Palace Crisis and New Bonds

Humph, another bunch of small fries.

Ye Qiu said disdainfully, unleashing his 'Star Profound Truth: Chaos Storm.' The powerful Star Power and Chaos Power merged together, forming a violent energy storm that swept toward the black-armored warriors.

The black-armored warriors were struck by this powerful force and sent flying backward; many were directly shredded by the storm and turned into dust.

System notification: 'The host has successfully shown off, easily repelling the enemy, prestige value + 1500.'

'Everyone, be careful. Although these warriors look ordinary, we cannot let our guard down.' Ye Qiu reminded the group, his gaze scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Just then, a figure slowly walked out from the shadows of the palace. It was a young and beautiful woman with long, snow-white hair that cascaded down her graceful back like a waterfall.

Her eyes were like deep purple gemstones, shimmering with a mysterious and charming light, and her skin was as fair as jade, exuding a cold temperament.

'You shouldn't have broken in here; this is courting death.' The woman said coldly. Her voice was like ice shards hitting the ground—crisp yet carrying a hint of chill.

'Who are you? Why do you want to stop us?' Ye Qiu looked at the woman before him, his heart full of confusion.

The woman raised her chin slightly, a hint of pride in her eyes: 'My name is Alice, and I am a descendant of the Guardian of this Abyss of Death. Everything here is not to be touched by outsiders.'

Vivian stepped forward and said: 'Alice, we did not break in with malicious intent. We are here to stop the evil plan of a Mysterious Organization. They are attempting to rule the Universe, and this sphere might be the key.'

Alice sneered: 'Mysterious Organization? Ruling the Universe? What does that have to do with me? I only know that you cannot take anything from here.'

Ye Qiu's heart stirred; he sensed that this Alice was not entirely unreasonable, just holding fast to her duty. 'Alice, we understand your determination to guard this place. But if the Mysterious Organization succeeds, the entire Universe will fall into disaster, and the Abyss of Death will not be spared.'

A flash of hesitation crossed Alice's eyes, but she quickly returned to her cold demeanor: 'How do I know if what you say is true or false?'

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, the palace suddenly shook violently. Black cracks spread across the ground, and the surrounding walls began to collapse.

'Oh no, it seems like the palace is about to collapse!' Qian Xue shouted.

'Let's get out of here first!' Ye Qiu made a prompt decision. He cast Space Jump and instantly transported everyone outside the palace.

As soon as they emerged, they saw a huge black vortex appear in the sky. Black energy constantly surged from the vortex, spreading in all directions.

'What is this?' Xiao Meng asked in terror.

The Black-Robed Figure looked grave: 'This is the power of the Mysterious Organization. They seem to be initiating some kind of powerful ritual.'

Alice looked at the black vortex in the sky, a trace of surprise appearing in her eyes: 'Could it be... that everything you said is true?'

Ye Qiu looked at Alice: 'There's no time to explain now. We must stop them together. You are familiar with the environment here; perhaps you can be of great help.'

Alice hesitated for a moment, then nodded: 'Alright, I'll go with you.'

The group hurried toward the direction of the black vortex. On the way, Alice told everyone some secrets about the Abyss of Death.

It turned out that the Abyss of Death was once the site of a powerful ancient civilization that mastered a power capable of manipulating the Origin of the Universe.

However, due to internal strife, this civilization met its destruction, leaving behind only some mysterious relics and powerful Seals. And Alice's Family had shouldered the mission of guarding these relics for generations.

'Then what does this sphere have to do with the Mysterious Organization's plan?' Zi Li asked.

Alice shook her head: 'I'm not sure either, but I know this sphere contains enormous energy and might be the key to activating some kind of powerful force.'

As they spoke, they arrived beneath the black vortex. A huge black altar appeared before them, with several Black-Robed Figures standing on it, chanting incantations and controlling the surrounding black energy.

'That's them, the people from the Mysterious Organization!' The Black-Robed Figure pointed at the people in black robes on the altar.

Ye Qiu didn't hesitate, unleashing Star Rending Void Step and instantly rushing toward the altar. 'You evil scoundrels, today is your doomsday!'

System notification: 'The host has successfully shown off, charging at the enemy to display fearless courage, prestige value + 1200.'

The Black-Robed Figure from the Mysterious Organization saw Ye Qiu rushing over, and one of them sneered: 'Just in time, we were waiting for you.'

As he spoke, a black staff appeared in the Black-Robed Figure's hand, the gemstone at its tip gleaming with an eerie light. He waved the staff, and a beam of black energy shot toward Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu hurriedly cast God-Tier Star Guardian Shield, blocking the black energy beam. However, the impact of the beam still made him retreat a few steps.

'You've got some skills.' A flash of excitement crossed Ye Qiu's eyes; he loved challenging opponents like this.

He gathered all his Star Power, Chaos Power, and Light Power onto the star dawn sword and slashed toward the Black-Robed Figure. 'Chaos Light: Star World Annihilation Slash!'

A powerful, multicolored Sword Qi, carrying an Aura of destruction, shot toward the Black-Robed Figure. The Black-Robed Figure hurriedly defended, but the Sword Qi still broke through his defenses and struck his body.

The Black-Robed Figure let out a scream and fell to the ground.

'Who's next?' Ye Qiu shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the Abyss of Death, full of dominance.

The other Black-Robed Figures saw their companion defeated and swarmed up. The weapons in their hands gleamed with black light as they attacked Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu showed no fear, moving freely among the Black-Robed Figures, swinging the star dawn sword to repel them one by one.

Zi Li, Qian Xue, Xiao Meng, Serena, Vivian, and Alice also joined the battle.

Zi Li's Water Element transformed into a huge Water Dragon, rushing toward the Black-Robed Figures; Qian Xue's black sword, carrying the power of darkness, engaged in close-quarters combat with the Black-Robed Figures; Xiao Meng cast pink magic to disrupt the Black-Robed Figures' movements; Serena unleashed unique skills, throwing the Black-Robed Figures into Chaos; Vivian's mysterious energy combined with Star Power to inflict massive damage on the Black-Robed Figures; and Alice, utilizing her familiarity with the Abyss of Death, attacked the Black-Robed Figures from the side.

Under the combined attack of the group, the Black-Robed Figures of the Mysterious Organization gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Just then, a huge black monster suddenly flew out of the black vortex. The monster's body was like a small hill, its eyes gleaming with blood-red light, and it spat black flames from its mouth.

'What kind of monster is this?' Xiao Meng screamed in terror.

Ye Qiu looked at the black monster; he sensed that the monster's strength was formidable. 'Everyone, be careful. This monster is not easy to deal with.'

The black monster let out a roar and charged toward the group. Its speed was extremely fast, and it arrived in front of the group in an instant.

Ye Qiu exerted his full strength and engaged in a fierce battle with the black monster. His star dawn sword continuously slashed at the monster's body, but only left shallow marks.

'This monster's defense is too strong!' Ye Qiu was secretly shocked.

Alice suddenly remembered something and shouted to Ye Qiu: 'The monster's weakness is its eyes!'

Hearing this, Ye Qiu immediately changed his tactics. He cast Star Rending Void Step, instantly appearing in front of the black monster, and thrust toward its eyes.

The black monster sensed the danger and hurriedly closed its eyes. But Ye Qiu's sword still pierced its eyes, and the monster let out a painful roar.

'Success! Keep attacking!' Ye Qiu shouted.

Everyone attacked the black monster's eyes. Under their combined assault, the black monster's eyes were completely destroyed, and its body began to totter.

Finally, the black monster crashed to the ground.

'We did it!' Zi Li shouted excitedly.

System notification: 'The host has successfully shown off, leading the team to defeat the powerful black monster, prestige value + 2500.'

Just when everyone thought the crisis was resolved, suddenly, the sphere on the black altar emitted a dazzling light. After the light faded, the sphere slowly rose into the air, then turned into a beam of light and disappeared into the black vortex.

'Oh no, the sphere has been taken by the Mysterious Organization!' Ye Qiu shouted.

The Black-Robed Figure said: 'It seems their plan has already been partially completed. We must find them as soon as possible and stop their next move.'

Ye Qiu nodded: 'Let's leave here first, then figure out a plan.'

The group left the Abyss of Death via a teleportation array. On the spaceship, everyone began to discuss the next step of the plan.

'Where do we go to find the Mysterious Organization now?' Qian Xue asked.

Ye Qiu thought for a moment: 'Let's return to the previous planet first and organize the clues. Perhaps we can find a new direction there.'

The spaceship sailed through the Universe, and after some time, returned to the previous planet.

On the planet, Ye Qiu and the others began to study the clues they had collected earlier. During the research process, the relationship between Ye Qiu and Alice also underwent some subtle changes.

Alice was attracted by Ye Qiu's bravery and wisdom, while Ye Qiu also developed a keen interest in Alice's cold temperament and mysterious background.

One night, Ye Qiu went alone to an open space outside the spaceship. He looked up at the starry sky, pondering the conspiracy of the Mysterious Organization.

'You're here too.' Suddenly, a slight rustle came from behind him, and Ye Qiu turned his head subconsciously. He saw a figure walking slowly toward him, and after she got closer, Ye Qiu realized it was Alice.

'Hmm, I was thinking about some things.' Ye Qiu answered softly, his gaze still somewhat distant.

Alice walked with light steps to Ye Qiu's side and leaned over slightly to look at him. The light cast upon her golden hair, which cascaded like a waterfall, shimmered with a charming glow.

And her deep blue eyes, like a profound lake, were revealing a hint of tenderness at this moment.

'Ye Qiu...' Alice parted her red lips slightly, her voice like the music of heaven, as if it could soothe all the troubles in one's heart.