Chapter 1 The Roar of Tanyao

The rumbling of *Tanyao* could be heard throughout the isolated island of Sangzhou Grotto.

The ash density here was too high, and all communication links related to mental power became extremely unstable.

"..."

After his communication with Du Hu was cut off, Su Ye raised his head.

The dark rainy night was illuminated by the sun.

The torrential rain was scorched and evaporated, forming a huge, spreading mist-like dome.

There were no living creatures left in this city.

Compared to before, Su Ye's "sun" had doubled in size.

After absorbing the faith of living beings from two cities, the scorching waves emitted by this blazing sun became even more exaggerated.

"Archbishop Dijang, how long are you going to keep watching from over there?"

Su Ye slowly turned his head, speaking with respect in his tone, but his expression showed little reverence.

His gaze fell on the distance beyond the high wall.

With a sigh.

The archbishop, who was responsible for cooperating with the West Grotto but disappeared without a trace after the beast tide, slowly walked out.

Archbishop Dijang's robes were originally azure, but they appeared somewhat pale under the scorching of the "sun."

He was not accompanied by any followers.

Spies couldn't bring entourages when observing the Holy Son of Guang Ming City... Although those followers were willing to lay down their lives, they were too weak. The more there were, the more inconvenient the action became.

The cooperation between Guang Ming City and South Continent was declared broken after the "Neutralizer" was abducted.

"You shouldn't be here right now."

Su Ye smiled mockingly, "Your Excellency Archbishop, you should be on the coast of Holy City, stopping those from the Tower of Origin who are breaking the rules and trying to leave early... After all, they are the main culprits in destroying the interests of South Continent, aren't they?"

"...I'm sorry."

Dijang smiled apologetically, "The *Tide* authority has experienced some glitches, and my communication with Saint Gadie has been disrupted."

Su Ye raised an eyebrow, "Alright, stop acting. What's the point of hiding at this point? I know your mission is to keep an eye on West Continent, to keep an eye on me..."

Dijang lowered his eyes for a moment.

He still didn't admit it, only saying lightly, "Mr. Su Ye, you need to understand me... Being an archbishop isn't easy either."

"I understand... because being a Holy Son isn't easy either."

Su Ye sighed softly and smiled, "What did you just say? The *Tide* authority has experienced glitches..."

Nine out of ten spiritual links in Guang Ming City had problems.

He knew this well because he suffered from it himself.

The strange power emitted by *Tanyao* was probably really able to interfere with the authority's messages!

Dijang's expression tightened instantly, realizing he had let something slip.

And this expression was accurately captured by Su Ye. In fact, his initial statement was just a test... After all, what Dijang said was likely just a fabricated excuse.

But this flustered expression meant that the *Tide* authority had most likely really encountered problems.

"Don't worry, Mr. Dijang... I just want to chat with you."

Su Ye smiled and raised his palm.

That huge sun slowly expanded, covering the entire city with billions of lumens, enveloping the overexposed figure in the azure robe.

Dijang's expression turned pale, his fists clenched tightly, and azure-colored ripples of light erupted from his body.

But it was too late.

Under the sun's illumination, Su Ye's figure instantly appeared in front of Dijang.

The hand of the Blessed Holy Son instantly grasped the latter's throat.

"The sun you're seeing right now, and the slaughter just now... It seems like it wouldn't be good for Guang Ming City's reputation if it got out."

Su Ye stared coldly at Archbishop Dijang in front of him and smiled softly, "So, I hope you can keep it a secret forever."

"What do you think?"

...

...

"Crack!"

The situation at the Holy City Research Institute was terrible. Internal and external issues occurred, and the command room linked to the South Continent Church was in chaos.

"The North Continent's source-energy boats have entered the Ice Sea airspace. Should we intercept? Should we intercept?"

"Received. Immediately abandon interception!"

"The Tower of Origin is about to leave the Holy City Research Institute. Should we..."

"Received. Abandon interception."

Not to mention the ordinary staff in the command room, even the atmosphere at Storm Holy City, separated by a sea, was tense.

The World Conference had already rejected South Continent's decision-making power over Sangzhou Grotto.

The Tower of Origin forcibly broke through the Holy City's blockade.

The Red Dragon Envoy left with some "experimental results." With the blessing of the Sky God Seat, the Storm Church was unable to stop it, and unwilling to stop it... The Saints had already made a decision. Since they couldn't stop them, they might as well implement an open policy for all those leaving the island. As long as they had the ability, they could leave Sangzhou Grotto.

As for what happened next, they would discuss it later.

The Storm God Seat had not returned.

They couldn't bear the pressure from the highest seat.

As for those dozens of source-energy boats from North Continent... South Continent was even less qualified to intercept them.

What a joke!

The current mission of the four continents was nominally "emergency rescue." If South Continent really launched weapons to intercept and strike the source-energy boats, then the problem would be huge... The Lin Chou Association, which was eyeing them from Central City, would directly dispatch a fully staffed fleet, and one of the three great generals might personally go south to punish the Holy City. With the Empress's character, it was possible for her to do such a thing.

And this "war" would end in a flash if it happened.

At that time, the North Continent army would blitz the Holy City, demanding compensation from the Church...

Just thinking about it made their heads ache.

Even if the Storm God Seat returned, it would be useless. South Continent would be at a disadvantage morally. Although they didn't care about the lives of their citizens, some things could never be brought to the surface.

"Let them pass freely."

In the Holy City, the six Saints gathered together. Among them, Gadie participated in the meeting with a mental projection. His real body was currently on the island of Sangzhou Grotto!

Saint Chunli, as the most powerful of the six Saints, spoke personally at this moment.

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

The other Saints had no objections.

They didn't want to provoke the God Seats of other continents at this juncture. At the moment, Sangzhou Grotto was just a chessboard. As for gains and losses, they would wait for Lord Storm to return before discussing it.

"Gadie, is there a problem with the *Tide* over at Sangzhou Grotto?"

Chunli frowned and asked, "Why has the Holy City lost mental signals from several archbishops?"

"*Tanyao* has fully revived and may erupt at any time."

Gadie's virtual connection was intermittent, and his voice was hoarse, "The power of the *Tide* authority has been interfered with... I don't have time to contact them. The top priority is to complete the Storm Barrier that encompasses the Sangzhou Grotto Sea Area."

He raised his palm.

A huge island terrain map emerged.

Under the *Deep Sea* perspective, the sea area encompassing Sangzhou Grotto, nearly a thousand miles in area, formed a square-shaped wave zone.

Countless overlapping waves were gathering on the outer edge of this square zone.

From the overhead view, there was nothing alarming about it.

But in reality, these layers of waves had begun to stack... Once they gained momentum, they would form a raging tsunami.

"Is the barrier complete?"

"It can be activated at any time... After activation, it is estimated that it will take fifteen minutes for the *Tide* to officially push Sangzhou Grotto into the Ice Sea."

Gadie paused for a moment and said, "However, the legendary faith transformation object of Guang Ming City has not been discovered yet."

"They haven't used the 'Holy Book' yet?"

Chunli also fell into thought.

"This is not reasonable."

At the conference table, a thin, tall Saint shrouded in a storm robe spoke in a cold voice. There was a vertical crack on his forehead, which looked like a third eye, "Unless our hidden informant is mistaken... Otherwise, Guang Ming City couldn't be holding back at this moment. They came to Sangzhou Grotto to 'transform faith.'"

The Saints within the Storm Church didn't have harmonious relationships.

They had started fighting internally in their early years, and the Church had a strict hierarchical order...

At the conference table at this moment, the five Saints who had come in person were all titled!

Only Gadie was still at the Fourth Order!

Being openly contradicted, Saint Haitong's face didn't look good, but after glancing at Saint Chunli in the highest seat, he didn't explode on the spot, but explained in a deep voice.

"Don't misunderstand. That's not what I meant."

Saint Haitong lowered his voice, "I'm just saying... Is it possible that some changes have occurred on Guang Ming City's side? They came with the 'Holy Book,' but due to some special circumstances, the 'Holy Book' couldn't be activated?"

"There's no time to explore the truth anymore."

Gadie didn't have a good attitude toward Haitong. Clearly, the two had some past grievances.

He said urgently, "Everyone, while I'm still in Sangzhou Grotto, please make a decision quickly. I can't stay in this damn place for another minute... Please make up your minds quickly."

Haitong gritted his teeth, "You want to retreat?"

"Otherwise?"

Gadie said unhappily, "Do you know how high the ash density is here? The flow of source power is severely interfered with!"

As soon as he said this, the several Saints at the conference table spoke up, and the scene became noisy.

"We've been planning for so long. We retreat without even seeing the shadow of the 'Holy Book'?"

"If that's the case, it's better to cultivate 'believers' earlier!"

"If we leave like this, what will we get in the end? We'll get nothing!"

The Storm Holy City's plan for Sangzhou Grotto was actually very simple.

Due to a reliable message, they knew that Guang Ming City had brought the "Holy Book" south and needed to transform a large number of believers—

So, they decided to wait for the opportune moment!

But they never expected that *Tanyao* would suddenly erupt, and Guang Ming City had not taken any "faith transformation" actions!

They laid out the plan and waited in vain!

Now, the West Continent seemed to be planning a full retreat!

"Indeed, we can't wait any longer."

The noisy voices of the crowd disappeared after Saint Chunli spoke.

The thin man sitting in the highest position of the Saints said softly, "Gadie, you are a Fourth-Order Transcendence Realm. I hope you can go to West Grotto. No matter what, you must bring something back..."

"Lord Chunli..."

Gadie was stunned and frowned, "Do you want me to assassinate the Blessed Holy Son of Guang Ming?"

"If you can kill him, of course, it would be best."

Chunli said, "If you can't kill him, don't expose your identity... Can you handle this matter?"

"I... I can't guarantee the success rate of the assassination."

Gadie couldn't refuse, but he sighed, "It's not difficult to assassinate Su Ye, but there is also a Fourth-Order Transcendence Realm Great Knight in West Grotto... I saw Jia Wei take action before. This guy is stronger than me after wearing the *Ming Guang Armor*."

"The intelligence message from Guang Ming City regarding the Holy Book will definitely not be false."

Chunli said calmly, "There is no need to question this. Their plan to transform faith... Must be real, but some accidents have led to the current situation."

Several Saints looked at each other, and there was suspicion in their eyes.

So far.

They still didn't know which hidden informant the Storm Church had planted in Guang Ming City.

This was a very, very high-level secret.

That informant seemed to only be in contact with Chunli... To be able to make Saint Chunli say that the intelligence would definitely not be wrong, could it be a high-ranking figure in the Guang Ming Divine Palace?

Guang Ming City was a holy land for believers with unparalleled purity of faith!

Planting an informant in the Divine Palace sounded a bit terrifying.

Thinking about it carefully, if someone said that there was a traitor among the Saints within the Storm Church...

What a shocking message that would be!

"Regarding the assassination..."

After thinking for a few seconds, Saint Chunli said to Gadie, "Kill him if you can. If you can't, then take a look at Su Ye's background."

"Before Meng Xiao died, who had heard of the name 'Su Ye'? Where did this guy come from?"

What he said was the confusion of many transcendents in the Five Continents.

Everyone knew that Guang Ming City was deeply hidden.

But a Holy Son died, and a new one stood up again in less than a few months, which was a bit scary.

Holy Sons were not cabbages. Su Ye's several actions and momentum building in Guang Ming City could be considered the absolute top-tier genius within the Five Continents!

Young people of this level were definitely rare!

It could be said that if Meng Xiao was alive... He might not be as powerful as Su Ye.

But Su Ye's background, family, and experience before becoming a Holy Son were all blank. Even if the Saints used their authority, they couldn't see anything... This was completely unreasonable.

Gadie sighed in his heart, knowing that he couldn't get out of this matter no matter what, so he could only respond helplessly, "...Understood. I will complete the task."

"Well, be careful to conceal your identity."

Chunli nodded, "This matter is of great importance. Whether you succeed or not, you can activate the *Tide*... Sangzhou Grotto no longer has any meaning to continue existing."

...

...

The sky roared, and the beast tide was like the sea.

Thunder rumbled in front of the city in S12 District. A white figure holding thunder and lightning, like a god descending, the *Lei Jie Xing Zhe* (Thunder Realm Walker) floated above the nine heavens, constantly striking the thunder, sweeping the entire battlefield.

This was Bai Xiu's first time going all out.

In the files recorded in Changye, Bai Xiu had never had a record of fighting with all his strength.

Every task he received was completed alone, quickly, and without injury.

Crossing realms and levels was like drinking water and eating for him.

Some people were born standing at the top of the sky.

Like him.

"This is... S-Rank..."

On the high wall of S12 District, more than one transcendent uttered similar exclamations.

In fact, they had seen such a shocking scene for the second time.

But seeing lightning descend on the earth again was still shocking...

One of those who exclaimed was Little Iron Man.

Chen Li spoke his thoughts, he murmured, "Why are they all *S-Rank*? I feel like he's fiercer than you... And a lot fiercer?"

The red-armored woman next to Little Iron Man frowned beautifully.

Mu Wanqiu, who was inspecting the integrity of the source armor, replied coldly, "Shut up if you can't speak... Have you seen the *Judge* go all out?"

Chen Li was stunned.

The next moment.

A scarlet flame spewed out from the tail wing of the source armor, and Mu Wanqiu flew out of S12 District—

The moment she flew out, the Third-Order bottleneck shattered instantly.

After meeting Gu Shen in the River Styx, she had stayed at the Third Order for a long time... Because she had seen the possibility of breaking through the limit, she decided to waste some time, looking for her own opportunities in the Third Order to see if there was a chance to touch the legendary "Three Transcendences."

But it was too difficult!

Now, she gave up the Three Transcendences and chose to advance to the Fourth Order!

At this moment, the *Judge* domain was perfectly condensed and spread out. A wisp of dark black Styx fire flickered between Mu Wanqiu's eyebrows.

She landed on the flank that the *Lei Jie Xing Zhe* (Thunder Realm Walker) could not take care of.

The *Judge* wielding a scythe turned into a god of death, descending on the earth—

"Die."

Mu Wanqiu's mental power enveloped a radius of one hundred meters. She just coldly uttered a word.

The countless running beast spirits were instantly deprived of their lives!

Countless dark soul thoughts were reaped by the scythe of the *Judge*. The beast spirits in running form were unable to brake in time due to inertia. Their soul thoughts were already shattered, but their bodies were still charging. Their bodies seemed to have crashed into the thread woven by the god of death, sliding and shattering into countless broken corpses!

At this moment, Mu Wanqiu was running in the beast tide. Wherever she went, blood splattered, and countless beast spirit bodies were torn to pieces and exploded.

Compared to the *Lei Jie Xing Zhe* (Thunder Realm Walker) who wielded thunder and carried out divine punishment,

Her *Judge* was even more sinister, more ghostly, and more murderous...

And even more frightening!