Chapter 61 - Battle at Heavenly Jade Castle Part 1

The tunnels buzzed with murmurs and shuffling footsteps as the Alliance army began its careful march forward, guided by the dim, flickering torches along the stone walls. They left behind only the non-combatants—children and a handful of caretakers—to wait for their return in the cavernous refuge outside the city. The tension in the air was palpable, and every face reflected the determination that had carried them this far.

Moving through the narrow passages, the soldiers split into groups according to the plan, strategically positioning themselves at different points throughout Heavenly Jade City. The sound of footsteps softened as the groups dispersed, each squadron moving to a designated area to ensure their presence remained hidden until the exact moment of the assault. Meanwhile, the Strike Team continued down a separate, winding route through the ancient tunnels that would lead them directly to the palace gates.

As they reached a junction, Nikolai, Chloe, and Emir halted, ready to diverge from the main team as planned. Nikolai adjusted the collar of his ‘Soaring Cloud Attire’, the special suit given to him by the scout team, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“Looks like this is where we part ways.”

He said, glancing back at the group with a mischievous grin and an unusual confidence. Meanwhile, Chloe stepped closer to Adam, tilting her head playfully.

“Don’t worry, if you get hurt, I’ll be here to patch us up with everything I’ve learned.”

She teased him with a wink and a hint of flirtation in her tone and gave him a gentle pat on the arm before turning to join her group.

With a final wave, Nikolai, Chloe, and Emir disappeared down another tunnel, blending into the shadows as they headed toward their designated positions. The Strike Team continued onward, their path narrowing as they approached the heart of the city. They waited in tense silence, counting down the seconds before the chaos would begin.

When the countdown reached zero, an explosion of sound erupted throughout the city.

All across Heavenly Jade City, the soldiers of the Alliance launched their attack in perfect synchrony, each group burst into action, shouting, causing commotion, and drawing attention from every corner of the city. The plan was simple yet effective: create enough noise and destruction to attract the guards and distract them from the palace itself, although it also attracted the attention of a lot of martial artists from the numerous gangs, schools, and sects currently in the city, who jumped immediately to subdue the rioters.

Nikolai darted through the winding streets, his movements swift and agile, his enhanced speed from the ‘Soaring Cloud Attire’ allowed him to glide past opponents without engaging. His voice rang out, amplified by his skill, [Silver Tongue], which he used to shout orders to the enemies nearby.

“Stop where you are!”

He commanded, his tone authoritative, and to his delight, several of the lower-level fighters froze, momentarily disoriented, obeying his voice almost against their will.

A grin spread across Nikolai’s face as he watched the confusion unfold.

“Ah, if only I’d had this power back in the real world.”

He mused aloud, chuckling as he directed the enemies to scatter or turn on each other amid their bewilderment. He moved effortlessly between them, enjoying the chaos he orchestrated, all while dodging any potential encounters with well-trained fighters.

On the other side of the city, Chloe remained in the rear of her group, watching the battle unfold with a sense of excitement tempered by caution. She knew she wasn’t a fighter like the others, and she left the heavy work to the skilled warriors in her squad. But as the sounds of fighting echoed around her, a large, muscular enemy fell at her feet, unconscious and sprawled on the ground with his chest bare and exposed.

An idea sparked in Chloe’s mind, and she reached into her bag, pulling out a set of gleaming silver needles—a gift from Doctor Meiling, who had shown her how to channel Ki into them as part of a rudimentary healing technique. Her heart raced with anticipation as she held the needles, their tips glinting under the streetlights.

“Alright, let’s see if I can make this work.”

She whispered, her eyes gleaming with excitement, carefully inserting a needle around the man’s head, focusing her Ki through each one as she placed them with precision. Her hands moved with growing confidence, a thrill of accomplishment running through her as she saw the man’s hand twitch slightly, an involuntary movement despite his unconscious state. Chloe beamed with joy, her excitement radiating from her.

“Ha! I think I’m getting the hang of this!”

She exclaimed to herself, adjusting a few more needles, eager to explore this newfound skill further.

Meanwhile, in the third front, Emir sat cross-legged in a small, dim alley near the central plaza, surrounded by a group of elite guards appointed by Jianfeng. Their sole mission was to protect the boy as he meditated, blocking out the violent chaos unfolding around them. With his eyes closed and his hands resting on his knees, Emir appeared unbothered by the clamor of the battle, his expression serene as he concentrated on maintaining his meditative state.

Despite the yells and clashing weapons echoing in the streets, Emir’s calmness was undisturbed, his mind as still as a quiet pond. The guards exchanged glances, clearly surprised by the boy’s composure; they had expected him to be rattled by the intensity of the scene, yet he remained untouched by fear or distraction. It was as though he was completely detached from the violence surrounding him.

Occasionally, one of the guards would have to intercept an enemy drawing too close to the kid, swiftly dispatching the intruder with well-practiced movements, but Emir remained entirely focused, oblivious to their efforts to keep him safe. Eventually, one of the guards noticed something unusual, an odd sensation that prickled his skin—the faint trace of Ki drifting from the fallen enemies, as if the energy was being drawn toward Emir in thin, wispy tendrils. The guard shivered, a chill running down his spine as he realized that no Ki emanated from the kid himself; the boy’s aura was an empty void.

It was unnerving, this silent, unexplainable phenomenon, and the guards could only watch in awe and apprehension as the unseen force pulsed faintly around the boy.

Back in the city streets, the sounds of battle intensified. Alliance soldiers, unarmed and dressed in simple clothing, fought with unmatched tenacity against the city’s martial artists, criminals, and fighters from various sects and families who had gathered to defend their territory. The Alliance soldiers relied on pure skill, evading strikes and using coordinated movements to hold their ground, even as the well-armed defenders slashed and jabbed with blades, clubs, and knives.

Suddenly, the guards from the palace arrived on the scene, bearing firearms and swiftly turning the tide. Bullets zipped through the air, sending Alliance members scattering. Just as panic threatened to erupt, Shen’s special team stepped forward, each member wielding the special staff they had used previously. They moved with graceful precision, deflecting bullets with their staves, forming a protective barrier as they shielded the Alliance fighters.

Yet, the sheer number of attackers and the unending waves of city defenders pushed the Alliance fighters to their limits, forcing them into an all-out fight as Heavenly Jade City transformed into a full-blown battleground.

Nikolai, still racing through the streets, smirked as he continued to sow confusion among the enemies, his voice booming as he gave conflicting orders to the lesser fighters, who stumbled in disarray under his skill’s command. Chloe, meanwhile, was deeply immersed in her experimental healing, her eyes sparkling with each small success as she watched the unconscious man’s limbs twitch in response to her needles. And far from the fray, Emir continued to meditate in silent concentration, his presence a calm amidst the storm, as his guards stood vigilant and wary of the unusual energy stirring around him.

The battle for Heavenly Jade City was in full swing, a clash of wills and strength that echoed through every street and alley, each side determined to gain control of the city before the night was through.

On the other side of the battlefield, the Strike Team moved cautiously through the tunnels, the faint echoes of their footsteps and controlled breathing bouncing softly off the damp stone walls. Jianfeng, leading the way, held a calm and composed expression, though the subtle tension in his posture betrayed the importance of their mission. His ten vice-captains, including Shen and several of the user’s mentors, flanked him in tight formation, each one fully alert and focused. Adam, Drake, Kazue, Li, Sebastian, Gregor, and Katya followed behind, maintaining silence as they navigated through the twisting paths. Each step brought them closer to the heart of Heavenly Jade Castle.

As they approached the tunnel’s end, the faint sounds of distant commotion drifted toward them. The Strike Team slowed, observing the scene beyond the exit with careful eyes. In the faint light, they could make out guards running in large numbers toward the city, leaving their posts as the distraction plans took effect. Adam clenched his fists in quiet satisfaction—their allies were doing their part. Jianfeng signaled the team forward, and one by one, they emerged from the tunnel, shadows blending seamlessly with the remaining patches of darkness.

“Good. They’re moving as planned.”

Jianfeng muttered, barely audible but firm. The group advanced, timing their movements with precision as they slipped through the mansion’s grounds, undetected by the sparse remaining guards. Every corner held the possibility of discovery, but they stayed silent, drifting like ghosts through the dimly lit corridors of the estate. The weight of the silence pressed down on them, each footfall like a whisper of impending confrontation.

Finally, they reached the vast doors leading to the grand hall where they knew Don Bai Huolong awaited. The team halted, bracing themselves as they arranged their formation outside the door, Adam’s pulse quickened as he took in the stillness of the door, his mind racing with the idea of catching the notorious figure off-guard.

But then, a cold and distorted voice echoed in the minds of Adam, Drake, Kazue, Li, Gregor, Sebastian, and Katya—a voice they knew all too well. The robotic tone of the system, glitching as if struggling against some unknown interference, sounded ominously within their heads.

⌠No■tic■e: SR■-cl■a■ss Plo■t De■vic■■e: “I’m■not■locked■■up■in■here■with■you. You’re■locked■■up■in■here■with■me” h■as b■ee■n u■sed⌡

The air around them seemed to freeze as the chilling announcement sank in. The words clawed at their nerves, icy dread slipping into the minds of each member. Li was the first to break, his voice cutting through the silence in a loud, panicked shout.

“It’s a trap!”

He yelled, his voice echoing down the corridor, but before anyone could react, a translucent green barrier materialized around them, forming a cube that enclosed the Strike Team within its oppressive walls. It phased seamlessly through the walls of the mansion, locking them in place without damaging the structure itself, but it was clear that escape was impossible.

An automated system message flashed before their eyes, each word carrying a dreadful weight:

⌠SYSTEM NOTICE⌡ ⌠Teams Defined: Alliance + Users vs. Don Bai Huolong.⌡ ⌠Until one side is completely annihilated, no one can exit the designated space.⌡

Li cursed under his breath, glancing anxiously at the others.

“Fuck!”

He shouted, trying to keep his voice steady but failing miserably, everyone on the user team was dumbfounded, how was it possible? There was a usage of a Plot Device, something that only users could possess because it directly interfered with the scenario rules

Jianfeng, with a face of stone, motioned for silence as he assessed the barrier’s nature, but there was little doubt left… They were trapped.

Just then, the grand doors creaked open, revealing the massive chamber beyond, and seated casually in the center of the room, with his legs propped up on an ornate table and hands resting behind his head, was Don Bai Huolong himself. His lean, muscular frame suggested a deceptive strength that belied his slender build; dressed in a flowing red tunic with a unique, elaborate hat that featured a black sphere on its peak, he had an aura of both elegance and latent menace. His amber eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence, and when he smiled, the flash of his unnervingly sharp teeth gave the impression of a predator toying with its prey.

Don Bai Huolong's gaze settled on them, a smug grin pulling at the corners of his mouth.

"Ah, there you are. I was getting tired of waiting!"

He drawled, his voice thick with mockery.

"Finally… A chance to get rid of you pests in one fell swoop."

Jianfeng narrowed his eyes, stepping forward with a steely expression.

“Bai Huolong… Once, we stood side by side. Now, you’re nothing more than a lackey to Lord Varek, it makes me sick.”

He said, his voice filled with a quiet anger that had been simmering for centuries, but the Don’s laugh was low and menacing, resonating through the chamber.

“A lackey? Is that what you think?”

He shook his head, feigning disappointment.

“Jianfeng, old friend, you were always such a fool. Lord Varek represents true power, absolute power. And I am one of his chosen enforcers. If you had any sense, you’d have joined him, instead of clinging to your pitiful notions of ‘honor’.”

Adam’s eyes flickered as he took in the scene, but something caught his attention—a strange, flickering display over Bai Huolong’s form. His [Cursed Eyes] activated on instinct, and for a brief moment, he could see a system-like interface attached to the Don. It looked disturbingly familiar, and his voice rose unbidden as he pointed, unable to contain his shock… He had a gltichy user’s stat window, just like Jasper Merrick had back in the last scenario.

⌠Name: B̶̦́͛͐͝a̵̱̙̦̬͊̈̔̊i̴̧̨͙̬͗̂͌ ̸͈̗͙͍̫̓̑̾̆͝Ḣ̵̛̦̞̍͠u̴͍̻̔̒̐ò̷͎̈̕ͅl̴̡̛͓͚̣̀͌̀̽ờ̴̫͉͋͜n̴͍̳̓͗̄̄͘g̸̪͖̟̤̺͌͗͋̓⌡ ⌠Age: 5̵̱͓̟͐̌3̶̟̺̾̐0̶͂̽͜⌡ ⌠Species: E̴̯͎̓̓́͛͜ṅ̷̗̄͐̃l̶̳̗̰̀i̴̼̝͗͛ͅg̵̤̥̈̈́̈́h̵̬̹̱̎͆̽͘ẗ̴̖̣͙̒e̶̟̙̋̀̀̐d̵̤̟͙̽ H̵̛̤͂͋̿u̵͔͖͈͎̾m̴̡̹̹̪̈̿͝ă̸͚͎̠͆͆̇n̵̼͈̲͒ ̶̞͎͐̓͠-̵̮͖́̄̄̚ ̶͉̤̲͒́̚R̷̹̩̘̈́a̵̱̳͕̍̂ͅṇ̵͓̐k̴̠͋ ̸̱̘̩̰͌A̴̜̾̄̉̄+̴͔̼̳̆̉͝͠⌡ ⌠Points: 0̶̨̮̝͎̣́̿͐ͅ⌡ ⌠Potential: A̸̲̽͑̈̕+̷̪̱͗⌡ ⌠E̴̬̅̕r̸͑̊͜ͅr̷͎̅o̷̹͆̓r̶͇͘⌡

Bai Huolong’s gaze turned cold, recognizing Adam’s semblance and looking at them with his amber eyes, and his smile twisted into something dark, just to the horror of the boy, as another system window popped in front of him.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

[Skill: Cursed Eyes Lv6] [You are familiar with this skill, data is being collected] [Cursed eyes allow the user to see additional, hidden, and key information about any option, skill, treasure, Plot Device, scenario character, setting, or user if it exists. Repeated use of it on the same target increases the understanding of it. Might fail if the target rank or level is too high]

It was insane, the Don had the same eyes as Adam but with a higher level, just how?! Such skill shouldn’t exist in this setting.

“So, these are the ones from the other world?”

Said Bai Huolong, his tone was laced with contempt, yet he looked almost amused.

“Ah, nostalgia… but I’m afraid I can’t let you meddle in my affairs.”

In a swift, almost casual motion, the black sphere on his hat shot forward, streaking toward them like a missile.

[Karma Devil Ball - Rank A- ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠A floating black sphere infused with dark karmic energy. Drawn to those burdened by heavy misdeeds, it silently seeks out the individual with the highest negative karma in its vicinity, attaching itself to them and recognizing them as its master. Once bound, the…⌡

Adam barely had time to glimpse a distorted system window revealing the sphere’s information before it dissolved, and then, in an instant, translucent cubes enclosed him, Drake, Kazue, Li, Gregor, Sebastian, Katya, Jianfeng, and Shen.

Adam struggled against the barrier’s walls, his movements frantic, he almost immediately tried to use his [Ghost Phasing] skill to escape, yet nothing happened, or better told, he couldn’t, there was no reaction whatsoever in his body.

“It’s… it’s sealing our skills! I can’t use anything!”

He shouted, his voice edged with panic, even his parasite was unresponsive, although he felt that it was still there.

Drake clenched his fists, pressing against the walls of his cube, but his strength seemed meaningless against the barrier’s impenetrable surface.

“Damn it… nothing’s working.”

Li tried summoning his book, the skill he relied on so heavily, but it was as if the magic itself had been snuffed out. He threw a furious punch against the cube, but it didn’t even dent.

Adam took a deep breath, forcing his mind to calm.

“It’s a skill nullification field… Probably created by the black sphere, as most items, it might have a time limit, but we need to make it through this somehow.”

Bai Huolong watched their struggles with delight, clapping his hands in exaggerated applause.

“Pin Pon! That’s right, you’re all just regular humans now… For the next five minutes, nothing from your precious ‘system’ will save you.”

A cold realization washed over Adam as he looked at the Don, feeling the oppressive weight of their situation, how much does he know about them and how a user operates? Nothing made sense at all.

On the other hand, Jianfeng and Shen tried to break through the walls of their containment, pouring all their martial prowess into strikes that resounded with unyielding force. Yet, their every blow met an invisible resistance, a shimmering green barrier that hummed with latent energy. The Don watched them, arms folded, his expression unreadable but carrying a glint of something close to amusement.

"Save your energy."

Bai Huolong said calmly, his tone betraying neither frustration nor impatience.

"Yes, theoretically, brute force could break it—but not even I could do that alone. So, for you two… it’s impossible."

Jianfeng and Shen shared a quick glance, frustration etching across their faces. Every fiber of their training screamed at them to keep trying, to push harder, yet there was a bleak finality in the Don’s words. Meanwhile, the rest of the room shifted as nine figures, each radiating their own formidable aura, stepped forward—free from the bindings that held the rest of the group. These were the Vice-Captains, elite warriors, each trained to the pinnacle of their arts, each prepared for this very day.

One of the Vice-Captains, a tall man with an iron gaze, smirked as he addressed the Don, their infamous foe.

"You really are an idiot, Bai Huolong, even without the rest, it’s still nine against one. We’ve trained for this. All of us. To the brink of death. And even if you have some tricks up your sleeve, you won’t make it out of here alive."

Bai Huolong, unfazed, simply returned the gaze with an easy smile. He raised a finger, pointing to each of them in turn as if counting up his next targets.

“That’s great. Truly, it’s admirable that you all pushed yourselves this far. But…”

He said with that same infuriating grin widening.

“...This won’t even be a warm-up for me.”

Doctor Meiling, master of advanced ki techniques, narrowed her eyes, her fingers already deftly tracing the thin needles she carried, each one prepared to disrupt ki flows, control bodies, or incapacitate foes with a mere touch. The Doctor had taught Chloe every nuance of these techniques, and now, they glinted in her hands like tiny, deadly instruments of precision. Elder Yuntai, with a presence that belied his hundred years, stood beside her, his aura unwavering, his stance steady as he focused his ageless strength. And Hyun Gwang, with his Shaolin techniques and the metal staff strapped to his back—an instrument of power that could extend and contract at sonic speed—shifted into position.

The nine Vice-Captains moved in flawless unison, each weaving their skills together in a deadly, coordinated assault. Doctor Meiling’s needles flew through the air, glinting with lethal precision. Elder Yuntai swept forward, his movements swift and graceful, unleashing strikes with a vigor that seemed to defy his age. Hyun Gwang spun his staff into a blur, each swing humming with an undercurrent of powerful ki that crackled through the air. Behind them, six other Vice-Captains launched attacks in their own unique styles—a whirlwind of strikes, each as deadly as the last.

Bai Huolong moved effortlessly, sidestepping their strikes, blocking their attacks without so much as a break in his smug smile. He deflected Meiling’s needles with the back of his hand, twisted out of Elder Yuntai’s grip with ease, and dodged Hyun Gwang’s staff by a mere inch, the air displaced by its speed rustling his robes but leaving him untouched. He remained untouchable, a figure of pure confidence who weaved through their onslaught as if it were all just a game.

At one point, Bai Huolong threw out a punch, and Elder Yuntai narrowly blocked it, feeling the tremendous force that radiated from his opponent’s blow. Another attempt from Hyun Gwang was met with an open palm, stopping the Shaolin master’s staff mid-swing and pushing him back with surprising strength.

However, the proud warriors would not be intimidated, and, in perfect harmony, the nine Vice-Captains moved as if they shared a single mind, each one stepping in and out with expert timing, a relentless wave of strikes from every direction. The Don, however, met each attack with his signature grin, his eyes gleaming with a daring, amused confidence.

The combo began with Elder Yuntai, who led the assault, his hands flashing in blindingly fast jabs. His strikes aimed at Bai Huolong’s pressure points, each one intended to break his opponent's defenses with pinpoint accuracy. The moment Bai Huolong twisted to evade, Meiling leaped forward, her needles glinting between her fingers. In a fluid motion, she released a volley of them, each one honed with her potent ki, aiming to disrupt Bai Huolong’s energy flow and slow his movements. Her needles brushed past him, some deflecting off his hardened skin defenses, but one managed to graze his shoulder.

Seeing the opening, Hyun Gwang charged in, his Shaolin staff extending like a living weapon, moving at the speed of sound. With each strike, his staff snapped back and forth, forcing Bai Huolong to duck and weave in rapid succession; he narrowly dodged, still grinning, but he was clearly on the defensive. Hyun Gwang’s strikes kept him occupied, giving space for the next Vice-Captain to enter the fray.

Two of the remaining Vice-Captains darted in together, each wielding bladed weapons that moved with a dance-like fluidity. They struck from opposite sides, their blades creating arcs of light as they aimed for Bai Huolong’s torso and legs, forcing him to twist and shift his stance to evade. The sound of metal whistling through the air filled the space, but the Don’s eyes shone with glee, his movements effortlessly precise. Despite their speed, he moved just in time to parry or dodge, a blur in motion as he met each attack with unyielding confidence.

The next Vice-Captain attacked with a blazing, fire-infused kick that aimed directly for Bai Huolong’s chest. He blocked it, but the flames licked at his sleeve, leaving a scorch mark on his clothes, yet he laughed, the grin never leaving his face, even as the impact pushed him back. Another Vice-Captain followed immediately, a ki-enhanced punch slamming toward his ribs, while another launched himself over Bai Huolong's head, attempting to strike from above. The nine fighters moved with seamless unity, each one flowing into the next attack as if they had trained together for decades, their eyes fierce and unrelenting.

In a final coordinated maneuver, Meiling darted in once more, using her needles to immobilize Bai Huolong's right arm for a split second. The others seized the opportunity, each one attacking from a different angle, pushing him back toward the barrier. The last Vice-Captain—a powerful martial artist who specialized in shockwave attacks—charged up his energy, focusing it into a single, devastating punch. He launched himself at Bai Huolong, and the force of his punch released a massive shockwave upon impact.

The blow collided with a thunderous explosion, sending a rippling shockwave through the confined arena. Dust and debris rose up, shrouding the young Don from view. The Vice-Captains stood still, muscles tense, eyes fixed on the thick haze as they caught their breath, believing they might have finally landed a decisive hit. But through the settling dust, a figure began to emerge—Bai Huolong, slowly standing, completely unharmed, and still grinning, as if the entire fight had merely been a game.

“Well, that was fun. I didn’t expect you all to have come so far”

He said, a tone of genuine amusement in his voice.

“But it’s been over a minute now, and I suppose I should start wrapping things up before the sphere’s effect fades. Don’t worry—I’ll still have my fun.”

With a dramatic lift of his hand, Bai Huolong snapped his fingers, and out of thin air, two enormous speakers materialized behind him. A pulsing beat filled the room, and the unmistakable rhythm of Eurodance began to echo off the walls.

Li’s eyes widened, unable to mask his confusion.

“That music…”

Bai Huolong laughed, his face lighting up with genuine excitement.

“Oh, this song is a classic! I love this otherworldly music!”

He shouted, already moving to the beat, a few exaggerated steps as he began to dance in place, swaying and twisting with an eerie ease. The Vice-Captains exchanged confused glances before charging forward once more, each launching a fresh wave of attacks. But this time, Bai Huolong moved differently, fluidly dodging every strike with closed eyes, as if the music itself guided him. Every swing, jab, and kick missed by mere millimeters, his movements in perfect sync with the thundering beat, his laughter echoing with each dodge.

With every snap of his fingers, large wooden crates began to appear around him, six in total, positioned strategically around the battlefield. As he dodged another assault, he glanced back at his creations and smiled, his gaze dancing with amusement.

“Ah, I suppose it’s time to introduce my backup dancers!”

He called out over the beat, snapping his fingers again. One by one, the crates creaked open, and six figures stepped forth, each one a Jiang Shi—a hopping vampire, their gray skin pale, dressed in long robes and topped with a talisman-laden hat. Doctor Meiling’s face twisted in horror as she recognized the figures stepping forward.

“No… no, it can’t be!”

The Jiang Shi lifted their arms in unison, advancing toward the Vice-Captains, who readied themselves, faces hardened. But as they swung their weapons or launched ki attacks, the Jiang Shi’s bodies turned to mist, allowing each strike to pass through harmlessly. Yet their own attacks were real, their claws and fangs biting into flesh, drawing blood, each strike more punishing than the last. The Vice-Captains quickly found themselves losing ground, their ranks breaking as they were driven back by these ghostly foes, each Jiang Shi moving with a martial skill that rivaled the living

Jianfeng also recognized the identity of such undead and began to explain.

“Those monsters… They were once our comrades. These were Vice-Captains who fell in battle against Lord Varek’s forces… Just how? Jianshi’s are supposed to be just a myth.”

Those words made Adam frown, what did he mean by that? That was not what Shen had told them during their Ki training… Meanwhile, still dancing, Bai Huolong watched their struggle with amusement.

“This is a little something I picked up recently from Lord Varek’s teachings. Not the strongest power, but certainly amusing enough to clear out insects like you.”

One of the Vice-Captains shouted desperately.

“What kind of witchcraft is this?!”

The Don chuckled, pausing mid-dance to meet their gaze.

“Witchcraft? No, no… This is music. People can’t touch music, you see… but music can touch people.”

The battle dragged on, each Vice-Captain now bearing fresh wounds, struggling against the relentless Jiang Shi. Jianfeng, watching the chaos, clenched his fists.

“This is absurd… He's mocking them, this is not even his actual ability...”

But before he could finish, Adam interrupted him, his voice low, grim, cursing the fact that he couldn’t use his eyes to see the information of such powers.

“It’s a system skill. All these strange powers that you said Lord Varek and his Dons wield—there's no doubt after seeing this, they’re from the system. Something they’ve accessed… Somehow.”

The battle had taken its toll on the Vice-Captains. Deep gashes and bruises marred their bodies, their breaths labored as they staggered, each movement slower than the last. Blood seeped from fresh wounds, staining the ground beneath them. Their once-powerful strikes now wavered, no longer holding the strength they had when the battle began. With every desperate attempt to counter the relentless onslaught of the Jiang Shi, they found themselves outmatched. The undead creatures swarmed them, intangible and unstoppable, striking with eerie precision and relentless force.

Then, Bai Huolong himself joined the fray, a haunting grin stretched across his face. The pounding music filled the room, creating an unnatural rhythm that seemed to drive him forward with sinister delight. He moved so quickly it was almost a blur—appearing behind one of the Vice-Captains, his teeth bared in a predatory grin.

The warrior turned, eyes wide with shock, just as Bai Huolong lunged, sinking his fangs into the man’s neck. A guttural scream tore from the Vice-Captain's throat, the pain searing through his entire body as his blood drained and his strength faded… The scream echoed off the walls, mingling with the relentless beat of the music, before abruptly cutting off. His body went limp, his eyes glazed over, unseeing, as he slumped forward, entirely at Bai Huolong's mercy.

One by one, Bai Huolong moved to each Vice-Captain, and each attempt to fight him off met with ruthless futility, as those who tried to defend themselves found their efforts thwarted by the Jiang Shi, the undead guardians blocking every escape route. Desperation etched itself onto the Alliance warrior's faces as they struggled, but Bai Huolong was relentless, his movements methodical as he approached his next target with a cold, cruel smile.

“Please… Stay back!”

One Vice-Captain cried out, raising his hands in a defensive stance, but the Don’s grin widened.

“Why resist? It’s pointless.”

He murmured, his voice barely audible over the pulsing music, and in a single, swift movement, he was behind the man, his grip vice-like on the man’s shoulders. Without hesitation, he sank his teeth into the exposed neck. The Vice-Captain screamed as well, his voice strangled with pain, but within moments, he too fell silent, his body slumping as his eyes rolled back, lifeless.

And so it went. Each Vice-Captain fell under Bai Huolong's merciless assault, their formidable martial prowess and years of experience rendered meaningless in the face of his overwhelming strength. For every move they made, he had a counter; for every inch they gained, he was there to take it away. When the last of them fell, all nine lay on the ground, defeated, their bodies still, a haunting silence replacing the once-mighty fighters.

Jianfeng's face twisted with fury and despair as he watched his former comrades, the pride of the Alliance, lay low. His fists clenched, and his voice trembled with rage as he shouted.

“Bai Huolong! You bastard! How could you do this to your own people?”

But the Don only chuckled, his expression mocking.

“Oh, Jianfeng, such a sentimental fool even for an immortal like you. They were weak, and weakness has no place in Lord Varek’s world.”

The blaring music played on, as though mocking the fallen warriors and their efforts. Just as Jianfeng prepared to charge forward, teeth bared and fists raised, the barrier surrounding them shimmered and began to fade. Suddenly, the translucent cage blinked out, releasing those trapped within.

Most of them hurried to step forward, their expressions determined as they moved, but then, a distorted, robotic voice filled the air.

⌠No■tic■e: Sta■ndard■-cl■a■ss Plo■t De■vic■■e: “P■lot■Hole” h■as b■ee■n u■sed⌡

With a sudden flash, the barrier from the black sphere snapped back into place, sealing off the battleground once more. Those who reacted quickly managed to escape, but Sebastian and Katya were left trapped within the confines of the shimmering boundary once again.

“*Tsk* That wasn’t necessary.”

Bai Huolong clicked his tongue in mild annoyance, casting a glance at the barrier.

“Lord Varek is always watching, you know. But he didn’t need to interfere so blatantly.”

He glanced back at Jianfeng, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

“But, I suppose it doesn’t matter. I would have taken care of all of you either way.”

Without hesitation, Jianfeng charged forward, his body radiating with ki as he prepared to strike. But before he could reach Bai Huolong, the bodies of the nine fallen Vice-Captains began to shudder and twitch.

The unnatural movement stopped Jianfeng in his tracks, his eyes widening in horror. One by one, the Vice-Captains’ eyes opened, revealing a chilling emptiness. Their once determined faces were now slack, devoid of emotion. Slowly, they began to rise, their limbs stiff and jerking as though controlled by invisible strings. A twisted smile spread across Bai Huolong’s face as he watched his new minions stand before him.

“Perfect, now the numbers are a bit more balanced.”

He murmured, his voice dripping with satisfaction. The Vice-Captains stood in a line, each one bearing a ghastly expression, eyes empty yet filled with an insatiable hunger. The haunting rhythm of the music pulsed in the air, and, in time with the beat, the undead warriors began to sway, their movements synchronized with the Don’s chilling commands. The Jiang Shi raised their arms as well, bodies vibrating to the rhythm, their eyes filled with dark, twisted energy as they prepared to attack the remaining Alliance fighters.

Bai Huolong’s grin widened, the twisted amusement evident in his voice as he spoke although he stopped dancing, knowing full well that, even if he was stronger than Jianfeng, he couldn't afford to fool around like with the other small fries, but the rest of the group on the other hand...

“Now, then… Shall we continue the dance?”