The crowd unanimously expressed their agreement, and so they began the tense preparatory work. Professor Zhang tirelessly researched ancient manuscripts day and night, trying to find clues about the castle from them. Shen Jingqi and the others trained even more rigorously, knowing that time was tight and every minute and second was crucial.

During training, Shen Jingqi gradually discovered a subtle connection between pure power and his emotions. When he was angry, pure power became violent and strong; when he was calm, pure power turned gentle and stable.

"Could emotions be another key factor in controlling pure power?" Shen Jingqi was full of questions, deciding to further explore this discovery in his upcoming training.

During a simulated emotional fluctuation training, Shen Jingqi tried to recall all kinds of emotions he had experienced: anger, joy, sorrow, fear... Each emotion surged in his heart like tides, and the pure power within him changed along with the emotional waves.

"So that's it!" Shen Jingqi exclaimed excitedly, having finally found another way to control pure power. By adjusting his emotions, he could wield pure power more flexibly, unleashing greater might.

Just as Shen Jingqi was feeling delight over his discovery, suddenly, the lab's alarm sounded loudly. Professor Zhang rushed into the training room with a pale face, shouting, "Not good, the evil forces seem to have noticed our actions and have dispatched a large number of minions heading our way."

The crowd was shocked, knowing that a life-and-death battle was imminent. "Everyone, don't panic. Prepare for combat as trained," Shen Jingqi shouted loudly, his eyes revealing determination and calmness.

They quickly picked up their weapons and took positions at key spots in the lab, ready for battle. Soon, a group of dark figures appeared at the lab's entrance, exuding an evil aura with eyes full of greed and savagery.

Shen Jingqi gripped his weapon tightly, his eyes shining with a fearless light: "Come on then, we won't fear you. Today, we'll show you that justice is invincible."

Both sides immediately engaged in fierce combat. The dark figures were numerous and powerful, gradually pushing Shen Jingqi and his team into a predicament. But they didn't retreat, relying on their tenacious will and firm belief, repelling the dark figures' attacks repeatedly.

During the battle, Shen Jingqi continuously employed the methods he mastered for controlling pure power, adjusting his emotions and mental will to maximize the might of pure power. Each of his attacks carried strong power, making the dark figures tremble in fear.

However, just as the battle reached a fever pitch, suddenly, a huge dark figure appeared on the battlefield. This dark figure was larger than the others, exuding an even more terrifying aura.

"It's... the higher envoy of evil forces!" Professor Zhang screamed in terror, his voice filled with despair, "We can't possibly be his match."

Shen Jingqi's heart tightened, but he remained fearless. He knew this was the final defense for protecting the world; they couldn't give up. "Don't be afraid, everyone. Let's go together," Shen Jingqi shouted, his voice filled with rallying power.

Their faces showed exhaustion and unwillingness as they surrounded the scene. The previous rounds of attacks felt like stones thrown into a deep pond, stirring no effective ripples. They clenched their teeth once more and charged at the dark figure—the higher envoy—shrouded in darkness with determinate expressions.

Blades and sword shadows flickered, spells and magic beams crisscrossed. Some swung long swords, each strike aimed at the higher envoy's vital spots; some recited spells, sending fierce magic like arrows from a bowstring; others used martial arts, with whistling winds furiously striking the seemingly ethereal yet indestructible dark figure. However, regardless of their efforts, all attacks were impeded by an invisible barrier as they neared the higher envoy, unable to inflict substantial harm.

The higher envoy stood quietly as an unshakeable dark mountain. With a mere wave of his hand—a seemingly casual motion—it contained a mountain-moving force. A strong stream of air surged like tides, instantly flinging the crowd away. They flew through the air like cut kites, drawing arcs before crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Cough, cough..." Li Baiyu coughed, eyes filled with unwillingness, "How strong has this higher envoy become? Are we really unable to defeat him?"

Xu An clutched his chest, face pale as paper. He bit his lip, voice trembling slightly as he said, "We can't give up. We've overcome so many hardships, we can't fail here!"

At this moment, Shen Jingqi, who had been silently regulating his breath, suddenly felt a miraculous change in the pure power within him. The initially calm flowing power now surged like an ignited flame. It seemed to have a consciousness, roaming within Shen Jingqi, seeking something.

Shen Jingqi was startled, concentrating hard to sense the change in the power. Gradually, he realized it seemed to communicate a message to him—a desire to fuse with his soul. A thought flashed in his mind: "Is this the true secret of pure power?"

The thought streaked through his mind like lightning, instantly allowing him to understand everything. He shouted excitedly, "I get it, the true secret of pure power is fusion with one's soul!" His voice echoed in the air, brimming with irrepressible excitement. Those around him focused their gazes on him, eyes filled with doubt and anticipation.

Shen Jingqi's eyes revealed a gleam of wisdom, seeming able to penetrate the darkness and illuminate the path ahead. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath to calm himself, then focused on attempting to fuse pure power with his soul.

During this process, he seemed to enter a wonderful world. He saw his soul as a brilliant star, emitting gentle and warm light. The pure power resembled a perpetually surging river, flowing around the star. He tried guiding it, gradually approaching the star, attempting to fuse the two.

However, the process wasn't smooth. The pure power seemed to have its own will, sometimes approaching obediently, sometimes rebelliously retreating. Shen Jingqi felt his spirit continually depleting, his forehead beading with fine sweat as his body started shaking slightly.

"Hold on, Shen Jingqi, you can do it!" He silently encouraged himself in his heart. He knew this was his only chance to defeat the higher envoy; he couldn't give up.

Just when he felt he might not hold out, suddenly, the pure power seemed moved by his firm will. It ceased to resist, obediently fusing with his soul. At that moment, Shen Jingqi felt unprecedented strength. He seemed to merge with the entire world, perceiving every subtle change around him.