The disciples of Spirit Hall ran faster than rabbits. They scattered across the square in a rush, diving into the nearest buildings.
One Soul Saint was bold enough to stand beneath the eaves and crane his neck toward the sky. As he watched, his face turned deathly pale. His legs gave out, and someone dragged him inside.
Doors slammed shut. Even the windows were sealed. In the blink of an eye, all of Spirit City fell unnaturally quiet.
Only a dull, steady booming remained, as though a giant drum in the sky were being struck again and again. Each beat pressed against their chests.
Bibi Dong stood on the stone steps before the Papal Palace, clad in black-and-gold Divine Attire. The aura of the Rakshasa God King formed an invisible wall around her, shielding everyone in the palace from the aftershocks of the Tribulation Lightning.
She tilted her head toward the vortex, which spun faster by the moment. Violet-red divine light flashed in her eyes.
"The Asura God King actually has a second wave of divine punishment."
She spoke softly, but everyone beside her heard. Bone-deep scorn edged her voice.
"He really is harsh on Soul Beasts. For ages, they've been forbidden from becoming gods. The Dragon God was suppressed, and the Proxy Punishment God's Sword of Judgment guards that rule as if it were some sacred law of heaven.
"But who made that rule? The Asura God King himself.
"Who does he think he is? The enforcer of the Divine Realm? The judge of all creation?"
"The Dragon God was a fool. He died and dragged his descendants down with him."
Fang Fan stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the vortex. He sounded as casual as if he were commenting on the wind.
"Those Soul