Jin Long's blade met Zhan Wuhen's dark claws with a deafening clash. Sparks erupted as light and shadow collided, their energies intertwining and battling for dominance. The air crackled with tension, each blow echoing through the abyss like thunder.
Zhan Wuhen's face twisted into a sneer as he pressed against Jin Long's sword, the dark energy radiating from his body like a storm. "You think you can stand against me now? The Core may have awakened, but you are still a mere mortal!"
Jin Long gritted his teeth, the light of the Core surging through his veins. "I may be a mortal, but I will protect Yue Lan and the Genesis Core. Even if it costs me my life!"
With a surge of strength, Jin Long pushed Zhan Wuhen back, his blade cutting through the darkness. The dark lord skidded to a stop, eyes narrowing as he steadied himself.
The void around them trembled, the abyss itself reacting to their battle. Dark fissures cracked open beneath them, spilling forth streams of shadowy energy. The air grew heavy, the pressure mounting as the two powers clashed.
Zhan Wuhen raised his hands, and the shadows converged, forming dark spears that shot toward Jin Long. With a swift motion, Jin Long swung his blade, unleashing arcs of radiant light that sliced through the spears, shattering them into fragments.
But the dark energy reformed, coiling around Zhan Wuhen like a serpent. The void pulsed with his power, and his eyes blazed crimson. "You are still nothing before me!"
Zhan Wuhen shot forward, moving like a shadow. His fist crashed against Jin Long's blade, sending a shockwave that rippled through the abyss. Jin Long staggered back, his feet digging into the darkness as he struggled to maintain his stance.
"Jin Long!" Yue Lan's voice echoed from above. Her body remained trapped within the dark tendrils, her eyes filled with fear. "Don't give up!"
Jin Long's eyes snapped up to her, determination blazing in his gaze. "Yue Lan… I won't let you down!"
He planted his feet firmly, and the Core's power surged through him like a roaring river. The light enveloped his body, forming a protective aura that glowed like a sun in the abyss.
Zhan Wuhen sneered, his shadowy form expanding, becoming a monstrous, towering figure. "Then come, Jin Long! Show me the power of your precious Genesis Core!"
The two forces collided again, Jin Long's radiant blade clashing with Zhan Wuhen's dark claws. Each strike echoed through the void, the sound reverberating like the roar of a thousand dragons.
Jin Long's muscles burned with each swing, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The Core's power was immense, but it was draining him rapidly. He had to end this quickly.
"You're getting weaker," Zhan Wuhen taunted, his dark aura growing denser. "The Core's power is consuming you. You can't control it!"
Jin Long's grip tightened around his sword. "I don't need to control it… I just need to protect those I care about!"
With a defiant roar, Jin Long leaped forward, his blade shining like a comet. Zhan Wuhen met him head-on, their powers colliding in a blinding explosion of light and darkness.
For a moment, everything was silent. The void trembled, the darkness churning like a stormy sea. Then, the light began to overpower the shadows, forcing them back, burning away the dark energy like mist under the morning sun.
Zhan Wuhen screamed, his form disintegrating as the light consumed him. "This isn't over, Jin Long! You may have won today, but the Void will never forget!"
With a final, echoing wail, Zhan Wuhen's body shattered into fragments of darkness that dissipated into nothingness. The void trembled one last time before finally calming, the oppressive pressure lifting.
Jin Long fell to his knees, gasping for breath as the light around him faded. His body ached, his limbs felt like lead, but he forced himself to his feet.
"Yue Lan!"
He rushed toward her, his legs barely carrying him forward. The dark tendrils around her had begun to dissolve, releasing her from their grip.
Jin Long caught her as she fell, cradling her against his chest. Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled weakly.
"You did it…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You saved me…"
Jin Long brushed a strand of hair from her face, relief flooding through him. "I promised I would."
But even as they embraced, Jin Long's gaze shifted to the spot where Zhan Wuhen had vanished. The dark lord's final words echoed in his mind, a lingering warning that chilled him to the bone.
The battle was over, but the war had just begun.