Night of Despair

Chapter 349 - 349 Crackdown on Town 347 Dark Affinity Level 3

?Chapter 349: Crackdown on Town 347 Dark Affinity Level 3 Chapter 349: Crackdown on Town 347 Dark Affinity Level 3 “Temple Master… those… could they all be Fear Shadows!?” Zheng Ying retracted the mummy, struggling to support his body as he looked at Yu Hong.

“I only summoned slightly lower-level Fear Shadows, so it looks like there are a few more of them, but there’s no need to worry,” Yu Hong reassured.

That was just a few more!!? That was an insanely large number, alright!!?

Zheng Ying and the surrounding magicians looked at each other, silently cursing in their hearts.

Even if it was the lowest level Fear Shadows, Zheng Ying could barely summon six.

Moreover, such Fear Shadows would probably be too weak to be effective, unlike those Dragon Lizards just now that could easily handle monster creatures as strong as rhino-headed beings.

“Temple Master, the most troublesome case left is the murder case at Rongxing Gymnasium. If those giant lizards you summoned can really help with the other minor cases, then there won’t be a big problem,” Zheng Ying said in a low voice as he approached.

“That’s good,” Yu Hong scanned the crowd, “You all go back to rest and heal. Starting tonight, I want all magicians in Taizhou to come to Qingchen Temple for registration. We’ll manage entries and exits. Anyone who doesn’t come will be considered part of the Seven Evil Alliance and will be eradicated.”

“This….” Zheng Ying and the others’ expressions changed.

“Temple Master, isn’t this too tyrannical!?” an external Taoist couldn’t help but voice.

“I can’t manage other places,” Yu Hong said indifferently, “but in Taizhou, if you have any objections, you can come to Qingchen Temple to see me.”

“Any rebels will be executed on the spot.” Yu Hong turned and stepped into the shadows, quickly disappearing.

The danger within the Heavenly Pillar could explode at any moment, and he had no time to play a slow game of catching traitors with the Seven Evil Alliance.

Slicing through the chaos with a quick and decisive approach to clean up.

He might not protect other places, but in Taizhou, before disaster fully erupted, there was still some hope.

*
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Bam!

A Qingchen Temple disciple was thrown heavily into the Taoist temple’s gate, falling to the ground and screaming in pain in front of numerous incense-worshippers.

Seven or eight fierce-looking men in suits marched into the temple courtyard.

The leading man had a flush face, straight eyebrows, and eyes wide open like copper bells.

As soon as he entered, he pointed at the Taoists inside the temple and cursed.

“Damn it! Is your Qingchen Temple looking for trouble!? All those who don’t register will be dealt with!? There are so many Taoist Sects, and I’ve never seen a more tyrannical one than yours!”

“Looking for trouble? Fine, I’ve specifically come today to cause trouble! If you have the guts, kill me today; I, Xu Yeshan of the Two-headed Scorpion, won’t change my name or my surname!”

The commotion quickly caused the incense-worshippers to back away, clearing a space.

Some Taoists who were attending to the incense-worshippers were also frightened by these men and retreated to a distance, while some quickly took out their phones to notify the external Taoists.

Such disturbances were typically first handled by external Taoists.

Outside the Taoist temple, at a breakfast shop across the street.

A few magicians sitting and watching the spectacle had already gotten the news and came here early to watch the show.

“I told you, this Zheng Rou from Qingchen Temple, newly appointed, wants to stir things up and cause trouble, right? See, trouble now?” a man with a delicate face and long hair said mockingly in a low voice.

He was dressed ambiguously, looking like he was in male attire, but in some places, he wore accessories typically worn by women.

Though he had makeup on his face, his chin still had a stubble of black beard, making him look quite quirky.

“Indeed, Qingchen Temple is somewhat tyrannical. Although we know that this Zheng Rou Taoist Master is the most extraordinary genius in Qingchen Temple’s history, issuing such a notice right after taking office is truly underestimating magicians worldwide. While many of us independent magicians may have limited power, a few ruthless characters always emerge. This Two-headed Scorpion is one such person.”

Among those sitting nearby, a particular brother and sister stood out. It was the sister who spoke.

The two siblings, the brother with yellow hair and the sister in a schoolgirl mini-skirt, seemed out of place among the older magicians.

These two were the Wind Bell Twins, He Yuchong and He Yuling, who had previously inquired for information from Cheng Shu.

“I didn’t want to register before, and I was held by people from Qingchen Temple, not allowed to leave. They said, if I didn’t register, I’d have to leave Taizhou. Who do they think they are? I come and go as I please; it’s none of their business!” A tall woman wrapped in a thick black coat said softly next to the siblings.

“That’s right, so now they’ve caused trouble, right? Perfect for watching the show. This Two-headed Scorpion isn’t just any independent magician; her brother is a certified master from the Taoist Yuxuan Temple. Among them, some relatives are also connected with other sects. I’m curious to see how Zheng Rou will handle this…” the androgynous long-haired man mocked.

But before he could finish.

A ripple of invisible spiritual fluctuation suddenly expanded from the main hall of Qingchen Temple.

Bong!!

In a trance, the Two-headed Scorpion and her group at the entrance seemed to hear a deafening toll of a giant bell echo by their ears.

Their faces turned pale, legs weak, bodies powerless, and before they could even slouch to the ground.

An invisible shockwave burst forth from the main hall with a thunderous explosion.

Bam bam bam bam!!

The group was smacked head-on by the shockwave, their spirits overwhelmed to the point they couldn’t muster even a thought of resistance, and they were forcefully flung out.

All the troublemakers, including the Two-headed Scorpion, collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

Clap clap clap clap!

“What a fine Qingchen Temple, what a fine Zheng Rou Taoist!”

Outside the temple, a tall elderly man with white hair slowly approached, clapping his hands.

“Qingchen Temple, a mere Taoist temple, actually dares to take on the work of a national institution? Registering all magicians entering Taizhou, who gave you such audacity!?”

He stepped closer to the Taoist temple, emanating a dense and tangible spiritual fluctuation.

That was the special sharpness trait only at the Temple Master-level.

Among independent magicians, excluding the Seven Evil Alliance, there indeed were Temple Master-level experts, but it was unlikely for one to coincidentally appear in Taizhou at this time.

Clearly, this expert had another identity and motive.

“He’s here! Isn’t that the Vajra…” the long-haired man in the breakfast shop across the street snapped out of his shock at the swift defeat of the Two-headed Scorpion, recognizing the newcomer’s face.

“That’s indeed the exiled independent mage of the Vajra Sect—Iron Arhat You Qingzong. Although he claims to be an expelled independent magician, who doesn’t know he’s the black glove of the Vajra Sect, specifically handling tasks for others outside?” said the straightforward He siblings.

“The Vajra Sect is a bit distant from Taizhou, but not too far; this person coming over… doesn’t he have some designs on this territory?” the long-haired man asked in a low voice.

“Impossible. If he had any designs, why didn’t he come earlier? Taizhou, this small place, isn’t even on the radar of the Buddhist Sect’s major schools. He probably just heard of Zheng Rou’s legendary genius and came to test the waters more than anything,” He Yuling replied softly. “Now it gets interesting—this brings trouble with other Taoist Sect factions and then gets noticed by the Buddhist Sect.”

All the magicians nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, one Taoist genius after another from the Taoist Sect, yet the Buddhist Sect gets one Buddha Son Yu Xiao in decades. I’ve heard of this before. Whenever there’s a Taoist genius, the Buddhist Sect sends someone to probe. Daoist Ku Chan was picked on back then too: first fight, then recruit, and if that doesn’t work, they send a Secret Sect Heavenly Woman to try and leave offspring—such varied tactics they have,” a bald magician explained while rubbing the remaining scar marks on his head.

Clearly, he was very familiar with the situations concerning the Buddhist Sect.

“The Vajra Sect isn’t an ordinary force. How do you think this Zheng Rou, the master of Qingchen Temple, will handle it?” He Yuchong smiled.

“How else can he handle it? By giving in, of course. His issued notice couldn’t possibly be enforced. Although the civilian magicians aren’t one solid group, each family’s glove is still there, with deep waters in between. He’s just a temple master of a small Taoist branch and would dare bully those of us without backgrounds, but when it comes to tough characters, he’d instantly give in.” The bald magician sneered.

“After all, Zheng Rou has just broken through; it’s normal to get intimidated by such an experienced expert. Do you really think the old Taoists of Qingchen Temple didn’t want to revive the sect and say whatever they liked? Was it because they didn’t want to? They simply couldn’t do it,” He Yuling smirked alongside.

Clearly, the compulsory registration and the threat of expulsion if unregistered had everyone against the independent magicians.

Though they surrendered at the time, it was due to the strength of Qingchen Temple. Now, seeing someone coming to pick a fight, they were all gleeful.

Hoping Qingchen Temple would end up humiliated.

“Iron Arhat You Qingzong?” Inside the main hall of the temple, Yu Hong’s voice echoed from within.

“That’s right, it’s I,” the white-haired elder said with a sly narrow glance.

He wore a black robe with golden patterns and held a thick black iron staff, walking up to the entrance of Qingchen Temple.

His powerful spiritual fluctuations directly confronted the spiritual waves radiating from Yu Hong inside the main hall.

The two Temple Master-level spiritual fluctuations collided like streams of air currents, clashing and neutralizing each other in midair.

“Qingchen Temple has been rooted in Taizhou for hundreds of years, even uprooting the Mud Doll Sect. You’re not a magician from Taizhou, and yet you dare cause trouble here? If you come, you’d better abide by Taizhou’s rules!” Yu Hong spoke loudly.

There were many observers around, including magicians, incense-worshippers, and temple Taoists.

However, the bigger crowd was ordinary people watching the spectacle on the streets.

They couldn’t feel the spiritual clash of Temple Master-level shocks, only noticing that the confrontation seemed intensely serious, as if watching a big blockbuster movie.

Their dialogue drew more and more onlookers.

“Ridiculous. Just because you’ve lived in one place for a long time, it becomes your Qingchen Temple’s place? Is there such logic in this world? Then, if I move to the capital and live there for decades, does the capital become my territory too?!” Iron Arhat laughed heartily.

“If you can indeed protect an area from storms, naturally you’d also have that qualification. The question is, do you have the ability to shield the capital?” Yu Hong said coldly.

“Ha, boastful, dare to speak such words as a newcomer who just broke through. Aren’t you afraid the wind might cut your tongue short?!” You Qingzong’s eyes grew cold as well.

Both his hands formed a tight seal, and at once, chains of Buddhist talismans shimmering with golden light appeared around him.

The chains spiraled and continually danced around him, instantly amplifying his emitted spiritual fluctuations by several magnitudes.

A golden Buddhist light soared behind him, a special phenomenon visible only to magicians.

The released spiritual waves, in an instant, overwhelmed those of Yu Hong.

“Interesting.” Yu Hong’s expression turned icy; he was waiting for a troublemaker to set an example and deter others.

This You Qingzong arrived just in time!

Immediately, he formed the Dress Damage Seal Decision.

A massive six-meter-tall black shadow emerged behind him.

“Cripple him.” Yu Hong commanded coldly.

Boom!

The small black giant bent low and struck the ground.

It suddenly dashed out of the temple, crossing dozens of meters in a straight line toward You Qingzong.

Simultaneously charging through the golden Buddhist light and spiritual waves released by You Qingzong.

Like a black dagger, penetrating all obstacles straight to You Qingzong’s face.