The Cardinal compared the photograph to Ye Cangtian’s disguised appearance, noting little difference, except that he appeared a bit thinner in person. The remarks also matched the information Ye Cangtian had provided.
Thus, he spoke, “You may enter. Remember to be cautious and prudent when you meet His Holiness the Pope; otherwise, you will bear the consequences!”
Hearing the warning, Ye Cangtian quickly acknowledged it and strode into the Hall of Light.
Having been to the Hall of Light before and with Hassall’s previously provided map, Ye Cangtian and his two companions soon arrived outside the entrance to the Hall of Specimens.
On the surface, there was no one inside or outside the Hall of Specimens. However, the moment Ye Cangtian and his companions stepped into the courtyard of the hall, a thunderous voice boomed.
“Audacious! What rank of Cardinal are you to dare intrude upon the Hall of Specimens!”
As the voice echoed, figures flickered out from the dark corners. Over ten Cardinals, clad in dark red robes, instantly surrounded Ye Cangtian and his companions.
“I am Viburon of Hot City. I have always admired the Pope’s Hall of Specimens and wish to take this opportunity to observe it. I hope for your esteemed前辈 to grant me this chance!” Ye Cangtian clasped his hands in greeting and spoke.
After all, his objective had not yet been achieved, and he wished to avoid alerting the Pope. Therefore, if he could avoid a fight, he preferred to do so.
“Begone. This is a time of great importance, and the Hall of Specimens will not be open to anyone! After this period passes, you may apply to His Holiness the Pope again, and I am sure he will agree…”
The thunderous voice emanated from within the Hall of Specimens once more. Perhaps hearing the word "admire," his tone softened slightly.
However, Ye Cangtian furrowed his brow. If the other party would not grant them passage, he would have to force his way through. After a moment, he looked at Gui Wu and Lan Yue beside him and nodded.
The next instant, Gui Wu and Lan Yue, understanding his intent, flashed out one after another. The surrounding Cardinals were visibly startled by their actions, but being members of the Inner Hall Golden Armored Knights, their reactions were swift. In an instant, the two sides clashed.
“Audacious! You dare to force your way into the Hall of Specimens! You court death!” As the roar sounded, the grand doors of the Hall of Specimens opened, and a figure instantly appeared at the entrance.
It was a burly middle-aged man, also clad in a dark red robe. This person was none other than Ford, the Deputy Commander of the Inner Hall Golden Armored Knights.
Ye Cangtian glanced at Ford, a smile appearing on his face, “You alone cannot stop me. You should call out the other two!”
Huh?
Upon hearing this, Ford’s brows immediately knitted. That was true; there were indeed two others within the Hall of Specimens, but they had always concealed their auras. How had this person detected them? Pondering this, he slowly said, “Who exactly are you? Why are you trespassing in the Hall of Specimens?”
“You are not qualified to know my identity!” Ye Cangtian looked at him disdainfully and continued, “You are still too weak. If you don’t seek help from your companions, you won’t last two rounds against me!”
“Nonsense!” Ford’s anger instantly ignited. He was the Deputy Commander of the Golden Armored Knights, possessing a cultivation of the sixth heaven, and had experienced countless life-and-death trials. It could be said that below the Heavenly realm, he was confident of holding his own against anyone. Yet, this person claimed he wouldn't last two rounds, which truly enraged him.
The next moment, as his roar subsided, Ford moved. He flashed before Ye Cangtian, and in his hand appeared a golden cross longsword. As the sword swung, golden light flashed, shining brilliantly in the night.
“Since you are seeking death, you cannot blame me.” Seeing the other party attack, a hint of killing intent appeared in Ye Cangtian’s eyes. At the same time, a crystal ice dagger appeared in his hand, and he met the attack head-on.
In the next instant, Ye Cangtian moved like a phantom, dodging Ford’s attack and thrusting his dagger into the latter’s chest. Although Ford’s cultivation was strong, the gap between him and Ye Cangtian, who was at the peak of the quasi-Heavenly realm, was simply too vast. Most importantly, Ye Cangtian showed no mercy, his goal being to kill the opponent. This would ensure the safety of Gui Wu and Lan Yue when they made their retreat.
*Pfft!*
On the other side, feeling the stab in his chest, Ford’s eyes widened in disbelief. He then spat out a mouthful of blood, and the immense force of the blow sent him flying backward, crashing heavily before the hall entrance.
“I told you, you wouldn’t last two moves against me,” Ye Cangtian said dismissively, glancing at Ford on the ground.
Hearing this, Ford’s face flushed again, and he spat out another mouthful of blood. He looked at Ye Cangtian unwillingly and gritted his teeth, “Who are you!” His life force had been severed by Ye Cangtian’s blade. His survival now was merely a struggle. And before he died, what he most wanted to know was who he was dying at the hands of!
“Heh heh, who am I? Have you truly not guessed?” Ye Cangtian glanced at him and smiled eerily. At this statement, Ford seemed to realize something, and he exclaimed, “You are Ye Cangtian?”
Ye Cangtian snorted, “Nonsense. Besides me, who else would dare to force their way in here!”
“So it’s you. I didn’t expect you to be so strong…” Having received Ye Cangtian’s confirmation, Ford finally breathed his last and fell to the ground.
On the other side, Ye Cangtian glanced at Gui Wu and Lan Yue. Seeing that the two women had dealt with the over ten Cardinals, he wasted no time and immediately walked into the Hall of Specimens.
…
At the same time.
In his sleeping quarters, the Pope’s eyes suddenly lit up. He had already sensed the commotion at the Hall of Specimens. However, he had not confirmed the identity of the intruders and had temporarily held back, letting the Golden Armored Knights handle it. But now that Ford was dead, and he had confirmed the intruder was the Ye Cangtian he was waiting for, a cold laugh rippled through him. So, everything that had happened in Bright City tonight was Ye Cangtian’s plan. What a cunning loach!
“However, it seems you’ve overestimated yourself. Even without those Cardinals, you still won’t be able to leave the Hall of Light!” The Pope slowly stood up and, with a flash, left his sleeping quarters.
…
Hall of Specimens.
As Ye Cangtian and his companions entered the Hall of Specimens, their bodies trembled. Merely on the first floor of the Hall of Specimens, rows of transparent containers were displayed, each filled with a clear liquid and containing a naked corpse. Below the instruments were brief descriptions of these corpses. Some were leaders of certain factions, killed by the Pope, or designed to be killed by him. The vast first floor had at least a hundred containers, and the sight alone sent shivers down one’s spine.
“Stop looking. Xu Zhenguo’s head is on the third floor. If you have the courage, come up and take it!” Just then, an aged voice echoed.
Ye Cangtian and his companions immediately snapped back to attention, glanced towards the distant staircase, and then walked over. Since they had already entered, there was no turning back.
Passing the second floor and arriving at the third floor, the first thing the trio saw were still transparent containers, though there weren’t many of them. Glancing at the remarks for some of the corpses, most of them were high-ranking officials of a certain country, leaders of powerful factions, or even heads of state… Their deaths were also related to the Pope.
Ye Cangtian merely glanced at them casually, and couldn’t help but murmur inwardly that if this place were exposed, it might solve the mystery of countless deaths. At that point, the forces behind these individuals would likely unite and retaliate against the Hall of Light. Thinking this, Ye Cangtian’s gaze fixed upon a particular container, and his eyes couldn’t help but moisten. In the vast container was a single head. His eyes were closed peacefully, as if in eternal slumber. It was indeed Elder Xu.
“Take another look! You won’t have another chance soon!” “However, for you, it’s not much of a loss. You can’t see him, but you can be with them…” An old man, clad in golden armor, walked over step by step. He was none other than Elino, the Commander of the Golden Armored Knights. In his eyes, Ye Cangtian, though not a leader or a high-ranking official, had killed numerous inner hall powerhouses of the Hall of Light. Moreover, since they had gone to such lengths to defeat him, he should be qualified to enter this Hall of Specimens.
“Commander, do we really need to talk nonsense with him?” “Ford was our brother, shouldn’t we avenge him first?” As the old man’s voice fell, another voice chimed in.