Chapter Nineteen: Acting in the Name of Heaven

In the northwestern mountain ranges of the Kingdom of Sylvia, Xiao Yu, Mu, Huihuo, Xuanwu, and their companions had temporarily set up camp. Founding a sect or establishing an academy was no simple matter; even with the system’s help in assembling a base of personnel, a series of challenges still awaited Xiao Yu. The first among them was territory.

If Xiao Yu intended to establish a foothold on the Douluo Continent, he certainly couldn’t have his sect hiding away in some remote wilderness, nor could he expect the soul masters he recruited to sleep under the open sky.

Next came the issue of funds. Whether for the development of a sect or the construction of an academy, substantial financial resources were indispensable. Shrek’s initial shabbiness was due to lack of money, while Tang San’s Tang Sect advanced rapidly in no small part thanks to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan’s financial backing. In the original story, when Tang San recruited the four affiliated clans, it was mentioned more than once that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan was one of Tang Sect’s biggest clients.

But Xiao Yu was not Tang San. He had neither the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan’s inexhaustible wealth nor a loyal servant like Titan ready to offer up land at a wave of the hand. On this continent where strength reigned supreme, there was but one method left.

“Take it by force!”

Xuanwu was the first to voice the solution, a flicker of killing intent flashing across his resolute features.

“Exactly!” Huihuo, Miu, and Luni all voiced their agreement.

“But we can’t just attack any sect at random,” Xiao Yu said slowly. “We’ve only just made our debut; we must not earn a reputation for reckless slaughter among soul masters. That would make it much harder to recruit free soul masters in the future.”

Mu nodded in agreement. “The young lord is right. Before we take action, I suggest we gather proper intelligence and target those sects with notorious reputations and deep-seated public resentment. In doing so, not only can we seize the territory and funds we urgently require, but we might also win the people’s approval.”

In the world of soul masters, strength was everything. Mu, a Title Douluo, held the highest status among them, and his words made perfect sense; no one voiced any objections.

“Very well,” Xiao Yu declared, making the final decision. “Miu, your spirit—the Phantom Butterfly—excels at infiltration. You’ll be in charge of intelligence gathering. As for the rest of you, steel yourselves and prepare for action in the days to come.”

. . . . .

A few days later, Miu returned with a thorough report on the surrounding area. “We’re currently in the capital of the Kingdom of Sylvia, Sil City. The largest sect nearby is the Dragon Crest Sect. Its leader, Feng Bailong, is said to have indirect ties to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and is himself a Soul Sage.

This sect, emboldened by its power, has run rampant within the kingdom, its disciples lording over others, oppressing commoner soul masters, looting and extorting, bullying men and women alike—public resentment runs deep. Feng Bailong’s son, Feng Quan, not yet twenty, has already defiled over a dozen respectable women and is stained with blood debts. The most notorious incident was when he beat an elderly farmer to death in the street for accidentally bumping into him. The kingdom, fearful of Feng Bailong’s influence, dares not intervene.”

“He’s the one,” Xiao Yu decided immediately. “A sect with a notorious background and a history of evil—just the right target to make our name on the Douluo Continent. When we deal with the Dragon Crest Sect, we’ll do so openly, letting the world know we’re doing heaven’s work!”

. . . . .

The Dragon Crest Sect stood fifty li outside Sil City. Over the years, it had amassed vast wealth through rampant extortion and oppression. Its compound was grand and imposing.

A handful of sect disciples lounged about the gates, chatting and laughing, utterly unguarded. For years in the Kingdom of Sylvia, they had been the ones storming others’ homes, pillaging and murdering—no one had ever dared challenge the Dragon Crest Sect at their own door.

They could never have imagined that today, death itself would descend upon them.

“Sixth Soul Skill: Solar Corona Gale!”

With a cold shout, a scorching whirlwind swept forth—Huihuo, who possessed the ability to fly, struck first. A giant eagle, its body stretching a hundred meters, black feathers streaked with red and gold, swept down. Two yellow, two purple, and four black soul rings flashed brilliantly; the sixth ring shone bright.

The Bennu Bird spread its wings, unleashing a solar storm of terrifying heat that instantly devoured the gatekeepers. The supposedly sturdy gates of the sect were blown clean off their hinges.

“Who dares to cause trouble at my Dragon Crest Sect?” A furious roar rang out. Before the echo faded, a figure shot forward, seven soul rings glittering around him—unmistakably Feng Bailong, the sect’s master.

Rushing forth in a rage, Feng Bailong’s gaze fell upon Huihuo, whose eight soul rings blazed with power. His pupils constricted in shock.

Swish, swish, swish!

As Feng Bailong hesitated, the other sect experts, sensing the upheaval at the gates, flew out in succession to stand behind him—three Soul Emperors and five Soul Kings. Upon seeing Huihuo’s soul ring configuration, all of them froze in astonishment.

The lesser disciples, led by the young master Feng Quan, rushed out to the central square of the sect, forming a defensive line.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu arrived with Mu and Miu, facing off in the sky against Feng Bailong and his lieutenants. Xuanwu, leading over two hundred soul masters transformed from reserve Saint Warriors, stormed the sect’s plaza, their murderous intent directed at Feng Quan and his followers.

“Feng Bailong, your Dragon Crest Sect has long oppressed the innocent and preyed upon the people, your crimes are countless. Today, I shall act on behalf of heaven and rid the continent of your blight.”

Xiao Yu’s expression was calm, but his words sent a chill down Feng Bailong’s spine.

Feng Bailong forced himself to remain composed, squeezing out a strained smile and clasping his hands. “There must be some misunderstanding, my friends. The Dragon Crest Sect has always conducted itself properly. Any rumors of oppression or misdeeds are surely the slander of jealous rivals. Please, don’t believe such lies!”

“Feng Bailong, nothing remains hidden forever!” Xiao Yu sneered. “Denying it is useless. If we hadn’t investigated thoroughly, we would never have come here.”

At this, Feng Bailong’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as murderous intent flickered across his face. He spoke with icy menace, “I urge you all to reconsider. You may not know this, but my grandmother hails from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan…”

“There’s no need for empty words. You’re not even a core member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan,” Xiao Yu interrupted coldly. “Even if one of their direct heirs came, I’d show no mercy!”

“How arrogant! Boy, you truly don’t know the immensity of the heavens!” Feng Bailong’s face was now frightfully grim, his vicious intent fully revealed. “Very well—let me show you that the Dragon Crest Sect is not to be trifled with!”