Fated Showdown

Qin Tian had already claimed one of the fourteen Heaven Stele Tokens. The contest for the remaining thirteen had reached a fever pitch. The first to step forward after him was Sakata Ryuichi, an Eighth-Order Nine-Star Psionic User under the Jinguji Family.

He wore a black-and-white Onmyoji robe, his long hair tied behind his head. His lean face was stern, and his narrow eyes held a stillness as deep as an abyss.

His opponent was Thalia, an Eighth-Order Nine-Star Psionic User from the Odinson Faction.

She was a cold beauty with fair skin. Her dark green hair swayed faintly behind her as though alive, and her amber eyes held the chill focus of a snake. She was like a Medusa waiting for prey: silent and deadly.

"Begin."

At the Great Elder of the Ji Family's command, Sakata Ryuichi struck first.

He formed seals with both hands, tracing several dark blue trails through the air with his fingertips. Psionic Energy gathered around him like flowing water.

It condensed, then took shape.

The next instant, two enormous phantoms appeared behind him.

One was a giant red hound wreathed in flames, its fangs bared as it breathed out scorching waves of heat. The other

was a slender white fox covered in snow-white fur. Its nine tails swayed gently through the air, leaving fine ice crystals in their wake.

This was Sakata Ryuichi's Bloodline ability: Onmyoji. He could summon Shikigami to fight for him.

Both Shikigami lunged at Thalia.

Thalia did not retreat. She tilted her head slightly, and her dark green hair suddenly grew long, extending outward like living pythons and weaving itself into an impenetrable green wall.

Dozens of serpentine locks opened their mouths at once, baring rows of fine venomous fangs as they met the charging Shikigami.

The red hound struck