The air trembled. The floating arena shook as golden Qi and dark mist collided midair.
Li Ming darted across the glowing stones, each step leaving ripples of light. His eyes were locked on the shadowy figure ahead, whose form wavered like smoke in a storm.
"Alright," Li Ming muttered. "Full control, full focus. Just don't explode this time."
"Good advice," Bai Guo said dryly, circling above in his human form. "Let's see if you can follow it for more than five seconds."
"Ha! Watch me!" Li Ming yelled, slamming his palms together. Qi flared around him, bright as the sun.
The shadow charged, its blade dragging a streak of darkness across the air. Li Ming met it head-on, twisting his body midair. Clang! Sparks burst as his golden barrier deflected the first strike.
Then came the second—faster, sharper. Li Ming spun, bending backward so narrowly that the blade sliced a strand of his hair.
"Whoa—personal space!" he shouted, leaping back.
