"Your subordinates pay their respects to His Holiness the Pope!"
Gui Mei and Tuoba Xuanfeng knelt on one knee, their voices sending dull echoes through the cavernous Pope's Hall, hoarse from their long journey.
Qian Xunji sat upon his throne and turned his gaze toward them, his expression returning to its usual majesty.
"What was the outcome of your journey to Gengxin City?"
Gui Mei raised his head first. The shadows beneath his black robes obscured most of his face, leaving only a pair of eyes gleaming with an eerie light.
"Your Holiness, the evidence against Miles, the Red-robed Cardinal stationed in Gengxin City, is conclusive. We discovered that three years ago, he forcibly requisitioned a batch of rare metals from the Blacksmith Association and injured two elderly craftsmen guarding the mine. A year ago, after failing to obtain the metals he demanded, he gravely injured the former president, leaving him bedridden until his death. This time, he even led men to blockade the association, threatening to demolish it unless they handed over their ore."
Tuoba Xuanfeng stepped forward, his silver armor reflecting a cold gleam within the hall. Holding a metal plaque engraved with the Arbiter Order in both hands, he spoke with ringing conviction.
"In accordance with the instructions of the Great Enshrined and Your Holiness, we read out the Arbiter Order on the spot: Miles was stripped of his position as Red-robed Cardinal, his level-seventy-two soul power was destroyed, and he was banished from Spirit Hall forever. The twenty-eight Soul Masters under his command who participated in the violence were also expelled."
He paused.
"This is the record of the judgment. Please review it."
Qian Xunji raised his brows slightly. His fingertips, which had been rubbing the gemstone on the Pope's Scepter, abruptly stopped.
"How did Lou