188: Final Trial

Han Ruoxue and Yin Tong walked in front, responsible for carving out paths in the Moonlight walls and leading everyone to explore the maze, while the others followed and protected them.

The trial of the Moon Maze was different from the previous stages; it focused more on understanding the essence of energy and controlling it.

Through continuous attempts, Han Ruoxue's understanding of Moonlight Power rapidly improved. She discovered that lunar phase changes, Moonlight frequency, and energy flow all had their inherent rules. Yin Tong, as a Moon Shadow Leopard, naturally possessed an intuition in this area, and the cooperation between master and pet became increasingly telepathic.

Sometimes, they would encounter situations requiring energy to be injected into multiple points simultaneously, at which point the others would help. Chu Yixing could output Sword Qi imbued with Moonlight Power through his moonlight sword as a medium. Yu Yue's Holy Light had some commonalities with Moonlight, and Ji Linghan's lightning also had the same purifying effect as Moonlight. Although Xu Bai's attributes were conflicting, he could control the input amount of energy for everyone through Shadow Claw.

The pets also displayed their abilities: Azure Heaven's water energy could purify and stabilize unstable energy, Dawn Light's Holy Light could strengthen Moonlight, Shadow Claw's shadow energy could sense and provide comparative references, and Thunder's lightning could activate dormant energy points.

During this process, everyone gained a new understanding of their own power.

Chu Yixing discovered that Sword Qi could not only harm enemies but also protect teammates and break mechanisms through precise control; Yu Yue understood that Holy Light was not only for defense but also for guidance and stabilization; Ji Linghan learned that lightning was not only for destruction but also for balance and activation; Xu Bai understood that the power of the abyss was not only for engulfment but also for comparison and reflection; Han Ruoxue realized that Moonlight Power was not only gentle but also about change and circulation.

The pets also grew: Azure Heaven learned to control the strength of energy output, Dawn Light mastered the complementary relationship between Holy Light and Moonlight, Shadow Claw understood the boundary between shadow and light, Thunder learned to precisely control the intensity of lightning, and Yin Tong activated some of the Moon Shadow Leopard's bloodline abilities.

After several hours of exploration and attempts, everyone finally arrived at the center of the maze. There was a giant Moonlight crystal, surrounded by complex light paths and runes.

"This should be the control center of the maze," Han Ruoxue said after observing, "We need to pass the final test to gain control."

As soon as Han Ruoxue finished speaking, the Moonlight crystal projected five light spheres, each representing a lunar phase: New Moon, Crescent Moon, First Quarter Moon, Gibbous Moon, and Full Moon. Then, each light sphere branched out into countless light filaments, connecting to various parts of the maze.

"We need to balance five types of lunar phase energy simultaneously," Han Ruoxue said with a solemn expression after sensing the energy, "I can't do it alone."

Chu Yixing immediately understood: "Do you need our assistance?"

Han Ruoxue nodded: "Everyone is responsible for adjusting one type of lunar phase energy. I'll assign them based on your characteristics. New Moon is suitable for Xu Bai and Shadow Claw, representing concealment and beginning; Crescent Moon is suitable for me and Yin Tong, representing growth and hope; First Quarter Moon is suitable for Ling Han and Thunder, representing action and challenge; Gibbous Moon is suitable for Yi Xing and Azure Heaven, representing fullness and preparation; Full Moon is suitable for Yu Yue and Dawn Light, representing completion and guardianship."

Everyone took their positions according to their assignments, and the pets cooperated with their masters. Under Han Ruoxue's guidance, they began to adjust the lunar phase energy they were responsible for.

This was an extremely delicate process, requiring high concentration and tacit cooperation. Even a slight imbalance in energy would cause violent fluctuations in the maze, or even trigger the defensive mechanism's attack.

At the critical moment, Han Ruoxue and Yin Tong, as overall coordinators, constantly instructed everyone to adjust direction and intensity. Chu Yixing and Azure Heaven's Sword Qi precisely controlled the energy flow, Yu Yue and Dawn Light's Holy Light stabilized fluctuations, Ji Linghan and Thunder's lightning activated dormant nodes, and Xu Bai and Shadow Claw's shadow balanced excessive energy.

After difficult adjustments, the five lunar phase energies finally reached a perfect balance. The Moonlight crystal emitted a soft yet powerful light, the entire maze stopped changing, then gradually became transparent, and finally completely disappeared, leaving only a pure Moonlight space.

The central bright moon cast a pillar of light, forming a passage to the final area.

"We succeeded..." Han Ruoxue said tiredly, "The Moon Trial has been passed." But her words were full of joy.

Yin Tong affectionately rubbed against her; the Moon Shadow Leopard appeared even more mysterious and powerful bathed in the Moonlight.

Chu Yixing looked at Han Ruoxue and smiled: "Ruo Xue, you did very well."

Yu Yue put away his great shield: "Our understanding of power has deepened."

Ji Linghan slammed his war hammer on the ground: "Next is the final challenge."

Xu Bai stroked Shadow Claw: "I wonder what awaits us in the final stage."

After resting and recovering, everyone walked towards the pillar of light passage. After trials in four areas, their strength had not only improved, but their minds had also become firmer, and their team's understanding had reached a new level. The pets had also grown considerably, with their levels approaching 20.

Everyone passed through the Moonlight pillar of light and arrived at a circular hall. In the center of the hall, a huge crystal floated, and within the crystal was a glowing orb emitting a soft Moonlight. That was the goal of this mission: the secret realm core, "illusory moon glaze."

The hall was simple yet mysterious. The surrounding walls were carved with the trajectories of the sun, moon, and stars, and the floor was made of smooth, mirror-like black stone, reflecting the light from the crystal above.

"That's the mission objective," Xu Bai said, pointing at the illusory moon glaze.

But just as they were about to step forward, the illusory moon glaze suddenly emitted a strong light, and from within the light emerged an elegant figure made of Moonlight. She had the appearance of a human female, but her entire body was composed of pure Moonlight, and her eyes contained the light of wisdom.

"Trial-takers," the Moonlight figure spoke, her voice as soft and clear as Moonlight, "You have passed the four trials of 'Mirror,' 'Flower,' 'Water,' and 'Moon,' proving your strength, wisdom, adaptability, and understanding. But to obtain the illusory moon glaze, you must pass the final test."

Chu Yixing stepped forward, cupped his hands, and asked: "What test?"

The Moonlight figure smiled: "I am the Moonlight Guardian, the embodiment of the illusory moon glaze. Fight me and prove that you are worthy of the illusory moon glaze."

After speaking, a Moonlight long sword condensed in her hand, and the aura around her suddenly became sharp.

"Prepare for battle!" Chu Yixing immediately retreated to the team. Upon hearing the command, Yu Yue stepped forward with his shield, and a Holy Light Shield instantly opened, forming an arc-shaped wall of light separating everyone from the Moonlight Guardian. The unicorn horn on Dawn Light's forehead also bloomed with dazzling Holy Light, merging into the shield and further strengthening its defense.

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