Lin Bule and Lin Lele cried out at the same time. Lin Lele's staff was snatched away by Lin Guxing, so she immediately formed a magical seal with both hands and began chanting a spell. Lin Bule, meanwhile, drew her longsword with a backhand motion, a streak of sword-light flashing as she thrust straight at the gray-robed man's heart.
The gray-robed man chuckled, showing no intention of making a move. Lin Guxing sprang to Lin Lele's side and slapped her across the face so hard that blood sprayed from the corner of her mouth as she fell to the ground. Then, with a sweeping turn, Lin Guxing rushed before Lin Bule and caught her blade in one hand. Lin Bule's sharp sword ground against Lin Guxing's palm, scattering showers of sparks and producing a shrill screech of friction.
With a cold snort, Lin Guxing flipped his palm, and Lin Bule's longsword snapped in two with a clang. He sent Lin Bule sprawling with another resounding slap, then turned and bowed to the gray-robed man. "These juniors are ignorant and rude. I beg Senior not to take offense!"
"Not take offense? Of course I won't take offense!" The gray-robed man burst into laughter, nodding again and again as he laughed. "How could I bear to take offense? This is the finest opportunity I have had in all these years! You cannot understand the helplessness of possessing limitless power yet being unable to wield it freely! Twins—twins with utterly opposed powers, yet hearts and minds joined as one. What a rare marvel!"
He beckoned hard at Lin Guxing, signaling everyone to follow, then turned and headed deeper into this world. As he walked, he muttered to himself in excellent spirits, but his voice was clear enough for Lin Guxing and the others