Mystic Capital was the lifeblood of the entire Great Qian Kingdom, and its only capital-level city.
Here, prosperity was on full display, and the powerful and privileged were everywhere.
Countless Martial World factions, prestigious orthodox sects, and the realm's foremost masters also gathered here.
Vendors lined both sides of the streets, and merchants and passersby alike wore splendid clothes.
Even a child running out of an alley with candied hawthorn in hand wore finer clothes than people in other cities.
Beyond its bustle and prosperity, the city radiated strength at every turn.
At the end of one of Mystic Capital's busiest streets stood a nine-story tower.
Whether ordinary passersby or members of Martial World factions who happened by, all hurried past the tower without daring to give it a second glance.
A plaque hanging beneath the tower bore three words: "Evil Extermination Division."
Only two guards stood at the entrance below, but each radiated a terrifying aura.
Either one would rank among the finest masters in Skycloud Circuit.
This was the Evil Extermination Division's headquarters, the place those who devoted themselves to Demon-Slaying and Evil-Exorcising most longed to reach—and most feared.
The tower had nine floors, with fewer people on each successive level.
On the ninth and highest floor lived the leader who commanded the entire Evil Extermination Division.
At that moment, the chief stood on the balcony, one hand resting on the railing as he gazed across Mystic Capital. An unreadable emotion flickered in his eyes.
Behind him stood a middle-aged man in the official uniform of the Evil Extermination Division.
The man respectfully offered him a folded report. "My lord, according to our intelligence, Qin An has set out. He'll arrive in Mystic Capital within days."
The chief kept gazing over the city.
Only after hearing this did