Chapter 19: The Renewed Currents of Darkness

    With the fall of a stronghold of the Blackwind Sect, the morale of the Alliance against the enemy was greatly boosted. However, both Li Yunfan and Feng Wuhen were well aware that the foundations of the Blackwind Sect had far from been completely eradicated, and the real threat still lurked in the shadows.

    In the coming days, the Alliance against the enemy pursued victory and continuously struck several small strongholds of the Blackwind Sect, gathering a lot of intelligence and resources. However, as time went by, they discovered that the activities of the Blackwind Sect seemed to suddenly quiet down.

    "This is not normal, the Blackwind Sect cannot just give up so easily," Feng Wuhen expressed his concern at a union meeting.

    Li Yunfan nodded, "They must be plotting some bigger conspiracy."

    To prevent possible crises, the Alliance decided to enhance vigilance and dispatch reconnaissance teams to gather more intelligence. Li Yunfan and Feng Wuhen also decided to take personal action. They needed more direct clues to reveal the moves of the Blackwind Sect.

    During a reconnaissance mission, they tracked a group of suspicious black-cloaked individuals to a concealed valley. In the valley, an ancient altar caught their attention.

    "There is a strong spiritual energy fluctuation in this place, the people of the Blackwind Sect must be performing some kind of ritual here," Li Yunfan whispered.

    Feng Wuhen clenched his sword hilt: "We must stop them, whatever their purpose is, it can't be good."

    They approached the altar carefully, only to see a group of Blackwind Sect followers conducting some kind of mysterious ritual. In the center of the altar was a massive spiritual pulse crystal, surrounded by eerie runes.

    Suddenly, a crack appeared in the sky above the altar, seemingly connecting to another world. A powerful evil aura leaked out from the crack, giving Li Yunfan and Feng Wuhen both immense pressure.

    "Not good, they are trying to open a portal to the demon realm!" Feng Wuhen exclaimed.

    Li Yunfan's expression turned grave: "We must stop them immediately."

    They immediately launched an attack, attempting to disrupt the ritual. The Blackwind Sect followers were caught off guard and were overwhelmed at first. However, they quickly organized and began to counterattack.

    The battle was fierce. The Blackwind Sect followers seemed determined to protect the ritual at any cost. Li Yunfan and Feng Wuhen, despite their formidable strength, felt immense pressure facing a continuous stream of enemies.

    Just then, a massive claw reached out from the crack, its power far exceeding that of ordinary men, and it struck Feng Wuhen, sending him flying away.

    "Feng senior!" Li Yunfan shouted in alarm, and he immediately activated all the celestial power within his body to launch an attack on the massive claw.

    The claw seemed to be wary of the celestial power and retreated back into the crack. However, soon after, a much larger demonic shadow began to coalesce within the crack.

    "We must close this portal!" Feng Wuhen struggled to stand up, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth.

    Li Yunfan nodded, and they began to search for a method to close the portal. After a fierce battle and exploration, they finally found the key to controlling the altar - a large spiritual pulse crystal embedded in the center of the altar.

    "That's it!" Li Yunfan roared, and he and Feng Wuhen simultaneously launched their strongest attacks, concentrating all their celestial power and sword qi onto the crystal.

    With a series of violent explosions, the crystal was utterly destroyed, and the crack on the altar began to slowly close. The Blackwind Sect's ritual was completely thwarted, and their conspiracy was defeated once again.