Thick soot came rolling upstairs, bringing along a pungent chemical scent with it. Xia Lei accidentally inhaled a puff, prompting him to cough vehemently. 

“Boss! What’s going on?!” Tsukino Kyoko’s voice rang through the micro-receptor in his ear. Her voice filled with concern and anxiety. 

Xia Lei grabbed his collar. He was going to reply but only then noticed that it was broken. It might have been crushed when the black-robe man pressed him against the ground or the explosion that just happened destroyed it. All he knew was that he could no longer reply and instruct the Chinese Zodiac Battle Team members. 

“Boss? Reply!” Anjum Khan’s voice cracked with anxiety. 

“Fucking hell!” Enraged, Xia Lei tossed the crushed transmitter harshly on the ground. He then quickly picked himself up and dove straight into the smoke-filled stairway. 

This would be the best time to retreat, but as soon as his mind thought of Ning Jing, he decided to go against his rationale. There was still some hope in his heart that Ning Jing might have survived...