Chapter 584: Chapter 584: Second Encounter

And then came a laugh.

It was not a laugh of joy, but of someone who had seen a show worth applauding. It echoed across the walls, deep and unnerving.

“Good… very good. I am truly impressed.”

The group froze, their eyes darting around.

A voice, low and strange, said, “It has been a long while.”

Su Jiyai felt it immediately. The sharp sensation of someone’s gaze, piercing her as though her skin and bones were see-through. Her face went pale. She knew that feeling.

Her lips trembled. “It’s them…”

Qin Feng didn’t wait for more explanation. He stepped right in front of Su Jiyai, shielding her with his body. Jake moved to her left, his crimson aura flaring. Xi Ping appeared at her right, her wings spread wide, fire glowing faintly in her palms.

The three of them stood like walls around her.

Su Jiyai bit her lip. She hadn’t even explained who the entities were, but it didn’t matter. The others understood instantly. Whoever these things were, they wanted her.

And none of her companions would allow that.

Qin Feng’s face was calm but his aura raged like a storm. For him, Su Jiyai was his life, the person he would never allow to be taken.

Xi Ping’s eyes were sharp. Su Jiyai had once protected her, and this was her chance to return that debt.

Jake’s fangs glinted. Su Jiyai gave him that same rare sense of closeness. Losing her was not an option.

From the shadows, the unseen presence chuckled. The sound was smooth, almost mocking.

“Ah… how rare. I have hardly seen such comradeship between mortals. To protect her with such devotion, to stand as shields even when you know you cannot win… I genuinely appreciate it.”

The voice grew sharper. “But for now, you will have to step aside. The little lady and I must speak. I must have contact with her.”

Su Jiyai’s fists clenched tightly, but she said nothing.

Qin Feng lifted his chin slightly, his voice calm as he addressed the darkness. “Entity. Do not bite off more than you can chew.”

The laugh grew louder. “Such bold words… Tell me, who are you to speak to me in such a tone?”

The shadows seemed to lean closer, pressing into the hall like a wave of cold air.

Then the voice shifted, as though smiling. “Ah… I see now. You are Qin Feng, are you not? Truly Heaven’s son. To have such terrifying superpowers at your age. What a jewel the heavens have crafted. How curious that you would appear here of all places.”

The air trembled slightly. “Now that you have come, why waste time? Submit yourself to me. Serve me, and I will grant you power far beyond what you can imagine.”

Jake snarled. “Tch. What kind of joke is this?” His blood aura swirled violently, shaping into spikes around him. “You think he would bow to you? Keep dreaming.”

Su Jiyai’s heart hammered in her chest. She could feel the entity’s eyes still locked onto her, cold and possessive.

“They… they won’t stop. They want me.”

Qin Feng didn’t move his eyes from the shadows. His voice was steady, carrying strength. “If they want you, then they will have to break me first. And that will not happen.”

The hall shook faintly as the entity laughed again, the sound curling through every corner. “How touching. Such loyalty, such fire… This will be fun.”

The next second, the hall trembled again. From every side, spinning blades shot out like arrows. The floor cracked and strange beams of light cut through the air. A wave of attack had started again.

But this time, something was different.

Even though their arms shook from tiredness, even though their chests rose and fell fast, the group stayed calm.

Jake slammed his hand down, and a wall of blood rose in front of them. The blades hit it and bounced off. “Come on then!” he shouted, his fangs glinting.

Xi Ping flew upward, her face serious but steady. “On the left side!” she called. Her flames danced out and blocked the light beams that came from the cracks.

Qin Feng stepped forward, his body glowing with power. “Stay behind me.” He pushed both palms out, and a strong shield spread across the hall, slowing the rain of spikes.

Su Jiyai closed her eyes for a second. Her future sense pulsed, showing her where the next trap would fall. She opened her eyes and shouted, “Front row, two steps back, now!”

Without a second of hesitation, the others moved. Right after, a giant blade smashed into the ground where they had been standing. The floor cracked open.

Jake let out a low whistle. “That would have split us in two. Nice call, Jiyai.”

Su Jiyai’s scythe glowed in her hands. She spun it and sliced through one of the glowing beams, breaking it apart like it was glass. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. “Keep your rhythm. Do not panic.”

They fought like this again and again. The attacks came from every side, but the four of them blocked, dodged, and countered. Their clothes were torn, their breaths were heavy, but they stood tall.

High above in a place unseen, the entities watched.

“Interesting,” one said, his voice echoing like thunder. “Even in exhaustion, they fight with such calmness.”

Another chuckled. “Would they not make good slaves? Strong ones, loyal ones. I would bid for them.”

“Indeed,” said another voice. “If their souls are under our control, no problem will ever rise. They will fight and bleed for us.”

A deeper voice added, “Better yet, their bodies. Look at their flesh. It carries awakening. Superpowers like these do not appear in weak bloodlines. If we control their bodies, we will own their strength forever.”

They all murmured in agreement.

Then one voice laughed softly. “And this girl, Su Jiyai… she has gathered such powerful people beside her. Her luck is heaven-defying.”

But another disagreed. “Do not forget, just months ago, this same girl was powerless before us. She was a weakling. And now? She controls herself, she controls her group, she even protects them. It is not luck. It is something else.”

More voices hummed.

Then, the first voice, Deimos, spoke calmly. “She killed the seven pawns of my devils. That is why she has risen. That is why she stands tall now.”

The hall grew colder.

Jake, Xi Ping, Su Jiyai, and Qin Feng could hear every word. Their faces were tense, but they saw nothing.

Su Jiyai’s fists tightened. She whispered quickly, “They are not here. They are in another dimension. They cannot enter ours. They can only attack us from afar.”

Xi Ping’s eyes narrowed. “So… they are cowards who hide in shadows.”

Qin Feng’s face stayed calm. “Even if they are gods, I will not bow.”

Jake growled. “Let them talk. We’ll crush every attack they send.”

The fight continued, but soon their arms felt heavy. Their legs felt like stone. Every swing of a blade or flash of fire came slower.

Finally, when the last construct crumbled into dust, they all dropped to their knees. Their breaths came sharp.

Jake wiped sweat from his face. “I… I’m done. I can’t even feel my fingers.”

Xi Ping’s wings folded. She shook her head. “We cannot rest here. It is not safe.”

Qin Feng placed one hand on the ground, steadying himself. “Just… a moment. Then we move.”

But suddenly, Su Jiyai gasped. Her eyes flashed wide. “Xi Ping! Open a portal, quick!”

Xi Ping obeyed at once, her hand glowing. But then… nothing. No portal opened. Her heart sank.

“I… I can’t,” she whispered, her face pale. She tried again, harder, but her power was gone.

Jake looked at his own hands, horrified. His blood aura was flickering out. “Wait… no. My power… it’s leaving me.”

Qin Feng clenched his fists. His barrier light dimmed and vanished.

Even Su Jiyai’s flames were fading from her palms.

A terrible silence filled the hall.

“They… they took it,” Su Jiyai said, her voice low and bitter. She clenched her teeth. “The entities put restrictions on us. They lowered the level of their attacks because they already bound us. Without powers, our bodies will not hold long.”

Above them, the voices laughed.

“Smart girl,” one said. “She guessed it quickly.”

Another agreed. “Yes. Their powers are sealed. Their flesh will break soon enough.”

“Pity,” another voice said, mockingly.

Su Jiyai shut her eyes. Inside her head, she called, System!

The answer came sharp and clear. [Message sent. Help requested. The Admin will respond. You must hold for ten minutes.]

Her heart pounded. Ten minutes. Just ten minutes.

She opened her eyes and looked at her friends. “We hold.”

That was all she said. She did not speak of ten minutes. She did not speak of help. If she did, the entities would know.

“Fine,” Jake said with a tired smile. “Then let’s hold.” He picked up a broken piece of stone like a club.

Xi Ping stood tall. Her fists were steady. “We fight with what we have.”