The first explosion rocked Glory City just before midnight.
Fire lit up the sky, screams tearing through the night as dark-clad mercenaries and Sacred Family loyalists surged into the streets—blades drawn, killing without mercy.
The Sacred Family wasn't waiting for justice.
They were declaring war.
At the institute, Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er shot upright as the blast echoed.
"They've made their move," Ling Tian growled, eyes blazing with fury.
"We have to protect the city," Xiao Ning'er said firmly, already grabbing her spear.
Ling Tian's hand clasped her wrist. For one heartbeat, his eyes softened.
"Stay close to me. Always."
She nodded, fierce and unflinching. "Always."
They sprinted into the chaos—streets flooded with frightened citizens and battle cries.
Ahead, a squad of Sacred Family assassins cornered a group of students, blades gleaming in the firelight.
Ling Tian leapt forward, soul force exploding from his fists, blasting the assassins back in a flurry of shattered stone and screams. His movements were sharp, lethal—each strike a precise death sentence.
Beside him, Xiao Ning'er's spear spun like lightning, slashing through attackers with deadly grace. Sparks danced across her blade, her soul force shimmering brilliantly in the night.
"Get to safety!" she barked at the students, who scrambled away, wide-eyed with gratitude.
But it wasn't over.
A monstrous roar shook the ground—a massive Direwolf Demon Beast, twice the size of a man, surged through the flames, eyes glowing with murderous rage.
"Demon beast?!" Xiao Ning'er gasped. "They're unleashing them inside the city?"
Ling Tian's jaw clenched. "They're desperate."
The beast charged.
Ling Tian stepped in front of Xiao Ning'er, summoning a shimmering barrier of soul force just as the creature's claws slammed down.
Boom!
The impact threw them back—Ling Tian gritted his teeth, absorbing the shock, while Xiao Ning'er rolled to her feet, spear poised.
"Together!" she shouted.
"Now!" Ling Tian roared.
Xiao Ning'er's spear glowed with blinding force as Ling Tian channeled his power through her weapon. In perfect sync, she hurled the spear—pure soul force lancing through the air.
CRACK—!
The spear struck true, piercing the Direwolf's skull. The beast let out a final, shuddering roar—then collapsed in a heap of smoldering fur.
Silence fell, broken only by the crackle of fire.
Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er stood back to back, breathing hard, eyes scanning the battlefield.
"This is just the start," Ling Tian said darkly.
Xiao Ning'er's grip tightened on his hand. "Then let's finish it."