Godlike: Double Penetration of the Starry Sky! A brutal beating of Ge Xiaolun at the start.

Long Wen took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently. His eyes were filled with determination and resolve as he stared intently at the seal, thinking to himself, "This is the final test. Success or failure hinges on this. I must succeed!" Sweat rolled down his forehead, slid down his cheeks, and dripped onto the dusty ground, disappearing instantly.

Chapter 167 It's Really Creepy

Zhou Li stood tall and graceful, her posture as firm as a pine tree. She tightened her grip on her sword, turned to look at Long Wen, and their eyes met, conveying a silent trust and support. Although her expression was cold, her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her inner tension.

Thomas gripped his special tool, usually used for household chores, which now gleamed coldly in the dim light. His eyes darted around warily, muttering, "This eerie aura is really unsettling. Everyone be careful."

In an instant, the tense atmosphere was like an invisible net, tightly enveloping the three of them. It was as if the air itself was about to freeze, and every breath they took was filled with a heavy sense of oppression.

"Long Wen, let's do it." Zhou Li broke the silence, her voice clear and firm.

Long Wen nodded slightly. He slowly raised his hands, elemental power surging in his palms, flashing with light that echoed the runes on the seal. As he chanted incantations, the elemental power, like nimble threads, slowly wrapped around the seal, attempting to find the key to unlocking it.

With a deafening "crack—", as if a colossal beast that had slumbered for millennia had roared in fury, the seal shattered, dissipating into countless specks of light that vanished into the air. In an instant, a suffocating stench assaulted the senses, followed by the appearance of an extremely powerful, demonic creature.

Its form was as imposing as a mountain, engulfed in eerie black flames that seemed to echo with the wails of countless wronged souls. Its enormous claws, like sharp hooks, whipped up a gale with each swing, stinging the faces of those who approached. Its blood-red eyes locked onto the three, a gaze like that from the abyss, sending chills down their spines. The moment it appeared, it launched a fierce attack, its gaping maw spewing forth a black energy wave, like a raging black torrent, hurtling towards the three.

"Get out of the way!" Long Wen shouted, lunging at Zhou Li and pulling her into his arms before rolling away to avoid the attack. Thomas nimbly leaped behind a boulder, holding his tools horizontally in front of him to deflect the aftershocks.

However, the attack did not stop. The demonic creature strode heavily, each step cracking the ground, and swung its claws at Longwen. Longwen had no time to get up, so he rolled on the spot, narrowly avoiding the attack, but a huge rock behind him was smashed to pieces, sending debris flying everywhere.

"How can this guy be so strong!" Thomas exclaimed, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Zhou Li also stood up, drew her sword, and charged towards the demonic creature. Her sword flashed, attempting to stab at its leg joints to hinder its movement. But the demonic creature reacted extremely quickly, slapping down with its claw. Zhou Li couldn't dodge in time; her arm was grazed, her clothes torn, and blood seeped out.

"Zhou Li!" Long Wen roared, his eyes blazing with fury. His elemental power erupted uncontrollably, flames and gales intertwined, forming a violent force that surged toward the demonic creature.

The demonic creature merely swayed slightly before opening its maw again, spewing out a series of black fireballs that hurtled towards the three like meteors. Long Wen and his companions were forced to retreat, constantly dodging within the confined space, each sustaining injuries to varying degrees.

Long Wen was extremely anxious, but he knew that panicking wouldn't solve the problem. While dodging attacks, he quickly racked his brains, recalling the experience he had gained from every battle and exploration in the deep valley. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, as if he had thought of a solution.

"Thoma, use your tools to jam its right joint! Zhou Li, you distract it and feign an attack to the left!" Long Wen shouted.

Chapter 168 Demonic Creatures

Upon hearing this, Thomas and Zhou Li acted without hesitation. Thomas seized the opportunity, his figure darting like a ghost, taking advantage of a gap in the demonic creature's attack, leaping up suddenly, and precisely inserting his tool into its right hind leg joint. The demonic creature cried out in pain, letting out a deafening roar, its right leg buckling, its movements slowing for a moment.

Zhou Li let out a delicate shout, drew her sword and charged to the left front. Her sword moves were fierce, and she deliberately created an opening, causing the demonic creature to swing its claws and pounce to the left.

Taking advantage of this brief respite, Long Wen raised his palms and fully mobilized the elemental power within his body. He awakened one by one the mysterious sources of power he had obtained in various parts of the deep valley. These powers, like sleeping stars, slowly gathered within him. The heat of the flames, the fluidity of the wind, the gentleness of the water, the weight of the earth, and the strange rhythms brought by those unknown forces, all intertwined and collided.

The surrounding space distorted due to the convergence of this powerful force, and sand and gravel were swept into the air, forming violent vortexes. Long Wen's forehead veins bulged, and sweat poured down his face, but his gaze grew increasingly determined as he stared intently at the demonic creature's vital point—its heart burning with black flames.

"Hah!" Long Wen roared, unleashing the fused, super-powerful skill. A multicolored yet destructive beam of light pierced the sun like a rainbow, hurtling straight towards the demonic creature. Wherever the light touched, space seemed to be torn apart, emitting a "sizzling" sound.

The demonic creature seemed to sense the deadly threat. It struggled desperately, trying to escape, but its joints were jammed by Thomas, restricting its movement. The light struck its vitals instantly, and the demonic creature crashed to the ground, its massive body raising a cloud of dust before vanishing into nothingness, leaving only deathly silence.

Long Wen was panting heavily, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to his knees. Zhou Li and Thomas quickly stepped forward to support him.

"Long Wen, you did it!" Zhou Li's eyes were filled with joy and admiration, and her eyes were red.

Thomas grinned and said, "Wow, that was amazing! I was completely stunned!"

Long Wen smiled weakly: "Thanks to you all, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to handle it alone."

After regaining his composure, Long Wen noticed a faint light flickering in the distance. He forced himself to walk over and discovered a treasure radiating a soft glow, hovering quietly in the air as if waiting for its master. Long Wen reached out and grasped the treasure; a warm power flowed into his body through his palm, dispelling some of his fatigue.

“Let’s go, let’s get out of here,” Long Wen said.

The three of them supported each other and carefully followed the path they had come from out of the deep valley. Along the way, the sunlight gradually brightened, dispelling the gloom, as if foreshadowing a bright future for them.

When they returned to Zhou Li's family, the clansmen were already waiting in the courtyard. Zhou Li was about to go forward to greet them when she saw an elder in the family's gaze fall on the treasure in Long Wen's hand, and his face instantly darkened.

"Hmph, where did this kid get this treasure from? Did he steal it from our family treasury?" The elder snorted coldly, his tone full of doubt and hostility.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding clansmen cast unfriendly glances, whispering and gossiping among themselves.

"How could that be? Long Wen is our friend. He went through many hardships with us to obtain this treasure," Zhou Li hurriedly explained.

But the elder remained unmoved, stepping forward and pointing at Long Wen, saying, "Hmph, I think he's up to no good, coveting our family's possessions. Zhou Li, don't be fooled by him."

Chapter 169: Is it a fabricated lie?

Long Wen gripped the treasure tightly, a surge of anger rising within him, but he suppressed it and tried to remain calm as he spoke: "Senior, you have misunderstood. This treasure was obtained after it was sealed in the deep valley and has nothing to do with the Zhou Li family."

"Hmph, words are meaningless. Who knows if you're making up a lie?" The elder persisted.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows into the solemn council hall of the Zhou Li family, yet failing to dispel the heavy gloom that permeated the space. Long Wen and Zhou Li stepped into the hall side-by-side, and instantly, countless gazes shot towards them like sharp arrows, filled with scrutiny and suspicion, as if trying to see right through them.

Long Wen slightly raised his head, his gaze sweeping calmly over the crowd, but inwardly he was groaning. Inside Hall 697, family members sat or stood, their expressions varied. Elder Yao Guang sat at the head of the table, his hunched figure exuding undeniable authority, his eyes cold as frost as he stared intently at Long Wen, as if scrutinizing an intruder. Xing Yao stood to the side, his youthful face filled with provocation, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He crossed his arms, occasionally letting out a cold snort, his demeanor suggesting he had already determined that Long Wen had committed an unforgivable crime.

Zhou Li noticed Long Wen's tension and gently grasped his hand, applying slight pressure, as if silently offering support and comfort. Long Wen glanced at her, drawing strength from her resolute gaze, and silently steadied himself.

"Hmph, Long Wen, do you know why I summoned you here today?" Elder Yao Guang finally broke the silence, his hoarse voice echoing in the hall like a great bell, making everyone's eardrums ache.

Long Wen stepped forward, respectfully clasped his hands in a salute, and said loudly, "This junior is unaware of the matter and hopes the Grand Elder will enlighten me." His voice was calm and steady, attempting to project composure in the oppressive atmosphere.

"Explicitly?" Xingyao suddenly jumped out, pointing at Longwen's nose and shouting, "You brat, don't play dumb! Recently, the family's treasures were stolen, and you just happened to show up, acting suspiciously. If it wasn't you who stole them, who else could it be?" As he spoke, spittle flew everywhere, and the anger in his eyes seemed to devour Longwen.

Long Wen frowned, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes, but he still restrained his emotions and argued, "Brother Xingyao, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. That treasure was obtained by me in the deep valley after going through countless life-threatening experiences. How could it be that I stole it?" His gaze was fixed on Xingyao, showing no weakness, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"Hmph, you have no proof, who can prove it?" Xingyao persisted, taking a step forward with a menacing air, standing face to face with Longwen. The tension between the two intensified, and the surrounding air seemed to be ignited by the tense atmosphere, becoming hot and restless.

“I can testify!” Zhou Li stepped forward and stood beside Long Wen, her posture upright and her beautiful eyes filled with malice. “I explored the deep valley with Long Wen and witnessed the whole process of how he obtained the treasure. The hardships he endured were beyond your imagination. He had no intention of stealing it.”

Elder Yaoguang frowned slightly, her gaze shifting between Zhou Li and Long Wen, as if weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, she slowly spoke: "Even so, that treasure concerns the rise and fall of the family. How can we allow outsiders to lay a finger on it? Long Wen, if you know what's good for you, hand the treasure over to the family for disposal." Her tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable force.

Chapter 170 Family Members

Long Wen's heart tightened. This treasure was a crucial aid on his path to growth, and he was unwilling to hand it over easily. However, he knew he couldn't confront it head-on. He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said in a deep voice, "Elder, the treasure is indeed in my hands now, but I don't intend to keep it for myself. In the process of acquiring it, I discovered some secrets about its uses. If the family trusts me, I am willing to share it with everyone, to explore its mysteries together, and to let the treasure bring greater benefits to the family, rather than simply keeping it for myself." He spoke earnestly, looking sincerely at everyone, trying to move these stubborn family members with his sincerity.

However, Xingyao seemed to have been provoked, jumping up and down and shouting, "Who believes your nonsense! You're just an outsider adventurer, you might just be trying to use the family for personal gain, I think you have no good intentions at all!" As he shouted, he waved his arms, stirring up the emotions of the family members around him. In an instant, the council hall was filled with discussion and doubts, and everyone's gaze towards Long Wen became increasingly hostile.

Long Wen was burning with rage. These people were so stubborn, convicting him based solely on conjecture—it was infuriating. But he knew that losing his temper now would only worsen the situation. So, he suppressed his anger, his gaze sweeping firmly over the crowd, and raised his voice: "Gentlemen, although I, Long Wen, come from humble beginnings, I know that one should act with a clear conscience. You keep accusing me of stealing treasures and harboring ill intentions, but do you have any real evidence? I have already stated my willingness to share secrets and lend a helping hand to the family, so why won't you give me a chance?" His voice echoed in the hall, each word resounding and carrying a hint of accusation, causing some of the family members who had initially joined in the accusations to pause slightly and begin to ponder.

Seeing that the crowd was wavering slightly, Long Wen pressed his advantage and began to recount their perilous journey in the deep valley: "In that deep valley, the fog was thick, and traps and mechanisms were everywhere. A slight mistake would mean certain death. Zhou Li and I traveled on, encountering countless ferocious beasts, and several times we nearly lost our lives..." His voice was deep and captivating, vividly describing the perilous situation in the valley. The crowd's attention was gradually drawn in, and they became completely engrossed in the story.

"Just when we were exhausted, we discovered a hidden cave, where the treasure was concealed on a stone platform. However, a powerful restriction guarded the treasure; the slightest touch would trigger a cataclysmic earthquake. I went through countless hardships, mobilizing all my elemental power, to break the restriction at the last second and obtain the treasure. All the hardships along the way were for the sake of exploring its mysteries. If it were just for the sake of robbery, why would I have risked my life like this?" Long Wen's eyes shone with the light of reminiscence, his genuine emotions moving some of the family members.

·· ····Request flowers··· ·····

At this moment, Yue Li, who had been standing quietly in the corner listening, spoke softly, "Brother Long Wen, what you said makes sense. I... I'm willing to believe you." Her voice was gentle, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. As a neutral member of the family, Yue Li was well-liked, and her statement prompted the other members to nod in agreement, beginning to trust Long Wen's words.

... ...... ....

Seeing this, Xingyao's expression changed drastically. He was secretly anxious, knowing the situation was about to spiral out of control. How could he let it go? His eyes darted around, and he came up with another plan. Just as he was about to retort, Longwen spoke first, his gaze piercing as he looked at him: "Brother Xingyao, why are you so eager to convict me? Could it be that you harbor ulterior motives and want to seize the treasure for yourself? Otherwise, why don't you let me finish speaking instead of inciting everyone to oppose me?"

Chapter 171 Deep Foreshadowing

These words were like a sharp blade, piercing Xingyao's vitals, leaving him choked instantly. His face turned pale and then red, and he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word.

Long Wen gradually gained the upper hand among the crowd, but he did not lower his guard. His gaze swept over Elder Yao Guang, who remained expressionless, his eyes cold, seemingly unmoved by the changes around him. Clearly, this head of the family was not easily persuaded by "697," and a greater storm seemed to be brewing quietly in this seemingly calm council hall. The story ends abruptly here, laying a deep foreshadowing for the escalating conflict in the next chapter.

Just as everyone was deadlocked, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the council hall. Immediately afterwards, a guard rushed in and reported in a panicked manner: "Elder, something bad has happened! The family treasury is acting strangely, as if an enemy has invaded!" Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically, and the tense atmosphere was instantly replaced by a new crisis.

Elder Yaoguang suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing like lightning, and shouted sharply, "Everyone, follow me to the treasure vault and be sure to capture the invading enemy!" After saying that, he strode towards the door, and the family members followed one after another. Long Wen and Zhou Li exchanged a glance and joined the group without hesitation.

The group rushed to the treasure vault, only to find the heavy stone door ajar, runes flickering around it, emanating a chaotic energy aura. Long Wen cautiously approached, peering inside. He saw several dark figures darting about, attempting to steal treasures. His eyes narrowed, and he hissed, "Be careful, it might be a trap!" Then, in a flash, he was the first to rush into the vault.

Zhou Li followed closely behind, wielding her long whip. A flash of icy blue light appeared, and the air seemed to freeze wherever the whip touched, clearing away the threat from Long Wen's flank. Long Wen charged into the enemy formation, instantly mobilizing the elemental power within his body. Multicolored light emanated from his palms. Facing the oncoming attacks, he moved nimbly, dodging left and right, while simultaneously looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

An enemy wielding a sharp blade lunged at Long Wen's chest. Long Wen dodged to the side, then retaliated with a punch imbued with the power of rock element, slamming it into the enemy's abdomen. The enemy groaned and staggered backward. Xing Yao joined the battle at this moment, wielding his longsword, his sword energy crisscrossing, fighting alongside Long Wen. Despite their previous animosity, they now cooperated seamlessly against the common foe...

However, the enemy was no ordinary foe. Seeing that they couldn't break through after a prolonged assault, they suddenly unleashed a bizarre combined attack. Several dark figures intertwined, forming a black energy vortex that swept towards Long Wen and the others. Upon seeing this, Long Wen shouted, "Everyone be careful! Join forces to defend!" Hearing this, everyone mobilized their own power, building a defensive barrier.

While defending against the attack, Long Wen keenly sensed a weakness in the enemy's combined attack. Seizing the opportunity, just as the energy vortex was about to launch another attack, he leaped high into the air, forming hand seals. His elemental power surged wildly, and a dazzling beam of light shot from his palm, striking the core of the energy vortex directly. With a deafening roar, the energy vortex vanished, and the enemies suffered a backlash, collapsing to the ground.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and was preparing to clean up the mess when Long Wen realized that one enemy was missing. He looked around and suddenly, a cold light flashed from behind. He instinctively dodged to the side, but was still cut on the arm.

Chapter 172 Complete Dissipation

It turned out that an enemy hiding in the shadows had taken advantage of the chaos to launch a sneak attack. Long Wen gritted his teeth and endured the pain, locking his eyes on the attacker. Just as he was about to fight back, Zhou Li took the lead. Her long whip moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, fiercely entangling the attacker and dragging him to the ground. The crowd rushed forward and subdued him.

After the battle, the crisis in the family treasury was temporarily averted, and everyone walked out of the treasury wearily. Long Wen clutched his injured arm, his face slightly pale, and Zhou Li tenderly cared for him. At this moment, Elder Yao Guang's gaze towards Long Wen changed slightly; it was no longer purely cold and suspicious, but seemed to hold a hint of approval, though the trace of doubt had not completely dissipated.

Back in the council hall, everyone took their seats again. The atmosphere remained heavy, but it was less tense than before. Elder Yaoguang slowly spoke, "Thank you for your help today, young friend Longwen. However, the matter of the treasure still needs further discussion." Longwen nodded slightly, understanding that this entanglement with his family was far from over.

As dawn broke, the light streamed through the carved window frames into the solemn and imposing council chamber of the Zhou Li family. The atmosphere inside was heavy, like the calm before a storm; the disputes within the council chamber had not yet subsided, and a gloom still hung over everyone's hearts.

Long Wen stood tall and straight in the hall, while Zhou Li beside him looked worried. Her hand quietly grasped Long Wen's sleeve, as if trying to give him strength, or perhaps seeking comfort. Long Wen gently patted her hand and returned a reassuring look, indicating that she should rest assured.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence, and a lithe outsider rushed into the council hall. His eyes gleamed, and his expression revealed a hint of cunning. He first bowed to everyone, then cleared his throat and said loudly, "Gentlemen, I have important news to report. I have heard that the Zhou Li family's treasures have been showing unusual activity recently, and as far as I know, this Brother Long Wen is secretly colluding with external forces, attempting to seize the family's treasures. I urge the family to handle this matter carefully!"

Like a stone thrown into still water, these words caused an uproar in the council hall. Elder Yaoguang's already wrinkled face was now contorted with rage. He slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, stood up, and shouted angrily, "How dare you! Long Wen, is this true?" His voice shook the dust off the rafters, and his eyes were filled with fury, as if he wanted to burn Long Wen on the spot.

The family members whispered amongst themselves, some looking alarmed as if a great calamity was about to befall the family; others stared intently at Long Wen, trying to find a flaw in his expression.

Long Wen's heart skipped a beat. He knew this was malicious provocation from external forces, but he couldn't defy public anger at this moment, so he had to remain calm. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed to the crowd, his expression composed: "Elder, everyone, this matter is pure slander. Since I, Long Wen, met Zhou Li, we have shared life and death. How could I do such an unrighteous and immoral thing? I hope everyone will investigate thoroughly." His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the council hall, revealing an undeniable sincerity.

Zhou Li quickly stepped forward and said urgently, "Elder, Long Wen is definitely not that kind of person. I have been through countless hardships with him, and I know his character best. Someone must have deliberately framed him." Her eyes were firm as she stood protectively in front of Long Wen, like a mother beast guarding her cubs, not allowing anyone to violate her.

Chapter 173 Establishing One's Prestige

However, Xingyao snorted coldly and stepped out from the crowd. Dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, a sword gleaming at his waist, he wore a mocking smile: "Hmph, empty words are meaningless. Who knows if you're all in cahoots? Now that the evidence is conclusive, Long Wen should be severely punished to uphold the family's honor." His words were like a sharp blade, piercing directly at Long Wen. His eyes were filled with a competitive glint, seemingly wanting to use this opportunity to suppress Long Wen and establish his own prestige within the family.