When Qingxiao stopped, Dhruv Lakdawalla's Inviolability domain lay spread across the end of the street.
The Giant Mole Shikigami burrowed along the ground, its sharp claws tearing through concrete and leaving three unfathomably deep furrows as soil parted to either side like flowing water.
The Pterodactyl Shikigami circled overhead, the wind blades whipped up by its wings sweeping across walls and leaving cuts as smooth as mirrors.
The two Shikigami's paths interwove into a dense web. Invisible cutting force spread along their tracks, slicing even the wind into fine streams.
This was Dhruv Lakdawalla, the ancient Sorcerer who had single-handedly subdued the Japanese Archipelago with his Shikigami domain technique.
"Hey, you over there."
A booming shout suddenly came from atop the ruins diagonally behind him.
Qingxiao turned to look.
A man leaned against a broken half-wall, sporting a glossy, stiff pompadour.
An unlit blade of grass hung from his mouth. His hands in his pockets, he was looking down at Qingxiao with a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.
Ryu Ishigori.
He had come looking for Dhruv Lakdawalla and had only just arrived when he spotted Qingxiao walking into the barrier.
One glance was enough to make Ryu Ishigori's heart jolt.
The man wasn't giving off much cursed energy, yet just standing there, he felt terrifyingly strong.
A tough one.
His instincts as a battle fanatic stirred.
He leaped from the top of the ruins, kicking up dust as he landed, and stretched out a hand to block Qingxiao's way.
"Careful. You can't touch the Inviolability domain directly..." Ryu Ishigori tipped his chin toward the cutting tracks glinting coldly ahead.
Qingxiao glanced at him before returning his gaze to the domain's boundary, a faint smile curling his lips.
He didn't stop walking.
"There was no need."
As the words fell,