Chapter 204: Shadows in the City

Having drawn a complete blank from the decimated ruins of the Nosa Forest, Priest Arnold stood amidst the rising ash, his icy blue eyes fixed upon the barren landscape.

"We are wasting precious time standing over scorched earth," Priest Arnold declared, his melodic voice cutting through the quiet rustle of the wind.

"Since this cavern yields no further secrets, we shall split our forces. Each of you three Elders will head to one of the nearby human cities—Jayrel, Heckman, and Oscros—to gather intelligence regarding refugees, merchant rumors, and unusual movements prior to the fall of Kaelos."

He paused, turning his head to sweep a stern, freezing glare across Heaven’s Honored Elder, Peerless Supreme Elder, and Divine Scarlet Elder.

"However, hear my words carefully," Arnold warned, his tone sharp and dangerous.

"You must conduct your investigations with absolute discretion. No grand arrivals, no arrogant displays of sect authority.

Until we confirm the true identity of the entity behind the destruction of Kaelos and the execution of Silver Lotus Elder, you are strictly forbidden from acting carelessly. If you encounter a force beyond your power, fall back immediately."

"We understand, Priest Arnold," the three Elders answered in unison, bowing their heads.

Without another word, the three Middle-enlightened stage Martial Generals leapt into the upper atmosphere, their mana flaring as they shot off in three distinct directions toward their assigned cities.

Watching the Elders vanish into the clouds, Priest Arnold turned on his heel, his pristine white-and-gold priestly robes fluttering as he launched himself back toward the distant peaks of the Glorious Mythical Sect to report to Sect Leader Mao Zedion.

Minutes after the skies cleared and every trace of human aura had completely faded from the valley, the space near the edge of the ash-covered plain rippled softly.

Four figures emerged smoothly from the tree shadows, broad smiles gracing their faces as they looked out over the barren forest.

They were Eurenia, Alisa, Agos, and Yaller.

Three days prior, the Holy Crusade of the Church of Varanus had arrived under the cover of night.

Under the direct instructions of Duchess Eurenia and Duchess Alisa, the freed Crimson-Spotted Leopards, Grey Falcon-kin, and Sheep-kin had been safely escorted across the border, heading toward the sacred lands of Varania.

It was during that evacuation that Yaller and Agos had truly come to grasp the staggering importance of the two women standing before them.

In this vast, unknown, and mysterious kingdom of beastmen, these two ferocious Martial Generals did not merely hold martial power—they held the supreme noble titles of Duchesses.

Watching the Holy Crusade soldiers bow in absolute reverence to Eurenia and Alisa, Yaller and Agos had shared a silent, unspoken realization.

If they wished to escape the cycle of weakness and slavery forever, they needed to stay close to these two Duchesses. Perhaps, under their guidance, they might one day become powerful cultivators themselves.

Eurenia stretched her arms, her sharp teeth flashing in a wicked, razor-sharp grin as her crimson wolf tail swayed behind her.

"Lord Jarden was right on the mark," Eurenia chuckled darkly. "Those human fools marched straight into the Nosa Forest just as he predicted.

But now that those three Elders have scattered like frightened mice... shouldn’t we hunt them down one by one?"

Her emerald eyes glowed with an unquenched, bloodthirsty hunger.

She was eager for more battle, craving the sweet sensation of tearing through human generals.

Alisa, however, shook her head softly, a light, graceful smile resting on her lips as she adjusted her sleeve.

"Patience, Eurenia," Alisa said smoothly.

"Those Martial Generals need to search those cities unhindered for the Master’s grand design to work. Master Jarden has already assured us that he will be infiltrating the Glorious Mythical Sect from the inside out."

Alisa’s eyes narrowed slightly, her tone turning cold and precise. "To grant him a seamless entry point into their hierarchy, one of those three Elders must die. Our role now is simply to observe from the shadows, monitor their movements, and erase any unexpected interference.

Master Jarden’s operation must not be disturbed under any circumstances."

Eurenia let out a soft huff, but she nodded in swift agreement.

The Master’s word was absolute law.

Standing nearby, Yaller listened to the conversation, her cat-like ears twitching as total confusion clouded her mind.

Unable to hold her tongue any longer, she took a small step forward.

"Forgive me, Lady Alisa..." Yaller asked hesitantly. "Who... who is Master Jarden?"

Alisa turned her head toward Yaller, her emerald eyes shining with deep, radiant reverence as her smile widened.

"Master Jarden is the Apostle of our God," Alisa answered proudly, her voice ringing with absolute devotion. "The supreme elder of Varania, and the strongest existence in this world."

She let out a soft, delighted laugh, her voice echoing into the quiet forest borders.

"Martial Generals? Martial Lords? Martial Saints? Even high and mighty Martial Emperors? To Master Jarden... they are all nothing more than insignificant flies waiting to be swatted."

***

Meanwhile, in the bustling district of Jayrel City...

A heavy, low-hanging cloud covered the afternoon sky as crowds of citizens and merchant caravans moved through the outer market plazas.

SWOOSH.

A silent blur descended from the upper sky, landing unnoticed in a narrow, dark alleyway near the eastern city gate.

Peerless Supreme Elder stepped out from the shadows, recalling Priest Arnold’s strict warnings.

Instead of announcing his grand arrival as an elite Elder of the Glorious Mythical Sect—which would usually cause the local lords to bow and clear the streets.

He pulled a thick, heavy dark-brown hooded coat over his pale-gold robes.

Pulling the hood deep over his face to conceal his distinctive martial features, Peerless Supreme Elder slipped into the bustling street crowd, his eyes scanning the merchants and guards as he prepared to quietly gather information regarding Kaelos City.

However, what the proud Martial General did not know... was that he had already walked straight into a trap.

Roy had arrived in Jayrel City a full twenty minutes earlier.

As Peerless Supreme Elder navigated through the crowded marketplace, he failed to notice the unnatural, eerie stillness in the eyes of the people around him.

The street vendors hawking fruits, the city guards standing at the corners, the tavern keepers, and the walking peasants were all moving with mechanical, seamless fluid grace—yet not a single soul was truly conscious.

Every single human within the borders of Jayrel City had already been placed under Roy’s absolute, inescapable divine mind control.

The entire city was a living, breathing stage, and every person within it was merely a puppet waiting for its master’s command.