Chapter 7: Sudden Change
Blood rain poured down. The bustling central square, moments ago lively, was now a scene of devastation. Civilians had fled into nearby buildings.
The stone statue of the Eternal God had come to life before everyone's eyes, roaring skyward. Its violent posture, no matter how one looked at it, did not belong to a benevolent deity.
In fact, the chaotic malice emanating from the Eternal God was something many Ancient Gods could not match.
Su Xiao didn't know if the Eternal God was the most powerful deity he had ever encountered, but it was certainly the most frenzied and violent. Even from several hundred meters away, he could faintly feel himself being influenced by that madness and brutality.
Just as everyone believed a bloody battle was inevitable in the central square, one that might even engulf the entire central district, the Eternal God spread its arms and roared. The next moment, its claws plunged into its own chest, finally tearing it completely open.
*Smack!!*
The ten-meter-tall Eternal God exploded into golden blood. These golden droplets splattered everywhere, covering the entire central square. Yet this was not an attack. The golden blood droplets reversed course into the sky, and after a dozen seconds, the torrential blood rain ceased.
No matter how one looked at it, this was not the Eternal God breaking free, but someone deliberately trying to shatter its seal. However, the Eternal God, using its remaining conscious power, had resealed itself.
The Duke, who had been prepared to fight to the death and even sacrifice the entire Rage Hammer Organization, was baffled by what he had just witnessed. The reality was far from what he had anticipated.
Yet the sight of the Eternal God tearing open its own chest and turning into golden blood droplets reminded the Duke of a saying his grandfather once told him:
*'If there were no gods, we would have long become hollow shells wandering in silence.'*
The blood rain in the sky stopped shortly after, and a torrential downpour began. This time, it was normal rainwater, gradually washing the streets and buildings clean.
"This..."
The masked man under the Duke spoke, utterly confused. After hesitating, he whispered to the Duke:
"Sir, those man-eating monsters..."
Hearing this, the Duke felt a surge of anger building in his chest. His subordinate was exceptionally skilled in combat and utterly loyal, but he wasn't particularly bright.
The noble young master, Klenk, standing diagonally behind the Duke, immediately pulled the masked man back. At a time like this, why bring up the man-eating monsters? Did he want to take the blame even more thoroughly?
Seeing that everything had calmed down, the Duke breathed a sigh of relief. The struggle between the Steam God Church and the Healing Church over jurisdiction of supernatural incidents was one thing, but causing widespread destruction in the most prosperous central district was another.
Otherwise, the Steam God Church wouldn't have chosen to capture man-eating monsters, which were strong and resilient but lacked large-scale destructive capabilities.
"Bai Ye, we've known each other for so long, and yet you were the first to suspect me."
The Duke looked at the pile of rubble in the center of the square. As long as the aftermath of this incident was handled properly, it could still achieve the effect he wanted.
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. He raised his hand and pointed toward the northern district. Because the four districts were so large, standing in the central district and looking toward the northern district, one could only faintly see the large bell tower at its edge.
The Duke followed Su Xiao's gaze. In the rainstorm, he saw a purple-black pillar of light standing tall between heaven and earth in the distance. That direction seemed to be the Wadi Family's estate.
Seeing this phenomenon, the Duke quickly pieced together many things. First, there were two parties intending to cause trouble on the Day of the Gods.
Among the four major powers, the Healing Church was the host of the Day of the Gods, so it was the first to be ruled out. As for the High Wall Council, it mainly governed the commoners. Even though its supernatural forces were not weak, they were more focused on civil affairs, taxation, and the like.
Only two forces were indispensable within the city: the Healing Church and the High Wall Council. The former prevented the city from being eroded by the power of death and silence, turning it into the wasteland outside.
The High Wall Council, on the other hand, ensured stable population growth and a prosperous life for the people.
The remaining two, the Steam God Church and the Wadi Family, were focused on technological development and commerce, respectively. Without them, High Wall City would suffer greatly.
Earlier, there were two parties intending to cause trouble on the Day of the Gods: the Steam God Church and the Wadi Family.
The Steam God Church's goal was straightforward. Although they were causing trouble, their intentions weren't malicious. Their plan was simple and crude: release over twenty man-eating monsters in the central square during the Day of the Gods, then have the Rage Hammer Organization step in. Under the public's gaze, the Rage Hammer members would capture or kill these monsters, boosting their reputation.
From a risk perspective, even if this plan were exposed early, the worst that would happen was the other three parties condemning the Steam God Church. No concrete punitive measures would be taken, as the four powers were roughly equal in strength and relied on High Wall City as a whole. A real fallout would hurt everyone.
As for where these man-eating monsters came from, that was obvious. The Wadi Family, defying the city's ban, had secretly traded in man-eating monsters, intending to tame them as laborers. However, they had failed to keep them secure, allowing them to escape.
In the past, the Wadi Family, with their merchant mentality, would have been furious at being framed but would ultimately choose to curse and let it go.
The Duke had indeed planned it that way. The problem was, he had underestimated the Wadi Family this time. Compared to what the Wadi Family had done in the northern district, the Duke's release of man-eating monsters was child's play.
The sudden blood rain and the resurrection of the Eternal God's statue were all orchestrated by the Wadi Family. Were they trying to cause a tragedy in the central square? No. Everything they had arranged was a diversion.
Today was the Day of the Gods. All supernatural organizations would have their eyes fixed on the central square. If something happened there, over seventy percent of High Wall City's supernaturals would rush there at full speed.
At such a time, no matter how horrifying the Wadi Family's actions in the northern district were, no one would stop them. And that was exactly what they were doing.
Realizing this, the Duke looked at Su Xiao with a questioning gaze.
"Wadi Family."
Su Xiao spoke. Hearing this, the Duke nodded, knowing Su Xiao had also figured out the situation.
"What is the Wadi Family trying to do? Summon the Eternal God? If so, they've already succeeded. Bai Ye, what do you think? You're more experienced in this area."
The Duke wasn't being modest. As the vice dean of the Healing Institute, Su Xiao was naturally an expert in this field.
Although Su Xiao's identity was a substitute, he had served as the legion commander of the Execution Agency, a Hunter of Ghosts, and later as a God Hunter in the Watch Guild of the Dark Prison World. He had also been the leader of the Containment Institution in the Alliance Star. With such extensive experience, handling this matter came naturally to him.
Even without visiting the scene, Su Xiao had already formed a preliminary judgment about the purple-black pillar of light connecting heaven and earth in the northern district. Even from a distance, the world's rejection phenomenon there was so intense that it had caused localized spatial collapse.
This damned place, the Gloomy Continent, was nothing but wasteland eroded by the power of death and silence, except for High Wall City. How "discordant" did that purple-black pillar of light have to be to trigger such a strong world rejection phenomenon?
Don't forget, when Klenk became the World Child earlier, the world didn't even react. It just gave him some World Force and left it at that.
But now, the world rejection phenomenon in the northern district was too intense. There was only one possibility: an "Extraterrestrial Existence" had directly entered this world without any "preheating." And it wasn't just one "Extraterrestrial Existence"—probably a group.
To put it simply, in the previous world, when Su Xiao was on Pandora Star, if the Nether Emperor had forcibly entered Pandora Star without the preparations of Uying Solaro, it would have caused the same scene.
"It should be something from beyond the sky. I'm not sure what exactly."
As Su Xiao spoke, he was already heading toward the northern district through the rain. Seeing this, the Duke ordered the Rage Hammer Organization to guard the central square and sent someone to the nearby Healing Church cathedral to summon a few nuns. Using the power of the Mind Saint Mark, they would calm the terrified civilians. If there were no other changes, the Day of the Gods would continue. A backup stone statue of the Eternal God had been prepared years ago.
After issuing a series of orders, the Duke hurried in the direction Su Xiao had disappeared.
...
In the rainstorm, Su Xiao leaped across rooftops. His speed was so fast that he occasionally broke through a curtain of water, leaving a loud crack in his wake.
Earlier, Su Xiao had suspected the Steam God Church because they had ample motive. Now it seemed he was both right and wrong.
The Steam God Church's plan was more like a self-directed performance. In contrast, the Wadi Family's actions in the northern district were utterly reckless, as if they were willing to pay any price. Their madness suggested they would raze High Wall City to the ground if it meant achieving their goal.
The Wadi Family had completely lost their minds. What kind of situation could push a family that controlled nearly two-fifths of High Wall City's wealth to such extremes? That was what Su Xiao wanted to know most.
He speculated that this matter might be related to Dead Silence City. Otherwise, his promotion mission wouldn't point in this direction. One thing was certain: the final step of the promotion mission would directly target the most fundamental thing within Dead Silence City.
The sound of wind and rain roared past his ears. By the time Su Xiao reached the edge of the northern district, the sky had turned as dark as evening due the rainstorm.
In the rain, Su Xiao stood atop the large bell tower, overlooking the northern district. This area had more of an industrial district vibe, blending the steam age with a hint of the electrical age. Tall chimneys spewed gray-yellow smog. The dim sky and rain made the rooftops glisten. The purple-black pillar of light, several hundred meters thick, standing between heaven and earth in the rear district, was particularly striking.
From the edge of the northern district to the rear district was a long distance. Su Xiao was prepared for this. After waiting a moment, the person he expected didn't arrive. Instead, the Duke leaped onto the bell tower and said:
"The central park is stabilized. How's the northern district?"
"Too far to see clearly."
"Then let's go now. We can't delay any longer."
The Duke made to leap off the bell tower, but a spatial fluctuation appeared below. A spatial ghost gate opened in the bell tower's attic, and Xiusi, Bubu Wang, and Baha stepped out first.
Amu didn't come. Su Xiao had left him in the central square to handle any emergencies. As for the Duke, Su Xiao always kept his guard up.
Xiusi closed the spatial ghost gate, then reopened it two seconds later. With a loud bang, a light purple mist surged out, carrying a twisted, frenzied, and ominous aura so strong it was impossible to ignore.
"Connected to the rear district in the north?"
The Duke spoke. Baha replied, "Yes, near the Wadi Family's estate."
Hearing this, the Duke looked at Xiusi with a fiery gaze that made the young man instinctively step back.
As the Duke walked toward the spatial ghost gate, he asked, "Not bad, young man. Are you an adult?"
Hearing this, Xiusi instinctively looked at Su Xiao, seeking guidance on how to answer. Speaking with the Duke, the leader of the Steam God Church, made him extremely nervous.
Seeing that Su Xiao gave no indication, Xiusi could only nod.
"I have a daughter about your age."
With that, the Duke stepped into the spatial ghost gate, leaving Xiusi even more flustered.
"What's the matter? Interested? The Duke really does have a daughter about your age. To be precise, it's an independent individual cultivated from his eldest daughter's cells—essentially a sister. Don't be so surprised. The Steam God Church has technology you can't imagine. And the Duke's family members all think differently from ordinary people."
Baha landed on Xiusi's shoulder, causing him to grunt under the weight. Seeing this, Baha shifted to Su Xiao's shoulder.
Su Xiao took out his pocket watch and checked the time. About two minutes later, the Duke stepped out of the spatial ghost gate, his expression dark. "Hurry up."
"Oh."
Seeing that the Duke was alive and unharmed, Su Xiao finally stepped into the spatial ghost gate. Opportunities to use the Duke as a mine detector were rare. The sudden change in the northern district had unsettled the Duke, as mishandling this matter could leave the Steam God Church bearing a heavy blame.
Stepping through the spatial ghost gate, the cold sensation faded, and the surrounding world became clear. The first things to greet him were the damp cold and the light purple mist.
This was about a kilometer in front of the Wadi Family's estate. Because of the estate's presence, the surrounding residential area was wealthy and noble, mostly two-story buildings or single-story mansions.
But now, centered around the Wadi Family estate, the surrounding buildings were eerily quiet. The nobles who lived here had all gone to the central district for the Day of the Gods, leaving only servants behind.
These servants were frozen in mid-flight, their brows sprouting twisted branches topped with crimson flowers.
Their deaths were particularly agonizing. Their expressions were frozen, mouths wide open, eyes bulging as if they might pop out. Their hands clawed at their throats, teeth clenched, saliva dripping from the corners of their mouths, tears and snot flowing freely.
A wordless, humming song came through, a female voice.
Baha and Bubu Wang reacted simultaneously. Baha vanished into an alternate space, while Bubu Wang blended into the environment. The song came too suddenly, forcing them to take defensive measures. As for Su Xiao's safety, both Baha and Bubu Wang were very confident. Based on their experience, this kind of song either targeted willpower or soul strength.
The song reached Su Xiao's ears. He felt his life force vibrate, as if a force was trying to twist his biological life force into plant life force to kill him. He chose to ignore it.
A hand that could bend an iron wire couldn't possibly bend a solid iron pillar as thick as a water tank.
Sure enough, Su Xiao only felt a slight stir in his life force before it subsided. The caster seemed to realize the situation and stopped wasting their technique on Su Xiao.
One of the Duke's mechanical eyes glowed red as he scanned the surroundings. For him, plant life force was nothing. He could even use industrial fuel like gasoline to drive his body's energy. Twisting his life force was a trivial matter.
*Slap!*
Xiusi slapped his hands over his ears, blood spurting from his ear canals. At the same time, the branches sprouting from his brow withered and fell off. Having completely lost his hearing, he was no longer affected by this inducing ability.
Su Xiao glanced at Xiusi, silently raising his opinion of the young man, then dismissed him. A perforated eardrum and cochlear damage were minor injuries, easily treatable.
The song abruptly stopped, and the accompanying aura vanished in an instant, fleeing at incredible speed.
The Duke's soft metal cloak flared up as mechanical falcons shot out, breaking through several sonic booms before disappearing from sight.
*Click~*
A long, slender cannon barrel extended from the Duke's right arm, flush with it. With a buzzing charge and the deepening red glow in his electronic eyes, a precisely constructed medium-small shell was fired. After launching, the green light at its tail beeped repeatedly. Once it locked onto a target, the tail suddenly turned red, and it chased after the target.
The reason the unknown enemy fled was that they were startled by Su Xiao and the Duke's team. Su Xiao and the Duke went without saying, but even Xiusi, whose combat power was lacking, had a certain ruthlessness.
"How sure are you?"
Su Xiao asked, referring to the Duke's chances of capturing the unknown enemy alive.
"One hundred percent."
The Duke raised his arm. A mechanical falcon swooping down from the sky clicked into place on his right arm. Then, the other falcons returned, dropping a "little girl" whose lower body was blown apart and who wore a flower crown.
*Roar!*
The "little girl" let out a fierce roar. Its mouth split open to its ears, revealing rows of jagged teeth. Even more horrifying were the tangled, barbed tongues inside.
"Hello."
Su Xiao crouched down and spoke.
*Roar!*
The "little girl" roared again. Seeing this, Su Xiao signaled Bubu Wang and Baha to come out and try communicating in bird and dog languages. No luck.
"Kuduba pu (Evil God language: Who are you)."
Hearing Baha's words in the Evil God language, the "little girl" froze. Baha was immensely proud. He had just learned the Evil God language, and it had already come in handy.
Just as Baha's eyes gleamed with pride, the bound "little girl's" neck suddenly stretched, and it lunged at Baha.
*Splat!*
The Duke's heavy foot came down, instantly crushing the bizarre creature. Clearly, it understood the Evil God language, but it was a mortal enemy of the Evil God faction.
The area around the Wadi estate had become a dead zone. Fortunately, it was the Day of the Gods, or the nearly 100,000 commoners and nobles in this area would have had little chance of survival.
Su Xiao looked at the Wadi estate. This sprawling estate, covering hundreds of acres, had undergone a drastic transformation. The main gate was twisted and deformed, with purple-black tumors oozing from inside the metal doors.
Leaping to a higher vantage point, Su Xiao surveyed the entire estate. The front planting area was filled with massive purple-black flesh, covered in veins and spreading highly corrosive purple mist.
To pass through the front planting area, the best way was not to fly or walk over it, but to go through the passages within the purple-black flesh. The reason was that the castle further back was enveloped by a purple pillar of light descending from the sky.
This purple pillar wasn't dense; instead, it fell slowly. The castle below seemed to have been stimulated, its size at least several times larger than before.
This visual sensation was strange. It was clearly a stone castle, yet it had somehow "fattened" several times.
Beyond the castle was the backyard, a viscous, surging mass of purple-black semi-fluid.
If the Wadi estate had become so twisted, the fate of the Wadi family members was unimaginable. This disaster was their doing. Given the current scene, their end would not be pleasant.
With everything unfolding like this, Su Xiao thoroughly sorted through the threads from the moment he entered this world until now. The situation was roughly as follows.