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    Chapter 237: Barrier

    For someone of the human race to suppress a high-ranking demon at this very moment was utterly astonishing.

    Nonetheless, that was the reality, and the demons had witnessed it with their own eyes.

    Not to mention the demons, even the humans themselves were incredibly shocked.

    The luxurious cruise ship was almost half-destroyed; the structures on its deck had been overturned. Everyone could see the state of the cinema from the outside, as the upper part of the ship's hull that covered it had been virtually demolished.

    It was nothing short of miraculous that this ship hadn't sunk.

    A beam of light descended from the heavens, enveloping Hai Lige, causing him to ascend gently, as if in a divine descent.

    Each of Asaph's companions held a divine stone in their hands, standing in a formation that seemed to create a circle. The pillar of light descended precisely from within their encirclement.

    Behind Hai Lige, ethereal and translucent wings materialized, a full three pairs, suspending him mid-air as he basked in the glow of a radiant column. His golden hair shimmered magnificently, and his golden eyes were like orbs of glistening liuli, exuding an aura of divine purity and profound compassion for all living beings.

    He gazed down upon Lan Jiaying, standing atop a fractured plinth, with an expression of simmering ire.

    "You killed someone yet refuse to admit it. We humans have offered to investigate, yet you refuse. Though we may be collectively weaker than your kind, we cannot simply allow you to slaughter our kin with impunity!"

    Hai Lige's voice echoed with an ethereal quality, resonating across the sky and reaching those at the harbor in crystal clarity.

    They were still unaware of the specifics, but from what they heard, it seemed a demon had committed murder and was now resisting arrest. A battle had ensued between the exorcist and the demonic being.

    Could the exorcist truly triumph? Anxiety gripped the harbor; the figure within the pillar of light appeared formidable, and everyone hoped he would prevail.

    Lan Jiaying stood on the deck, his back straight, but his forehead was veined with tension, and beads of sweat trickled down his face.

    Only he knew the immense pressure he was enduring. This force was pushing him to his knees, and Lan Jiaying could even hear the creaking of his bones.

    He despised this situation, having to look up at a human! His expression betrayed his uncontrollable rage, revealing an inner fury that swelled to the heavens. His black eyes transformed fully into those of a dragon, his facial features contorted slightly, and faint scales appeared on his hands, as if he were on the verge of complete transformation, but he failed to do so.

    Hai Lige lowered his gaze and raised his right hand. Lan Jiaying felt an even greater weight of emptiness pressing down upon him. Gradually, his straight spine bowed under the pressure, and he forcefully spat out a mouthful of blood.

    "Even if you're a prince of the Demon Realm, it matters not. Once a life is taken, our laws dictate an eye for an eye."

    A great uproar erupted from the harbor side.

    A Demon Prince? A Demon Prince has killed someone? Their law enforcers are actually confronting them head-on!

    Some were worried about the repercussions from the Demon Realm, while others fretted over the outcome for that righteous exorcist. The spectators watching the live broadcast held their breath, empathizing with the livestreamer, everyone on-site, and themselves.

    If the Demon Prince were truly killed, the superficial friendship between the human and demon realms would surely crumble, leading to war.

    Considering the power of the demonic race and the towering exorcists on their side, those aware of the vast disparity in strength were either anxious about the prospect of war or felt that defeat was imminent, even blaming the one who had provoked the conflict.

    The moment Hai Lige spoke, the surrounding demons immediately sprang into action, launching a full-scale assault on the barrier.

    They knew that Lan Jiaying couldn't possibly drain the life out of the man.

    It was laughable; after consuming Wen Ying's acrid potion that could strip a demon of its soul, there was no way Lan Jiaying would have any appetite for anger. It was already impressive that she didn't vomit.

    These people had planned this all along; they intended to kill Lan Jiaying and had even created this barrier to isolate them.

    The demons were no longer mere spectators; they were furious, their faces grim, and their murderous intent palpable.

    Lilith addressed Chang Mufeng below, "Is this your idea of hospitality? After throwing mud, you attempt murder? We demons are not pushovers to be toyed with."

    Chang Mufeng was anxious, beads of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "I swear that today's incident has nothing to do with us, at least not with the Flowering Kingdom! It was entirely planned by the Asaph Academy! We're also actively trying to communicate with those inside, but we can't get in. The barrier draws its power from the laws."

    Today's events held an eerie air. If the appetite-suppressing potion was real, then Lan Jiaying wouldn't have had the motive to kill. This matter needed further investigation.

    Initially, they suspected that Lan Jiaying might have really committed murder and was refusing to admit it. But with the Asaph Academy's impatient aggression, they started to believe that Lan Jiaying might be telling the truth.

    Their people were already trying to communicate with those inside, but their calls were ignored as if they were deaf. The exorcists of the Flowering Kingdom were in a frenzy, many of them at a loss.

    If the Asaph Academy really killed Lan Jiaying, a second war between the human and demon realms would be inevitable!

    Hai Lige, whether limited by his power usage or deliberately humiliating Lan Jiaying, remained within the pillar of light, exerting pressure with the force of the law, seemingly trying to force Lan Jiaying to kneel. The demon's entire body was bleeding under this immense pressure. His skin swelled, as if he was constantly attempting to dragonize.

    His expression was monstrous, like that of a malevolent spirit.

    Koroy muttered, "That's the expression..."

    As Muershi attacked the barrier, he quickly said, "There's something I'm unsure if I should mention, but you should've described it more accurately. Lan Jiaying's expression isn't just extreme anger—his face is contorted!"

    Boros frowned at his bleeding fists. "This barrier is even stronger than the one in Ecstasy Park."

    Yan Liwen rapped on the barrier, "Andre! Stop right there! This is the territory of our Flowering Kingdom! You've seriously violated international law and the rules of exorcists!"

    Wen Ying's hand was pressed against the barrier, which gave him a sense of familiarity. He tried to analyze from within how to break it, thinking hard.

    The people who had fallen into the sea had been rescued by a search and rescue boat. Meanwhile, Wen Ying's physical body was stealthily approaching.

    Wu Fei's fear was almost tangible. Surveying his surroundings, he didn't know whom to turn to. Spotting Wen Ying, he instinctively rushed over, his mindless charge sending Beros a couple of meters away.

    Beros: "???" Surprise surpassed anger as Wu Fei, the timid one, dared to bump into him. Unbelievable events seemed to be unfolding one after another.

    Wen Ying was also taken aback. Looking at the panicked Wu Fei, he asked, "…What's wrong?"

    Wu Fei opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. In truth, he wasn't sure why he had come to find Wen Ying, but being near him brought some comfort.

    Seeing Wu Fei speechless, Wen Ying said, "It's easier to focus." He pointed at the barrier.

    Wu Fei nodded and began attacking the barrier.

    Wen Ying temporarily put Wu Fei aside. Taking out his phone, he frowned at the unanswered chat screen and the missed calls.

    What on earth is going on with Kirishino? Could he have been knocked out by the enemy?

    As Wen Ying affixed the magic cards to the barrier and continuously fueled them, he frowned, trying hard to recall where the familiarity of the barrier came from. He must have encountered it before, not during the Fervent Paradise incident, but another time.

    Inside, Lan Jiaying was already half-bent, refusing to kneel despite the force pushing him down. His inhuman eyes rolled as he roared with boundless fury, nearly losing all sense of reason. A chilling dragon's roar echoed from his throat.

    The deep dragon's roar traveled far, causing those who heard it to feel a chill run down their spines and goosebumps to rise on their skin.

    Those watching the live broadcast through certain channels were anxious.

    "What's happening now? It's too far away to see clearly."

    "It looks like those demons are attacking something transparent, and our exorcists are attacking the same thing? What's going on?"

    "What a terrifying beastly sound. Demons are indeed beasts disguised as humans."

    "I heard that someone from Asaph Academy is seeking justice for the deceased, but our government doesn't want a dead person to affect our relations with the demon world and plans to let the matter rest."

    "Is it really that humiliating?"

    "Is our nation truly that weak? To tolerate this? If one dies today, who knows how many more will follow in the future!"

    "Our country has always been like that, unable to stand up for itself. I'm not surprised at all."

    "Someone online used an expensive camera to capture a close-up. It's breathtaking; Hai Lige inside the light column looks like an angel defending justice."

    The conversation in the live stream gradually shifted in a particular direction, and public opinion on the current maritime dispute swayed overwhelmingly. Most people were furious at the government's attempt to appease the situation, declaring they would rather go to war than suffer humiliation.

    —Today, it's a stranger who dies. Tomorrow, your loved ones might become their prey!

    The national leaders, engrossed in the live feed and their subordinates' reports, didn't immediately notice the shift in public sentiment. By the time they did, suppressing the narrative had become a new issue, leaving the cyber police scrambling.

    This sentiment wasn't limited to the domestic sphere; it was also prevalent overseas. Some individuals deliberately incited chaos during this tumultuous period.

    Ordinary folks found themselves easily rallied by the fiery rhetoric of never kneeling in battle. Emotions ran high, leading to protests abroad, demanding their governments take stern action against the demonic threat. Having suffered under extremist parties for months, they had ample reason to feel aggrieved.

    Amidst this extreme sentiment, supermarkets and stores selling food and daily necessities experienced frenzied buying sprees. Banks had long queues outside, while jewelry stores were unusually crowded, with gold being hoarded as if it were just another vegetable at a market.

    All these events unfolded within a span of less than half an hour, revealing the meticulous planning behind the scenes. The speed and efficiency were terrifying.

    None of this was known to Wen Ying, as the demons around him were desperately attacking the barrier. He was already deeply engrossed in thought, and it felt as if he was just a thin veil away from grasping the truth.

    Wen Ying's true form remained underwater for a while. Seeing Lan Jiaying severely injured and nearing death, he hurriedly swam over to lend his strength.

    His true form had always been concealed in the sea, allowing him to approach without being noticed by others.

    Wen Ying held the magic card in his hand, ready to attach it to the barrier, only to find it attaching to nothingness.

    It wasn't exactly attaching to nothing; the barrier seemed to have vanished. Confused, Wen Ying waved the magic card around in the water, his expression turning increasingly shocked.

    Assuming the barrier had disappeared, his mirror image clone affixed the magic card firmly on its surface.

    Wen Ying: "???"

    The mirror image clone looked down at the ocean floor, wondering if the barrier only existed above the waterline and not beneath it.

    The clone dove into the sea, shouting to the other demons as it flew, "There's no barrier at the bottom of the sea!"

    Upon hearing this, the demons immediately rushed into the water.

    Hearing this, Hai Lige, who was inside the barrier, froze and turned abruptly.

    Andre: "Isn't the barrier supposed to cover everything?"

    Lena: "Yes, how could there be no barrier in the sea?"

    Vincen: "Absolutely impossible. They're ridiculous."

    Just as Vincen finished speaking, he locked eyes with the demonic mirror that poked its head out from the sea. Startled, he realized—That place is... inside the barrier?! Vincen felt his heart skip a beat.

    How could that be?!

    Wen Ying glanced at the ship's hull that was now within reach. A delighted smile tugged at his lips. He had made it in.

    While reveling in his success, Wen Ying suddenly heard a gasp in a different tone, followed by a pained exclamation.

    "Ouch..."

    "F*ck!"

    "Painful--"

    "Brat Wen!" This was said through gritted teeth.

    Wen Ying's expression was blank. He realized that there were no other demons behind him. Just now, there had been many demons charging with him.

    A few demons leaped out of the sea again. Through the barrier, they saw Wen Ying inside, and their expressions weren't much different from Vinson's - both were filled with shock.

    "Why did he get in?" Wu Shaluo's mouth was wide open, his eyes filled with disbelief.

    Wen Ying asked, "Can't you enter?"

    Muershi's face was almost pressed against the barrier. "How did you manage to get in?"

    Wen Ying wanted to bring them in to increase their chances of winning, so he flew to the edge of the barrier, planning to show them the direction up close. However, his shoulder passed right through the barrier.

    All the demons: "??!"

    Everyone who saw it: "??!"

    Wen Ying fell silent. To be honest, he didn't feel much pressure within this barrier either.

    He had initially thought that perhaps he wasn't that close to it. Now, it seemed that being near didn't make much of a difference...

    Under the watchful eyes of many, Wen Ying flew onto the shattered ship. Hai Lige and the others' gazes were glued to him as they witnessed him fly up and step forward step by step.

    Although there was some pressure, it wasn't as excruciating as Lan Jiaying's. His power was suppressed less in the Human Realm compared to a pure-blooded demon. Therefore, even with a little more pressure, he could still endure it, allowing Wen Ying to maintain an image of a park elder leisurely strolling around.

    (There are author's notes and the continuation of the main story below, remember to read them!)

    The Author Has Something to Say:

    Despite his muscles being tense due to the pressure, they were hidden beneath his clothes and couldn't be seen.

    "It's impossible!" Hai Lige exclaimed in shock, his voice cracking slightly.

    Wen Ying touched his face. "I think so too, but it did happen."

    This absurdity was so bewildering that it pulled the almost irrational Lan Jiaying back to his senses. Stunned, he watched Wen Ying approach him. In his blood-red vision, the silver-haired demon walked with ease. Compared to Hai Lige, who was bathed in the radiance of law, Wen Ying's silver hair seemed even more divine.

    Lan Jiaying's gaze appeared somewhat unfocused. Wen Ying hurried over to support him, his hand covered in blood, and his clothes instantly sticking to him from the blood.

    ---

    After a long absence, today's word count surpassed two thousand words per hour.

    I wonder if my skill in describing grand scenes has improved or deteriorated (in deep thought.jpg)

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