But just at this moment!
The originally clear weather!
Suddenly turned into a sandstorm, dark clouds gathering!
A mighty and holy voice, as if from the clouds, echoed throughout Phantom Star City:
"Heretic! Tomorrow I shall come, to suppress thee!"
"All those who are tainted by thy evil aura shall be purged!"
...
"Oh heavens! It’s God’s power!"
"No! God has sent punishment, the apocalypse is upon us!"
"God, please forgive us!"
This heart-wrenching scene!
Caused a stir among the people of Phantom Star City!
The citizens knelt down!
Kneeling and begging for God’s forgiveness!
But...
Lin Lang, standing at the center of the storm, smiled coldly:
"Pretending to be God and deceiving people!"
He casually waved his hand towards the sky!
Instantly!
A terrifying Spiritual Qi shot up into the sky—
And continued to expand, expand in mid-air!
Until it turned into a sun-like dazzling light ball!
Dispelling all the gloom!
The world was restored to a clear state again!
...
Audrey, nestled in Lin Lang’s arms, stared blankly at this scene, unable to utter a word:
"Lin Lang, you..."
The methods Lin Lang displayed were simply beyond her understanding!
She felt increasingly incredulous—
Just what kind of person is Lin Lang?
Why would he appear here and meet her?
...
At this moment!
A group of hotel staff came running over!
Their faces were filled with worry and fear!
Unable to help but say:
"Oh my God! How did Audrey get onto the wrong side of the Church Court? What are we going to do now!"
"The Church Court is a force to be reckoned with in Phantom Star City, this is big trouble!"
Aunt Maria, who had followed Audrey from the slums to this point, was also among the crowd!
She went up to Audrey, took her hand, and said anxiously:
"Child, we can’t afford to provoke the power of the Church Court! You and Lin Lang had better apologize quickly; perhaps there’s still hope for a turnaround."
Everyone nodded and persuaded them one after another!
...
Audrey’s face gradually turned very pale—
Initially!
She only wanted to protect her and Lin Lang’s hotel, to preserve the many gold coins they had worked so hard to earn!
For things to escalate to this point!
Was something she could never have foreseen—
Originally just a commercial choice and competition!
How did it evolve into such a life-and-death conflict?
...
Audrey tightly grabbed Lin Lang’s arm, her palms covered with cold sweat.
The fear in her heart spread like a tidal wave—
Having lived in Phantom Star City for many years, she understood the terror of the Church Court deeply:
They are the absolute rulers of Phantom Star City!
Anyone who dares to defy them ultimately brings about their own destruction!
She lifted her head, her eyes filled with anxiety and confusion, her voice trembling:
"Lin Lang, everyone is right, the Church Court is too powerful; shouldn’t we think of a way to ease the relationship?"
But!
Lin Lang gazed around, looking at everyone’s worried faces, yet his own still bore a composed smile.
He gently patted Audrey’s hand, then addressed everyone:
"Everyone!"
The noisy sounds instantly quieted down, and everyone looked at him expectantly.
"The Church Court proposes such unreasonable demands, if we compromise today, there will never be peace in the future."
Lin Lang spoke calmly.
"Since I dared to make a move, I am fully confident in handling everything that follows. I have the ability to protect our hotel and protect everyone."
"But..."
One of the young waiters couldn’t help but speak, still filled with worry.
Lin Lang interrupted him:
"There’s no ’but,’ everyone just continue working as usual, live with peace. If they come again to cause trouble, I will ensure they leave with nothing."
His tone was firm.
Everyone looked at each other, although still anxious in their hearts, looking at Lin Lang’s confident demeanor, they could say no more.
The crowd slowly dispersed, each returning to their work.
But everyone still silently prayed in their hearts, hoping this storm would blow over soon.
...
The next day!
The sunlight bathed Phantom Star City as usual.
But this seemingly calm day was faintly laced with a tense atmosphere—
Audrey Hotel, once bustling with guests!
Today was cold and deserted!
Even the passers-by at the entrance hurried by, not daring to linger!
Let alone stepping inside to spend money!
...
Suddenly!
A series of heavy and synchronized footsteps approached from afar, breaking the street’s silence.
Only to see a group of Church Court personnel clad in black robes, marching rigidly towards the hotel.
In front of them!
A tall figure draped in a red cloak stood out astonishingly—
The red cloak fluttered gently in the breeze, like burning flames, exuding a dreadfully majestic aura!
The street instantly erupted into commotion!
People whispered to one another, their discussions rising and falling:
"Look quickly, it’s the Church Court’s people, this time a Cardinal has actually come!"
"Oh my God, this is serious, a Cardinal’s status in the Church Court is second only to the Pope, their strength unfathomable!"
"I’ve heard only those who achieve great feats of battle, possessing extraordinary power, are eligible to don that red cloak, something big is happening today!"
...
The hotel staff, watching this scene through the window, turned pale with fright—
Some had weakened legs, almost unable to stand, while others simply collapsed to the ground, eyes filled with despair!
Aunt Maria clutched her hands together, repeatedly making gestures in front of her chest, muttering as if praying to God.
Audrey also stood by the window, her face as white as paper, beads of sweat covering her forehead.
She tightly clenched her fists, her fingernails nearly digging into her palms, her heart laden with fear and helplessness.