Chapter Twenty

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As they swiftly assumed their designated roles, the disciples stood poised to enact Xue Xinyu's stratagem

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As they swiftly assumed their designated roles, the disciples stood poised to enact Xue Xinyu's stratagem. They moved with a newfound purpose, their actions synchronising in a seamless ballet of defence and attack, each one complementing the other like notes in a perfectly orchestrated symphony.

"And what of me, Shizun?" inquired Liang Zhiguan, stepping forward with a look of earnest determination. He was like a knight ready to ride into battle, eager to play his part in the unfolding drama.

"Remain steadfast in the centre, ensuring none breach our defences. The rest falls to me," Xue Xinyu declared, retrieving something from his voluminous robes with the air of a magician about to unveil a trick. It was the infinity bag, a seemingly unremarkable pouch that, in reality, concealed a vast array of magical paraphernalia from prying eyes.

From the depths of this mysterious bag, he pulled forth a small, smooth stone, which seemed to shimmer with an inner light. Advancing toward Liang Zhiguan, he extended it to him with a solemn expression. "Hold onto this for the moment," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for questions.

"What is it?" queried Liang Zhiguan, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic object now resting in his palm. It felt warm to the touch, pulsating with a gentle rhythm like a tiny, contented heartbeat.

"All will become clear shortly," replied Xue Xinyu as the barrier began to wane, its shimmering surface flickering like a candle in the wind. His eyes flickered with a hint of mischief, suggesting that whatever revelation was to come, it would be anything but ordinary.

Meanwhile, Lánjiàn, the ever-loyal sword, continued its relentless assault upon the encroaching monsters. It moved with a deadly grace, slicing through the ranks of the grotesque creatures with a precision that left their foul-smelling entrails scattered across the ground.

With the barrier fully dissipated, the creatures surged forward once more, their grotesque forms surging like a dark, malevolent tide. The disciples, undeterred, redoubled their efforts, coordinating their actions with a fluidity that spoke of their training and resolve. They moved like a single entity, each one fulfilling their role with a precision that was almost mechanical in its efficiency.

"Master Xue, our defences are faltering. My qi is nearly spent," Junjie reported, his voice tinged with exhaustion. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his hands trembled from the exertion of maintaining his attacks.

Recalling Lánjiàn to his side with a mere thought, Xue Xinyu withdrew a talisman from the infinity bag, affixing it to the blade with a deft motion. Instantly, the sword shimmered and replicated itself several times, the multiple iterations carving through the ranks of monsters with renewed vigour. It was as if the sword had multiplied its fury, each copy moving with the same lethal elegance as the original, turning the battlefield into a whirling dervish of deadly steel.

"Alright, listen up!" Xue Xinyu's voice cut through the cacophony like a bell. "We're not out of the woods yet, but we have the upper hand. Keep those monsters at bay and stick to your roles. And remember, we're not just fighting for ourselves; we're fighting for everyone back home."

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