Chapter 41 - Chapter 42：Duel with the Watcher Lord

The Watcher Lord let out a deafening roar that shook the very foundation of the chamber, sending shards of stone raining down from the ceiling. Its massive form loomed over the group like a mountain of darkness, the red - orange glow of its eyes casting an eerie, blood - like hue across the battlefield.​Chen Jiuzhang's hands trembled as he held the crystal - key, the blinding white light it emitted struggling to hold its own against the Watcher Lord's overwhelming aura. The visions of his 二叔's battles flashed more vividly in his mind, as if urging him to tap into a deeper well of strength. "I won't fail!" he gritted his teeth, the veins in his neck bulging with effort.​Luna, her starlight - woven gown fluttering wildly in the turbulent energy currents, leaped into the air. Her hands traced intricate patterns, and a net of silver - blue energy materialized, descending upon the Watcher Lord. "Now!" she shouted, her voice carrying over the din of the chaos.​Zhang Chengying and Su Nian didn't hesitate. Zhang's broken peachwood sword crackled with a new - found intensity as he charged, aiming for the creature's legs. Su Nian's chains, glinting with a faint golden sheen from the crystal - key's influence, whipped around its arms, attempting to restrain it. But the Watcher Lord was far too powerful. With a casual swipe, it sent both of them flying, crashing into the chamber walls with a sickening thud.​Shen Qingluan, her face deathly pale, focused all her remaining energy on the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal. A dome of golden light enveloped the group, just in time to shield them from a blast of dark energy the Watcher Lord unleashed. The shield groaned and buckled under the pressure, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. "I can't hold it much longer!" she gasped, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.​Wu Laogou, puffing furiously on his pipe, threw a series of specially crafted talismans. They exploded in a shower of green - tinged flames, temporarily blinding the Watcher Lord. "This'll give you an opening, Jiuzhang!" he shouted, his voice hoarse.​Seizing the moment, Chen Jiuzhang channeled every ounce of his being into the crystal - key. The key's light transformed from white to a swirling mix of black and white, as if embodying the very balance of the universe. A beam of this strange, dual - colored energy shot towards the Watcher Lord, hitting it square in the chest.​The creature let out a pained howl, its shadowy body wavering. But it wasn't defeated yet. With a furious snarl, it tore through Luna's energy net and lunged at Chen Jiuzhang. At the last moment, Luna threw herself in the way, her body enveloped in a protective layer of starlight. The impact sent her flying, and she crashed to the ground, her gown torn and her face pale.​Enraged, the rest of the group launched a desperate counterattack. Zhang Chengying, despite his injuries, leaped onto the Watcher Lord's back, stabbing at its shoulders with his sword. Su Nian's chains wrapped around its neck, pulling with all her might. Shen Qingluan sent a final, concentrated blast of golden energy from the jade seal, while Wu Laogou threw his last, most powerful talisman.​Chen Jiuzhang, seeing an opportunity, closed his eyes and delved deep into the connection between the crystal - key and the Watcher Lord. He discovered a strange, pulsating core within the creature, a source of its power. Summoning all his remaining strength, he directed the crystal - key's energy towards that core.​The Watcher Lord let out a final, ear - splitting scream as the core shattered. Its massive body began to disintegrate, crumbling into a pile of dark ash. The chamber fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the exhausted group.​Luna slowly got to her feet, a faint smile on her face. "Well done, all of you. But the Path of Eternity still lies ahead, and who knows what other challenges await us."​As they prepared to continue their journey, Chen Jiuzhang couldn't shake the feeling that the battle with the Watcher Lord was just the beginning of a much greater test. The crystal - key pulsed gently in his hand, as if confirming his suspicions.