Morning came, revealing the aftermath. Buildings were damaged, streets scarred, but the people were safe—for now.
Jiang Zhengyi wiped the sweat from his brow. Beside him, Ma Zhengjin tightened his grip on his own driver.
"Are we sure they won't come back?" Zhengyi asked.
"They always come back," Zhengjin replied, voice grim. "We need to be ready. You can't do this alone."
Suddenly, a roar echoed from the ruins. Three monstrous forms surged forward.
"Time to test your skills!" Zhengyi yelled.
"BAI-X! GOLD FORM!" The armor shimmered gold as he charged.
The monsters advanced, claws and teeth bared. BAI-X moved like lightning, the Fifteen-Edge Sword slicing through them cleanly. Sparks flew with every strike.
"Keep your focus! You can't let fear control you!" Gu Xing's voice rang in his mind.
Zhengyi nodded, drawing strength from his comrades. Together, they pushed back the invading horde.
But in the shadows, a figure observed silently—Ma Zhengzheng, calculating, smiling. His plan had only just begun.