Dangers Abound

Luo Yu glanced at Qi Qiao, no intention of hearing her justification.

He turned and walked away.

As his footsteps faded into the distance, only Bai Ci and Qi Qiao remained on the street.

Bai Ci gave Qi Qiao a meaningful look.

If Luo Yu was right—if the Holy Heaven Army was creating those monsters in Sin City, using the Temple of Life as a front—

then Qi Qiao must be involved too.

But if that were true…

why had she fought so desperately last night to protect the civilians?
Why would the Holy Heaven Army sacrifice their lives for people they were secretly harming?

That made no sense.

After weighing it, Bai Ci decided to ask directly.

“Is it possible… that the Holy Heaven Army is doing things behind your back?”

Qi Qiao’s shoulders trembled slightly. She opened her mouth—but said nothing.

Clearly, she couldn’t deny the possibility Bai Ci had raised.

“What do you know about the Temple of Life?”

Bai Ci pressed.

“My adjutant handles their affairs…”

Qi Qiao replied bitterly.

The once-proud commander now looked like a scolded child.

What an incompetent leader…

Bai Ci thought silently.

“Can you take me to see the Temple of Life?”

“Mm…” Qi Qiao hesitated—then finally nodded.

Not long after, using Qi Qiao’s authority as commander, they easily entered the Temple of Life’s territory.

A masked man stood atop a makeshift platform, delivering a fiery speech—air thick with fanaticism.

“Great Angel! Shelter us, your humble servants…”
“All whose kin have turned beast—join the Temple of Life, and we shall grant you power to break free from the devil’s form!”
“Surrender everything to us… and in time, the Angel will reveal miracles!”

Hearing this, many in the crowd already wore dazed expressions.

To them, even if the promises were empty, this was the only lifeline left.

Watching the man’s passionate sermon and the swaying crowd below,

Bai Ci frowned. He glanced at Qi Qiao.

Her fists were clenched white, eyes blazing with fury.

This reaction didn’t seem faked…

So she really didn’t know the Temple of Life was staging this farce in Sin City?

Or could she act this convincingly?

Bai Ci shook his head, signaling her not to act rashly.

For now, the Temple of Life seemed to merely exploit the monster crisis to gather followers through deception.

But if deeper connections existed, acting prematurely would ruin future investigations.

After the sermon ended, dozens of residents—eyes glowing with delusional hope—entered the Temple’s underground bunker.

The two chose not to interfere yet.

Bai Ci asked:
“What do you think of the Temple of Life?”

“I’ll uncover the truth,” Qi Qiao answered firmly.

Meanwhile, Luo Yu had returned to Shiyu Church headquarters.

The black spire loomed under the gloomy sky, oppressive and cold.

At its peak, the Shiyu Church insignia glinted with eerie light.

Luo Yu gazed up at the sky—clouds thick, as if foretelling doom.

With a complex heart, he stepped inside.

“Lord Luo Yu!”

Dozens of black-robed figures knelt in unison along the hall, voices synchronized.

Luo Yu waved dismissively, but they remained kneeling—heads bowed, awaiting their heir’s passage.

They knew—the Shiyu Church’s rise was due largely to this young man.

Inside the grand hall,

the apex of Sin City’s power—the High Priest Luo Xiu—sat upon the throne.

“Father.”

Luo Yu stepped forward, taking a deep breath.

“You’ve done well lately,” Luo Xiu rasped.

Luo Yu skipped all pleasantries:
“The powder linked to the monsters—Xiao Mo confirmed it’s not from Sin City. It likely came from the capital. And the Temple of Life… has unclear ties to the Holy Heaven Army.”

He paused.
“I request full authority to investigate the Temple of Life.”

Silence.

Then Luo Xiu slowly said:
“When?”

“Give me three squads. We leave in ten minutes.”

Luo Xiu narrowed his eyes. “Any evidence?”
“I’ll bring it back with me.”

****

Temple of Life Headquarters
Underground Bunker

“Sir, the Shiyu Church has been watching us closely lately…”

“Worry about it? You know who backs us now,” said a man in black armor—Castel, current leader of the Temple of Life.
“And those supplies from above? Top quality.”
“At this rate, Sin City will be our playground. Stick with me—I won’t let you down.”

“Sir! The Shiyu Church forces are approaching.”

“Oh?”

Castel grinned cruelly. “Perfect. Time to test the new toys from HQ.”

The cultists erupted in excitement. They’d waited too long for this day.

Half an hour later.

Luo Yu led his squad to the Temple of Life’s base.

Strange. Though few knew of this place, they were now deep in enemy territory—yet encountered no resistance at all.

“This feels off, Lord Luo Yu.”

“It’s too open… don’t you think?” Luo Yu replied.

“No—it’s more than that. Do you feel it? This vibration…”

A church member’s voice grew tense.

Indeed. From the moment they entered, Luo Yu sensed danger.

Here it comes!

“Everyone—alert!”

Green liquid sprayed from multiple directions.

Luo Yu reacted instantly, rolling aside—

but several church members caught in the spray twisted violently, melting into pools of blood before they could scream.

What… is this?!

Luo Yu’s blood ran cold.

From the shadows, a snake-bodied, human-faced monster writhed forward, slit pupils locked onto them—ready to strike again.

Luo Yu didn’t give it the chance. Lightning surged in his hands—

he hurled a spear of pure energy. In seconds, the creature exploded into ash.

Fifth-Tier Lightning Sorcerer. Luo Yu’s true strength.

No one expected the heir to reach the same level as Commander Qi Qiao.

Leading the survivors, Luo Yu pressed deeper.

As they neared the end of the corridor, monsters multiplied—more grotesque, more varied.

Every step confirmed it: the Temple of Life’s role in the monster crisis was far deeper than anyone imagined.

Reaching the final door, Luo Yu pushed it open.

At the far end of the vast chamber, Castel stood with his cultists—waiting.

“Lord Luo Yu… long time no see.”

“So it was you behind the monsters plaguing Sin City.”

“Us? You’re too naive, my lord.”

Castel dropped his mocking tone, pitying Luo Yu.
“Sin City is beyond your control now. You think you rule here? You understand nothing.”

“Words are meaningless.”

Luo Yu’s eyes flashed with killing intent.
“I’m here to end your life.”

“You still don’t grasp the situation, my dear heir.” Castel sneered.

He raised his hand. A wave of putrid stench flooded the room.

Ngh…

Several men vomited on the spot.

As the smell intensified,
one… two… no—dozens of monsters emerged, shambling toward Luo Yu’s group.

“You’re breeding them?!” Luo Yu growled at the madman.

“No, no. I’m giving them purpose,” Castel laughed wildly.
“You call this madness? These people were the lowest of the low—neither knights nor sorcerers. Disposable. Born as ants.”
I gave them rebirth. I gave them the power to stand equal to elites like you.
“And for loyalty? Our most outstanding members… get promoted. Hahaha!”
“Come then…”
“Today, you shall be the Temple of Life’s first offering!”