"Evidence?" Carlos tipped up his chin and sneered. "My word is evidence. I didn't come to negotiate today. I came to take someone away."
"You'll hand him over whether you want to or not. Otherwise..."
He raised his right hand and spread his fingers.
A piercing eagle cry rang out again. Black flames surged behind him, and the immense phantom of a Blackflame Eagle appeared, its wings spanning several yards.
Beneath Carlos's feet, seven Soul Rings slowly rose—two yellow, two purple, and three black. Like seven death warrants, they pressed down until everyone present struggled to breathe.
"I'll raze this place to the ground."
Black fire coiled around him. He looked like a vicious eagle that had walked out of hell.
Si Kai and Si Di paled. They had not expected the Red-Robed Bishop to be so ruthless.
They exchanged a glance and released their Martial Souls at the same time.
Si Kai turned his palm, and a heavy iron chisel dropped into it, gray-black from end to end.
With a low shout, Si Di summoned a pitch-black round shield from his palm. Its surface was rough and thick.
The same Soul Ring Configuration rose beneath each of them: one white, three yellow, two purple, and one black. Seven rings each. Both were Soul Saints.
"Two Soul Saints."
"A pity. Soul Saints from the Blacksmith Association are a far cry from those outside it."
As he finished speaking, his First Soul Ring lit up.
Pitch-black fire burst from his palm and lunged toward Si Di and Si Kai.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Black Shield Enhancement!" Si Di stepped forward and slammed his shield into the ground.
The shield swelled into a towering barrier, sheltering both men behind it.
Soul Power surged across its surface as the black fire crashed against it.