Processing

As soon as Sun Wenxuan followed the War God Temple Master outside, the scene before him left him stunned.

The people outside were divided into two groups, with one person standing at the front of each.

One had a calm, weathered face, yet a keen sword aura seemed to emanate from him.

The other was even more striking: breathtakingly beautiful, with jade-like features and long, orange-red hair cascading to her waist.

When the man saw Xie An come out, he immediately stepped forward and saluted.

"Greetings, Temple Master. Your subordinate, Long Tianwu, arrived late. Please forgive me."

Xie An rarely showed surprise. "Tian Wu, what brings you here?"

This person's surname was Long, and her given name was Tian Wu. She was the Second War God of the War God Temple, a Level 98 Super Douluo. Since her Martial Soul was the Emperor Sword, she had become Emperor Sword Douluo upon attaining her title.

"Temple Master, the Tang Sect sent word that you were in Eastsea City. After considering the matter, Vice Temple Master Yue Guan sent me here."

"I see."

Xie An nodded and stroked his chin, thinking for a moment before giving an order.

"Tian Wu, go back. Starting with the Fifth War God, investigate whether any War Gods have had subordinates go missing in recent years."

"Pay particular attention to anyone whose Martial Soul has dark traits and who might become an Evil Soul Master. Investigate them thoroughly, and monitor the major cities for anything unusual."

"The First through Fifth War Gods will search the continent for traces of Evil Soul Masters. They've been getting rather brazen lately."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"Everyone, fall in!"

"At ease! Attention!"

"About-face! Fly back to the War God Temple!"

Most War Gods in the War God Temple had risen through the ranks of the military. Even Shrek graduates had to undergo military training before they could be promoted to War Gods.

Except for the exceptional case of Leng Yulai, the first five War Gods had all fought their way up through the Blood God Legion.

"Oh, right. One more thing. Take this person with you. I think he has potential and could be trained as a reserve War God."

Xie An remembered Sun Wenxuan and said a few more words to the Second War God.

After receiving the order, Long Tianwu took Sun Wenxuan with her. Sensing that the Temple Master didn't want him to stay, she led the War God Temple's people back.

The woman on the other side saw that their conversation had ended and walked slowly toward Xie An.

"Your Excellency, Heavenly Phoenix, what brings you all the way here to see me?"

Xie An asked coldly.

The visitor was none other than Leng Yaozhu, Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, a Level 99 Limit Douluo and Four-Word Battle Armor Master, titled Heavenly Phoenix.

"You're still as cold as ever. I came to apologize."

"I've already killed all those Spirit Pagoda Soul Masters from earlier."

"I'll return and investigate the Spirit Pagoda thoroughly. I'm sorry for the heavy losses Eastsea's Xie Family suffered. Someone will deliver compensation to the Xie Family shortly and help rebuild it."

At this, Xie An's expression softened slightly. "The Spirit Pagoda really does need to be managed better."

The two talked for a long time, exchanging their views on governing their respective organizations.

Xie An stressed the need to crack down harder on Evil Soul Masters.

Heavenly Phoenix Douluo agreed and promised to enforce the crackdown in earnest. The Spirit Pagoda would also conduct a thorough self-inspection from top to bottom.

The conversation went pleasantly, and they agreed that with the two organizations working together, the Douluo Continent would have a brighter future.

As she was leaving, Heavenly Phoenix Douluo suddenly asked, "Xie An, how is my younger sister, Yu Lai?"

"Is she doing well?"

Xie An paused, then thought it over. "Don't worry, she's fine. With me around, I won't let her go down the same path."

"Also, be careful of the Qiangu Family."

Xie An added one last warning.

"Thank you."

Without warning, her red lips pressed against Xie An's cheek. Everyone nearby watched, their hearts pounding.

Xie An was stunned. By the time he came to his senses, Heavenly Phoenix Douluo had already vanished.

He shook his head and turned to his family.

"Now that the outsiders are gone, it's time to settle our own family matters behind closed doors."

Xie An turned to face the Xie Family members.

The leading member of the Xie Family dropped to his knees with a thud. Those behind him followed, filling the ground in a sea of bowed heads.

The men at the front wailed, "Temple Master, we've been wronged! The family head did this alone. We knew nothing about it!"

"Whether you knew or not will be clear after an investigation."

As he spoke, Xie An opened a Spirit Gate.

"Everyone will pass through it one at a time. I came from the Xie Family, after all. Those with nothing to hide will be forgiven."

The men at the front exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and steeled themselves to approach the gate.

One, two, three—the people passed through the Spirit Gate one by one.

Suddenly, someone in the line lunged at Xie An, shouting, "I'll avenge the family head!"

Thwack! With a sharp sound, a hole appeared in the man's forehead. His body crumpled to the ground.

"Keep going. Anyone with a guilty conscience can come forward and confess now. Since we're family, I'll spare your life."

The line descended into an uproar. In the end, several people stepped forward.

The crowd was soon checked. With his powerful Spirit Origin Realm mental strength, Xie An also uncovered several people whose crimes warranted death.

Xie An kept his promise. Those who had confessed voluntarily were only stripped of their cultivation, then given money to support themselves in retirement. Those uncovered afterward were executed on the spot.

At last, Xie An looked at the family members who had passed the inspection and said gravely, "The Xie Family Head colluded with Evil Soul Masters. I executed him on the spot."

"Starting today, the Xie Family's Soul Master and mecha factions will compete peacefully and develop together."

"Those with potential as Soul Masters will be trained as Soul Masters. Those with talent for mechas can become Mecha Masters."

"Anyone with other special talents, such as forging or Battle Armor, may also choose to pursue them after applying to the family."

"Also, I'll put safeguards in place. Every five years, everyone must undergo a mental examination to prevent anything like this from happening in the family again."

"..."

After spending the whole day dealing with the matter, Xie An felt a little tired. He left the Xie Family and wandered aimlessly down the street.

"Son, what are you doing out here? Hurry home for dinner. I knew you hadn't left yet."

Xie An was suddenly called to a stop. He turned around and saw his mother.

"Your father said you were the War God Temple Master and that you were busy, so I didn't need to wait for you or cook."

"But I didn't believe him. I figured you had to be somewhere nearby—and look, I found you."

"Sure, Mom. Let's go home for dinner. I'll tell Dad off when we get back."

Xie An replied happily.

"My son is such a good boy."

Back home, the family gathered around the table and ate together.

"Let me tell you, Dad, I ran into a really beautiful Evil Soul Master today. She even said she wanted to make me suffer."

"Who do you think your son is? I'm the War God Temple Master! I took care of her in no time."

"And someone else tried to sneak up on me. I just pointed like this and wiped him out."

"How beautiful was she?"

"Hey, Dad!"

"What? I'm just asking about our son. You won't even let me ask? Honestly."

"Listen patiently. No questions."

"Fine, fine. I won't ask, all right? I won't ask."

Xie An drank a few cups with his father without using Soul Power to dispel the alcohol. Watching his family laugh and bicker filled him with a deep sense of peace, and the day's exhaustion disappeared.

The next day, before the rooster had crowed, Xie An climbed out of bed and returned to the War God Temple.

"..."

"Has our son left?"

"Mm. He's probably gone."

"Our son has really made something of himself."

Their voices trailed off. After a while, the sound of snoring came from the room again.