Chapter 48: The Final Struggle

The labyrinth's heart was a vast, desolate plain, its horizon obscured by swirling black mist. At the center stood a towering figure of translucent light, its body a fragmented echo of an ancient warrior. Despite its broken form, its presence radiated immense pressure, reducing even the most stalwart to trembling silence.

The remnants of Ye Tian's group gathered cautiously. Yin Xue of the Silver Frost Sect and Feng Jian of the Crimson Blade Alliance exchanged wary glances, while Lan Yue remained composed, her gaze locked on the spectral figure.

"This... this is the remnant," Jiang Hao said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Zhou Lie gritted his teeth. "We've faced monsters, traps, and traitors to get here. Are we supposed to die at the hands of a ghost?"

The remnant's hollow voice resonated through the plain. "I am the guardian of this realm. Prove your strength, or be eradicated."

A Battle Without Qi

As the remnant raised its massive spectral weapon, the oppressive force in the air intensified, rendering the use of spiritual techniques impossible. The group staggered as they realized their power was limited to raw, physical strength.

Ye Tian cracked his knuckles, his Golden Sovereign Power reduced to faint flickers. "So, it's a battle of bodies, not spirits. Fine."

The remnant charged with inhuman speed, its colossal blade cleaving the ground. The survivors scattered, each narrowly avoiding the devastating attack.

"Stay together!" Ye Tian barked. "Separate, and we're finished."

He led the counterattack, his strikes precise and calculated. Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao followed his lead, their coordination keeping the remnant on edge. Yin Xue and Feng Jian hesitated but joined the fray, their movements less refined yet desperate.

Lan Yue held back, her gaze focused not on the remnant but the strange symbols glowing faintly around the plain.

A Temporary Alliance

"Why isn't it weakening?" Feng Jian shouted, narrowly dodging another attack.

"It's feeding off the labyrinth itself," Yin Xue deduced, her tone cold. "We're fighting it on its terms."

"Then we need to change the terms," Ye Tian said, his eyes sharp. He turned to Lan Yue, who was still observing the symbols. "You know something. Spit it out."

Lan Yue met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "I may have a solution, but it requires time—and cooperation."

Feng Jian sneered. "Cooperation? With them?" He gestured to Yin Xue, who returned his glare with icy disdain.

"You'll die alone, then," Ye Tian said bluntly. "Your choice."

The tension hung thick in the air before Feng Jian reluctantly nodded. "Fine. But if this fails, it's on her."

Lan Yue stepped forward, her hands tracing the glowing symbols. "Keep it distracted. This is delicate work."

The Turning Tide

With Lan Yue working on disrupting the remnant's connection to the labyrinth, the rest of the group threw themselves into the fight.

Ye Tian was a whirlwind of strength and precision, exploiting every weakness the remnant exposed. Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao flanked it, their strikes creating openings for the others.

Feng Jian and Yin Xue attacked from a distance, their moves less effective but enough to keep the remnant from focusing solely on Ye Tian.

Still, the remnant's power was overwhelming. Each swing of its blade sent shockwaves through the plain, and its defenses seemed impenetrable.

"Hurry up, Lan Yue!" Zhou Lie shouted, his voice strained.

"I'm almost there!" she snapped, her focus unbroken.

The Truth Revealed

As the remnant raised its weapon for a decisive blow, Lan Yue's hands moved in a final, fluid motion. The glowing symbols flared to life, severing the remnant's connection to the labyrinth.

The spectral figure faltered, its movements slowing. But instead of collapsing, it turned its hollow gaze to Lan Yue.

"You..." it said, its voice trembling. "You carry her blood."

The battlefield fell silent as the remnant knelt, its massive form bowing before Lan Yue.

"What is this?" Ye Tian demanded, his eyes narrowing.

Lan Yue's expression remained calm, though her voice carried a weight it hadn't before. "This remnant... it was once a servant of my family. It recognizes me."

The others stared at her, disbelief and suspicion mingling in their eyes.

"You're saying you're some kind of royalty?" Feng Jian asked, his tone incredulous.

"Not royalty," Lan Yue corrected. "But my family is... influential. This servant was bound to us long ago, before it became part of this labyrinth."

The Final Truce

The remnant's form began to fade, its energy exhausted. "You have my loyalty... even in death," it said before vanishing completely.

With the immediate threat gone, the group stood in uneasy silence.

"So, you've been hiding your true identity all this time," Ye Tian said, his tone sharp.

Lan Yue met his gaze. "I had my reasons. My mission requires secrecy, and my presence here is no coincidence."

Feng Jian scoffed. "Convenient excuse."

"Enough," Ye Tian said, silencing him with a glare. "We've survived this far. If anyone wants to settle scores, do it outside this labyrinth."

Reluctantly, the others nodded, their temporary truce holding for now.

As they prepared to leave the labyrinth, Ye Tian couldn't shake the feeling that Lan Yue's revelation was only the beginning of a much larger story—one that would pull them all into a web of power and intrigue far beyond the labyrinth's walls.