A powerful ripple of qi blasted the dust away slowly revealing the bull-like silhouette to be Lord Turnbull! His face was seething of rage as the metallic qi manifested around him and formed the shadow of a powerful bull. At the same time, that mysterious dark purple crystal lay still around his neck...

Lord Turnbull raised his head and roared, "Brave Soldiers, stand at attention!" His words were strange, almost as if they were truth itself; a description of reality...

ALALA!

Immediately a powerful war cry of acknowledgment rang out from the forest, from what could only be assumed to be hundreds of soldiers.

Lord Turnbull raised his fist into the air, "Advance!"

Thump! Thump!

A pulsating thunderous sound rang through the trees as the army marched forward in a flawless formation; a complete turn-about from their previous lackluster arrival and even more shameful and abrupt retreat.

It was almost as if Lord Turnbull's words had slashed off their cowardice and replaced it with bravery and courage, just like he had spoken.

Amidst the sound of ominous marching, the soldiers gradually revealed themselves. All of them were wearing eerie dark-metallic helmets made of a strange aether extremely similar to that surrounding Lord Turnbull. With their faces covered by the dark helmets, the soldiers gave off an inhuman and fearsome presence, completely different from their initial aura. Even Lieutenant Lucas and the few soldiers that had remained previously had joined up with his monstrous army, easily mixing in with ominous metallic helmets of their own.

And just like that, Zhen Shi and the rest who had just been freed from besiegement were pushed back into a similar situation once more.

Zhen Shi utilized both and to analyze the ominous nature of this army led by a fearsome Law Holding Cultivator. Finally, he heaved a sigh and muttered out with a grimace, "Well there goes your attempt at a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Now they're back, angrier and creepier..."

Myne had been in a rather strange mood since the arrival of Lord Turnbull, with his eyes focused on the crystal around his neck. Even so, he couldn't help but scowl at Zhen Shi's words as he spoke out, "Well, at least you'll get to see my powers now..."

Nevertheless, Myne grew serious as he mentally sent out, "The fear-inducing effects of the bewildering formation should've lasted much longer. It appears that this bull-like fellow has an understanding of Würds and used it to raise morale while putting the soldiers under his strict control."

Zhen Shi sent back in curiosity, "Würds! Isn't that related to the {Proclaimers} who shout out and use edicts to fight? I've actually met one... he was only at the foundation establishment stage, but was still able to block my 'special physiques' underworld flame."

Myne frowned as he replied, "Proclaimers? Is that what people call it now? I guess the name is fine, but there is no way that ordinary cultivators can exercise the true power of the Würd before reaching the Law Primary Tier. After all, it is a type of natural law..." He paused in thought, but suddenly his eyes glowed brightly, "Perhaps... these 'Proclaimers' form a pact with Totemic Gods that wield the power of the Divine Würd in order to harness a flicker of that power. It should be rather similar to Divine Blessings. Otherwise, it would be impossible..."

However, this interesting conversation came to an abrupt stop under Vivienne's stern voice, "Can you two please discuss this some other time? For example, when we aren't surrounded by a Würd empowered army?"

Myne and Zhen Shi grinned in embarrassment as they refocused on the advancing army...

But, before they could do anything else, Hao Lei shouted out while putting Laura, who had been shaken at the sight of the ominous army, behind him, "Greetings, Lord Turnbull. Forgive me for being blunt, but what the heck are you doing?"

He continued while gesturing at the pavilion roof, "These fellow disciples are guests of our Lyon family and were accepted by our Lord himself. If all goes well, they will be some of our applicants for the appraisal competition. As such, your actions attempting to attack them just before the competition is very suspicious."

Lord Turnbull grunted causing the shadow of the bull behind him to solidify further, but spoke out rather calmly, with a malicious grin, "Of course, I'm aware of who they are. But that does not make them privileged to engage in crime! According to Hall Law, I have complete authority over these matters in Leslie's absence. A mere external elder like yourself should just stay silent..." finishing with a stern glare.

Hao Lei flinched at his powerful gaze. Nevertheless, he walked forwards while speaking out, "Lord Turnbull, I'm afraid that I must disobey your order. Since you wish to exert your influence unjustly, I'm afraid I'll have to interfere."

Lord Turnbull grimaced in displeasure. He wasn't afraid of Hao Lei, a mere Soul Destruction stage cultivator. But unlike the three disciples, he had set his eyes on, Hao Lei was an elder of the market hall. Attempting to harm or kill him in public would be very difficult and annoying to explain later on.

So with a frown, he waved his hand at the pavilion while saying a single word, "COME!'

Bang!

Immediately the door of the pavilion crashed open as a red figure was dragged out by a translucent hand of shimmering silver aether. The figure that was being dragged out was Will O'Dale! He was still covered in blazing scarlet red energy and was furiously struggling to escape Myne's restrictive formation.

Seeing this, Myne sneered as he waved his hand causing the formation talismans to glow brightly.

Under the power of his formation, the silver hand instantly melted away as if it had come into contact with acid... causing Will O'Dale to fall on to the ground just a few steps away from the pavilion door. And poor Will O'Dale continued to struggle against the binding.

Seeing his Würd manifestation broken so easily, Lord Turnbull narrowed his eyes in suspicion at Myne.

Despite this, he pointed at the bound Will O'Dale and said while turning to Elder Hao Lei, "Hao Lei, as you well know, Will O'Dale is a subordinate member of our Turnbull family. Regardless of the problems that he might have in the future... until the Divine Organizations make a verdict, he is still a person! A human being! And yet he is being held captive by these vile-minded people. Will you dare stop me from exercising the law? And will you and your family be willing to bear the consequences?" with his eyes ending dangerously on Laura.

Hao Lei was flabbergasted. He wanted to help Zhen Shi and the rest, but he couldn't put Laura and his family at risk. Especially when he wasn't sure of their innocence...

Nevertheless, Zhen Shi immediately spat out in defiance, "What the hell? Will the Red attacked me first! And later on, he was affected by a divine curse, which probably originated from you!"

These words caused Elder Hao Lei to frown in confusion and suspicion. In the end, he spoke out, "Lord Turnbull, if what young master Zhen said is true, then the fact that Will O'Dale is your subordinate makes it even more suspicious. Could it not be possible that you sent him over under your own orders? So that he would be captured, giving you an excuse to arrest these disciples?"

Lord Turnbull ignored Hao Lei and proceeded to stare at Zhen Shi with anger and a tinge of surprise about the use of the divine curse being found out.

But he wasn't worried. Proving the use of a divine curse is next to impossible. Instead, these surprising reveals about their capability made him even more motivated to put these troublesome disciples out of the equation. Lord Turnbull confidently spoke out, "Lies! Do you dare slander a manager of the market hall?" while allowing his spiritual pressure to be exerted at full force on this 'annoying' soul formation cultivator.

Zhen Shi pursed his lips in amusement while stealthily activating . With the azure blue scales appearing under his clothing and the soul defense from the Vermillion bird feather, he easily brushed off the spiritual pressure causing Lord Turnbull to raise a surprised eyebrow.

Nevertheless, Lord Turnbull turned to Hao Lei and spoke threateningly, "I expect you'll do the right thing and allow me to arrest these criminals, or else..."

This caused Hao Lei to grimace. Despite the words from Zhen Shi, a mere external Elder like himself couldn't over-rule a Curator of the Market Hall.

But even so, Hao Lei spoke out in his last attempt at defiance, "Very well, Lord Turnbull but I will be observing the proceedings. I hope you are aware of the problems that would arise if they were to lose their lives without reasonable justification," and grew silent, unable to do anything else.

Lord Turnbull sneered while gathering more energy towards the manifestation of the metallic bull behind him. He was thinking, "Observe? Fine, go on! But who can blame for a small but 'deadly' series of accidents? After all, we are within the administrative land of the Market Hall, and it would be too late by then..."

With the power of the metallic bull raging behind him, Lord Turnbull asked in a resounding voice, "So will you three weaklings peacefully come with us and support our investigation... or will you resist arrest in an utterly futile effort while further proving your nature as criminals?"

Zhen Shi was infuriated by these words. He had been influenced by the exertion of proper justice back then in the market road and had subconsciously believed that it would always be so. But this situation had been a kick in his face! As such, he was just about to rage out about the injustice of this situation...

But he was halted by Myne, who spoke out in his place, "Lord Turnbull, considering the manner you arrived and your continuous refusal to agree to reason, allowing ourselves to be arrested will definitely be disastrous... Thus we will politely refuse your request."

Zhen Shi grew silent, gradually understanding the truth in Myne's words. He realized very clearly now, that 'justice' is only exerted by those with power. And with this thought resounding in his mind, he silently manifested his bow and increased while keeping the bestial aura hidden.

On the other hand, Lord Turnbull grinned, almost as if he agreed with Myne's words. He slowly raised his hands causing a torrent of aether to rush into the shadow of the metallic bull behind him, causing it to grow more and more real. At the same time, this energy empowered the soldiers and the ominous helmets covering their heads.

Laura stared at Hao Lei pleading with her eyes to help them. But Hao Lei just shook his head helplessly. Laura grimaced angrily at her uncle and also... herself. In the end, she could only send out a prayer, "Elder Brother, please don't die! I didn't get to trick you into taking responsibility yet!"

🐂🐂🐂

Myne calmly flicked his hand sending over a ring and a strange cloth packaged over to Zhen Shi.

Zhen Shi curiously grabbed the ring with one hand while quickly unwrapping the package with the other. He couldn't help but grin in excitement at what it contained; it was a quiver containing exactly 100 pitch-black arrows. Each one of them was very powerful and according to ... they were [Law Tier Grade 5-Obsidian Chaos Arrows]!

But what had surprised him the most was the faint enchantment that was etched on each of the pitch-black arrowheads. This enchantment was extremely unique and didn't seem to use any letter from the Enchanters Alphabet.

In fact, Zhen Shi would've thought it was a simple engraving, had it not been for the strange sense of familiarity he felt from it, and had led him to use to find out what it was.

Myne explained mentally with a grin, "It's just a small gift, nothing special, especially since I made it just for fun... but they are all Law Tier arrows!" His grin turned into a smug one of deep pride, "You definitely aren't strong enough to use them at full power. However, since I sensed some vague traces of chaos aura from your mystical bow, I did inscribe a rather special enchantment..."

As Zhen Shi was raised an eyebrow of surprise at his fellow brother's impressive observation skills, Myne continued, "As a completely normal and ordinary Mage, I've engaged in quite a bit of research on the Chaos. The enchantment inscribed on these arrows gathers all my research on the Chaos into a singular place. And if I guessed correctly... it should react very well with your bow!" finishing rather uncertainly and scratching his head.

Zhen Shi had been feeling rather touched by this sudden gift. Despite Myne saying that he had made it for fun, as an experienced blacksmith that had created a grand total of one weapon, he could easily guess the truth!

Zhen Shi was sure that these arrows and the enchantment inscribed in each arrow had been hard work, especially when Myne had to have completed it within the few weeks since they had met!

However, his feelings were ruined by how he finished his words causing Zhen Shi to hurriedly send back, "What do you mean 'should'? These won't end up trying to stab me like your furnace spirits right?"

Myne raised an eyebrow as he sent back with great interest, 'Wait... so your furnace spirits tired to stab you?! Weren't you acting all high and mighty just because your knife had no holes in it? And now you tell me that you were actually attacked by a bunch of imps!" while struggling to hold his laughter. Vivienne who was also listening in with her own ring couldn't help but smile.

However, the relaxed atmosphere they had going on caused Laura and Hao Lei to be rather confused, and Lord Turnbull to be extremely enraged...

Oblivious to that, Zhen Shi grimaced at his slip up and hurriedly asked, "Fine then. What does this ring do?" He could've used the appraisal skill to get a general idea, but had asked directly just to change the topic.

Myne's smile died down as he calmly answered, "You know how weaker cultivators have a limited range of spiritual sense? Well, that ring will enhance the range of your spiritual sense and allow mental communication with those who have similar rings over much wider distances!" while showing his hand with a similar ring on. Vivienne smiled as she revealed her hand with a similar ring on as well.

Zhen Shi nodded while eyeing his ring and admiring the powerful formation which would allow the enhancement of the spiritual sense. But of course, he couldn't make much sense of it just yet.

Suddenly his eyes widened as he felt that he glimpsed something else... indescribable. But despite observing the ring further he yielded nothing. Assuming it was nothing important, he calmly put the ring on his middle finger and hung the quiver of arrows on his back.

Having finished his preparations, Zhen Shi turned to look at Lord Turnbull as the bull-like fellow had been unnecessarily silent.

Suddenly, a powerful burst of law empowered qi shot towards him causing him to flinch in surprise. But before he could even begin to react, Myne waved his hand causing a blue dome covered with multiple formation talismans to appear around them.

Boom!

A light explosion that shook the entire golden pavilion rang out as the formation blocked the attack.

Ka-cha!

A single crack appeared on the formation and quickly spread out to form an entire web of cracks. And finally, it exploded into multiple glass-like shards.

Despite the destruction of his formation, Myne grinned calmly while eyeing Lord Turnbull, "Hmm... Lord Turnbull, why did you attack so suddenly? Have you no pride or honor? Were you actually afraid of us weaklings... or is the COW inside you begging for a good milking?"

Despite the threat of the current situation, Zhen Shi and Vivienne couldn't help but grin. Even Laura grinned lightly making a mental note of that clever insult whenever she got into trouble with another Turnbull.

Lord Turnbull scowled at the insult to the powerful bull apparition behind him. He had only sent the attack as a warning since he was unhappy with the dismissive attitude of the three disciples. But now, he was truly angered as he roared out, "FIRE!"