10 PM That Night.

1500 meters above the deep forest, 10 kilometers west of Heavenly Bay City.

Far from the city's neon glow, the sky sparkled with countless brilliant stars. A thousand people in dark blue military uniforms stood effortlessly in mid-air, defying common sense. Any ordinary person would gape in astonishment at this eerie sight. But they wouldn't find it incomprehensible. They'd know these were Soul Force Wielders—one in every six hundred people in the world.

At this moment, the ordinary citizens of Heavenly Bay City knew nothing of this gathering.

Mayor's Office, Heavenly Bay City.

The mayor, with streaks of gray in his hair, stood gravely before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing toward the deep forest. That morning, he'd received a notice from the Soul Force Administration. It demanded the government ensure no one approached within ten kilometers of that area tonight. This was the first time they'd asked him to clear such a vast zone. Though not given details, he could guess this would be a large-scale operation.

"I hope nothing happens tonight," the mayor sighed, downing the Lafite wine in his glass in one gulp.

***

The airspace where the Soul Force Wielders gathered.

Above the crowd stood a middle-aged man with short, grizzled hair and sharp features. His dark blue uniform differed clearly from others. Three silver five-pointed stars were embroidered on his red shoulder straps. He was Kuang Tian'ao, Captain of the Third Squadron, Asian Branch of the Soul Force Administration, and commander of this operation.

"Everyone! To your positions! Sixty minutes until the spatial rift appears!" Kuang Tian'ao boomed.

The Soul Force Wielders swiftly formed a prearranged circular formation.

"Hey, Zhicheng, this is my first time seeing so many Soul Force Wielders together since graduation."

In the ranks, a lively girl with short black hair, looking about eighteen, spoke excitedly to the boy beside her. Two silver bars adorned her red shoulder straps. She was Zhou Meijia, member of the First Squad "Gale," Seventh Squadron, Asian Branch of the Soul Force Administration.

"What are you excited about, Meijia? The Magic Power reading exceeded 500. Mid-level Monsters might appear," the boy scolded. His handsome face looked somewhat delicate. Three silver bars marked his own red shoulder straps. He was Chen Zhicheng, Deputy Captain of the same squad, a year older than Meijia.

"But with so many of us, it'll be fine, right?"

Zhicheng shook his head. "Meijia, you say that because you just graduated. For us Soul Force Wielders, the outside world is nothing like school. Even with full combat strength prepared, one slip-up can cost your life."

Meijia didn't argue back, but her puffed-out cheeks showed clear defiance. Seeing this, Zhicheng grew even more worried. Meijia was his junior by a year and his girlfriend of two years. They hadn't seen each other since his graduation a year ago. A month ago, she'd finally graduated from Halsien Academy and joined his squad. Zhicheng had been overjoyed. Meijia ranked tenth in her class; in strength, she might even surpass him. But her confidence worried him most. Early in his own career, arrogance had nearly killed him. Only the captain's timely rescue had saved him.

"Listen, Meijia, stay close to me later."

Meijia smiled sweetly and gave Zhicheng a peck. "Got it, I won't go far. And I'm strong too, you know." She raised her tiny fist.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked excitedly, "Oh, will Lady Sherry really come this time?"

"Yeah," Zhicheng replied. "Considering the Monster threat, they invited Lady Sherry from the Order of the Holy Temple for backup. And if she comes, Lady Claire will probably come too."

"That's great! After the battle, I hope I can get Lady Sherry's autograph. Hey, Zhicheng, I heard you were in the Turbulent Zone when she was there. Did you see her? Did you talk to her?"

Zhicheng's expression darkened, as if recalling something unpleasant.

"What's wrong, Zhicheng?"

"Ah, nothing. Meijia, do you know what kind of person Lady Sherry is?"

Meijia paused, then recited from memory: "Shirley Estes, the eighth of the thirteen members of the Order of the Holy Temple, the Law Enforcer. Since joining nine years ago, she's achieved remarkable feats. And she's a stunning beauty. Many at the academy admire her. Oh yeah, there was a trend where people dyed their hair white like hers and wore red colored contacts. But everyone realized white hair didn't suit them and dyed it back. I'm curious how old she is. She seems mature, probably older than us. Sadly, her age is a mystery. Hehe, maybe no one dares to ask."

Zhicheng rubbed the corners of his eyes and shook his head.

"What's wrong? Don't you like Lady Sherry?" Meijia frowned, dissatisfied.

Zhicheng looked up at the deep night sky, recalling: "Once, I admired her too. Half a year ago, I was sent to the Nansha Islands in the Turbulent Zone. Rebels led by an A-rank Soul Force Wielder occupied a small island with nearly 800 followers, threatening nearby nations. Our Asian and African branches sent 2000 Wielders to suppress them. The battle lasted over two months. They suffered few losses; we lost nearly 200 members. Finally, higher-ups sent Lady Sherry and Lady Edith for help."

"Then what? Did they quickly end it?"

Zhicheng nodded. "After greeting our captain at camp, they went straight to the rebels' territory alone."

"Huh? Didn't you help?"

"I was puzzled too. Thirty minutes later, we were ordered to move out—to handle the aftermath."

"Handle the aftermath? The battle was over?"

"Yes. The island looked ravaged. Collapsed mountains, cracked ground. The Wielders there were either dead or severely wounded. The first thing I thought was the end of the world. They didn't come to help suppress rebels. They came to destroy that place. Meijia, they were like demons incarnate!"

Just then, an anomaly appeared above the crowd. A dark red distortion formed at a point, then expanded, emitting a strong ominous aura.

"Warning! Magic Power readings spiking! Magic Power at 1000! Double the expected level! Spatial rift appearing fifty minutes early!" a Wielder operating the detector reported tensely.

Generally, spatial distortion strength predicted Monster levels. The thousand Wielders were prepared for mid-level Monsters at a reading of 500. But 1000 was the threshold for high-level Monsters. With the Order of the Holy Temple's backup not yet here, commotion spread instantly.

"To your positions! Everyone, defensive stance! Execute Operation 'Ebb Tide'! Hold on until backup arrives!" Kuang Tian'ao commanded decisively.

The Soul Force Wielders immediately summoned their Soul Weapons.

"Meijia! Stay close to me!"

"Okay! I know!"

Zhicheng gripped his giant sword-shaped Soul Weapon tightly, watching the distortion above tensely. Meijia summoned her scythe-shaped Soul Weapon, on guard.

Honestly, Zhicheng had the urge to grab Meijia and run. But being labeled a deserter meant death. As Soul Force Wielders, they were born with a predetermined fate from the Soul Force Administration. All they could do now was kill as many Monsters as possible and survive.