Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 145 Standoff in the Shadows atop Sunset Peak

At the foot of Sunset Peak, Zhang Peng and the others looked up at the cloud-shrouded mountain, their hearts heavy with increasing pressure. The mountain wind howled past, carrying a chill, as if foreshadowing impending danger.

“Let’s go. Since they invited us here, they must be waiting up there.” Zhang Peng took a deep breath and stepped onto the mountain path first. The path was rugged and difficult to traverse, with a steep cliff on one side and a towering mountain wall on the other. A slight misstep could send one plunging into an abyss.

The group proceeded cautiously, each step filled with vigilance. As they ventured deeper, the surrounding fog thickened, severely obstructing their vision; they could only determine their location by the fluctuations of their spiritual energy. Suddenly, a sinister laugh echoed from ahead, reverberating through the valley and sending chills down their spines.

"You've finally arrived. I thought you wouldn't dare keep your appointment." A cold voice came from the mist, and then a group of dark figures slowly emerged. The leader was a tall man in black robes, whose face was covered by a ferocious mask, revealing only a pair of eyes that radiated a cold light.

"Who exactly are you? What is your purpose?" Zhang Peng stared fearlessly at the man in black robes, his spiritual power surging around him, and four divine artifacts were faintly visible behind him, exuding a powerful aura.

The man in black robes sneered, "Who I am is not important. What is important is the crystal ball and the divine artifact in your hands. Hand them over, and I may spare your lives. Otherwise, this Sunset Peak will be your burial ground."

Li Ming stepped forward, his longsword unsheathed, its blade gleaming with a chilling light: "Want a divine weapon? Then ask the sword in my hand if it will agree!"

The man in black robes glanced at Li Ming with disdain: "You? You're simply overestimating yourself." As soon as he finished speaking, the man in black robes rapidly formed hand seals, and the surrounding mist instantly thickened to an ink-like consistency. Countless black threads shot out from the mist, wrapping around Zhang Peng and the others. These threads were incredibly tough and corrosive, emitting a sizzling sound upon touching the ground.

Zhang Peng swiftly mobilized the power of the four divine artifacts, forming a five-colored shield around the group. Black threads struck the shield, scattering strings of black sparks. The shield trembled slightly, but remained firmly protecting the group.

"Everyone be careful, these threads are dangerous," Zhang Peng warned. He concentrated, trying to find a weakness in the black-robed man's spiritual power. With the enhancement of the artifact's power, his senses became extremely sharp, and he quickly discovered that the black-robed man's spiritual core was located in his chest, but it was protected by a powerful layer of dark power.

Lin Wan'er and Su Yao provided magical support from the rear. Lin Wan'er summoned countless vines, attempting to entangle the black-robed man's movements. Nourished by the power of the Fountain of Life, her vines were exceptionally resilient, intertwining with the black threads. Su Yao, on the other hand, used ice magic to freeze the surrounding mist, slowing down the black threads' attack speed.

Liu Ruyan and Shen Yue also joined the battle. Liu Ruyan unleashed her unique swordsmanship, her purple sword energy weaving through the mist like lightning, attempting to break through the black-robed man's defenses. Shen Yue, on the other hand, used her support magic to empower everyone, enhancing their defensive and offensive capabilities.

Li Ming brandished his longsword, engaging the man in close combat. His swordsmanship was fierce, each strike accompanied by a whistling sound, but the man in black robes possessed formidable defense, making it difficult for his attacks to inflict any real damage.

Zhang Peng realized that this couldn't go on; he had to find an effective way to attack. He closed his eyes, concentrated his mind, and deeply fused the power of the Five Elements, the Thunder Pearl, the Hourglass of Time, and the Fountain of Life with the power of the crystal ball. In an instant, he felt as if his body had merged with the entire world, able to mobilize all the power around him.

"Die!" Zhang Peng roared, gathering his fused power into a dazzling beam of light, which shot towards the black-robed man. The light contained boundless vitality and destructive power; wherever it touched, the black mist rapidly dissipated, and the black threads snapped.

The man in black robes paled; he hadn't expected Zhang Peng's power to be so formidable. He quickly mobilized all his dark energy, attempting to withstand this fatal blow. The light and dark energy collided, producing a deafening roar. The powerful impact dispersed the surrounding mist, revealing the scene atop the mountain.

At this moment, everyone discovered that behind the man in black robes, another group of men in black robes were lurking in the shadows, wielding various evil magical artifacts and preparing to launch an attack. At the highest point of the mountain, a massive black magic circle was set up, flickering with eerie light, seemingly conducting some kind of sinister ritual.