Chapter 263 Holy Flame
The moment the holy aura appeared, Duke William's expression turned extremely grim. He stood motionless, but turned his head towards the source of the sound. For the first time, an incredibly solemn look appeared on his pale face. As the holy light shone beside him, a thick, inky black aura suddenly surged from the vampire's body, forming a solid black wall that completely blocked out the holy radiance.
With a hissing sound, like boiling water poured onto ice, the holy light joyfully intensified, visibly eroding the protective black aura emanating from the Duke. The black aura was clearly at a disadvantage against the holy light, desperately defending itself to prevent its penetration; otherwise, the vampire would face the most terrifying power of light directly. Fortunately, the Duke possessed formidable strength, with sufficient dark power to resist the holy light's onslaught. However, the holy light was merely a natural manifestation of the newcomer's power; his truly deadly attacks were yet to be unleashed.
For the first time, Banier and Gaia showed extreme panic on their faces. They even forgot to activate their protective dark mental energy fields. Even the pressure that Duke William had brought when he first arrived was far less terrifying than this. As dark creatures that had survived in the European underground for thousands of years, they knew very well who the newcomers were. They were natural enemies, like cats and mice, with no room for reconciliation or compromise.
Although vampires are humanity's common enemy, among those with superpowers, all relationships can be based on self-interest; there is no inherent hatred or irreconcilable conflict. All enemies can become allies, and allies can become enemies.
However, there is only one being that has always been the enemy of vampires. No matter the time or the interests involved, it can never become an ally. In fact, its fundamental purpose for thousands of years has been to eliminate dark creatures and underground beings like vampires and werewolves.
This entity is the Arbitration Institute, a mysterious and ancient European organization that worships the God of Light. The Arbitration Institute is not affiliated with any church and has no connection to the Roman Catholic Church. Many cardinals in the Vatican, including the Pope himself, are unaware of its existence. Although both believe in the same deity and share similar popes and doctrines, their existence and purpose are entirely different, making them incomparable.
The Vatican in the modern world is more of a symbolic entity, much like the British Royal Family. It has long lost the special power to control life and death in the Middle Ages. However, no country or organization dares to underestimate the Papacy, because this behemoth has at least a billion believers and a culture that has long been integrated into human civilization. Even if regimes change and countries perish, the Papacy will continue to exist. But as times change, the meaning of the Papacy is also changing. It is no longer just an organization, but a spiritual pillar for a billion people.
The Arbitration Institute, however, is entirely different. Strictly speaking, it is actually an organization of superhumans. While the members of this mysterious organization are all devout believers in God, all of them possess superhuman abilities. It's worth noting that the mental energy fields of the Arbitration Institute members are not entirely the same as those of other superhumans.
Other superhumans are born with specific genetic traits and cultivate their mental energy fields through training. The members of the Arbitration Council, however, express their mental energy fields in a very unique and mysterious way. This characteristic is exclusive and unique. Although the Arbitration Council internally believes that the power inherited from God does not belong to them, to the outside world, all other superhumans refer to this mental energy field characteristic of the Arbitration Council as "Holy Light," meaning power from Heaven.
Of course, no one knows whether the power of the Arbitration Institute truly comes from heaven and God. This ancient and powerful organization has always had a very strong religious character and keeps its methods of cultivating and operating power a closely guarded secret. Moreover, the Arbitration Institute has a different purpose than other superpower organizations. Other superpower organizations are basically groups formed for a certain purpose or interest. For example, national organizations like the Superpower Headquarters aim to defend national security. Other organizations also have their own purposes and ideas.
The Arbitration Council's purpose has remained unchanged for millennia: to eliminate any dark creatures within its sight. There is no possibility of reconciliation; any encounter between the two sides is destined to be a fight to the death. While the Holy Light doesn't appear any more extraordinary than other supernatural powers, this power of light relentlessly suppresses the dark aura of dark creatures and is exceptionally sensitive to their presence. Therefore, throughout history, dark creatures have been unable to emerge into the open, forced to live as fugitives under the relentless pursuit of the Arbitration Council. Even the dark creatures' underground headquarters in Europe frequently relocate, lest they be wiped out entirely by the Arbitration Council.
Apart from the presiding arbitrator and several deputy presiding arbitrators, all other arbitrators in the Arbitration Institute are referred to as arbitrators. Because their spiritual field possesses a luminous quality, which aligns with the aspirations of most people, and because they stand in opposition to the brutal and murderous dark creatures, the Arbitration Institute has maintained a positive and radiant image in the world for millennia. Few supernatural organizations would provoke the Arbitration Institute unnecessarily, as allowing dark creatures to grow stronger is never beneficial to anyone.
Aside from those with supernatural abilities, no one knew of this organization's existence. The Arbitration Institute was like a silent giant, doing its work regardless of the changing world. However, choosing a judge was extremely difficult; they needed to be loyal to God and possess supernatural abilities. Even among millions, it was not guaranteed to find just one. Moreover, while Holy Light had a suppressive effect on dark forces, it was not an absolute victory. If the dark forces became too powerful, they could completely devour the Holy Light.
The dark creatures are cunning and brutal, and the vampires are all ancient beings who have lived for hundreds of years. They have rich experience in fighting, which is incomparable to the human Arbitrators. It is precisely because of the difference in manpower that the two sides have maintained a delicate balance for thousands of years. Although the Arbitration Council has the upper hand, it cannot eliminate all the dark creatures. Therefore, the war has continued to this day without any sign of stopping.
Banir and Gaia never dreamed they would encounter the arbitrators of the arbitration council in a small underground bar in Hong Kong, Asia. Moreover, within the isolated barrier of this underground bar, even escape became a luxury.
Could someone have leaked the information? Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? Duke William had just entered, and the cold air he brought in hadn't even warmed up yet, when the Arbitrator arrived shortly after. It's too much of a coincidence. The two earls were only out following the Duke's orders and weren't fully aware of the information exchange at the higher levels. But now it seems that even the Duke himself has stepped into a carefully laid trap.
In truth, both of them knew very well that offending the Duke would at most result in some physical suffering; although they would be tormented, at least they wouldn't lose their lives. But encountering the Arbitrator of the Arbitration Court meant facing far more than just physical suffering. The feeling of being burned alive by holy light was a vampire's most terrifying nightmare, and now, that nightmare was becoming a reality.
"Hehe, I didn't expect to meet such a big shot, Duke William. Long time no see. Last time at Barcelona, I let you escape. I wonder if I, Powell, can send you, this big shot, to the stake in the arbitration hall this time in Hong Kong." A gentle voice slowly came from the exit. The voice was that of the person who had just spoken.
Under the bright light, four blond, blue-eyed white men in pristine white robes walked slowly towards them. The one in the lead looked to be about fifty or sixty years old, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, exuding an air of authority. He was quite tall, almost the same height as Duke William, but his body was unusually thin, as thin as a stick.
He was energetic, and his bright blue eyes constantly shone with a captivating light, making it clear at a glance that he was a powerful figure who held life and death in his hands. His voice was not loud, nor was it full of authority; rather, it was very gentle, but for some reason, it suddenly made people feel very powerful upon hearing it.
However, all of this paled in comparison to the pure white holy light emanating from his hands. A soft yet unfathomably powerful milky-white radiance was bursting forth from his crossed palms, the immense light enveloping him and the three serious-looking, somewhat wooden young men behind him. The abundant light illuminated the entire underground bar as bright as day. From the Vampire Duke's perspective, these four adjudicators appeared as messengers of light descended from heaven, exuding an inviolable majesty and sacredness.
Duke William's expression grew even more grim. The holy light had eroded the black wall blocking his way down to a thin layer, but the black barrier stubbornly held on, refusing to crumble. He had recognized the old man posing as a charlatan before him. Over the decades, the two had clashed more than a dozen times, each time ending in Duke William's defeat. Even though their mental energy fields were of equal strength, the suppressive effect of the holy light on the dark aura forced William to succumb.
With Duke William's strength, the holy light of ordinary arbitrators was practically useless. The only ones who could defeat him were those at the level of vice-arbitrators or higher, and the old man before him was Theodore, one of the vice-arbitrators of the Arbitration Council. As for the other arbitrators following him, William didn't recognize them; they were presumably all arbitrators of the Arbitration Council. However, he didn't need to know them. Even without several arbitrators, Theodore alone was enough to be present.
The moment the people from the arbitration council suddenly appeared, Duke William knew what was going on. He had been betrayed; the whole "seizing the Heavenly Eye" scheme was a trap. Like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, when had this powerful vampire duke become someone else's prey?
What's worse, he wasn't alone before entering the barrier. He had brought four marquises, whose strength was at least above that of Banier and Gaia, and more than a dozen earls to guard outside the barrier. They were all elites of the Rimore family. He originally thought he could handle things inside the barrier by himself, but Theodore's appearance disrupted all the plans. Without a doubt, all the vampire experts outside the barrier were doomed. For a moment, Duke William felt his heart bleed.
Xiao Rou slowly walked out of the barrier and stood side by side with Xia Lan. After this period of recuperation, she had recovered 90% of her strength. Although she was not fully recovered, she was already capable of fighting.
Xia Lan gently tugged at her clothes, signaling her not to act rashly. The situation had changed beyond Xia Lan's imagination. However, the Arbitration Institute had always maintained a good relationship with the China Superpower Headquarters, so it was clear that the person who came this time was their savior.
Duke William roared furiously, his voice booming like a bell, making everyone's ears ring: "Where is Tian Yuning? That bitch! I don't understand why she wanted to frame me! Does the Sky Eye Society want to offend our noble Remore family? Theodore, don't you understand? You've fallen for her tricks too! She just wants us to kill each other! And then she'll reap the benefits! Don't be so full of some damned God's ideas! We're just creatures of darkness, we just want to survive! Can't we make peace this time?"
The pent-up anger of almost centuries erupted at this moment. Duke William really couldn't understand why these guys, dressed in strange robes, who called themselves God's representatives and spent their lives ascetic and knew nothing of enjoyment, were all madmen. They saw him like flies and wanted to slap him to death, without even giving him a chance to speak. He had fought Theodore many times, but the number of times they had spoken was less than the number of times they had fought.
“The glory of the Lord cannot be profaned.” Theodore gently stroked the diamond ring with a miniature cross on his right middle finger and said calmly, “You believe in the devil Satan, which in itself determines our opposing stance, so there’s no need to say more, William, prepare to accept the judgment of the Holy Light.”
As he spoke, the three young adjudicators behind him suddenly spread out in a straight line, forming a slightly triangular formation. After pressing their palms together, a milky white and bright holy light suddenly burst forth from their bodies, forming a bright and thick milky white band of light. Then, the three of them flipped their palms, and three straight beams of light shot out at Theodore.
Theodore slowly raised his arms, as if bringing forth two shimmering galaxies. The intense holy light emitted an incomparably dazzling brilliance, sweeping away the black aura protecting the vampire duke like a whirlwind. Suddenly, the overwhelming holy light emitted a sound, and at the brightest and most dazzling point in the core of the holy light, a ball of pure white light flames suddenly burst forth.
Holy Flame!
Theodore waved his hands sharply. He had made up his mind not to slowly fight these annoying dark creatures, lest they slippery as eels find a chance to escape again. Fortunately, the barrier had already restrained this possibility to the greatest extent. So, as soon as he made his move, he and several arbitrators used their full strength!
Boundless holy flames descended from the sky, like the wrath of a god, carrying an aura of boundless destruction, and descended upon the vampires.
Chapter 264 Your Power Has Been Lost
“The Heavenly Eye Society? Tian Yuning?” Ling Yun repeated involuntarily, exchanging a glance with Mochizuki Nami. They both instantly understood the meaning in each other's eyes. The presence of a major general from the Heavenly Eye Society here proved that, as Mochizuki Nami had guessed, the Heavenly Eye Society was indeed behind everything. Although Tian Yuning didn't directly admit to what they said, the unintentional admiration and surprise in her tone clearly indicated an admission. Both of them were astute enough to deduce the truth from a single expression and a single sentence.
Ling Yun gently sized up Tian Yuning. He had met another major general from the Sky Eye Society, Oswit, before. However, Oswit was clearly a blond, blue-eyed foreigner, while Tian Yuning looked like a Chinese woman in her thirties. She was beautiful, elegant, and had a captivating temperament. Moreover, one could clearly sense an indescribable charm emanating from her, like a well that would irresistibly draw one in as one looked at her.
Because of their extraordinary abilities, people with superpowers rarely appear old and frail. Even if they do, it is only because they are trying to hide it from others. There are many auxiliary methods in their abilities that can make people stay young forever. If they were plastic surgeons, people with superpowers would be the most popular group of people among women in the world.
Once their power reaches a certain level, most superhumans stop paying attention to the impact of their appearance on their bodies and instead focus more on their desire for and cultivation of power. Apart from a small number of female superhumans, most male superhumans do not excessively modify or pay attention to their appearance because it is unnecessary.
Clearly, Major General Tian Yuning is much older than she appears. It makes sense, considering that Gu Xiaorou's mother was also a Major General in the Tianyan Society. If she were still alive, she would be at least in her forties now. It's impossible for her to maintain the appearance of a young woman and flawless skin like Tian Yuning, who looks like she's in her early thirties and doesn't even have a single wrinkle.
"Do you know Gu Ling'er?" Ling Yun asked suddenly after a long silence. Gu Ling'er was Gu Xiaorou's mother. Ling Yun had heard Xiaorou mention her before, but only briefly. Xiaorou's relationship with her mother had always been thin, and this relationship became even more intense after she grew up. The two were more like superior and subordinate than biological mother and daughter. It was only out of an obsession with the blood ties that Xiaorou tried every means to fulfill her mother's last wish.
If she followed her own path, she would cast aside everything—the Heavenly Eye, her biological father—for nothing was more important than her own freedom. Before meeting Ling Yun, her life consisted of only two things: cultivating her power and escaping pursuit. But after meeting Ling Yun, things became only one: living happily with her boyfriend.
Often, happiness lies in the ordinary. It's just that we often overlook it while appreciating it.
Tian Yuning was taken aback when he suddenly asked such a question. She was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized why. She smiled charmingly on her fair face: "Of course I know her. Gu Ling'er died at my hands. What? Do you want to avenge your girlfriend's mother? She betrayed the Heavenly Eye Society, so she naturally got the fate she deserved."
"No, I was just asking. Even if it's revenge, I won't do it myself. Xiao Rou will kill you with her own hands," Ling Yun said calmly. He had no intention of avenging his girlfriend. He hadn't even met Gu Ling'er, so there was no need to talk about feelings. He asked this question with his own purpose. Sure enough, Tian Yuning's answer confirmed his guess and Mochizuki Nami's analysis.
Ling Yun sighed inwardly, realizing how utterly oblivious he had been to being watched all along. Otherwise, how could Tian Yuning have known everything about him so clearly the moment they met? Was the Heavenly Eye Society's spying ability really that powerful? Why was he, with his Eye of Deception, completely unaware of what was happening?
Mochizuki Nami opened her big, round eyes and looked at Ling Yun. Although she knew Gu Xiaorou’s background, she did not know the connection between Xiaorou and the Heavenly Eye Society. Now that Ling Yun asked, she roughly understood what was going on.
Tian Yuning clapped her hands with a smile and said, "That's great. I welcome Gu Ling'er's daughter to come to me for revenge. As the saying goes, you have to cut the weeds and pull out the roots. I've always felt uneasy because I couldn't kill your little girlfriend with my own hands. So, Lingyun, if I have the chance, I will definitely strangle her bit by bit in front of you and let you taste the pain of watching your beloved die twice as much."