Emotional escalation and a domineering counterattack in desperate situations

Under the concerted attack of everyone, the cores of most mechanical Puppets were successfully destroyed, and they fell one after another, turning into a pile of scrap metal.

However, just when everyone thought the crisis was temporarily resolved, a much larger mechanical commander slowly walked out from behind the floating rocks.

Its body was several times larger than an ordinary mechanical Puppet, exuding a cold and powerful aura, and its metal shell was covered with mysterious and complex patterns that flickered with an eerie light.

"Careful, this one looks trickier."

Ye Qiu gripped the star dawn sword tightly, his gaze locked onto the mechanical commander before him, his eyes devoid of any fear, revealing instead a strong fighting spirit.

The mechanical commander emitted a low rumbling sound, as if demonstrating its power to the group.

It raised its massive arm, the giant war hammer in its hand flashing with a cold light, and smashed it down fiercely towards Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu flashed, utilizing the Star Rending Void Step, and instantly appeared to the side of the mechanical commander, the star dawn sword carrying a brilliant light as it pierced toward the mechanical commander's joints.

With a loud "Clang!", the sword collided with the mechanical joint, sparks flying.

Ye Qiu felt a huge recoil, but relying on his strong physical constitution and profound cultivation, he stood his ground firmly.

"Is that all you've got?"

Ye Qiu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile as he taunted the mechanical commander.

This scene was witnessed by Zi Li and the Mysterious Maiden; Zi Li's heart was filled with worry for Ye Qiu, while a strange light flashed in the Mysterious Maiden's eyes, an appreciation for Ye Qiu's bravery and strength.

Zi Li hurriedly unleashed the power of the Water Element, and a huge water tornado attacked the mechanical commander, attempting to interfere with its movements.

The Mysterious Maiden was not to be outdone; she quickly formed seals with her hands, and Darkness Power condensed into a huge dark spear in her hands, which she threw with force, the spear whistling through the air as it pierced toward the mechanical commander.

The mechanical commander sensed the attacks from both sides, roared, swung its war hammer to shatter the water tornado, and simultaneously blocked the dark spear with its other arm.

"You ants dare to challenge me!" the mechanical commander said with a mocking voice.

Ye Qiu took advantage of the gap while the mechanical commander was blocking the attacks to launch another assault.

He perfectly fused Star Power and Chaos Power, surrounded by colorful light, as if he had transformed into a brilliant star in the Universe.

"Chaos Star - Destruction Slash!" Ye Qiu shouted, and a Sword Qi containing world-destroying power shot toward the mechanical commander.

Wherever the Sword Qi passed, the space briefly distorted.

The mechanical commander sensed this powerful threat and hurriedly formed a solid Energy Shield in front of itself.

The Sword Qi struck the shield, producing a deafening roar; the shield trembled violently, its light flickering unsteadily.

"Hmph, wanting to break through my defense is not that easy!" the mechanical commander said triumphantly.

Ye Qiu sneered, "Is that so? Then look at this!"

Saying this, Ye Qiu unleashed the "Star Profound Truth - Chaos Awakening" skill, a powerful reward he had obtained in the Soul Tower.

His body instantly erupted with even greater power, and the surrounding space was affected by this power, causing tiny cracks to appear.

Ye Qiu swung his sword again, and this time the Sword Qi was sharper than before, breaking directly through the mechanical commander's Energy Shield and slashing heavily onto its body.

With a "crack," a huge crack appeared on the mechanical commander's body, and black liquid flowed out from the crack.

"No!" the mechanical commander let out a desperate roar, attempting to launch a final counterattack, but how would Ye Qiu give it the chance?

Ye Qiu flashed, instantly arriving above the mechanical commander, and drove the star dawn sword forcefully into its core.

"Be destroyed!" Ye Qiu shouted, and at his command, the mechanical commander's core exploded violently, its entire body turning into countless fragments that scattered in the explosion.

"That's amazing, Ye Qiu!" Zi Li shouted excitedly, tears of excitement glistening in her eyes.

Throughout this fierce battle, she had been worried about Ye Qiu's safety; seeing him successfully defeat the mechanical commander now, the joy and worry in her heart instantly turned into deep love for him.

The Mysterious Maiden also walked forward, looking at Ye Qiu with eyes full of admiration, "You really didn't disappoint me, Ye Qiu. Your strength exceeds my imagination."

Ye Qiu panted slightly, but his face was filled with a confident smile, "That was just a small matter. Let's continue moving forward to find the 'light holy crystal'."

While continuing to explore the "Land of Oblivion," the group arrived in front of a huge maze.

The walls of the maze were made of a strange crystal, emitting a soft light, but the light seemed to hide a certain dangerous aura.

"This maze looks complicated; we must be careful," Ye Qiu said. He took Zi Li's hand and said softly, "Stay close to me, don't get lost."

Zi Li nodded slightly; she gripped Ye Qiu's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm, and her heart was filled with a sense of security.

After entering the maze, they discovered that it was filled with a layer of faint mist, which greatly affected their vision.

Moreover, strange sounds came from the maze from time to time, as if something was watching them in the darkness.

"Ye Qiu, I'm a little scared," Zi Li said, moving closer to Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu gently patted Zi Li's shoulder, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. No matter what we encounter, I won't let you get hurt."

His voice was gentle and firm, causing a warm current to surge in Zi Li's heart.

Just then, a huge mist monster rushed out from the mist.

Its figure was blurry, as if condensed from mist, with only a pair of huge red eyes flickering with an eerie light.

The mist monster opened its wide mouth and spat a stream of corrosive mist toward the group.

Ye Qiu quickly unleashed the "God-Tier Star Guardian Shield," protecting everyone within it.

The corrosive mist struck the shield, making a "hissing" sound, and the shield's light flickered slightly.

"This monster's attack is a bit tricky," Ye Qiu said, observing the mist monster's movements, attempting to find its weakness.

The Mysterious Maiden said from the side, "This mist monster is made of mist; perhaps we can use powerful wind to blow the mist away and make it reveal its true form."

Ye Qiu nodded, "Zi Li, you use the power of the Water Element to create a powerful water current, and I will use Star Power to assist, forming a powerful wind."

Zi Li immediately unleashed the power of the Water Element, and a huge water current rushed toward the mist monster.

Ye Qiu simultaneously unleashed Star Power, combining it with the water current to form a powerful wind.

Under the effect of the wind, the mist around the mist monster was gradually blown away, and its figure became clearer.

"So its core is in its head!" Ye Qiu seized the opportunity, unleashed the extreme speed version of the Star Rending Void Sword, and instantly appeared in front of the mist monster, the blade piercing toward its head.

The mist monster tried to dodge, but Ye Qiu's speed was too fast; it couldn't react in time.

The "star dawn sword" accurately pierced its head core, the mist monster let out a scream, and its body gradually dissipated.

"Success!" everyone cheered.

After a difficult exploration, they finally found a huge crystal coffin at the end of the maze.

Inside the crystal coffin was a crystal emitting a strong light power, which was exactly the "light holy crystal" they had been searching for.

"Finally found it!" Ye Qiu said excitedly. He walked forward, preparing to pick up the "light holy crystal."

However, the moment his hand touched the "light holy crystal," a powerful light power blasted him away.

"Careful, this 'light holy crystal' has a powerful protective force." Zi Li hurriedly ran over to help Ye Qiu up.

Ye Qiu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled, "It's okay, this small injury is nothing. It seems this 'light holy crystal' doesn't want to be taken by us so easily."

He stood up again, circulated the Star Power and Chaos Power within his body, perfectly fusing the two forces to form a unique energy.

"I don't believe I can't take you!" Ye Qiu said, and he walked toward the "light holy crystal" again.

This time, a powerful aura radiated from Ye Qiu, his eyes firm and confident.

When he reached out to touch the "light holy crystal" again, that powerful light power appeared once more, but Ye Qiu, relying on the fused power, forcibly resisted this force.

"Come here!" Ye Qiu shouted, grabbing with force, and successfully held the "light holy crystal" in his hand.

The "light holy crystal" kept flickering with light in his hand, but could no longer break free.

"You did it, Ye Qiu!" Zi Li ran over excitedly and hugged Ye Qiu. "I knew you could do it."

Ye Qiu looked at Zi Li, his eyes full of love, "For you, for our mission, I will not give up any opportunity."

The Mysterious Maiden watched them from the side, a slight ripple rising in her heart.

She walked forward, looking at the "light holy crystal" in Ye Qiu's hand, "With this 'light holy crystal', we have one more chance of winning against the Dark Apostles."

Ye Qiu nodded, "That's right, we cannot delay here for too long. The Dark Apostles may have new actions at any time; we must improve our strength as soon as possible to prepare for the final decisive battle."

The group left the "Land of Oblivion" with the "light holy crystal."

On the way back to the castle, Ye Qiu and Zi Li sat in front of the spaceship's viewing window, enjoying a moment of tranquility.

"Ye Qiu, this experience has made me understand even more how important you are to me." Zi Li tilted her head slightly, her water-like gentle eyes gazing at Ye Qiu; she leaned her body gently against Ye Qiu's broad and solid shoulder, whispering the most sincere feelings from the depths of her heart.

Ye Qiu slowly stretched out his hand and gently stroked Zi Li's silky smooth hair, as carefully as if he were cherishing a rare treasure.

Feeling the silkiness and warmth coming from his fingertips, his lips curled up unconsciously, revealing a doting smile, "Me too, Zi Li. No matter what difficulties, obstacles, or storms we encounter in the future, we will cling tightly to each other and face them hand in hand. Even if there is a mountain of blades or a sea of fire ahead, as long as you are by my side, I will have no fear."

A gentle breeze blew by, tousling the two's hair, but their hearts were as if tightly connected by an invisible red thread, becoming increasingly inseparable.

At this moment, time seemed to have stopped for these two lovers, and the whole world was left with only their affectionate gazes meeting and those loving whispers.