Alaric crouched behind a stack of crates at the rear of the Jin Auction House, the familiar weight of his newly honed dual-path power coursing through his body. His eyes scanned the corridor ahead. Ten Monarch Realm experts—each radiating the unmistakable aura of Qi at its peak—stood like statues, waiting for intruders. Unlike Alex's strike force, these opponents were pure brute force, steeped in refined cultivation and unyielding experience. No talismans or distractions would make this fight easy.
"Remember the plan," Alaric murmured to his squad. Yue Rong and Liang Chen, now vice-leaders, nodded, their presence a pillar of calm. The 28-man squad spread along the corridor, each positioned at a vantage point, talismans in hand. It was time to synchronize magic and martial skill.
The first movement was a subtle signal from Alaric—one step forward—and the air vibrated with energy. His mana paths and Qi paths shimmered faintly as he prepared Flame Magic, Earth Magic, and Lightning Steps. Each movement was precise, each breath synchronized with the cadence of his squad.
The ten Monarch Realm Qi users noticed the disturbance immediately. Their eyes narrowed, focusing on the intruders. They surged forward, simultaneously, a wave of pure Qi energy radiating outward. The corridor trembled under their force.
Alaric leapt forward, activating Phantom Strike and Sky Rendering Sword, moving between the corridors with blinding speed. Two of the Monarch experts attempted to intercept him, but he twisted mid-air, summoning shards of flame from the air itself. The heat forced them back, if only for a moment, but he knew it wasn't enough. Each opponent had refined Qi, able to resist direct elemental strikes.
"Yue Rong, Liang Chen, now!" Alaric's command echoed. From the shadows, the vice-leaders activated coordinated talismans. One sent out an earth tremor, destabilizing the floor beneath the enemies' feet. Another projected a spatial displacement, causing two Monarch experts to stumble as the corridor subtly warped beneath them.
Alaric exploited the openings. He unleashed Phantom Strike, slicing through the staggered Qi barriers of one Monarch, leaving a shallow but destabilizing wound. The target's Qi flared in retaliation, trying to destabilize Alaric with a focused counterwave. He twisted his body midair, Lightning Step carrying him behind another expert, slashing with Sky Rendering Sword. Sparks of Qi collided with elemental energy, causing the corridor to echo with violent resonance.
The squad was essential. From the ceiling, talismans activated, creating zones of interference that slowed the Qi recovery of the enemies. On the floor, explosive sigils pulsed intermittently, forcing two more Monarch experts to jump back. Alaric's eyes flared. He could feel the limits of his body straining under the combination of Flame, Earth, and Lightning energies. A single mistake would mean death.
One Monarch expert broke formation, attempting a direct assault on Alaric. The brute force of pure Qi sent shockwaves through the air, cracking a nearby column. Alaric rolled under the blow, feeling the column splinter against his back. He retaliated with a dual-path surge—Earth Magic reinforced his strike while Flame Magic carved through the air—and the Monarch staggered. A talisman underfoot erupted, sending a pillar of earth between the enemy and Alaric, giving him the split-second needed to recover.
Another expert attempted a coordinated push from the flank, their Qi converging in a sharp, piercing thrust. Alaric countered by extending his Spatial Magic, warping the corridor's geometry just enough to evade the strike. His sword followed, cutting through a defensive Qi barrier. Two more Monarchs were now staggered; their attacks faltered.
But there was no time to admire the success. The remaining experts launched a synchronized assault, each Qi user attacking from different angles. Alaric barely dodged a wall-shattering strike, the force throwing him into crates, splinters embedding in his arms. Pain flared, but he suppressed it, drawing deeply on his dual-path cultivation. Flame and Earth Magic surged through him simultaneously, reinforcing both his offense and defense.
The squad provided continuous support, detonating talismans, activating protective sigils, and blocking reinforcements. Yue Rong and Liang Chen coordinated expertly, ensuring no gap in the formation. One by one, the Monarch Realm experts began to falter, their movements slowed, defenses cracked, and Qi streams disrupted by precise elemental and tactical attacks.
Alaric saw the opportunity. Channeling his full power, he unleashed a combined dual-path strike, weaving Flame, Earth, and spatial manipulation into one seamless attack. The corridor erupted as the wave of energy barreled into the remaining experts. The first Monarch fell, then the second, their Qi dissipating. One tried to stand, but Alaric's sword, reinforced with a surge of Flame-Earth energy, cut a precise strike, collapsing him.
The last few attempted a desperate combined offensive, but the squad's talismans amplified Alaric's elemental attacks. Flame and Earth collided in perfect harmony, slicing through their defenses. With a final surge, the last of the ten Monarch Realm experts fell.
The corridor was silent. Dust settled, and faint traces of burned Qi lingered in the air. Alaric's chest heaved as he surveyed his team. Minor injuries peppered the squad—bruises, burns, and sprains—but no one had fallen. The combination of dual-path cultivation, elemental mastery, and strategic talisman deployment had carried the day.
Alaric exhaled, feeling the energy within him pulse in tandem with his surroundings. "Secure the area," he ordered. Talismans were reset, traps re-checked, and the corridor cleared of residual Qi disturbances.
The ten Monarch Realm experts had been neutralized, but Alaric knew this was only the beginning. The Jin Clan's heart still lay ahead, and even greater power awaited them. But for now, the team had survived, adapted, and executed flawlessly under pressure.
He looked at Yue Rong and Liang Chen. "Good work, everyone. This is only the start."