Before Smith could react, he watched as Huo Lian's body was consumed by purple flames and turned into ashes.
"Damn… You're that ruthless to yourself?!"
Smith stood there, stunned by her brutal resolve. Spontaneous combustion—she chose to end her life rather than reveal any secrets.
He had underestimated the loyalty and determination of the Burning Fire Clan. They were willing to die just to protect their organization's secrets.
If Smith were the leader of such a group, he would honestly admire subordinates like that.
But now, Huo Lian was dead, and with her death, another lead to the Burning Fire Clan's secrets had been cut off.
"Smith, that was incredible!" Wang Yan approached, his voice filled with admiration. "You just took down two fourth-tier psychics! That's insane!"
Wang Yan had thought he understood Smith, but this fight proved otherwise. This man was a mystery. Just based on his one-on-two battle, Wang Yan was certain: Smith now ranked among the top two powerhouses in Dark City.
He didn't say "first," only because there was still one known fifth-tier mutant in the shadows of the city.
"It's nothing. Check if our contact has arrived. We shouldn't stay here for too long," Smith replied, his tone calm as if defeating two elite enemies was routine.
"Understood!"
Wang Yan turned and shouted for the others to regroup, scanning the area for any hidden enemies. They needed to wrap up fast before another ambush hit them.
---
[Ding! Mission Complete: Break Through the Siege]
[Reward: 500 Energy Points + 1 Lottery Draw]
Apparently, eliminating all the enemies counted as a successful breakout.
Smith rubbed his palms together eagerly. "Let's see what goodies I get this time…"
While Wang Yan and the others cleaned up the battlefield, Smith activated the system.
"System, open the lottery interface!"
The prize wheel appeared, spinning with a glowing animation. New rewards were now available:
Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique
Wood Style: Wood Man Technique
Sage Art: Myojinmon
Shiki Fujin (Reaper Death Seal)
Shikigami Seal
Summoning Beasts: Nine-Tails, One-Tail, Slug, Ten Thousand Snakes
"Not bad," Smith muttered.
Some were powerful—others… not so much. For example, the Shiki Fujin was powerful but suicidal. Once used, it took the user's life in exchange.
Smith had zero interest in that one.
"Alright, let's go for it!"
He spun the wheel confidently.
Clack-clack-clack...
The dial spun rapidly, slowing down gradually. Smith, following his usual routine, closed his eyes and waited. When the screen flashed golden, signaling the draw was complete, he opened his eyes.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw the result:
Summoning Beast: One-Tail – Shukaku!
"Let's go!"
Smith almost jumped in excitement.
He had actually landed a tailed beast!
---
[Summoning Beast: One-Tail – Shukaku]
Type: Wind Release / Magnet Release
Strength Level: Fifth-tier, Advanced
Note: Can be summoned once per day. Summoning duration: 5 hours.
---
Fifth-tier advanced!
Smith had long wondered how powerful the tailed beasts were. If they turned out to be third- or fourth-tier, that would be a letdown.
If they were sixth- or seventh-tier, that would be too unbelievable—after all, Smith had never seen anyone at those levels.
The strongest psychic he had ever encountered was Dean Lin Hai from Jinghai Academy, a confirmed fifth-tier powerhouse.
Now that he could summon a fifth-tier beast himself, Smith felt no fear. If he had to face Lin Hai again, he could go head-to-head!
"Not bad. Not bad at all." Smith was grinning from ear to ear. "Didn't get the Nine-Tails, but One-Tail's still awesome."
Just because it had the fewest tails didn't mean it was weak. Shukaku was a monster in its own right.
His mood lifted. Whistling, Smith turned to regroup with Wang Yan and the others.
---
Boom!
Suddenly, the earth erupted with a deafening roar.
From the ruins, a blast of purple flames surged like raging demons, swallowing everything in their path. Most of Wang Yan's team—still combing through the rubble—were instantly consumed by the inferno.
A massive purple hand shot out from the flames, grabbed a seriously injured Wang Yan, and dragged him into the depths of the forest at an astonishing speed.
"Wang Yan!"
Smith's expression changed instantly.
He bolted forward in pursuit, but the fiery hand vanished into the trees before he could even get close. No matter how fast he ran, he couldn't catch up.
All that remained was a scorched trail of purple flames.
"The Burning Fire Clan... again?"
Smith stared at the remnants of the fire with narrowed eyes.
But Huo Lian was dead. He had watched her burn to ashes with his own eyes.
So how…?
Were there still more members lurking in the shadows?
And why would they specifically target Wang Yan?
In the span of mere minutes, Smith had gone from leading a full squad—his team intact—to being the last one standing.
"Burning Fire Clan… who the hell are you really?"
His expression hardened. He summoned a wooden cart and rushed straight back toward Dark City.
---
Guangxi Society Headquarters
"What did you say?! Wang Yan was captured by the Burning Fire Clan?!"
Zhang Yi's fury exploded upon hearing the news.
"This is outrageous! Wang Yan is the Vice President of our Guangxi Society. They dare to attack him?! I swear I'll bring them down!"
"Do you know where they're hiding?" Smith asked, his tone cold and focused.
He had no leads on the Burning Fire Clan's location in Dark City. If Zhang Yi knew, he would rush there immediately—rip their lair apart and get Wang Yan back.
Zhang Yi hesitated. "That's the problem. The Burning Fire Clan is extremely secretive. We don't know their base."
Smith frowned.
"But," Zhang Yi continued, "there is one place that might have the information."
Smith's eyes sharpened. "The Dusk Auction?"
"Exactly," Zhang Yi nodded. "They have deep connections across Dark City. If anyone knows where the Burning Fire Clan is hiding, it's them."
He placed a hand on Smith's shoulder. "Smith, I know I'm asking a lot, but can you go back there? If I go, the Red Queen might not cooperate. But you—after your last visit—she might actually listen."
"No problem. I'll bring you back news."
Smith accepted immediately.
He owed the Guangxi Society—no need for complicated reasons. They had taken him in when he had nowhere else to go.
And honestly, Smith admired them. They were loyal, brave, and stood by each other. People like that… deserved loyalty in return.
Also, Wang Yan had been taken.
Smith wasn't about to sit idle.
---
He left the Guangxi Society and made his way straight to the Dusk Auction.
Thanks to his previous visit, Smith knew the layout well and headed directly for the Red Queen's private quarters.
"Hey! You can't just barge in there!" a guard shouted.
But the moment they recognized him, they backed off instantly.
Smith had wrecked their guards during his last visit. This time, with an even colder expression on his face, no one dared to stand in his way.
He reached the attic without incident.
---
"Red Queen…"
Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door burst open from the inside.
A powerful gust of wind slammed into him, followed by a shadowy figure that flew out of the room.
Smith's pupils shrank.
In that instant, he felt a chilling surge of killing intent—like a whisper of death itself.
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