Xing stepped onto the clearing, and when he saw the person he'd been looking for, a sly smile appeared on his face.
"Well, well… two title holders," he said with a mocking tone. "Let's see if you can entertain me."
He adjusted his hair and looked at them with a dull, almost bored smile.
Emma frowned and said,
"Who's this gorilla supposed to be?"
David replied calmly,
"That's Xing, a second-year student from the Chinese Academy."
"A woman calling me a gorilla? How disrespectful," Xing said with a smirk. "But I'll let it slide. I don't like hitting women. So, leave while you still can."
Emma narrowed her eyes.
"Gorilla, huh? That's discrimination. These days, women can stand on equal ground with men in strength."
She dashed forward, preparing to strike — but a bullet suddenly whizzed past her face. She twisted her body, narrowly dodging it thanks to her sharp reflexes.
Over a kilometer away, Chi Lan lowered her rifle and muttered,
"Not bad… quick reaction. And I agree with what she said about women."
David glanced at Emma and said,
"Go take care of her. I'll buy us some time."
Emma nodded quickly.
"Alright. Give me twenty minutes — I'll be back."
"Got it. Go," David answered firmly.
Emma sprinted toward her opponent.
Meanwhile, Sai and Leo were moving swiftly through the battlefield, cutting down demons one after another. Their kill count had already reached thirty.
Sai spotted three more ahead.
"Leo! Three demons up ahead!"
"Got it. Let's take them down," Leo replied, rushing forward at high speed.
"Sakura Stance: Air Whirlwinds!" Sai shouted, releasing five slicing gusts of wind that flew toward the demons. The first demon was caught off guard and died instantly. The other two charged at them in rage.
Leo leaped high into the air and shouted,
"Double Strike Technique!"
His blow landed on the demon's head — enhanced with pure energy, killing it instantly.
The last demon lunged at Sai with razor-sharp claws, but Sai countered,
"Sakura Stance: Redirection!"
He deflected the attack, slipped behind the demon, and pierced its heart with a clean strike. The creature collapsed lifelessly.
High above, the clan leaders watched from their viewing chamber.
The head of the Ragnar Clan — a man in his forties with fiery red hair — chuckled.
"Our kids are doing quite well, wouldn't you say, Kazu?"
"Hah, teamwork suits them," replied Kazu with a grin.
The head of the Shuro Clan looked far younger. His long white hair shimmered in the light. The Shuro clan was well-known for their expertise in healing and restorative magic — capable even of mending broken limbs. He smiled warmly and said,
"Mr. Chul, Mr. Vincent — what do you think of these children?"
Chul spoke first.
"My thoughts? They're impressive — especially the two with titles. It's a shame one of them wasn't born in our country."
"I agree," said Yu Han, the Shuro head. "And you, Mr. Vincent?"
Vincent crossed his arms and answered,
"I think they're the future of humanity. I don't care if they were born in China or Russia — what matters is that they'll protect innocent lives. That's all I need to know."
"Well said," Yu Han replied with a calm nod.
"Tch, enough chatter," said Kazuhiko. "Look at the screen — something's happening."
Everyone's eyes turned to the monitor.
Dozens of arrows rained down on Sai and Leo.
"Leo, get behind me!" Sai shouted.
Leo obeyed instantly, and Sai raised his hands.
"Sakura Stance: Redirection!"
He spun his energy, deflecting every arrow midair.
Moments later, projectiles resembling rockets launched from the forest. The two boys dodged with split-second precision.
As the smoke cleared, three figures emerged from the shadows — Lao Wei, Li Kun, and Bo Hai.
Lao Wei smirked.
"The arrows didn't hit, huh? Guess it's thanks to that kid," he said, eyeing Sai.
Leo stepped closer to his teammate.
"This doesn't look good. Three against two. Think we can handle it?"
Sai wiped the sweat off his brow.
"Two of them… they've formed contracts with gods. Just like us. The third hasn't. So, maybe we still have a chance."
Suddenly, a voice came from behind Lao Wei.
"Mind if I join?"
It was Noy.
Before Lao Wei could react, a spear strike came flying toward Noy — but he vanished in a blur.
"Instant Flash!" Noy's voice echoed.
Both of them disappeared from sight, leaving only a gust of wind behind.
Bo Hai clicked his tongue.
"Damn… too fast."
Moments later, Lao Wei and Noy reappeared — in an entirely different place.