Chapter 44 - Chapter 45: Clash with the Stone - Shadow Guardian

The growl of the Stone - Shadow Guardian reverberated through the passageway, shaking the very air and sending a wave of fear coursing through the group. Its massive form loomed large, half - stone and half - shadow, with jagged edges that seemed to shift and blur in the dim light. The red glow of its eyes scanned the group, as if sizing up its prey.​Luna's starlight - woven gown fluttered as she stepped forward, her violet eyes narrowing. "This guardian is a formidable foe. Its body is a combination of the hardest stone and the most intangible shadow. Physical attacks may not be enough."​Chen Jiuzhang tightened his grip on the crystal - key, feeling its power surging in response to the threat. The key's surface began to heat up, and the runes glowed brighter, as if trying to communicate a strategy. "We'll have to find its weak points. Everyone, be on the lookout!"​Zhang Chengying was the first to attack, his broken peachwood sword crackling with electricity. He leaped towards the guardian, aiming for its legs, but his sword clanged against the stone - like surface, barely making a scratch. The guardian let out a roar and swung its massive arm, sending Zhang Chengying flying through the air. He crashed into the wall, coughing up blood.​Su Nian's chains lashed out, wrapping around the guardian's arm. She pulled with all her might, but the guardian merely tugged back, dragging her across the ground. "It's too strong!" she shouted, struggling to break free.​Shen Qingluan raised the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal, creating a shield of golden light to protect the group from the guardian's attacks. But the shield trembled under the force of the blows, and she could feel her energy rapidly depleting. "I can't hold this for long!"​Wu Laogou, puffing on his pipe, threw a series of talismans. They exploded on the guardian's body, but the creature seemed unfazed, the shadows quickly regenerating any damage. "What do we do?" he muttered, his face etched with worry.​Chen Jiuzhang closed his eyes, focusing on the connection between the crystal - key and the guardian. Images flashed through his mind: a vision of a crack in the stone - shadow armor, a small spot where the light could penetrate. When he opened his eyes, he shouted, "There! Its chest! That's where we need to strike!"​Luna nodded, her hands glowing with a soft, silver light. "I'll create a distraction. You all aim for the chest!" With that, she launched a flurry of starlight - infused energy bolts at the guardian, drawing its attention away from the group.​Taking advantage of the moment, Chen Jiuzhang channeled all his energy into the crystal - key. A powerful beam of white light shot towards the guardian's chest, hitting the weak spot. The guardian let out a pained scream, and its body began to crack.​Zhang Chengying, Su Nian, and Shen Qingluan joined the attack. Zhang's sword, Su Nian's chains, and Shen Qingluan's golden light all converged on the same spot. Wu Laogou threw his most powerful talisman, creating a massive explosion.​The Stone - Shadow Guardian let out a final, earth - shattering roar and collapsed to the ground, its body shattering into a million pieces of stone and dissipating into shadows. The group stood there, exhausted but victorious, their chests heaving with relief.​But before they could catch their breath, the passageway began to shake violently. The walls cracked, and a bright, blinding light filled the space. When the light faded, a new path was revealed, leading deeper into the heart of the Path of Eternity.​Luna walked over to the group, a faint smile on her face. "Well done, my friends. But the greatest challenges may still lie ahead. Let's rest for a moment, and then we must continue on our journey."​As the group sat down to recover, their minds were filled with questions. What other guardians and mysteries awaited them on the Path of Eternity? And would they be strong enough to face whatever came their way?