What are you babbling about? Go stay in Slaughter City.

Lin Ze'an slowly withdrew his token, his cold gaze sweeping over the Spirit Hall spirit masters and the struggling evil spirit master on the ground. "It seems the previous purge didn't teach you a lesson."

To put on such a blatant act—this was trampling the dignity and credibility of Spirit Hall into the dirt.

"You know full well what the penalty is for shielding evil spirit masters, don't you?"

The moment those men saw the token, they scrambled to their knees, their faces turning deathly pale.

"G-Greetings, Elder... please, Elder, have mercy!"

Hearing the word "Elder," the evil spirit master on the ground saw her already savage features twist, her eyes filled with terror.

She struggled to crawl away, but the sharp pain in her chest left her unable to move. She could only lie on the ground in despair, her lips trembling.

Lin Ze'an glanced around; the once-bustling street was now in total chaos, with people screaming and fleeing in every direction.

"No need for explanations."

Lin Ze'an said indifferently. With a flick of his wrist, countless vines lashed out with lightning speed, binding the evil spirit master and the Spirit Hall spirit masters alike.

"Mmph! Mmph!" The evil spirit master tried to scream, but a vine clamped over her mouth, stifling her voice in her throat.

In mere moments, they were bound tight, trussed up like dumplings.

Seeing this, Lin Ze'an gave a light wave of his hand, and the vines dragged the group of trussed-up captives toward the Soto City Spirit Branch Hall.

The rustling sound of the vines dragging across the ground drew side-glances from the crowd that hadn't yet fully dispersed, though no one dared to approach.

The merchants and pedestrians who had luckily escaped hid in the street corners, watching the scene in stunned silence.

A young man subduing so many spirit masters with such overwhelming force—the sight was simply inconceivable.

Not long after, the heavy doors of the Soto City Spirit Branch Hall were blown open by a powerful force.

Several Palace Guard Knights stationed outside were sent flying inward, tumbling across the floor several times before coming to a pathetic halt.

"What's going on?!" A chorus of exclamations erupted from within the branch hall.

It was then that Lin Ze'an strode through the doors, expressionless, dragging the group of captives bound into dumplings by his vines.

"Presumptuous! Who dares to trespass in the Spirit Branch Hall!"

Several spirit masters inside immediately roared in anger, their spirit power surging as they took up defensive stances.

However, when they saw the token in the newcomer's hand, their words caught in their throats.

Lin Ze'an's gaze swept over the stunned deacons and Palace Guard Knights, finally settling on a figure hurrying over from the back of the hall.

"Greetings... Elder!"

On the way here, Lin Ze'an had already inquired; if nothing went wrong, this man was the Bishop of the Soto City Spirit Branch Hall, Gao Yunting.

Gao Yunting had just stepped out from the rear hall. The moment he saw Lin Ze'an, his expression shifted drastically, and he hurriedly bowed in salute.

Lin Ze'an nodded slightly, but his gaze didn't linger on him, instead shifting directly to the still-struggling evil spirit master on the floor.

Then, he asked coldly, "Do you know what the penalty is for shielding evil spirit masters?"

"And do you know what the penalty is for a branch bishop to trample upon the dignity and credibility of Spirit Hall?"

At these words, cold sweat broke out on Gao Yunting's forehead, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to his knees. "Elder, please examine the facts! There was absolutely no shielding!"

"We have been doing our utmost to hunt down these evil spirit masters, Elder, please believe me!"

"Your utmost?" Lin Ze'an let out a cold snort and pointed at the veiled woman. "This person is merely a Spirit King; don't tell me you couldn't defeat her."

The Bishop buried his head even lower, sweat rolling down his cheeks. The deacons behind him also lowered their heads, not daring to meet Lin Ze'an's eyes.

"These evil spirit masters have committed multiple murders in Soto City, slaughtering civilians and draining their spirit power."

"And yet, as members of Spirit Hall, you have shielded and indulged them. Your crimes are unforgivable."

Lin Ze'an turned toward the hall entrance and called out, "Ghost Leopard!"

"Here!"

With the response, a black figure flashed into the hall from outside like a gale.

Ghost Leopard appeared beside Lin Ze'an and bowed respectfully. "Elder!"

Lin Ze'an looked at him and commanded, "Detain everyone here. Investigate thoroughly; those who colluded with or shielded evil spirit masters are to be thrown directly into Slaughter City."

Ghost Leopard nodded immediately, his voice deep. "As you command, Elder!"

"Slaughter City?!" The people in the hall erupted in an uproar, their eyes widening in terror as their legs gave out and they slumped to the floor.

Slaughter City—even those who hadn't been there had heard of it. It was the most terrifying city of sin on the Douluo Continent.

To be thrown in there meant a fate worse than death, with no hope of ever coming out alive.

Gao Yunting's face turned deathly pale, his body trembling violently, his eyes filled with fear and despair.

He stumbled back a few steps, his back slamming hard against a stone pillar in the hall, and he screamed in terror, "No! I don't want to! I don't want to go to Slaughter City!"

His legs were so weak he could barely stand, but the instinct to survive drove him to try and escape at any cost.

In an instant, spirit power surged beneath his feet, and six spirit rings suddenly appeared.

"I... I am a Spirit Emperor! You cannot treat me like this!" Gao Yunting roared, his eyes bloodshot. "I am... I am..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly kicked off the ground, transforming into a black blur as he charged frantically toward the exit of the great hall.

He was moments away from breaking out of the hall and escaping to freedom.

However—

"Bang!"

A black shadow moved even faster than he did.

A cold glint flashed in Ghost Leopard's eyes. His figure, like a bolt of black lightning, intercepted Gao Yunting with superior speed.

He raised his right leg and delivered a vicious kick to Gao Yunting's chest.

"Bang!"

Gao Yunting had no time to react. The force of the kick sent him flying backward, where he slammed heavily into the stone wall of the hall before sliding to the floor, letting out a shrill, miserable scream.

He curled up on the ground, his chest heaving violently as blood continuously spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Mouthful after mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips, splattering onto the floor.

Ghost Leopard stood coldly before him, looking down at the man who had attempted to flee. "If I let you run away, I might as well head to Slaughter City myself."

Gao Yunting trembled, trying to crawl to his feet, but he was completely powerless. He could only watch helplessly as Ghost Leopard spoke.

"Colluding with evil spirit masters and tarnishing the reputation of Spirit Hall—your crimes are unforgivable."

"Since you wish to escape, I shall grant your wish and send you straight to Slaughter City!"

The other detained spirit masters in the hall witnessed the scene, their faces turning ashen and their bodies trembling. None of them dared to harbor any thoughts of escape ever again.