A hand wrapped in a layer of crystal reached out from the river, grabbed the square stone on the bank, and shattered the crystal layer.
Soaked from head to toe, Su Xiao stepped onto the path along the bank. Steam billowed from the river behind him—the entire stretch was boiling.
In the nearby shadows, probing gazes appeared. This was, after all, the Magic Association's territory.
Several masked figures emerged from the narrow alley diagonally across from him. They were all dressed in leather clothing and wore metal collars around their necks. A ring of glass tubes was embedded around each collar, with iron-sand-like substances drifting inside.
"Mr. Byakuya of the Black Tower, it is now..." The leading man raised his hand. Embedded in his palm was the face of a watch, complete with an hour hand and a minute hand.
Judging by his voice, the masked man was probably a middle-aged mystic. His aura was powerful, close to Hushiro's.
It could only be said that Smoke City lacked many things, but it had no shortage of strong individuals. If a mid-tier Contractor at Rank Seven came here, they might genuinely be unable to defeat even a small leader, let alone an elite unit or a Leader Level unit.
"It is now 12:19 p.m. There are still five hours and forty-one minutes until the ban is lifted at 6 p.m. According to the treaty between the Magic Association and the Black Tower, you have no right to enter this area before 6 p.m."
As the masked man spoke, the three people behind him slowly retreated, already prepared for battle.
"Our Magic Association is an organization that understands tolerance. Please keep this. It is a special permit. With it, you can enter most places in Areas 4 through 9 at any time