"Oh? So arrogant. As expected of Jiang Lei's son—you've got guts. I just wonder if your strength lives up to your courage."
The White Envoy sneered, then clapped his hands forcefully. In an instant, green flames flared and condensed into a massive, ferocious fire wolf, which roared as it lunged toward Smith.
The heat was so intense that the air itself warped and shimmered.
Smith didn't hesitate. He quickly formed hand seals with practiced precision.
> "Water Release: Water Wave!"
Crash!
A surge of water erupted out of thin air, encircling Smith before rapidly rising into a massive spiraling vortex. Like a waterfall crashing down, it collided with the incoming fire wolf.
> "Roar!"
The fire wolf dove headfirst into the torrent.
Under normal circumstances, water should extinguish fire. But this fire wolf, summoned by Bai Shi, was no ordinary flame. Fueled by intense green energy, it seared through the water, evaporating large portions into thick steam as it continued to barrel toward Smith.
Even elemental restraints can be overridden by overwhelming power.
Bai Shi was a Level 5 Intermediate, whereas after all his battles, Smith had just barely reached Level 3 Intermediate.
They weren't even in the same league.
No matter how refined Smith's Water Release technique was, it couldn't overcome such a massive disparity in raw power.
> "They say you have a lot of tricks—why not show me all of them?" Bai Shi snorted coldly and flicked his fingers. A streak of green fire burst forth from his fingertips and expanded rapidly into a wave of flame.
The entire hall turned crimson under the fiery glow.
Seeing the danger, Smith didn't hesitate. He grabbed Zhang Yi and the others and rushed out of the hall.
> Boom!
The confined space amplified the explosion.
The main lobby of the Guangxi Society was reduced to burning rubble.
Bai Shi walked out slowly, the flames parting to avoid him as if they recognized their master. He looked like a demon rising from the hellfire.
> "If all you can do is run and hide, then I must say—I'm disappointed." Bai Shi shook his head, voice flat with disdain.
> "Then be disappointed. That's none of my business." Smith shrugged. But his eyes never left Bai Shi, locked onto his every move.
He couldn't defeat Bai Shi in a head-on confrontation.
But that didn't mean he was out of options.
Just as Smith was about to summon his spirit—
Whoosh!
Several figures dashed over from another side of Dark City.
> "It's so noisy! How could we not join the fun?"
The familiar voice belonged to none other than the Red Queen of the Twilight Auction, accompanied by the guardian Li Tuo.
> "You little brat, why are you back again?" Li Tuo grumbled, clearly unhappy with Smith's reappearance.
> "Old General, I'll explain later. Let's focus on the enemy first." Smith's eyes never left Bai Shi, his tone calm but alert.
With the arrival of Red Queen and Li Tuo, Smith didn't need to summon his spirit—yet.
> "Jinghai College again? Didn't I beat you enough last time?" Li Tuo scoffed at Bai Shi.
He remembered how Jinghai's executive forces had made a mess last time trying to capture Smith. In the end, they were repelled.
And now they only sent one man?
> "Are they underestimating Dark City that much?"
> "You must be General Li Tuo, former commander of the First Army of the Eastern Allied Forces." Bai Shi gave a slight chuckle, a polite undertone in his voice. "I've heard of your reputation."
> "If you know me, then scram. Dark City doesn't welcome lapdogs from Jinghai College." Li Tuo snapped.
He had no more patience for anyone from Jinghai College. Their last attempt had already cost them all goodwill.
This time, Bai Shi's intent was clearly hostile.
> "General Li, please don't misunderstand me," Bai Shi said with mock civility. "I only came here to hold Dark City accountable. I didn't expect to see Smith again, so I figured I'd just capture him while I'm at it."
He spoke with a calm, gentle tone—as if he weren't declaring something outrageous.
> "Do you really think you can take him on with all of us standing here?" the Red Queen asked, hands on her hips, clearly unimpressed.
Bai Shi glanced at her briefly, but his gaze quickly returned to Smith and Li Tuo.
To him, they were the only threats. The others—a ragtag group of Level 3s and 4s—weren't even worth a second glance.
> "If you want to take Smith," Li Tuo stepped forward, "you'll have to go through me first."
Smith was stunned.
He had saved Li Tuo once, and the old general had already repaid him by fending off Jinghai's executive forces before.
Yet here he was again—still standing by him.
Smith felt a surge of emotion.
> "Then allow me to test your strength, General Li."
With a flick of his wrist, a short blade slipped from Bai Shi's sleeve. He lunged forward without hesitation!
> "Hahaha! I've been itching for a fight!"
Li Tuo laughed as a massive steel broadsword appeared from his space ring. He charged to meet Bai Shi head-on.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their weapons collided in a flurry of sparks and ringing steel.
Both men avoided using supernatural abilities, engaging in pure close-quarters combat—every strike laced with deadly intent.
But over time, it became clear that Li Tuo was struggling.
He was still powerful, still a Level 5 Intermediate.
But he was also old.
Bai Shi, in the prime of his life, outmatched him in speed, endurance, and sheer intensity.
> "Wind Cleansing Slash!"
Eventually, Li Tuo was forced to tap into his abilities.
A deep green glow pulsed from his blade. He swung hard, sending a bladed energy wave slicing through the air straight toward Bai Shi.
> "Flame Magic: Blazing Slash!"
Bai Shi countered immediately. Green fire engulfed his blade, and a red-hot wave of flaming sword energy shot out.
> Boom!
The two techniques clashed midair, erupting in a shockwave of flame and wind that twisted into a roaring fire tornado.
> "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Smith finally joined the fray.
He formed seals and spat several fireballs toward Bai Shi.
Bai Shi didn't even flinch.
With a casual flick of his dagger, he sliced through the fireballs one after another.
> Whoosh!
As he cut down the last fireball, dozens of kunai suddenly flew toward him from multiple directions.
> "Pathetic," Bai Shi muttered.
The attack looked more like a child's game to him—flashy but weak.
He only bothered to block the few that might actually hit him. The rest? He ignored.
But just as he lowered his guard—
Smith appeared right behind one of the kunai.
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