The pillar of light that shot into the sky shook the earth. Though it had been controlled and produced no terrifying shockwave, the fierce winds still swept across the entire city.
The merchants' quarter in Zaro had been reduced to a vast crater. Lava flowed across its surface, sending up wisps of smoke.
Grimmjow and Harribel stood steadily in the sky above it. Bathed in the dark red glow of the lava, they looked like demons crawling out of the Abyss.
This display of overwhelming force had crushed what little morale remained.
The other members of the Thirteen Magnates all came forward to declare their submission.
"Welcome, our great Guardian of the Realm... Your subjects have been waiting here for you!"
Faced with such overwhelming pressure, bringing this low-magic world to heel was naturally easy. No one dared think otherwise.
After Tao Yu personally descended from the sky carrier, he made his way to the part of the city where Wish Power was relatively abundant.
The Hall of the Undying.
From the outside, the Hall of the Undying looked like an ancient gray ruin, without towers or windows. It resembled a massive stone serpent coiled among trees with black bark.
The trees' leaves were blue, and they were also used to make Shade of the Night Water.
Tao Yu casually drew one toward him and sensed it.
A standard Wish Power crop, and its leaves also helped improve concentration.
But unlike spices, which could prolong one's life when consumed over a long period, eating too much of this stuff would actually kill you.
"The Wish Power reserves are decent. These plants can be cultivated on a wider scale for harvesting."
Tao Yu quickly reached a judgment.
Only then did he turn his attention to the Hall of the Undying.
"Living