Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shen Jingqi rushed to the black-robed man, pressing a dagger against his neck. "You've lost. Tell me, what exactly is your conspiracy?" Shen Jingqi asked loudly, his eyes filled with anger and determination.

The black-robed man let out a burst of mad laughter: "Lost? You think this means you've won? My plan is already in its final stage, and no one can stop it!" As he spoke, his body suddenly turned into a stream of black smoke, disappearing into the air.

Shen Jingqi stood there, stunned. He hadn't expected the black-robed man to escape so easily. "We can't let him get away. He will definitely continue to carry out his plot!" he shouted, his eyes showing a trace of urgency.

Xu An and Lin Yu struggled to stand up and said, "What should we do now? We have no idea where he's gone, nor what his plan is."

Shen Jingqi pondered for a moment and said, "We need to go back to where the castle once stood. Maybe there will be some clues there."

The trio, dragging their weary bodies, headed towards the place where the castle once was. When they arrived, they found a massive black hole where the castle had vanished, surrounded by an eerie aura.

"What is this?" Lin Yu asked in terror, involuntarily stepping back.

Shen Jingqi stepped forward to carefully examine the black hole. "This might be the key to the black-robed man's conspiracy. We have to go inside and take a look," he said, a trace of determination in his gaze.

"Go inside? It's too dangerous. We don't know what's in there," Xu An said worriedly.

Shen Jingqi nodded. "I know it's dangerous, but we have no other choice. If we don't stop the black-robed man, the entire kingdom will fall into disaster."

In the end, Xu An and Lin Yu were moved by Shen Jingqi's resolve. They nodded, deciding to enter the black hole together. Taking a deep breath, the three of them proceeded towards the black hole. As they stepped into the black hole, a tremendous suction force drew them in, and their figures disappeared into the darkness...

Inside the black hole, it felt as if they were in an endless abyss, surrounded by darkness so deep they couldn't see anything. The strong air currents made it impossible for them to stand, leaving them to drift with the current.

"Are we going to die here?" Lin Yu shouted in terror, his voice echoing in the darkness.

Shen Jingqi shouted back reassuringly, "Don't be afraid, we'll definitely find a way out!" Though he said those words, he was also filled with anxiety.

After what seemed like an eternity, they finally saw a glimmer of light. That light, like a faint but steadfast star, grew brighter amidst the darkness, akin to the dawn of hope striving to pierce through layers of dark obstructions. They swam with all their might towards the light, each stroke filled with tension and anticipation for the unknown. Finally, they burst forth from the black hole, arriving in an unfamiliar place.

They found themselves in a massive underground palace, brightly lit, yet the lights seemed to be enveloped in an eerie yellow haze. The air felt thick with a sinister aura that crept into their nostrils, making them shiver. The palace walls were engraved with twisted patterns, seemingly records of some ancient and evil ritual that invoked terror.

In the center of the palace stood a massive altar, constructed from black stones exuding a chilling aura. The altar flickered with eerie lights, shifting from red to green, resembling ghostly flames, and impossible to decipher.

"Is this the black-robed man's lair?" Xu An whispered, his voice starkly abrupt in the silent palace. His eyes showed a hint of vigilance, and his body tensed slightly, ready for any potential danger.

Shen Jingqi nodded. "It's very likely. We must be cautious." His gaze scanned the surroundings, missing no corner, with his dagger clutched tightly, knuckles white from the strain.

Lin Yu said nothing, just followed closely behind the other two, eyes wide, warily observing everything around them. His heart pounded rapidly, as if about to burst, and a strong sense of unease surged within him.

The three cautiously approached the altar, each step taken with utmost care to avoid triggering anything. The ground beneath them creaked faintly, like a thunderclap in the silent environment, causing their hearts to leap into their throats.

When they reached the altar, they found it covered with strange runes, glowing red as if alive, continuously pulsating and transforming. The light cast on their faces, making their expressions appear even more grave.

"What do these runes mean?" Lin Yu asked curiously, though fear filled his heart, his curiosity compelled him to inquire. His voice trembled slightly, and his hands subconsciously gripped the hem of his clothes tightly.

Shen Jingqi studied the runes intently, his brows furrowed in deep thought, a mix of confusion and consideration in his eyes. Suddenly, a realization struck him, as if he remembered something: "These runes seem to be some kind of seal. The black-robed man might be trying to break this seal and release something terrible." His voice was low and serious, causing Lin Yu and Xu An's faces to turn even paler.

"Then... what should we do?" Lin Yu asked anxiously, his voice tinged with a sob. Terrifying images flooded his mind, and his body began to tremble involuntarily.

Shen Jingqi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Let's see if we can stop the seal from breaking or find a way to confront it." His eyes showed a hint of determination, although not entirely confident, he knew he must be the backbone for everyone at this moment.

Just then, they heard a low, rumbling roar, a sound as if originating from Hell, filled with endless anger and evil. The sound grew louder, as if a giant beast was awakening. The runes on the altar flickered faster, with a light so intense they could hardly keep their eyes open.

"The seal is breaking!" Shen Jingqi shouted.

Before they could react, a massive shadow burst forth from the altar. It was as large as a mountain, blocking most of the light, plunging the entire palace into darkness. It exuded a stifling sense of oppression, as if merely approaching it would crush them under its immense power.

It opened its enormous maw, letting out a roar that shook heaven and earth, a sound thunderous enough to swallow the entire world. The palace walls trembled slightly from the roar, and bits of rubble rained down from the ceiling.

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