New chapter 41

# Chapter 41 — The Black Arm

# Eastern Mountains — Ancient Underground Chamber

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

The massive black arm smashed through the cracked stone gate violently.

Ancient stone exploded across the chamber while corrupted energy erupted outward like a storm.

Several cultivators were blown backward instantly.

---

“DEFEND!”

Zhao Tianhe moved first.

Crimson spiritual energy exploded around him while his spear struck directly toward the gigantic arm.

CLANG!

The collision shook the entire underground ruins.

---

The black arm stopped briefly—

then pushed forward again.

Unstoppable.

---

Cracks spread beneath Zhao Tianhe’s feet immediately.

The city lord’s expression darkened.

Because the creature behind the gate possessed terrifying physical strength.

---

Meanwhile—

the corrupted energy flooding from the darkness rapidly intensified.

Several weaker cultivators immediately turned pale.

One disciple nearly collapsed while clutching his head painfully.

---

“Purification talismans!”

“Healing teams forward!”

Formation masters activated golden barriers quickly while healers distributed anti-corruption medicine across the chamber.

The situation instantly became chaotic.

---

Then—

the giant arm suddenly grabbed one ancient stone pillar beside the gate.

CRAAAAACK!

The pillar shattered completely like dry wood.

---

Lin Hao stared in horror.

“That thing’s arm is bigger than my future.”

Xu Yuan calmly answered:

“Your future was already questionable.”

“Please encourage me spiritually.”

---

Even now—

their conversations somehow survived every disaster.

---

Xu Yuan’s attention quickly returned toward the darkness behind the gate.

Because he noticed something strange.

The creature wasn’t fully entering the chamber.

Almost like—

something deeper underground restrained it.

---

Then suddenly—

the ancient black sword beside Xu Yuan vibrated again.

HUMMMMM.

Dark symbols illuminated across the blade while faint soul fluctuations spread outward.

---

The system screen flickered rapidly.

> Soul weapon awakening

>

> Weapon Name:

>

> Unknown

>

> Current Status:

>

> Dormant

---

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

A soul weapon?

---

Before he could think further—

the gigantic black arm slammed downward again toward the expedition force.

BOOOOOOM!

The underground chamber nearly collapsed.

Several cultivators screamed while retreating from falling debris.

---

Xia Yu immediately appeared beside Xu Yuan.

“Move.”

Silver sword energy sliced apart descending stone fragments instantly.

---

Then—

for the first time—

part of the creature’s face became visible within the darkness beyond the gate.

And everyone froze.

---

It resembled a human.

But grotesquely enlarged.

Its skin completely covered in black crystal corruption.

Its eyes empty and hollow.

And countless sealing chains pierced through its body from deep within the darkness.

---

Not fully free.

Still imprisoned.

---

The creature slowly opened its mouth.

And an ancient distorted voice echoed across the chamber.

> “Return…”

>

> “The fragment…”

---

Xu Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly.

Again.

That word.

---

Several elders immediately noticed the creature looking toward Xu Yuan directly.

The atmosphere changed subtly afterward.

---

One elder whispered nervously:

“It recognizes him too…”

Another answered quietly:

“Physique resonance…”

The explanation sounded increasingly forced now.

---

Then suddenly—

the creature began forcing itself further through the gate.

CRAAAAAACK!

Ancient chains tightened violently around its body while the underground ruins shook continuously.

---

If it fully entered—

the chamber would not survive.

---

Zhao Tianhe immediately realized the same thing.

“We seal the gate NOW!”

Formation masters instantly activated large-scale sealing formations around the chamber.

Golden symbols illuminated across the walls while massive chains of spiritual light spread toward the gate itself.

---

But the corrupted creature roared furiously.

BOOOOOOOOM!

A shockwave erupted outward violently.

Several formations shattered immediately.

---

Xu Yuan quietly observed the unstable gate.

Then his gaze lowered toward the black soul sword again.

Something felt connected.

The sword…

the gate…

the creature…

---

And before anyone could stop him—

Xu Yuan stepped forward.

---

“Xu Yuan!”

Xia Yu immediately reached for him.

But he already moved closer toward the gate.

---

The black soul sword reacted instantly.

SHING!

The blade flew upward directly into Xu Yuan’s hand.

---

The moment he touched it—

cold soul energy surged through his body violently.

Ancient fragmented battle instincts flashed briefly through his mind.

Not memories.

Instincts.

---

Then—

the black sword released a deep pulse across the chamber.

HUMMMMMM.

---

The corrupted creature suddenly froze.

Its hollow eyes locked onto the weapon.

And for the first time—

fear appeared on its distorted face.

---

The system screen exploded before Xu Yuan.

> Soul weapon recognized

>

> Temporary synchronization successful

>

> Warning:

>

> Corruption suppression activated

---

Xu Yuan slowly raised the black sword instinctively.

The blade emitted faint dark light across the ruined chamber.

And the corrupted creature behind the gate—

began retreating backward.