Chapter 108

"The intruder has been confirmed to possess superpowers, identity unknown. Suspected to be Target No. 036, Abel Shaw. Directly report to your lord!"

"Understood!"

In the magnificent palace, the middle-aged Chinese man sitting in the central office observed the alarm flashing on the computer in front of him. He smiled, reached for a ribbon embroidered with dragons, tied up his long black hair, and then dialed a phone number. "Let him in. You can't deal with him."

Among the Ten Commandments, the orders of the Mandarins are the supreme golden rule. No one would dare question their decisions. Thus, upon receiving the Mandarins' orders, the defensive measures enveloping the entire forest and palace were lifted. Soon, someone appeared before Abel, gesturing for him to enter the palace directly.

Realizing he had been discovered by the Mandarins, Abel complied with the invitation and entered the palace. He soon found himself in a grand banquet hall, where a man in a suit and tied hair rose from the dragon chair. If it weren't for the ten distinct rings adorning his fingers, Abel might have mistaken him for a successful businessman.

"Mr. Xiao, please sit down."

Abel took a seat in the chair that had been prepared for him, looking up at the Mandarins who sat higher on his dragon chair. He was about to speak when the Mandarin interjected, "Mr. Xiao, thank you for dealing with the doctor's spy. He was sent by Pioneer Technology to infiltrate my organization. Your assistance in handling him is greatly appreciated."

Honestly, Abel hadn't expected this outcome, but he smiled and replied, "There's no need to thank me. It was simply my duty."

"Then may I ask what brings you here, Mr. Xiao? If I can assist you in any way, I will certainly oblige."

Both the Mandarin and Abel spoke English, yet even in that language, the Mandarin exuded a noble cadence, prompting Abel to admire his aristocratic demeanor, which put even the self-proclaimed European gentlemen to shame.

Observing the Mandarin, Abel stood up and smiled warmly. "I've heard much about your ten powerful rings. I've long desired to see them for myself and would appreciate any insights you can offer!"

Without hesitation, he spoke the four words in an authentically Chinese manner.

The Mandarin detected the underlying hostility in Abel's words. He understood that, despite throwing out the doctor and risking being labeled a traitor, it was impossible to ease the tension between them. The Mandarin didn't regret his earlier decision; if he could befriend Abel, a magician with ties to Kama Taj, it would be a significant advantage. However, he remained confident in his own power.

"Mr. Xiao, your Chinese is impressive. While those four characters only hint at your understanding, I find myself increasingly curious about you."

As he spoke, the ring on the Mandarin's right thumb emitted a faint glow, causing his suit to transform into a close-fitting, traditional Chinese robe that adorned his body.

Abel raised an eyebrow, recalling that each of the Mandarins' rings had unique abilities. This particular transformation seemed to involve altering shape or reorganizing particles. If harnessed effectively, this ability could rival his own shape-shifting.

Summoning his magic wand, Abel and the Mandarin faced each other, the tension palpable as their first confrontation loomed.

The ring on the Mandarin's left thumb radiated a brilliant white light as he extended his hand, generating a powerful gravitational force that pulled Abel towards him. Simultaneously, a purple-red glow emanated from the Mandarin's right index finger, and he launched a punch that released a highly condensed sonic wave, akin to a cannonball, hurtling towards Abel.

Hum!

Boom!

The sonic blast detonated, but Abel's form dissolved into nothingness.

The Mandarin remained unfazed. The ring on his left ring finger glowed a soft blue, unleashing a formidable mental force that pinpointed Abel's true location instantly.

The ring on the Mandarin's right middle finger shimmered a deep blue, conjuring an immense hurricane vortex that surged towards Abel, ripping apart the palace's ceiling. Abel, ensnared in the cyclone, transformed into black smoke and escaped the maelstrom, revealing his form in midair. With a flick of his wand, he unleashed a series of red light blasts that erupted into successive explosions!

Boom! Boom! Boom...

With a sweep of his right hand, the ground beneath him trembled, as stone pillars and walls collapsed, engulfing the Mandarin in darkness that expanded rapidly. Abel's curses shot into the dark force field, disappearing without a sound, like sparks extinguished in water.

Hovering in midair, Abel waved his wand as the palace disintegrated around him, the entire structure trembling under the weight of his magic. He transformed into black smoke to escape the collapsing palace, suspended in the air.

Boom...

The palace crumbled, sending plumes of smoke skyward.

Just as Abel prepared to assess the situation, a violent hurricane surged forth, whipping up debris and smoke into a frenzy, morphing it into countless sharp blades that hurtled toward him.

In response, Abel raised his left hand, drawing a circle with his wand. A large portal materialized, swallowing the hurricane and its deadly projectiles. Simultaneously, another portal opened behind the Mandarin, sending the vortex directly at him.

However, the Mandarin unleashed a powerful repulsive force field, negating the hurricane and blades, which were instantly deflected.

Then, seemingly in sync, Abel and the Mandarin unleashed their attacks. Dark red lava plasma and golden cutting beams collided in midair, igniting a cataclysmic confrontation!