"Shangguan Wei'er will be handled personally by us," said the Second Elder, his gaze sweeping around the hall before settling on Mask Douluo. "Old Seven, you'll stay here and command the rest of the disciples. Make sure every business owned by the Common Alliance in Radiant City is surrounded."
Mask Douluo frowned but, under the Second Elder's stern eyes, could only nod. "Yes, Second Brother."
"Once the fighting starts, show no mercy! Life or death, it doesn't matter. This time, we've brought only the Church's core disciples—I refuse to believe some petty underground syndicate can stand against us."
Soon after, Lin Xiao's figure once again appeared in the dark alleys of Radiant City. But unlike the last operation, this time the entire district was crawling with Holy Spirit Church members. Wherever his perception extended, he sensed their aura lurking in the shadows.
Boom—!
A thunderous explosion shook the night, the light flashing from the noble district near the imperial palace—the prime territory of the Common Alliance's business empire.
The brilliance of soul tools and spirit skills intertwined, blazing across the sky. As the signal flared, the other ambush teams struck simultaneously.
In an instant, radiant rings of light illuminated the city—purple and black spirit rings shining across the streets. Four purple, one black; two purple, four black… each configuration unique, yet all surpassing the limits of ordinary Spirit Masters.
The Second Elder had not lied—these were truly the Church's core disciples.
Their very spirit rings testified to that. Most started not with the common hundred-year yellow rings, but with the deep violet of thousand-year ones. Some, though only six-ringed Soul Emperors, bore four full ten-thousand-year rings.
Lin Xiao knew the truth well. Though he too held the rank of "Holy Spirit," these elite disciples were far beyond the rank-and-file stationed at various branches. They were personally raised through forbidden methods—souls tempered and their spirit rings forcibly aged through secret arts.
And among the Church's highest ranks, there were even those whose first spirit ring shone pitch-black—ten thousand years old from the very start.
"Who are you—?"
The guard at the gate barely spoke before his face froze in terror. His body went limp, collapsing into a puddle of rancid sludge that quickly evaporated into dark mist, absorbed by the waiting Holy Spirit disciple.
Figures burst from the surrounding buildings, blades and soul light flashing as they rushed to meet the invaders.
The street erupted into chaos.
Although the number of rings alone didn't define true strength, those with higher ring ages often possessed far greater power. And against a host of evil Spirit Masters—whose every technique fed on death itself—the difference became fatal.
The Holy Spirit disciples fought in eerie silence. No shouts, no rallying cries—only the whistling of dark wind and the whispers of the dead. Ghostly wails filled the air as the street was swallowed in crimson and shadow.
Within moments, a once-bustling neighborhood had become a graveyard.
The souls of the slain Common Alliance members drifted aimlessly, pale and confused, as though unable to comprehend why they now wandered as ghosts.
Lin Xiao walked across the blood-slick cobblestones. Warm liquid splashed against his boots, but he didn't flinch—he had long grown used to such sights. The lamps of soul tools still shone overhead, casting light upon the silence below.
As he moved through the carnage, he could feel his own soul power boiling. The energy that had risen after absorbing the Spirit Bone surged again, teetering on the edge of another breakthrough.
So this is the Holy Spirit Church, he thought with a sigh. Tonight, scenes like this must be repeating all across Radiant City.
…
"Outrageous!"
Inside the imperial palace, Emperor Xu Jing slammed his hand down on the table, his voice thunderous. "Do these evil Spirit Masters think they can trample upon the Empire itself?"
He had rushed to the royal study upon hearing reports of the chaos, barely dressed in his royal robes.
"Their lawlessness cannot be tolerated!"
"Father," a calm voice interjected.
Xu Jing turned to see his son, Xu Tianran, stepping forward.
"This must be handled carefully," Tianran said.
The Emperor frowned but gestured for him to continue.
"Father, no matter how reckless these Evil Soul Masters are, they did help us once. If we strike at them now, it may unsettle our allies in court."
Xu Jing's fury subsided slightly. His expression softened as he listened.
He knew his son was right. When he seized the throne, the official story claimed that the former Emperor Xu Chang had died in an accident. But everyone in court knew better—rumors of regicide had long circulated.
His rule was secure, but not unchallenged. His legitimacy was fragile; every move had to be weighed carefully.
"Still, we can't simply let them do as they please. You know the nobles backing the Common Alliance. If we stand by, the court will erupt again tomorrow."
"That's simple to solve." Xu Tianran's lips curved slightly. "They attacked for one reason—profit. If it's profit they want, then we'll give it to them."
Xu Jing arched a brow.
"Father, the Common Alliance's backers are our own nobles—men who've grown fat off underhanded trades. They've been untouchable for years, lining their pockets with Imperial coin."
He paused, eyes glinting coldly. "Now that the Holy Spirit Church has targeted them, it's not necessarily a bad thing."
"Go on," Xu Jing murmured.
"Since the Church wishes to join the game, let the royal family stand with them. If we back their claim, they'll no longer need to create chaos in the streets. The nobles will lose their monopoly, and the Empire will reclaim its rightful share of those profits."
"These resources have always belonged to the Sun and Moon Empire. Why should we let the nobles hoard them?"
Xu Jing thought for a long moment, still uneasy. "But they're evil Soul Masters, Tianran."
"Then make them something else," his son replied with a smile. "Appoint them to the court. Give them titles."
"Evil Soul Masters act without restraint because they have nothing to lose. Give them names, ranks, and responsibility—then watch how quickly they curb themselves. And besides…" His voice dropped lower. "…Evil Soul Masters can be useful in ways ordinary men cannot."
Meanwhile, in the bloodstained streets, Holy Spirit disciples moved swiftly, collecting the aftermath of their slaughter—"trophies," as they called them.
But suddenly, the rhythm of their movements halted.
A low, rhythmic tremor echoed from the end of the street.
The synchronized march of armored boots.
From the far end, a heavily armed battalion emerged—ranks of imperial soldiers, their armor glinting cold beneath the light of soul tools.
"This place is compromised," someone hissed.
"Withdraw—now!"
And like shadows at dusk, the Holy Spirit Church vanished into the dark.
(End of Chapter)