Chapter 83: Undressing

"Judicator Nono, requesting immediate removal of the Final Punishment’s total seal!"
"Judicator Fu Nian, requesting immediate removal of the Final Punishment’s total seal!"
"Judicator Super Monk, requesting immediate removal of the Final Punishment’s total seal!"
"Judicator Dian Shao, requesting immediate removal of the Final Punishment’s total seal!"
"Prison Tamer Youtong, requesting immediate removal of the Final Punishment’s total seal!"
"Prison Tamer Fei Mo, requesting immediate removal of the Final Punishment’s total seal!"
"Prison Tamer Prison Mistress, requesting immediate removal of the Final Punishment’s total seal!"

Eight instructors, upon seeing that terrifying blood-ink hue, shouted in unison.

Eight streams of blood converged overhead, forming a crimson barrier to shield them within.

"I just love... the desperate struggle of prey," Ghost Tathagata raised the Infernal Phoenix Scythe high above his head with bare hands, not in haste to strike, but gazing with amusement at those inside the blood shield.

At this moment, the Infernal Phoenix Scythe was entirely blood-ink colored; even the demon-purple aura of "Serpent Lady · Ghost Tathagata" retreated, and the skeletal relics clustered protectively around it like stars encircling the moon. The immense deathly energies she inhaled were wholly absorbed; even her blood-red eyes dimmed slightly.

The eight instructors’ neck seals grew more complete and brighter, and their expressions turned from tense to confident as they looked at Ghost Tathagata.

All eight, peak A-grade death-row inmates, had now fully released their seals—no matter what kind of ghost you were, even if you’d stepped into S-grade, you might not gain any advantage.

"Humans are always so confident. I wonder who gave you the courage to challenge an Imperial Relic..."

"Enough, let’s finish them quickly. Our awakened time is limited, so go easy—don’t let every move shatter the heavens," the Serpent Lady said, weary-faced after rescuing Xuan Yao.

"You should have said so sooner," Ghost Tathagata replied with a helpless glance at the blood-ink scythe overhead, which now radiated destruction. He lamented, "I’ve already pushed the kid’s technique to the limit and infused it with the power of the young master’s Sacred Word—it’s too late."

"Killing is never good. A lesson will suffice," the Serpent Lady, ever the woman, could not bear to kill. Seeing the determined stance of those below, she tried to persuade Ghost Tathagata. But before she could finish, a chrysanthemum cannon blasted toward her, eventually worn down by death energy into a puddle, yet its inertia splattered sticky liquid all over her face!

"Damn it, Right Tyrant, are you insane?!"
"Do you know what you’re doing?!"

Seven incredulous, even vaguely terrified rebukes burst from the instructors, all glaring at Right Tyrant. They’d be grateful if the enemy ignored them, yet he went and provoked them!

"I... I..." Right Tyrant hadn’t expected his flamboyant strike would elicit such anger from his comrades. Stunned, he stammered, "Those two stole my thunder, so I lashed out in embarrassment."

"The opponent can directly absorb Sacred Words, and you still dare provoke! Even Spirit Words are useless against them. Full defense—survival is paramount!" Prison Mistress finally couldn’t hold back, the blood-ink Infernal Phoenix Scythe chilling her to the core. Even fully unsealed, she had little confidence!

"Tsk tsk, does it feel good, darling~~~" Ghost Tathagata teased, seeing the Serpent Lady’s bewildered expression.

"Damn... damn it... damn!" The Serpent Lady, who’d lived over ten thousand years, retained her pride even after being forged into an Imperial Relic. As one of the most wondrous, ancient beings unknown to mortals, she was now splattered in sticky, foul-smelling orange secretions by a human who hadn’t lived a fraction of her years—a nauseating humiliation!

The Serpent Lady, serene moments before, now transformed into a feral beast, dodged the dangerous Infernal Phoenix Scythe in Ghost Tathagata’s hand, and, without a word, hurled it fiercely at those below.

"Go and die, all of you!"

From the endless darkness, a blood-inked cold ray shot toward the earth. The blood shield shattered like paper, and in an instant, under the instructors’ terrified gazes, it descended.

In a flash, the blood-ink ray plunged underground. Countless blood-ink fissures split across every corner of the rooftop, and then, the world returned to darkness.

Crack~~~

Crack~~~

Two sounds echoed from below, tightening every death-row inmate’s heart. The darkness was so deep, no one could tell where the sound came from—it felt as if it was right beneath their feet.

The next second—

Boom!!!

Blinding sunlight flooded the world, the massive rooftop exploded in its entirety, and all the death-row inmates on it plummeted, vanishing with cries of terror.

"Hmph!" The Serpent Lady wiped her nose, still fuming. "Dare to challenge me? Too naive!"

Ghost Tathagata twitched at the Serpent Lady’s fury. "Is this your idea of holding back?"

"Mind your own business!" she snapped, glaring at him. The two then transformed into earrings, adorning Xuan Yao’s right earlobe, and slowly floated her body down to safety.

...

When Dongguan saw the devastation before her, she inhaled the rich scent of blood in the air and sighed, "I love pain and blood, but are you eight trying to work me to death?"

Dongguan opened her intoxicated eyes; though she complained, curiosity sparkled within.

The eight disheveled instructors glanced at the unconscious Xuan Yao lying on the ground, then at Mu You, all wearing expressions of speechless embarrassment.

Dongguan took in the scene. As she followed her gaze to Mu You, she frowned. She knew the strength of the Watchtower and the rooftop—any assault by all would take over ten minutes to breach. Yet here, a single attack with no warning had destroyed the entire rooftop. Only an S-grade could manage that, or eight instructors unsealing together. But apparently, it was neither, and certainly not Mu You; even if he rampaged again, he couldn’t possess such terrifying power.

Dongguan shifted her gaze to Xuan Yao and noticed the Serpent Lady · Ghost Tathagata on her right ear, instantly understanding. If an Imperial Relic awakens, before merging with its master, it possesses its own consciousness. Anyone who offends it could cause such havoc—this was nothing for an Imperial Relic.

Yet this fall killed nearly a third of the death-row inmates outright. The survivors either had exceptional stamina or unusual abilities—a mess, in short. Facing the carnage, Dongguan calmly ordered:

"Close your eyes, all of you. Anyone who disobeys—death without mercy!"

At her command, the eight instructors shut their eyes, and the remaining inmates groaned and followed suit.

Dongguan stood at the center, tossed aside her stethoscope, and began to undress.