Where the Blade Pointed, Spirit Hall Trembled

Yang Yu withdrew his gaze from the Papal Palace and looked toward the guard members sweating profusely on the Training Ground. This blade, only preliminarily tempered, needed a tougher, more public battle to sharpen its edge. It also needed certain people to fully recognize reality.

A few days later, an opportunity came knocking.

The Law Enforcement Hall of Spirit Hall, directly under the Elder Hall, received an urgent plea for aid from a small mining town near Gengxin City. The town was under Spirit Hall's protection, yet it had recently suffered repeated attacks from a band of unidentified bandits. A Soul Emperor stationed there, along with several Soul Ancestors, had been unable to hold them off, suffering considerable losses. The Law Enforcement Hall judged that the bandits might be hiding Soul Sage-level experts and prepared to dispatch an elite squad led by two Soul Sages and consisting of ten Soul Ancestors to eliminate them.

This mission originally had nothing to do with the Holy Son's Guard. But after learning of it, Yang Yu directly proposed to the Law Enforcement Hall that the Holy Son's Guard take over the mission.

The news caused an uproar.

Golden Crocodile Douluo openly voiced his opposition during the Elder Council Meeting. "Nonsense! How can Law Enforcement Hall missions be treated as a game? The strength of those bandits is unknown. The guard has existed for barely over a month—how could they possibly be qualified? If they suffer losses, who will take responsibility?"

Even some of the neutral elders felt that Yang Yu was being overly presumptuous. After all, the guard members were generally only Soul Ancestors, while their captain, Zhu Zhuqing, was merely a Soul Elder. Though they had won a minor victory before, the gap was simply too great when facing bandits who might have Soul Sages backing them.

Bibi Dong sat high above them, lightly tapping the armrest with her fingertips as she looked at the calm Yang Yu below. "Yu'er, are you determined to take this mission?"

"Yes, Teacher," Yang Yu answered. "The guard needs real combat to temper themselves. If they cannot even deal with a group of skulking bandits, how can they speak of fulfilling their duty as guards? If the mission fails, this disciple will bear all responsibility alone."

His tone was calm, yet his confidence was beyond question.

Golden Crocodile Douluo sneered. "Bear it all alone? Can you afford to?"

Yang Yu looked at him, his gaze placid and unruffled. "If Elder Golden Crocodile does not believe me, why not make a wager?"

"What shall we wager?"

"If the guard successfully eliminates the bandits and keeps casualties below three," Yang Yu said slowly, "then from now on, the guard will have independent decision-making authority over B-rank missions and below. There will be no need to report every matter to the Elder Hall for deliberation."

B-rank missions covered a broad range. If they gained autonomy, the guard's operations would become far more flexible. Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes narrowed. "And if you fail, or the casualties exceed that number?"

"If we fail or casualties exceed three, the guard will immediately disband. All members will be dispersed into the Law Enforcement Hall, and this disciple will never interfere in any affairs concerning the guard again." The stakes Yang Yu laid down instantly silenced the entire hall.

Even Bibi Dong raised her brows slightly, and her gaze toward Yang Yu gained a deeper meaning. The wager was no small one.

Golden Crocodile Douluo stared fixedly at Yang Yu, seemingly judging whether he was merely bluffing. He did not believe that group of child soldiers could complete such a difficult mission, much less keep casualties below three.

"Fine! This old man will take your wager!" Golden Crocodile Douluo said in a deep voice. Before everyone present, he intended to thoroughly crush this Holy Son's arrogance.

The wager was set.

The news swiftly spread, and all the upper ranks of Spirit City watched this mission, one tied to the Holy Son's reputation and the survival of the guard.

Three days later, a fifteen-member guard squad led by Zhu Zhuqing, supplemented with five additional members, quietly set out. Neither Yang Yu nor Yue Guan accompanied them. Only several Dark Guards under Yue Guan remained at a great distance, responsible for relaying intelligence and providing support if necessary.

At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong also heard the news. She put down the new corrosive agent she had been mixing and walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Spirit City. That man was always so confident—one could even call him arrogant. She was very curious whether he could win again this time.

The mining town lay on the outskirts of Gengxin City, where the terrain was complicated. After Zhu Zhuqing led the squad there, she did not immediately enter the town to join the stationed Soul Masters. Instead, they first concealed themselves outside the town. She sent out the members most skilled at reconnaissance and spent an entire day uncovering the bandits' routines, approximate numbers, and several possible hideouts.

The intelligence was compiled: there were around forty bandits, including at least two Soul Sages and five Soul Kings, while most of the rest were Soul Ancestors. They were cunning in their movements, coming and going like the wind, and were skilled at exploiting terrain for ambushes.

The disparity in strength was enormous.

Yet there was not the slightest fear on Zhu Zhuqing's face. She split the squad into three groups and formulated a detailed battle plan. They would not launch a frontal assault. Instead, they would lure the enemy, divide them, and encircle and annihilate them.

That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

One group of five guards disguised themselves as a squad transporting ore and passed along a small road frequently used by the bandits. Sure enough, the bandits took the bait. Two Soul Sages led more than ten subordinates as they pounced from the cliffs on either side!

Just as they were about to succeed, the other two groups of guards emerged like ghosts from their prearranged ambush positions! There were no battle cries, only sharp soul skills and precise coordination.

Zhu Zhuqing directly confronted one of the Soul Sages. He was a power-type Attack Type Soul Sage whose martial soul was the Raging Giant Bear.

Facing the pressure of a Soul Sage, Zhu Zhuqing pushed her speed to the limit and refused to clash head-on. Netherworld Hundred Consecutive Strikes disrupted him, while Netherworld Instant Shadow Kill launched surprise attacks, bringing hit-and-run tactics to their fullest. Her attacks could not inflict fatal wounds on a Soul Sage, but every claw strike targeted vulnerable areas such as joints and eyes. Coupled with the erosion of Netherworld Power, they made the Soul Sage roar in fury again and again, possessing great strength yet unable to fully unleash it.

On the other side, the two remaining groups of guards formed triangular formations and tightly entangled the other Soul Sage, along with the Soul Kings and Soul Ancestors. Their soul skills connected flawlessly, with distinct layers of defense, control, and offense. Against stronger foes, they actually suppressed the bandits, who held both the numerical and strength advantage!

The battle was exceptionally brutal. Guard members were continuously injured, but no one retreated. Whenever someone was in danger, a teammate would always provide timely support. Their resilience far exceeded the bandits' expectations.

Zhu Zhuqing's battle against the Raging Giant Bear Soul Sage was even more perilous. A Soul Sage was still a Soul Sage. When one area-of-effect soul skill erupted, it sent Zhu Zhuqing's blood and energy churning, slowing her movements by half a beat. Seizing the chance, the Giant Bear Soul Sage swung his massive bear paw, carrying terrifying force, toward the top of her head!

At the critical moment, Zhu Zhuqing's fourth soul ring lit up—Instant Movement! Her figure vanished from where she stood and instantly appeared behind and to the side of the Giant Bear Soul Sage. Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash viciously stabbed toward his ribs!

Splat!

Her claws pierced flesh! Though the wound was not deep, the Netherworld Power within them instantly invaded his body!

The Giant Bear Soul Sage let out a pained roar, his movements stalling.

Now!

A cold gleam burst from Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. The aura of her second martial soul, the Dark Demon Evil Tiger, which she had kept hidden all this time, suddenly leaked out in the faintest trace! Though extremely weak, that horrifying, sinister pressure originating from a top-tier beast martial soul made the Raging Giant Bear martial soul tremble instinctively!

The Giant Bear Soul Sage was shaken to the core!

Zhu Zhuqing's cat claws flashed past his throat like lightning!

Slash!

Blood sprayed!

The Giant Bear Soul Sage clutched his neck and collapsed in disbelief.

With their leader dead, the remaining bandits instantly broke down. Under the guard's pursuit, they were quickly wiped out.

After the battlefield was cleared, the guard had two severely wounded and five lightly wounded members, with no deaths. They had completely annihilated forty-three bandits, including two Soul Sages and five Soul Kings.

The mission had been completed perfectly. Casualties were far below three.

When the news reached Spirit City, the entire upper echelon fell silent.

When Golden Crocodile Douluo received the battle report, his face turned livid. The jade teacup in his hand was crushed into powder. He had lost—lost completely.

Bibi Dong looked at the battle report and remained silent for a long time. She dismissed everyone around her and sat alone upon the Empress's throne, the strand of purple-black divine power belonging to the Rakshasa God at her fingertips faintly flickering. Her disciple's growth was simply too fast. So fast that even she felt a trace of unease.

Holy Son's Palace, study.

Zhu Zhuqing returned with the squad to report their mission. She bore injuries, but her aura had become even more condensed, and she faintly showed signs of breaking through to level thirty-six.

"You did well." Yang Yu looked at her and the members behind her, who were injured yet sharp-eyed, and nodded. "Go rest and recover. Give the severely wounded the best medicine."

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison, unable to suppress the excitement and pride in their voices. This battle had demonstrated the guard's might and completely forged their confidence.

After everyone withdrew, Yue Guan said quietly, "Your Highness, we have won the wager. As for Golden Crocodile Douluo..."

"He will honor it," Yang Yu said indifferently. "At least openly."

Sure enough, at the Elder Hall meeting the next day, no one mentioned the matter of the guard's autonomy again. Golden Crocodile Douluo claimed illness and did not attend. Through this battle, Yang Yu had completely secured his footing among Spirit Hall's upper ranks. The guard's independent status and operational authority were established in this forceful manner.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

When Ning Rongrong heard that the guard had returned in triumph without a single death, she was attempting to combine a paralytic toxin with a low-grade Soul Tool capable of producing intense light. Her hand paused, and a complicated emotion flashed through her eyes.

That man had won again. And he had won so magnificently.

She looked at the crude Soul Tool components in her hand and suddenly felt that her own efforts were so insignificant. But then an even deeper stubbornness surged within her. She clenched the components and lowered her head to continue her research.

Holy Son's Palace, side hall.

Xiao Wu also heard the news of the guard's overwhelming victory from the occasional conversations of the maidservants. She sat in the garden, looking up at the sky, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Yang Yu's power and influence were growing stronger and stronger. Her hope of escape seemed to be growing ever more distant.

The situation in Spirit City underwent a subtle change because of the guard's clean and decisive victory. The gazes directed at the Holy Son's Palace now carried a few more shades of awe.

Yang Yu stood at the highest point of the Holy Son's Palace, overlooking the vast city.

His authority had been established.

Next, it was time to handle serious matters.

His gaze once again turned toward the Star Luo Empire. At the same time, a name hidden in the darkness surfaced in his mind—the Holy Spirit Cult.

It was time to take the initiative.