Cultivating immortality relies on spatial abilities; defying fate to become the protagonist.

Chapter 225

As Gu Shihan approached the stone platform, several phantoms suddenly appeared around them, transforming into various dark creatures that attacked them.

Everyone was shocked, but reacted quickly. They supported each other back to back, and Gu Shihan gripped the Purifying Pearl tightly in both hands, trying to use its power to dispel the illusions.

Duan Siqi continuously cast spells to reinforce everyone's defensive perimeter. Mo Yu, Situ Tinglang, and the others bravely charged towards the phantom, fighting it off. In an instant, magical light and dark power intertwined.

After a fierce battle, everyone gradually figured out the pattern of the illusions. Gu Shihan seized the opportunity and raised the power of the Purifying Pearl to its limit. A bright light flashed, and the illusions all disappeared.

Gu Shihan stepped forward, opened the box, and inside was a ring emitting a blue light.

At this moment, the ethereal voice rang out again: "This is a guardian ring. There are nine of you, and I have divided you into nine. This item can enhance the wearer's immortal spiritual power and resist the invasion of dark forces. I hope you will make good use of it."

Gu Shihan and the others accepted the guardian rings without hesitation and put them on. As soon as they held the rings, they immediately felt the pure spiritual power emanating from them.

"Thank you for your generous gift, senior!" Gu Shihan and the other nine bowed respectfully.

"No need, you're too kind. The celestial realm needs you to help with this calamity!" A clear, ethereal voice rang out.

"Senior, why us? Our cultivation and strength are too low, how can we shoulder such a responsibility?" Shi Qinghan asked.

"You are extraordinary! You will understand in the future! Leave!" A clear voice rang out, and Gu Shihan and the others felt dizzy and were lifted into the air.

After regaining their footing, the group found themselves in an unfamiliar forest. At that moment, the protective rings on their hands trembled slightly, as if guiding them in a certain direction.

Gu Shihan looked at everyone and said, "This ring seems to offer some clues. Let's follow its guidance." Everyone nodded in agreement and headed in the direction indicated by the ring.

They hadn't walked far when they heard a pitiful cry. Following the sound, they saw a little girl trapped in a thorny trap.

The crowd quickly used magic to rescue the girl. The girl looked up, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

She said she lived in a nearby village that had been flooded by a dark force, and her family had all disappeared.

Gu Shihan and the others decided to go with the girl to check it out. Upon arriving at the so-called village, they found it deserted.

Suddenly, countless shadow puppets surged forth from all around. It turned out that the girl was a manifestation of dark power, specifically luring them here.

Although everyone was shocked, they quickly calmed down. Gu Shihan held the Purifying Pearl in front, while the others used their strongest spells to form a protective net.

They worked together methodically to fight the shadow puppets. After a fierce battle, the shadow puppets gradually weakened, and the group eventually destroyed them all, continuing their journey to fight against the forces of darkness.

They continued their journey and soon arrived at a small town. A thick fog shrouded the town, carrying with it a sense of darkness. The group cautiously entered the town, only to find the streets eerily quiet, without a single person in sight.

Suddenly, a cold wind swept through, and a group of black-robed figures emerged from the thick fog. These figures were surrounded by dark magic, and their eyes gleamed with an eerie light.

The leader of the black-robed men sneered, "Do you think things can go this smoothly forever?" He then ordered his men to launch an attack.

Gu Shihan took the lead, and the Pure World Pearl shone brightly. Duan Siqi and the others were not to be outdone, and they unleashed a variety of spells.

However, the black-robed man was far stronger than any of their previous enemies, and they gradually found themselves at a disadvantage. At this critical moment, Gu Shihan remembered that the Guardian Ring hadn't yet been fully utilized. She concentrated her energy, guiding the ring's power to combine with the Purifying Pearl.

Suddenly, a powerful purifying light erupted, striking the black-robed figures who screamed and staggered backward. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the group rallied and fought back, finally repelling the black-robed figures.

"When will this ever end? Is there no one else in the Immortal Realm willing to step in and clean things up?" Duan Siqi said while drinking her spirit wine.

“Siqi, your words have brought me to a crucial question. Along this journey, apart from the cultivators corrupted by darkness, have we seen any other normal cultivators? No, right? Then where did they go?” Shi Qinghan frowned.

Gu Shihan looked around and said, "See that over there? There's a formation with flashing spiritual light. I reckon the person is inside the formation."

"So they'll just stay here and not come out?" Wenxin asked.

"Come out? They shouldn't come out. We have the luminous magic jade scepter, the holy spring water, and the protection of merit, so we can walk outside."

"Them? Their only fate if they come out is to be corrupted by darkness. To avoid causing us trouble, they'd better stay hidden! There are a few wells over there; let one drop of Holy Spirit water drip from each one."

The group split up and began to work. As the Holy Spirit's water dripped into the well, the water began to shimmer with a faint golden light.

Suddenly, the entire town began to shake, cracks appeared in the ground, and dark energy surged forth from them. Everyone quickly steadied themselves, preparing for a new battle.

Just then, a magnificent portal appeared in the sky, and several white-haired old men walked out of it.

One of the elders said, "You have done a good job. Now it is time to gather everyone's strength."

It turned out that these old men had been secretly observing Gu Shihan and the others; they represented the remaining high-ranking immortals in the Immortal Realm.

The elders led Gu Shihan and the others through a portal, arriving at a mysterious space.

Many monks have gathered here. Although they fear the darkness, they are now inspired and determined to fight together.

The group focused their power on the Purifying Pearl and the Jade Ruyi, creating a super-powerful purifying force.

They then returned to the town and charged towards the area where the darkness was most concentrated. The dark forces resisted desperately, but were gradually defeated by the united efforts of the group.

As the forces of darkness were defeated, the earth began to recover, the town's buildings regained their luster, and the flowers, grass, and trees became green again, seemingly full of vitality and life.

The previous desolation dissipated, and the cultivators who had been hiding emerged one after another. Their faces were filled with smiles and less sorrow, and they were grateful and respectful to Gu Shih-han and the others.

However, Gu Shihan frowned. She sensed that the dark power had not been completely eliminated, but had lurked in a deeper place, waiting for the right moment to erupt again.

"Don't be too happy yet, everyone. The power of darkness hasn't been eliminated; it's just hidden. What we'll face will be even more difficult," Gu Shihan said solemnly.

“Shi Han, we have the Purification Pearl, it will guide us, right?!” Wen Xin asked.

(End of this chapter)