The group continued toward the Black Moon Altar, soon arriving at a new area. The Blizzard suddenly dissipated strangely, replaced by a Shadow area shrouded in black mist.
This area was filled with an eerie atmosphere, and low roars and strange shrieks were heard intermittently, making everyone's hair stand on end.
Zhao Yun's Dragon Mark on his left arm flickered as he tightly gripped the Star Shattering Spear, scanning his surroundings, and said in a low voice, "The Magic Power Fluctuation here is chaotic. Everyone, raise your vigilance."
Aleia and Nia stood beside him. Aleia's tail swayed restlessly, her Claws unconsciously extending. Nia, meanwhile, tightly clutched the corner of Zhao Yun's robe, the Silver Bell Earring emitting faint, crisp sounds with her trembling.
Leah had Frost circulating on her Long Sword, muttering incantations.
"Ice Shield!"
A Frost Shield inscribed with faint azure Runes instantly formed around the group, blocking the wisps of shadow mist outside.
Ross drew his bow, the Emerald Arrow trembling slightly, and he quietly recited a spell: "Emerald Feather Spirit Rhino, pierce the shadow and seek the enemy." The arrow shone brightly, seemingly capable of penetrating the mist to lock onto potential threats.
The group proceeded cautiously through the Shadow area. The black humus underfoot was soft and spongy, emitting a "hissing" sound.
Suddenly, a Shadow Creature resembling a black leopard lunged out of the darkness like black lightning, its blood-red eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty light.
Zhao Yun's eyes sharpened, and the Star Shattering Spear thrust out like a Flood Dragon emerging from the sea, its tip blooming with brilliant Starlight. He circulated his internal energy, the Dragon Mark on his left arm flickering, and Azure Light flowed into the Starlight through the Spear Shaft.
The Shadow Giant Leopard was struck by the Starlight and let out a painful roar, but it quickly adjusted its posture and lunged again.
Aleia cried out sharply, her figure darting toward the Shadow Giant Leopard like electricity, while shouting, "Nia, find a chance to use the Poison Darts!"
Nia quickly nodded, fumbling for Poison Darts at her waist.
Aleia's Claws flashed with Cold Light, bringing gusts of strong wind, and she fiercely slashed toward the Shadow Giant Leopard.
The Shadow Giant Leopard dodged sideways, but Aleia's Claws still left several deep gashes on its back. Black Blood splattered onto the ground, Corroding small pits where it landed.
Seeing this, Leah swung her Long Sword.
"Ice Shard Slash!"
The surrounding moisture rapidly condensed, and a massive Ice Blade slashed toward the Shadow Giant Leopard. The Ice Blade carried a biting cold, carving a blue trajectory; the air seemed to Freeze wherever it passed.
The Shadow Giant Leopard leaped to evade, and the Ice Blade struck a nearby tree, causing the entire tree to instantly crack from the cold and fall down with a "crack."
Ross shot an Emerald Arrow while silently chanting, "Emerald Shadow Flowing Light, Arrow Shattering Void!"
An Emerald Arrow transformed into a green flowing light, moving faster and with greater power, accurately striking the Shadow Giant Leopard's hind leg, slowing its movements.
But this Shadow Giant Leopard was just the prelude. More and more Shadow Creatures of various forms surged out from all directions, coordinating their attacks, which were fierce.
Seeing this, Zhao Yun executed "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix." The Spear Shadows transformed into countless Azure Luan Phantoms, weaving through the air, each Spear Shadow accurately hitting one Shadow Creature.
Meanwhile, Aleia and Leah, positioned at the front, fought back-to-back. Aleia tore apart approaching Shadow Creatures with her Claws, while Leah swung her greatsword: "Freeze!" Ice chains shot up from the ground, entangling the Shadow Creatures and Freezing them.
Ross and Nia provided support with continuous ranged attacks from the rear.
The battle intensified, and the group gradually fell into a difficult situation. The Shadow Creatures were endless, and their ability to conceal themselves in the darkness was extremely strong, often launching surprise attacks.
Zhao Yun's white robe was stained with the Black Blood of many Shadow Creatures, and Aleia also sustained several wounds, her Fresh Blood rapidly solidifying in the cold air.
Leah's Frost Shield showed cracks and seemed on the verge of shattering. Ross's Quiver and Nia's supply of Poison Darts were nearly depleted, and their attack frequency gradually slowed.
Just then, a massive Shadow Commander slowly emerged from the depths of the darkness.
It was enveloped by dense Dark Magic Power, and the huge Shadow Battle Axe in its hand flickered with a dark light, exuding a powerful sense of oppression. The Shadow Commander opened its Bloody Maw and let out a heaven-shaking roar, the sound waves making the group's ears ring.
Zhao Yun gripped his Star Shattering Spear tightly, his fighting spirit resolute.
"To capture the king, first capture the leader!"
Aleia licked her lips, eager to fight.
"Let's take down this big guy together!"
Leah began chanting an incantation again, attempting to reinforce the Frost Shield.
"Be careful, this big guy has at least the strength of an Earth Rank Warrior."
The Shadow Commander attacked first, swinging its Shadow Battle Axe. A massive axe-light wreathed in Black Flame cleaved toward the group.
"Phoenix Nods Head!"
Zhao Yun roared, pouring the Dragon Mark Power into the Star Shattering Spear. The spear body shone brightly as he unleashed his full-power strike. The spear tip collided with the axe-light, erupting in dazzling light and immense impact force, forcing the surrounding Shadow Creatures to retreat.
Aleia seized the opportunity, leaping fiercely toward the Shadow Commander, her Claws aiming viciously for its eyes. The Shadow Commander swung its other hand, batting Aleia away.
Seeing this, Nia angrily threw over a dozen Poison Darts. The darts, carrying a Green Light, shot toward the Shadow Commander but were easily blocked by it.
Leah took advantage of the Shadow Commander's distraction and swung her Long Sword to unleash her strongest move.
"Frost Domain, Everything Frozen Solid!"
A powerful Frost Power rapidly spread out from her center. The ground was instantly covered in a thick layer of ice, and the Shadow Commander's legs were frozen within it.
The Shadow Commander roared in anger, unleashing its Dark Magic Power to break free from the ice's restraint. It swung its Battle Axe fiercely toward Leah. Leah couldn't dodge in time, and her shoulder was grazed by the axe blade, Fresh Blood staining her clothes.
Seeing Leah in danger, Zhao Yun roared and used the Star Shattering Spear to block the Shadow Commander's Battle Axe. The two engaged in a fierce exchange, the residual shockwaves devastating the surroundings.
However, the Shadow Commander was indeed the strongest opponent Zhao Yun had faced since arriving in this world; neither side could gain an advantage for the time being.
The surrounding Shadow Creatures attacked madly, forcing Aleia and the others to turn and fight them. But the Shadow Creatures emerging were growing stronger, with many now equivalent to human Advanced Warrior level.
As front-liners, Aleia and Leah were gradually finding it difficult to hold them off and had sustained several injuries.
Nia became anxious seeing her sister hurt. Suddenly, she noticed something unusual about the shadow beneath the Shadow Commander's feet; a flickering Rune seemed to be within the shadow.
Without time to think, she picked up a sharp stone from the ground and hurled it toward the Rune. The stone accurately struck the Rune, causing the Shadow Commander to let out a painful howl. The Dark Magic Power surrounding it became briefly chaotic.
Zhao Yun seized this opportunity, executing the "Pear Blossom Storm" Spear Technique. The spear tip instantly thrust out thousands of points of Starlight, all striking the Shadow Commander, splashing a sky full of bloody rain.
Ross, from a distance, drew his bow and shot three Emerald Arrows. They pierced into the Shadow Commander's body along the wounds Zhao Yun had created. A dazzling Green Light emanated from the wounds, causing the Shadow Commander's movements to become sluggish.
The Shadow Commander let out an enraged roar and swung its Battle Axe toward Zhao Yun in front of it, but due to the slowed speed, this strike posed no threat to Zhao Yun at all.
Zhao Yun used the Swimming Dragon Steps, appearing instantly in front of the Shadow Commander. The Starlight from the tip of the Star Shattering Spear instantly pierced through the Shadow Commander's skull.
"Damn it, don't think you've won!"
The Shadow Commander fell heavily with unwillingness, dissolving into a mass of Black Smoke, and the surrounding Shadow Creatures vanished along with it.
However, before the group could breathe a sigh of relief, the surrounding Shadow area began to shake violently. Cracks appeared on the ground, from which even stronger Dark Magic Power surged out. The Dark Magic Power churned like a black tide, enveloping the group.
Zhao Yun knew well that this was no place to linger.
"Let's get out of this area first!"
He swung the Star Shattering Spear, its tip's Starlight acting like the scorching sun dispelling darkness, tearing open a passage through the tide of Magic Power.
The group followed closely behind, struggling forward through the darkness.