave's power into the codex with a shout, a golden blast erupting outward, the wave amplifying it to push Jiao Mei and the gaunt guy back with a thunderous crash. The surge weakened, the shadow trembling with a growl, its strength faltering under the wave's assault, offering a desperate chance to turn the tide.
"Stand tall and fight for our light," Qian Yu shouted, her voice piercing the purple haze, her staff high with the wave's light inspiring them to resist. The disciples' shields flickered, their chants rising with grit, hands clutching broken staffs with resolve that shone like a beacon. The ravine's edge crumbled further, its waters churning, the festival's power chaotic again, tossing magic like a stormy sea, knocking some to their knees with heavy thuds.
Lian Wei's blue light struck the shadow, ice cracking its edges with a snap, the wave enhancing the shards to rain down like a cold storm. The black-cloaked figure's voice grew louder, a dark wave rolling like a flood, its tendrils pulsing with renewed vigor. Qian Yu's energy surged from the wave, her vision clearing with power, her body steadying as she fought the dizziness with a united grip.
They gripped the wave's legacy, its light pulsing wildly, flaring with their chant, struggling against the purple surge. The golden flower dimmed, the festival's power slipping, leaving them weak but driven with every ragged breath. Lian Wei's array faltered, the disciples struggling, their magic fading under the dark wave's crush, but the wave's light steadied them, their faces showing the toll and a flicker of hope.
"Find your strength within," Wei Tao urged, their staff bright with the wave, their voice steady despite the danger, nodding to bolster their resolve. Qian Yu rallied with a fierce cheer, their green light flaring with the wave, lifting hearts with fire against the dark, spirits reigniting with a cry. Lin Hao's spirit roared through the wave, the golden burst lighting the hill, the wave amplifying it to push back the shadow with a thunderous roar, rallying the warriors with vigor—until the shadow retaliated, its purple blast shattering the shield and engulfing the sect in a blinding chaos.
Qian Yu's shield exploded with a bang, her energy spent, her body collapsing as the wave faltered, gasping with labored breaths. The blast rocked the hill, rocks flying like angry birds, pelting fighters through the smoky air, leaving trails of debris and shadow. She fell to the ground, the wave dimming, the shadow towering over them, the tear widening with a triumphant pulse, hinting at a darkness poised to reclaim the valley.
Lian Wei and the disciples pushed back, their magic clashing with the blast in a burst of color, faces strained with effort, sweat and blood mixing. The chants broke, shields crumbling, leaving them exposed to the surging energy, hands reaching in desperate defiance. The ravine's edge collapsed fully, the chasm yawning wide with a hungry maw, the shadow's glow pulsing with a menacing rhythm that promised a new reign of night.
The violet shadow dominated the sky, its purple light swallowing the last of the dawn, the hill trembling under the weight of the Gate's return. Rong Shen cackled, his fire blazing high, Jiao Mei and the gaunt guy advancing with fierce determination, weapons glowing with dark power. Qian Yu crawled forward, hands bleeding on the shattered ground, reaching for a glowing shard of the wave with a defiant lunge, the shadow's voice booming, "The Gate consumes all," leaving the sect's fate hanging in a void of eternal darkness.