Qi Wu set down the Snow Charm Cake in his hand and wiped his fingers.
He raised his head and looked at the three girls. His expression was as languid as ever, but a trace of seriousness had entered his eyes.
"Head back first."
Lilith froze. "Captain, aren't you coming with us?"
Qi Wu stood and pushed his chair back under the table.
"I have something to take care of. I'll be right back." He paused, his lips curling into that infuriating grin. "Don't worry. I won't miss tomorrow's arena matches. I'm still looking forward to beating those two up."
The three girls exchanged glances, but none of them spoke.
They knew their captain. If he chose not to tell them something, asking would be pointless.
Jiang Qingyue nodded gently. "Be careful, Mr. Gojo." Gale patted Lilith on the shoulder and led her outside.
Lilith glanced back at Qi Wu, her little face full of worry, but followed anyway.
Qi Wu watched the three girls disappear around the street corner, and the smile slowly faded from his face. He turned to look out the window.
The street was still bustling, crowded with people and ablaze with lights.
But before his Divine Six Eyes, traces of demonic energy were clearly visible beneath that lively facade.
They were faint, well concealed. As though something had deliberately diluted them, they drifted through the air, all but imperceptible. Yet Qi Wu could still sense them.
He closed his eyes and activated his Divine Six Eyes.
His perception reached beyond the street. The source of the demonic energy lay farther away.
Qi Wu opened his eyes, raised his hand, and lightly swept a fingertip through the air.
A spatial rift as fine as a strand of hair opened before him. At its other end lay