“Enough!”

  The woman’s shriek tore through the air. Her body cracked open; the dark spirit tried to flee, only to be trapped by an invisible energy field.

  Seeing her restrained, Rui Guo felt earth’s spiritual energy flow once more. Power surged through her instantly.

  “If you love to consume, I’ll let you consume your fill!”

  Amid Rui Guo’s furious cry, she joined the gray-robed figures, pouring her spiritual energy into the woman’s form.

  Multicolored energies flooded in. The woman’s body fractured from within—then exploded.

  In an instant, all spiritual energy dissipated, shooting skyward above the Blackwood Forest before vanishing into the air.

  Cursed spirit beasts foraging outside were caught in the shockwave, fleeing in terror back to dens.

  Within the Sanctuary, the Holy Lord had watched intently through an electronic eye. After the pulse, the signal cut abruptly. He stood stunned in the grand hall, composure lost for a long time.

  “It seems… she was not a true Spirit-Driving Evil Cultivator.”

  The Saint-Emissary, back to his usual calm, stroked his gray-white beard and gazed toward a dark corner.

  The black-clad figure hiding there, sensing the gaze, vanished from the crypt instantly.

  “Mother Earth, are you aware traitors have long existed within the Watchers?”

  With the threat gone, Rui Guo allowed a moment of relief. Moments ago, that terrifying energy had pushed her to burn her essence, fusing with the earth itself.

  Traitors? Of course she knew. But why… in her heart, it tied inextricably to these Sanctuary people.

  “Whether there are traitors, I don’t know. What I do know—this demon came from your Sanctuary. Since ancient times, necrotic energy has emerged from there—who doesn’t know? If not for your kind, Captain Yang…”

  Rui Guo trailed off, glancing at Timo Yang, and said no more.

  “As long as I live—unless I’m dead—the Watchers’ necrotic resources will never be shared!”

  “Times change. Someone will bring this about, but it’s not my concern. A word of advice: rules are rigid, but people are not. Even an ancient legion needs allies.”

  As the rift opened again, the Saint-Emissary finished and stepped through with his Guardians.

  In that brief conversation, no one noticed—a wisp of black vapor drifting into a young girl on an experiment platform as the woman vanished.

  The gathered necrotic energy scattered completely upon the crone’s explosion.

  Timo Yang watched the dark vapors drift, filled with resentment.

  While looking around, a glowing sphere fell amid drifting ashes, landing at his feet.

  Curious, Timo picked it up. After brief fluctuation, it solidified into a crystal-clear ruby.

  Isn’t this the gem from the crone’s crown…? Timo stared, transfixed—mind filled with her lifeless, bulging eyes.

  “I know him! It’s A-Liang from Southshore fishing village! Fei and I saw him during intel gathering!”

  Hearing the shout, Timo snapped back.

  Lulu had opened an experiment platform canopy. A-Liang slowly opened his eyes, unaware of what happened.

  “It’s you… the legion investigator? What happened? How did I get here?”

  “You really don’t remember?” Lulu asked cautiously.

  A-Liang lacked his usual alertness, worrying her.

  “I just remember… catching fish by the shore. Heard someone calling for help… then nothing. But I… I became an energy master! I learned to control water!”

  As he spoke, A-Liang jumped down.

  But gathering spiritual energy, he felt something vital missing.

  “What’s going on? I can’t feel water energy… Impossible! I definitely became a master!”

  He tried repeatedly—only faint glimmer in his palm before vanishing.

  Lulu’s face filled with shock. Only now did she realize: if the Ice-Evil Cultivator hadn’t recruited her, this would have been her fate.

  Meanwhile, as Rui Guo opened canopy after canopy, she grew certain—these were the missing children from surrounding villages.

  Yet seeing their dazed, detached states, she understood. Damaged spirit-roots meant lives likely filled with nothing but pain.

  “Impossible!”

  A-Liang’s cry echoed as he slumped in despair, gaze vacant.

  One after another, cries of despair and sobs filled the air as children awoke fully from beautiful dreams.

  In those dreams, they had become renowned masters. Now awake—Nulls.

  Like losing half their lives—an unbearable reality.

  “It seems these Evil Cultivators have been here some time. But a place like this… how did they find it? Even I didn’t know…”

  Just as Captain Guo pondered, she heard necrotic-powered skimmers speeding through air—one after another.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Captain Guo! What happened?”

  With the greeting, the lead skimmer halted beside the deep crater.

  The tall figure entering the crypt was the Watchers’ current Regimental Commander, Fan Yi.

  Those behind him looked alarmed. The massive pulse moments ago had terrified everyone.

  “Well, the missing children case is solved.”

  Rui Guo surveyed reinforcements warily—especially Commander Yi, her former comrade.

  The black-clad figure hadn’t been this burly. Moreover, Yi was initial-tier master. His Crimson True Flame earned “Fire God” title. On this land, no one withstood one blow.

  But the man was shrewd, closely tied to envoys from nations. As she knew, he persuaded the Five Arbiters to sign an alliance treaty.

  As one of those Arbiters, without her signature, the treaty failed.

  “Captain Guo, truly the legion’s guardian deity! Another hard battle, it seems!”

  Commander Yi scanned surroundings. A snap—torches ignited.

  At his signal, scouts fanned out, searching corners.

  They worked efficiently: some recorded with electronic eyes, others began rescues.

  New necrotic technology wielded practiced—flaunted deliberately before Rui Guo.

  “Fan Yi, I’ve never opposed necrotic technology. What I fear is a heart without scruples. I survived this time because my time hasn’t come.”

  Commander Yi understood Rui Guo. Without her aversion to politics, Regimental Commander would never be his.

  Anything weighing so heavily on her was grave.

  Moreover, her cracked, pottery-like skin still healed.

  Whoever pushed her to this was no ordinary foe.

  The Sanctuary Emissary in clouds—he knew about that too.

  “I understand. The traitor matter… I’ve been investigating. Since Captain Yang and Lady Canglan fell, that person vanished. These years hard on Timo and Yue, those children…”

  “Ti… Mo…”

  Timo Yang fiddled with the now-dull gemstone.

  That voice—“Ti Mo”—was one Timo knew intimately. The hoarse, strained sound his sister Yue forced from her throat using only breath.

  It nearly brought tears to Rui Guo’s eyes. Seeing the siblings always surfaced memories of Yang and Canglan falling into darkness.

  “Sis!”

  Seeing Yue Yang, Timo rushed toward her. Moments ago, he thought he’d never see her again.

  Yue leaped from the skimmer, pulling her brother into a tight embrace.

  “You’re in trouble when we get back!”

  After rapid signs, she patted his head. Seeing him safe, her anxious heart settled.

  Thunder Eagle Fallen

  Yue Yang lifted her eyes and met Rui Guo’s gaze. Tears welled in both their eyes.

  Yue Yang understood Rui Guo’s feelings. Seeing the defensive coloration still slowly closing on her body, she quickly moved to kneel.

  Rui Guo hurriedly stopped her. She would kneel to these two children herself if needed.

  “No—never. We survived today only because of Regiment Leader Yang and Canglan back then. You owe no one your knees!”

  Commander Fan Yi, hearing Rui Guo’s words, was about to offer official praise when a scream interrupted.

  “Ah!” A girl on an experiment platform suddenly clawed frantically at her skin.

  She was the first abducted child; her spirit-root now completely ruined.

  Yue Yang saw her tearing at her skin—just like her own when her spirit-root was damaged years ago.

  She rushed over. Up close, the girl’s skin was covered in black patterns.

  This meant she’d been tainted by the Blackwood Forest curse.

  Yue Yang urgently activated her Purifying Spirit Eye—but in this cursed place, it wouldn’t start.

  The white-robed attendants nodded to each other, channeling spiritual energy into Yue Yang’s body.

  With sufficient support, Yue Yang barely activated the Purifying Spirit Eye.

  The sapphire necklace she wore emitted a pale blue glow, forming a misty water-blue sphere.

  Pale blue spiritual energy flowed continuously into the girl, soon suppressing the curse within her.

  The girl gradually calmed, growing drowsy, and collapsed into Yue Yang’s arms.

  Yue Yang quickly lifted her and, with a captain’s help, carried the child to the medical pod.

  “Investigator… will I end up like her?”

  A-Liang asked weakly, seeking reassurance from Lulu.

  “With the strongest healer here, it’ll be fine…”

  Lulu’s voice lacked confidence. She lowered her head, secretly wiping tears from her eyes.

  “Medical team—groups, listen! Take all children to medical pods! Dandelion group—you three stay with the commander to investigate!”

  At the white-robed attendant’s order, the twelve-person team left three; the rest—some with stretchers, some carrying children—moved swiftly.

  Timo Yang, seeing the children’s tragic state, felt a strange thought deep inside.

  He knew he should be grateful, but part of him felt unworthy to live. Without his sister here, he thought—they all deserved to die.

  “Commander, Deacon Guo—these energy-drainers have no markings. Smuggled in, clearly!”

  A white-robed attendant held an electronic eye, projecting video while the interface auto-matched equipment

  models.

  “Chijin City in Flareglory Kingdom is closest to Heping Town—likely through black market traders. No one else could enter Watchers’ territory!”

  Rui Guo’s voice boomed; she wanted to drag them all in for questioning now.

  “Black market traders lack the skill—even plague spiders in the forest could kill them. So much advanced equipment, hidden perfectly—not something ordinary people could manage.”

  The elderly attendant spoke deliberately. Retirement age long past, but after Canglan’s death, no healer could lead—she had to step up.

  Though nearly eighty, she was sturdy. Rumors said she’d reached Tri-Element, but she never displayed power.

  “I say these traders are Flareglory spies! A hundred li out is deep sea peril—only Flareglory’s domain connects directly. Who else?”

  Fan Yi frowned at Rui Guo’s words—he didn’t want newly stabilized diplomacy ruined by her suspicions.

  “Deacon Guo, you know the deep seas. Pirates, underwater cities, fish demons—which doesn’t eye our territory?”

  “Fine—you insist on debating this here?”

  Seeing Rui Guo and Fan Yi about to clash again, the elderly attendant coughed.

  “Cough cough… Save conference matters for tomorrow. Lulu, Timo—still not boarding the skimmer? Waiting to feed Blackwood beasts?”

  Timo Yang, hearing Uncle Yi and Auntie Guo nearly argue, felt a voice inside: *They all deserve to die.*

  In his confusion, the elderly attendant passed, pinching his ear sharply.

  Pain snapped him awake. Her natural exorcising herb scent cleared his mind somewhat.

  He quickly nodded goodbye to Auntie Guo and caught up to Lulu behind the attendant.

  Lulu dared not speak before the elderly one. Though specializing in water-element healing, her temper was fiery—strict with apprentices.

  “Elder Bai, thank you for coming personally. You’ve traveled the nations, seen much—these children are in your care! This case concerns the Watchers’ reputation!”

  Hearing Fan Yi’s official tone, Elder Bai shot him a look.

  “Fussy! Handle your business first!”

  Without regard for Yang and Rui Guo, she wouldn’t stay in Watchers’ territory.

  “Commander Yi, Deacon Guo—you should see this!”

  As Fan Yi and Rui Guo debated, a tense scout appeared nearby.

  Seeing his shocked expression, they followed quickly into the iron prison.

  Soon, Commander Yi’s roar echoed—he never imagined his hand-trained elite squad dead here.

  Hearing the roar, all turned toward the iron prison passage. Even Elder Bai paused.

  Timo Yang looked toward the prison, recalling the legion warriors hanging from chains.

  “Don’t look. Take the children—back to camp first!”

  At Elder Bai’s order, “Received!” responses rang. The medical team boarded pods.

  Skimmers rose along the crypt ceiling.

  Timo Yang stood at the glass window, watching swirling black vapors below—his mood much improved.

  Skimmers climbed higher; fractured ceiling patterns passed before his eyes.

  Timo couldn’t imagine the force that tore such thick roof.

  Marveling at Mother Earth’s power, skimmers accelerated upward, emerging above Blackwood Forest.

  Sunset bathed the treetops in light.

  Yet it couldn’t penetrate the mist below—no light reached the depths.

  Lulu leaned at the window beside Timo Yang, gazing at the view.

  But her mind pondered: who was the black-clad attacker on Auntie Guo?

  The medical team bustled. Elder Bai, seeing shortage, joined.

  Timo Yang watched his sister sweating profusely—even when Elder Bai told her to rest, she refused.

  “Why was the commander so heartbroken…”

  Timo hadn’t meant to speak, but surviving death together with Lulu lightened his mood—he felt no need to hide.

  “In the iron prison… many corpses hung. Remember Kai Yi’s brother Feng Yi?”

  Lulu nodded, then eyes widened in shock.

  “You mean… it couldn’t be Feng Yi?”

  “I’m not sure—the bodies charred, bones visible. But some wore legion battle gear—I saw Thunder Eagle sleeve emblems.”

  At “Thunder Eagle sleeve emblem,” Lulu’s eyes went round.

  https://www.patreon.com/collection/1934633?view=expanded

  https://www.paypal.me/RocYangWriter(Note: PayPal is for tips only; early access is managed via Patreon.)