The Star Exploration Team from Lingxu Market faced numerous setbacks on their return journey. Having just overcome the many obstacles in the Illusion Star Island sea area, they encountered a sudden spiritual energy storm. Black clouds churned like ink, and thick bolts of spiritual energy lightning raged within them, producing deafening roars.
"Everyone be careful! The power of this spiritual energy storm should not be underestimated!" the exploration team leader shouted, quickly directing everyone to move closer together to strengthen their defenses. The sword cultivators surrounded the team, activating their sword formation to its maximum, forming a shimmering spiritual energy barrier. The disciples of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion then unleashed their defensive magical artifacts, coordinating with the sword formation.
A storm of spiritual energy swept in, the gale carrying immense power, like a ferocious beast attempting to devour the exploration team. Spiritual lightning bolts struck relentlessly, hitting the defensive barrier and scattering brilliant sparks. The barrier trembled violently under the powerful impact, seemingly on the verge of shattering.
"Hold on! Concentrate your spiritual power and solidify your defenses!" The captain shouted, boosting morale as he channeled his spiritual power to its fullest extent. The magical artifact he held, obtained from Illusion Star Island, emitted a soft light, merging into the defensive force. The team members gritted their teeth, doing their utmost to resist the storm's onslaught.
Amidst the raging storm, a sword cultivator, exhausted of his spiritual energy, stumbled. The sword formation momentarily opened, and a bolt of spiritual lightning seized the opportunity, striking the sword cultivator. He screamed, coughing up blood, and collapsed to the ground.
"Quick, save him!" the captain cried anxiously. A disciple from Wanbaoge quickly retrieved healing pills and fed them to the injured swordsman. At the same time, the other team members increased their spiritual energy output to repair the flaws in the sword formation.
After a grueling struggle, the spiritual energy storm gradually weakened and eventually dissipated. The exploration team breathed a sigh of relief, but they knew the return journey was still fraught with danger. Before they could even catch their breath, a group of eagle-like demonic beasts suddenly appeared in the distance, emanating a chilling aura and locking onto the exploration team with lightning-fast eyes.
“It’s a flock of Gale Eagles. These guys are incredibly fast and extremely aggressive.” One of the team members recognized the group of monsters, and his expression turned serious.
The flock of Gale Eagles launched an attack instantly, swooping down on the exploration team like streaks of black lightning. The team reacted swiftly; the sword cultivators unleashed fierce sword energy, while the disciples of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion manipulated their magical artifacts to attack. In an instant, sword energy crisscrossed, and magical artifacts flashed with light.
The Gale Eagles were exceptionally agile, constantly shifting their positions in the air to skillfully evade attacks while simultaneously launching counterattacks with their sharp talons and beaks. One Gale Eagle seized an opportunity and swooped down on a Wanbaoge disciple. Unable to dodge in time, the disciple's arm was clawed and bled profusely.
"Everyone, coordinate well and don't panic!" the captain commanded the team while fending off the Gale Eagles' attacks. The magical artifact in his hand shone brightly, releasing beams of multicolored light that struck several Gale Eagles, repelling them.
The exploration team gradually found their rhythm in the battle against the flock of Gale Eagles. The sword cultivators' sword formations worked in tandem, forming a dense net of sword energy that blocked the Gale Eagles' attack routes. The disciples of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, on the other hand, used magical artifacts with tracking capabilities to deliver precise strikes to the Gale Eagles.
After a fierce battle, the Gale Eagles were no match for the exploration team and scattered in all directions. The exploration team continued their journey home, unaware that the Dark Alliance had already detected their actions.
At the secret stronghold of the "Dark Alliance," a scout rushed over and reported to the Blood Blade Sect Master and the Netherworld Palace Master: "Sect Master, Palace Master, we have discovered a team coming from the direction of Illusion Star Island from the Spirit Ruins Market. They seem to have obtained something important."
The Bloodblade Sect Master's expression changed: "Illusion Star Island? Could it be that they've found something that counters our plans? We absolutely cannot let them return to the Spirit Ruins Market!"
The Lord of the Netherworld Palace said with a gloomy face, "Immediately dispatch elite troops to intercept them on their way back."
Therefore, the "Dark Alliance" quickly selected a group of powerful members to form an interception team and headed towards the exploration team's direction.
Back at the Lingxu Market, Lin Yang and his group noticed unusual activity from the "Dark Alliance." Intelligence from the Linghe Chamber of Commerce reported that the "Dark Alliance" seemed to be gathering strength for a major operation.
"It seems the 'Dark Alliance' is about to make a move, and we must be prepared," Lin Yang said at a meeting with the leaders of various factions.
The Pavilion Master of Wanbaoge frowned: "I wonder how the Star Exploration Team is doing. I hope they can return safely."
The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect clenched his fist: "No matter what, we must protect the Spirit Ruins Market. Even if the exploration team fails to return in time, we will use our own strength to stop the Dark Alliance's conspiracy."
The Lingxu Market immediately went into high alert. Wanbaoge accelerated the distribution and deployment of defensive magic items, Lingjian Sect sword cultivators increased patrols around the market, and Linghe Chamber of Commerce organized personnel to evacuate the elderly, women, and children, and prepared various emergency supplies.
Meanwhile, the Star Exploration Team, on their return journey, remained completely unaware that the Dark Alliance's interception squad was approaching. They continued their journey, hoping to return to the Spirit Ruins Market as soon as possible, hand over the magical artifact to Lin Yang and the others, and jointly deal with the crisis posed by the Dark Alliance.
The exploration team was flying rapidly over a desolate desert. Suddenly, the space ahead distorted, and the "Dark Alliance" interception squad appeared before them.
"You've finally arrived! Hand over what you obtained from Illusion Star Island, and I'll spare your lives!" The captain of the interception squad, a master of the Blood Blade Sect, said viciously, holding a blood blade.
The exploration team leader's face darkened: "You bunch of evil scoundrels, don't even think about taking this magical treasure. Come and try if you dare!"
After saying this, the exploration team quickly took up position and confronted the interception squad of the "Dark Alliance." A fierce battle was about to break out. Could the exploration team break through the interception squad's obstruction and successfully return to the Lingxu Market? Could the Lingxu Market remain unscathed under the conspiracy of the "Dark Alliance"? The situation was extremely tense, and everyone was caught up in this storm of life and death.
The members of the "Dark Alliance" interception team spread out, surrounding the exploration team. They exuded an evil aura, their eyes revealing greed and ferocity. The Bloodblade Sect experts brandished their blood blades, which shimmered with an eerie red light, as if yearning for the nourishment of blood; the members of the "Netherworld Palace" were surrounded by black smoke, their hands constantly conjuring sinister spells.
"Hmph, you ants of the Spirit Ruins Market, today is your death day!" An elder from the Netherworld Palace in the interception team sneered, and black mist in his hand condensed into a giant ghost hand, grabbing towards the exploration team.
Seeing this, the exploration team leader swiftly brandished his magical artifact, unleashing a beam of multicolored light that collided with the ghostly hand. In a flash of light, a portion of the ghostly hand was dissolved by the multicolored light, but it continued to reach for the exploration team.
The sword cultivators immediately activated their sword formation. The "Spirit Concealing Demon-Suppressing Sword Formation" shone brightly, and countless sword energies shot into the sky, piercing towards the Ghost Hand. Under the attack of the sword energies, the Ghost Hand let out a series of shrill cries before finally dissipating into the air.
"Everyone be careful, their attacks are fierce. Wanbaoge disciples, use your offensive magic weapons to suppress them!" the exploration team leader shouted.
The disciples of Wanbaoge unleashed their offensive magical weapons. The "Eroding Yin Demon-Slaying Pestle" released powerful yang energy, blasting towards the members of the "Dark Alliance." The "Spirit Shadow Tracking Crossbow" also continuously fired bolts, accurately targeting the enemy.
The interception team members were not to be outdone, unleashing a variety of evil spells in retaliation. The Bloodblade Sect experts unleashed "Bloodblade Storm," countless crimson sword energies sweeping towards the exploration team like a whirlwind. Meanwhile, members of the Netherworld Palace cast "Netherworld Curse," black runes flashing in the air, attempting to erode the spiritual power of the exploration team members.
The exploration team was caught in a fierce battle under the enemy's relentless attack. The light of the sword formation flickered erratically under the impact of the blood blade storm, and the magical attacks of the Wanbaoge disciples were also interfered with by the "Netherworld Curse".
"We can't just sit here and take the hits; we have to take the initiative!" a swordsman shouted, unleashing his ultimate move, "Sword Piercing the Sky," a massive sword aura slashing towards the interception squad leader.
The interception squad leader sneered, brandishing his blood-red blade. A crimson light barrier rose, blocking the sword energy. "Is that all you've got? You dare to resist?"
However, just as he was speaking, the exploration team leader seized the opportunity to use his movement technique to quietly circle behind him. His magical artifact unleashed a powerful spiritual energy shockwave, striking him. The interception team leader screamed and staggered forward a few steps.
"Captain!" Upon seeing this, the members of the interception team rushed to protect their captain. The exploration team seized the opportunity and launched a full-scale counterattack. The sword cultivators' sword formations became significantly more powerful, and the magical attacks of the Wanbaoge disciples became even more ferocious.
In the midst of the fierce battle, a member of the "Netherworld Palace" stealthily cast an invisibility spell, approaching a member of the exploration team who possessed a magical artifact, attempting to seize it. Just as he was about to succeed, an intelligence expert from the Spirit Harmony Merchant Guild sensed the anomaly. He quickly used a mental detection spell and discovered the invisible enemy.
"Watch out, an enemy is approaching stealthily!" the intelligence expert shouted. The team members with magical artifacts reacted immediately, quickly turning around and releasing a defensive spiritual energy wave with their artifacts, which shook out the stealthy "Netherworld Palace" members.
Seeing their sneak attack fail, the interception team intensified their offensive. A stalemate ensued, with neither side able to gain an easy advantage. Meanwhile, at the Spirit Ruins Market, the ritual by which the "Dark Alliance" awakened the ancient artifact had reached its crucial moment. Evil spiritual energy surged into the sky like black flames, turning the entire heavens black. The Spirit Ruins Market's defenses were on high alert; a battle to the death was about to erupt. Could the Star Exploration Team break through the interception team's blockade and return to the Spirit Ruins Market in time to aid in resisting the "Dark Alliance's" conspiracy? Everything remained uncertain, and a tense atmosphere hung over the entire situation.
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