Self-Bound
While everyone's attention was drawn to the report from Diana's subordinates, Shadow Elder's figure flickered and vanished into thin air, as if he had melted away.
"He's running!"
Schwartz von Paladin was the first to notice something amiss. When he saw that Shadow Elder, the transcendent powerhouse from the Aladdin organization, had disappeared, he hurriedly shouted.
His words had barely left his mouth when a dull thud rang out.
Shadow Elder, who had tried to slip away, slammed hard into the ground. He rolled to his feet, muttering a string of unintelligible words that sounded like curses, then sprang up and melted into the air again.
"He's—"
Schwartz was still staring in shock, unable to react, when another dull thud sounded.
Shadow Elder's figure was hurled backward and slammed into the ground the same way. He landed in a daze, each fall seemingly harder than the last.
This time, he finally lacked the strength to get back up. He collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath, eyes full of terror. For a moment, he couldn't understand what was happening or why he kept getting thrown back.
Li Bai stood with both hands resting on his five-foot greatsword, watching the unlucky man at his leisure.
It wasn't hard to figure out. The first time, Shadow Elder had headed toward Little Demoness Hong Li. She was entirely focused on Li Bai, so how could she let this guy slip away so easily? With a casual Demonic Art, she had bounced him right back.
The second time was even worse. He'd changed direction, but of all the directions he could have chosen, he'd headed straight for Qingyao Demoness.
The Great Demoness was busy eating her late-night snack. A huge basin of roasted camel meat blocked Shadow Elder's way, while invisible wind gathered