Chapter 89: Kill Her
Several gunshots rang out from all directions. The Federation still maintained fairly strict control over firearms, but with certification and a background check, it was still possible to legally own one. So, in today’s Cloud City, getting hold of a few guns wasn’t impossible.
Guns were quite effective against supernaturals at this stage, which explained why the high-rank zealot dared to engage in battle with Xu Zhi, even knowing something was off and that she might be incredibly powerful.
But—
A massive black shadow suddenly emerged before everyone’s eyes, like an illusion. It coiled around Xu Zhi and the two beside her, blocking the bullets coming from all directions. A constant ding-ding sound echoed as bullets struck black scales, sparking off but never piercing or harming the enormous creature.
The gunfire didn’t last long before everything fell silent.
Because all the shooters had been wiped out.
Only after confirming this did Yi finally uncoil its body. Under the astonished and fearful gazes of the surrounding zealots, it swept its massive tail sideways, smashing away the believers who had tried to get close to Xu Zhi.
Once Yi opened up a path, Xu Zhi patted the head of the wolf beside her. “Go. Kill her.”
Though still called “Gouzi,” the creature had grown into a powerful silver wolf. It let out a howl on the spot, and the nearby believers visibly froze. Seizing the opportunity, it pounced directly toward the enemy. Even though the zealots around the high-rank Zealot were of higher rank and reacted quickly, one who tried to shield the woman was slapped aside and had her chest torn open by the wolf’s claws and strength. Blood sprayed across the ground.
The wolf bared its fangs at the prey just inches away. But when it bit down, it was blocked by something.
The massive silver wolf showed a human-like flash of confusion in its eyes and quickly leapt back. Then it saw what had stopped its attack—a faint reddish shield. It looked fragile, like it could shatter with a touch, yet it had completely blocked the wolf’s bite.
Seeing this, Xu Zhi raised her brow slightly. So I’ve finally run into someone with some actual power. Makes sense—three months have passed. Everyone should have developed some powerful supernatural abilities by now.
No wonder this old hag dared to start a fight. Turns out she had powers of her own and wasn’t afraid of dying.
But this shield clearly wasn’t capable of withstanding attacks forever. Xu Zhi didn’t want to waste too much time on the high-rank Zealot, so she activated her Eye of Secrets to examine things more closely.
With it, she saw that every time the wolf attacked, the shield that materialized was connected to the high-rank Zealot by a red thread—likely supernatural energy of the [Cup] attribute, being expended to fuel the shield’s defense. That confirmed it—this was her supernatural ability.
Perfect.
Xu Zhi looked up at a quiet little black cat perched on the roof of a nearby shed, watching the battle unfold.
“Kitty, do me a favor today, and I’ll give you double the cores.”
This proud cat never rode inside vehicles—only on top. Outside of core feedings, it kept to hidden corners and minded its own business. Even now, with the fight raging, it just sat calmly, staring at Xu Zhi with those emerald eyes like it was watching a show.
Hearing Xu Zhi’s offer, it looked reluctant but still transformed into a puff of green smoke and landed beside her. Lifting its head, it seemed to ask, “Who’s the target?”
Xu Zhi pointed at the high-rank Zealot. “Just make her misjudge the wolf’s attack timing.”
The cat, only at level 2, couldn’t fully plunge someone into a nightmare. But with its moths’ support, it should be enough to cause a brief misjudgment during the wolf’s strike.
From her Eye of Secrets, Xu Zhi could tell that the shield enveloped the high-rank Zealot completely, but only activated when she actively channeled energy. It wasn’t passive—it required precise timing.
This old lady’s reflexes are sharp… Must be thanks to her awakening as a high-rank Zealot.
Xu Zhi extended her right hand, and a gray moth emerged from her fingertip. It fluttered forward, and she gave Yu Shenwei’s shoulder a light tap.
“Watch closely.”
Urged again, Yu Shenwei finally opened her red eyes slowly.
What she first saw wasn’t the gore and chaos of battle she had imagined—but the delicate gray moth dancing before her.
For reasons unknown, this tiny moth caught her eye more than the surrounding frenzy. She found herself fixated on it before she even processed her environment or the people within it.
In the moment she locked eyes with the moth, she thought she heard something—like a ticking clock, maybe a beeping alarm… or perhaps Xu Zhi’s laughter. It felt like a hallucination, vanishing in the next second, leaving her unsure whether it had been real or imagined.
Not many noticed Yu Shenwei’s eyes suddenly opening, but the high-rank Zealot, who had been watching her closely, did.
When she saw those red eyes, her heart sank. She instantly realized—something had gone terribly wrong.
But before she could think more, a gray moth entered her vision, and in that instant, the silver wolf slashed at her again. She immediately activated her ability, trying to summon the shield.
But… the expected impact never came. There was no sense of energy expenditure or resistance.
Instead, the energy she had gathered dissipated uselessly.
A moment later, a massive claw slammed into her waist.
The silver wolf exerted a bit more force—and the high-rank Zealot was torn in half.
There was no surviving that.
For a brief moment, the battlefield fell silent. Every zealot seemed to sense her death. And in the next instant, the last shreds of reason in their eyes vanished. Screaming like madmen, they charged at Xu Zhi.
Xu Zhi immediately ordered Yu Shenwei, “The high-rank Zealot is dead. You’re the highest-ranking one now. Control them!”
“If I kill them all, we won’t have enough sacrifices left.”
Xu Zhi wasn’t sure how many were needed for the ritual, but based on past encounters with zealots, the bigger the ritual, the more sacrifices it required. Creating a pseudo-archbishop like this surely needed plenty.
Hearing her words, Yu Shenwei instinctively felt Xu Zhi was right. She began trying to calm the surrounding zealots.
But what she didn’t realize was— In a way, this wasn’t a decision she made herself.
She was simply following Xu Zhi’s command.
