Wu Jian was traveling alongside Huǒ Shuchang when his instincts screamed at him that danger was approaching. His companion seemed to notice it at the same time, for the other man’s eyes widened.
“Dodge!” he shouted.
Wu Jian was already moving before Huǒ Shuchang’s scream. Something slammed into the ground just a few chih ahead of them. Lightning exploded in all directions. Wu Jian nearly yelped as he leapt into the air to avoid being hit.
That was a mistake.
A shadow appeared above Wu Jian and struck him in the back with enough force that he struck the ground. He nearly swallowed his tongue.
Rolling across the broken ground, he was able to avoid the shadow’s follow up attack, a powerful heel stomp that caused the earth to split. Cracks traveled across the ground as Wu Jian scrambled t
