BOOOOMMMM!
The lightning released from the twin dragons cracked the sky open like a crimson wound. Arcs forked in a blazing helix, rushing down toward Shui Lan, who hung bound in Nirvanic spirit chains—eyes wide in shock.
Lightning shattered across his face in a storm of sparks.
Suddenly a figure moved from the sky clouds.
Tang Zi Chen stood at the centre of the platform in the next second, one palm raised, cloak snapping in the thunderwind. "Enough!" he commanded, his voice ringing clear through the smoke. "This is an arena, not a cremation ground!"
But he failed to completely block the lightning even with his saint rank weapon. The clothes and skin were scorched from the lightning strike.
The crimson storm vanished. Kent's sword lowered. The Nirvanic chains remained, glowing like molten script on Shui Lan's limbs. Kent's gaze slid to Zi Chen—calm, cold, unafraid.
"You stop an execution," Kent said quietly, "after he spent thirty-one chances trying to open my ribcage."
