Shura Field

Bai Ci knelt on the ground, writhing in pain. The backlash of suppressing a forbidden spell seared every nerve in his body like fire.

If he’d released the full power of that curse, the entire Sin City would have turned to ash alongside the monsters.

He couldn’t allow himself to destroy this city…

Bai Ci knew that if he used the Annihilation power, eliminating the monsters would’ve been effortless.

But Xiya wasn’t by his side. If he lost control and fell into a rampage, the consequences would be catastrophic.

So he had no choice but to rely on pure magical energy to carry out this one-sided slaughter.

And now, the toll of containing the forbidden spell’s power overwhelmed him.

“Cough—”

Bai Ci forced his head up, gazing at the massive crater in the center of the square—still smoking. The once-swarming monsters were now nothing but drifting ash.

Good. At least he’d kept his promise to Qi Qiao.

“Are you alright…?”

Qi Qiao approached from the distant street, jogging over as the dust settled.

Her once-gleaming silver armor was now stained with blood and dirt. In her eyes flickered a faint trace of worry.

“I’m fine.”

“So… does this mean I’m forgiven?”

Bai Ci managed a weak smile.

“You did well. So… half-forgiven.”

Qi Qiao paused.
“The other half—the Holy Heaven Army soldiers you killed—I can’t forgive you for them.
I don’t have the right.”

“I’m sorry.”

Bai Ci knew those blood debts could never be erased.

“No need to apologize. I’ll carry on—for them.”

Qi Qiao’s gaze swept across the devastated square.

“That said… I need… to rest…”

Bai Ci tried to speak, but the backlash from suppressing the forbidden spell had taken its toll. His nerves screamed. And now, the strain finally reached its breaking point.

A sudden wave of dizziness struck—his consciousness drifted into darkness.

!

“Hey! What’s wrong?!”

Seeing Bai Ci collapse, Qi Qiao quickly crouched down, instinctively spreading her arms. His upper body slammed heavily onto the armored thigh plate of her leg.

Realizing he was only unconscious, she exhaled in relief.

“Commander…”

“Should we… take advantage of this chance?” A Holy Heaven soldier hesitated, voice low.

Qi Qiao knew exactly what her subordinate meant.

She stared at the unconscious youth before her. Carefully adjusting her posture, she cradled Bai Ci’s head against her arm. This man—capable of obliterating a city with a single spell—now lay defenseless in her embrace.

This person before her… If she wanted him dead, this was the perfect moment.

His existence was an unstable variable—not just for Sin City, but for the entire Yundu Empire.

The empire didn’t need someone like him.

But…

Qi Qiao knew what the “correct” choice was, based on her duty.

Yet the moment she recalled how this young man had saved her life—how he stood between her and death—something indescribable stirred in her chest.

“Commander Qi.”

A voice broke through her thoughts.

She narrowed her icy blue eyes toward the entrance of the square.

Luo Yu stepped forward, his gaze heavy with meaning. Behind him followed a host of Shiyu Church members.

Qi Qiao gave a faint, polite smile.
“Long time no see.”

“Long time? Maybe your soldiers were reporting my whereabouts to you just yesterday.”

Luo Yu showed zero respect.

Qi Qiao didn’t even look at him.
“I have no interest in the private lives of insignificant brats.”

Then, slowly, she rose—cradling Bai Ci in a princess carry.

“And you—dare question me?”
“Just moments ago, these people were screaming—‘Where are the Shiyu Church?!’
And yet it was us, the Holy Heaven Army, who saved them.”
“If you can’t fulfill your responsibilities… we’ll take your place.”

Qi Qiao’s eyes flashed with cold light.

Hearing this—and recalling Xiao Mo’s intel about the powder—Luo Yu laughed bitterly.
“The monsters’ appearance is clearly tied to you people.
And now you play the hero?”

The Holy Heaven Army couldn’t tolerate Luo Yu’s insolence. One soldier snapped:
“You bastard! How dare you disrespect the Commander!”

His hand already gripped his sword hilt, ready to charge.

Qi Qiao spoke coldly:
“Do you know who you’re talking to?”

Behind her, the Holy Heaven Army drew their weapons in unison—a sea of silver under the moonlight.

Even after a brutal battle, they would launch another assault without hesitation if Qi Qiao gave the order.

Qi Qiao stared at Luo Yu. This youth was so blind to his own insignificance.

Forget the overwhelming numbers—even in a one-on-one duel, Luo Yu stood no chance.

“I don’t have patience for outsiders.”
“If you want to die… I won’t stop you.”

The tension froze the air. Both sides stood on the brink of war.

“What a late night to hold onto my guest… quite impolite, isn’t it?”

Out of the shadows, Lilith emerged, swaying her hips gracefully.

“I was about to rest… but then I noticed one of my guests went missing…”

Behind her trailed elite members of the Shiyu Church.

Still, in sheer numbers, the Holy Heaven Army held absolute superiority.

“Who are you?”

Qi Qiao narrowed her eyes at Lilith.

“Just a lonely innkeeper with no customers. Please, pay me no mind.”

Lilith smiled sweetly.

“I see. But I’m afraid your guest will be coming with me to the Holy Heaven Army barracks tonight.”

Qi Qiao ignored her, turning to leave—Bai Ci still in her arms.

She didn’t consider this woman worth her attention.

Perhaps the only person in all of Sin City she truly respected… was the man in her arms.

The Holy Heaven Army formed a wall behind her, blocking any pursuit.

“Oh? Is that so? I don’t mind.”
“But someone’s little girlfriend might get jealous~”

As Lilith spoke, a small figure stepped forward from behind her. Moonlight flowed through her lavender hair.

An angelic face—but pink eyes like endless abysses.

It was Xiya—finally appearing after a whole day of not seeing Bai Ci.

Qi Qiao froze.

Though she herself was a peerless beauty, beside this girl, she felt… dimmed.

“Give him back.”

Xiya extended a delicate hand. Her voice was soft—near a whisper—yet it sent chills down everyone’s spine.

At that moment, Bai Ci stirred slightly in Qi Qiao’s arms.

That tiny movement made Xiya’s eyes flash with frost.

The temperature of the square plummeted.

“Give him… back to me.”

Xiya locked eyes with Qi Qiao—icy, unyielding.

“And if I say no?”

Qi Qiao lifted her chin, tightening her grip around Bai Ci.

Xiya slowly raised her hand. The air around her began to warp.

“Do you really think… you have a choice?”

In the instant their gazes met, invisible sparks ignited.

Luo Yu and Lilith became mere spectators.

Lilith retreated to a safe distance, watching the battlefield unfold with amusement.

“Young Master… looks like there’s no way you’re getting him this time.”

Hearing this, Luo Yu sighed deeply—and left.

“Last chance.”

Xiya’s voice now dripped with killing intent.

In her palm, energy coiled into a swirling nebula.

What gives her the right…

Xiya fixed her gaze on Qi Qiao’s arms holding Bai Ci. An unfamiliar emotion burned in her chest.

How dare she touch my Xiao Ci…

“I won’t give him to you.”

Qi Qiao’s reply was firm, decisive. She still didn’t realize the terrifying nature of the girl before her.

“Ugh…”

Bai Ci stirred again in her arms, letting out a soft groan.

That small motion made both beauties freeze—eyes wide, breath caught.