Chapter Eighty: Imperial Arm - Serpent Maiden: Phantom Tathagata

The twisted smile on the face of the Right Tyrant suddenly froze.

“…Life’s tribulation is easy to cross; love’s tribulation is hard to bear. Falling flowers are willing, flowing waters are indifferent. Love and hate are sealed, willingly descending to the ninefold dust…”

A melodious and enchanting chant emanated from deep within the tentacles. The massive cluster of tentacles rose into the air, countless scarlet rays bursting forth from their bodies. As the brilliance flowed, the eerie tentacles began to retreat and dissolve.

“What is this…?” The Right Tyrant’s eyes widened in shock, for the first time showing a hint of terror. He muttered in disbelief, “Holy Word!”

This was the Holy Word, a power only S-class death-row prisoners could wield, superior to the Spirit Word. Yet she, a mere dangerous peak A-class prisoner who had just touched the threshold, dared to use such power—and succeeded!

Whether it was the Spirit Word or Holy Word, their strength depended not only on the awakening intensity and personal power, but also on the user’s enlightenment, conviction, and—the price they were willing to pay.

If the former, a strong user sufficed. But if the latter, forcibly crossing realms to use the Holy Word, the price would be—her own life.

The terror of the Holy Word was such that even S-class death-row prisoners dared not use it lightly; it was a last-resort lifesaving move. Even the Right Tyrant himself wouldn’t dare, but this little girl had already touched it while still an A-class dangerous prisoner!

“Right Tyrant, A-class peak death-row prisoner, requesting immediate and total removal of the seal—now!”

Such was the terror of Holy Word; its mere mention sent chills down spines. How could the Right Tyrant hesitate? He roared at the Final Punishment.

The pillars of crimson-gold light multiplied, growing stronger, finally merging into screens of light. All combat on the rooftop ceased; everyone stared in awe at the sole remaining source of light overhead, radiant like a brilliant sun, emanating a domineering yet newborn brilliance and heat.

A red-haired girl, tears in her eyes, stood suspended in midair, becoming the sole core of this world.

“What…what is that sound?!”

“My Spirit Word is being completely suppressed!”

The prisoners of Building A were released from the tentacles. Upon seeing Xuan Yao’s state, they were utterly terrified.

“Daughter, what are you doing! That’s power you cannot control!”

Thunder Roared, his voice torn and desperate, yet the power of the Holy Word prevented him from approaching. Even the dullest present could see Xuan Yao was burning her life essence, forcibly breaking through Spirit Word into Holy Word!

Amidst her chanting, Xuan Yao heard the cries and slowly opened her eyes. She could not speak; her eyes were filled with longing and reluctance. Beneath her bare feet, a mandrake flower appeared out of nowhere, blooming proudly.

…

Death-row Paradise, Police Training Grounds. At this moment, Left Wolf was drenched in sweat, his movements fluid and powerful, exuding a fierce, robust aura. In a few exchanges, he pinned all the sparring partners to the ground. Dongguan was even more straightforward, sitting atop several beaten and bruised instructors, humming a tune and sipping unsweetened soda, gazing adoringly at Left Wolf’s elegant, commanding silhouette.

“Hm?” Dongguan paused mid-drink, and Left Wolf furrowed his brow.

On Left Wolf’s right ear, the lovers’ earring suddenly glowed intensely. The training ground’s light dimmed as the earring detached itself, as if summoned, flying straight up into the sky, almost vanishing from sight.

Dongguan instantly appeared in midair, a pink-polished nail gently holding back the earring, looking at Left Wolf, puzzled.

“You’re not stopping it? That’s an Imperial Artifact! Not just Half-Moon Island, the whole Central State has only forty-eight. If ‘Snake Lady, Ghost Buddha’ just flies off like that, the government won’t be pleased…”

Left Wolf released his aching sparring partner, checked the time, wiped his sweat, and replied unhurriedly, “You said it yourself—Imperial Artifacts choose their masters; none of us can stop them. I’ve worn ‘Left Wolf’ and ‘Snake Lady, Ghost Buddha’ for years, but only ‘Left Wolf’ ever acknowledged me. Imperial Artifacts are too proud to share a master. It’s useless to me now.”

He took a sip of glacier water, watching as the ‘Snake Lady, Ghost Buddha’ began to awaken, blocked by Dongguan. Left Wolf waved his hand, signaling to let it go.

“Don’t worry. The thing sealed beneath Death-row Paradise won’t let even an Imperial Artifact escape. Its new master must be a death-row prisoner, probably from the Perfect Academy.”

Dongguan shrugged indifferently, releasing the Imperial Artifact, watching it vanish toward the rooftop, her gaze turning grave. In an instant, she appeared beside Left Wolf.

“No wonder it’s an Imperial Artifact. Even before it fully awakens, I already feel a bit wary.”

Dongguan patted her chest, feigning fear.

“You’ve been paying a lot of attention to those surface prisoners lately.”

Left Wolf set down his cup; in a blink, all sparring partners vanished.

“Me? Not really…”

Dongguan met his gaze, speaking with somber candor.

“Just focus on controlling the S-class prisoners. They’re our main force. As for the twelve buildings on the surface, they’re dispensable. If you see potential, cultivate it. Your judgment has always been sharper than mine.”

Left Wolf finished speaking and departed without looking back.

Dongguan lowered her head, her expression darkening as she gazed at the blood on her fingertip, licking it clean, gradually revealing a faint smile.

“Everything you bring is so sweet, Ah Wolf…”

…

Under the blazing sun high above, the head of the giant bat structure in Death-row Paradise was now encased by twelve panoramic platforms, forming a colossal flower bud. A point of pure white light fell vertically from the heights, disappearing into a narrow gap at the bud’s center.

Within the giant bud, the mandrake’s eerie scarlet filled the space. A girl stood atop it, her blood-red hair whipping as waves of air rolled outward. Exhausted, Xuan Yao looked up at the sliver of sunlight above. When she saw a flash of brilliance rushing toward her, she smiled serenely. God… Xuan Yao slowly closed her eyes, using her last strength to unleash the power that filled all with terror—Holy Word!

“My life’s wish—Bind the Dust!”

“Ding! A-class death-row prisoner Right Tyrant, seal completely lifted. Two million points deducted. Current account: negative 170,000 points. Please recharge promptly!”

Two voices rang out simultaneously.

All light from the mandrake vanished, plunging the space into darkness. Suddenly, an eerie violet appeared in the endless black—a flame. The heart of the mandrake now burned with a crimson so deep it was nearly purple.

The mandrake slowly rotated; from the outer edge, the first petal transformed into a strange violet, gradually withering, drifting gently toward the Right Tyrant.

Between heaven and earth, there was not a single sound. For the first time, all witnessed the Holy Word, holding their breath as the petal floated down…