The collapse of the building buried most of the surrounding district beneath debris. Every civilian living in the area was mercilessly entombed in the rubble.
The intense explosion, thick with choking dust, spread rapidly through the air—drawing the attention of neighboring streets within moments.
Calls to the New Eridu Public Security Bureau poured in, and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene immediately.
But twenty minutes before they arrived, atop the wreckage…
Zhong Yan emerged atop a mound of shattered stone and twisted steel, his figure steady amid the chaos. His eyes swept the ruined landscape until they locked onto the one responsible for the attack.
The pink-haired woman who had been speaking with him earlier had also survived. She soon surfaced from a rising shard of ether crystal, half her body visible, her expression grim as she gazed toward the ruins.
"So fast... Didn't think the Exaltists had taken to browsing the net these days," she muttered bitterly.
It was clear she had anticipated being tracked by the Exaltists and had prepared for confrontation—but what she hadn't expected was their sheer brutality.
By all logic, they should've avoided drawing public attention. Now that they'd caused such destruction, the higher-ups in New Eridu's administration would surely launch a full-scale investigation.
But for the Exaltists, whose headquarters lay beyond New Eridu, such investigations were hardly a threat. They only maintained secrecy to avoid unnecessary complications.
Most people weren't even worthy of knowing the Exaltists existed. Only the elite among elites had the potential to become test subjects.
"Uchiha, everything I told you is true. If you're willing to trust me, then fight this one with me. He's one of their top elites—if we take him out, that maniac will feel it."
The pink-haired woman—Airi—immediately turned to Zhong Yan for assistance against the incoming threat.
She knew full well that Zhong Yan and the Exaltists were already locked in an irreconcilable conflict.
So even if he didn't want to ally with her, he'd still team up long enough to deal with the enemy standing before them.
"Airi," a voice rang out from above the ruins, "my god granted you a new body. Is this how you repay Him? Colluding with such a lowly creature, and daring to defy us?"
From the smoke emerged a woman who appeared to be in her thirties, her limbs pulsating with ether. Her aura dwarfed that of any Exaltist member Zhong Yan had faced before.
No exaggeration—it was clear he'd have to take this one seriously.
Kamui's neck-twist wouldn't work. Against opponents of this caliber, their sheer speed and flexibility made them nearly impossible to pin down.
Unless... Zhong Yan immobilized them first.
"I can't believe that maniac actually sent one of the Twelve Shields after me," Airi muttered, her face darkening as she recognized the attacker.
The Twelve Shields—second only to the Exaltists' leader—were the most powerful of the test subjects, closer to "perfection" than anyone else.
Each one rivaled top-tier enemies. While they might not be able to solo a colossal Hollow like Nineveh, they could at least match heavyweights like Hoshimi Miyabi in terms of power.
Were it not for their leader's concern about something hidden in New Eridu, the Exaltists would've stationed their base inside the city and revealed themselves long ago.
Twelve beings, each strong enough to rival a Void Hunter—enough to raze New Eridu.
"Uchiha... the so-called legendary Hollow Raider. I've heard of you. If you defeated a Hollow like Nineveh, then you're likely stronger than I am."
The Twelve Shield agent recognized Zhong Yan immediately and even acknowledged his strength.
But that was just courtesy. The Twelve Shields obeyed their god with unwavering loyalty. Their devotion surpassed even their immense power.
Even in death, they had no regrets.
All for the glory of my god.
"You're exactly the kind of specimen our god would be interested in. I won't hold back. I'm prepared to die. From now on—you are our prey."
As her voice dropped, the woman stomped the ground.
A tsunami of ether surged from her body, condensing into a titanic humanoid figure in midair—its colors shimmering with seven hues.
The sight was visually stunning. Even Zhong Yan had to admit—it was terrifying how far the Exaltists' leader had pushed human transformation.
But even this fell short of true transcendence—of the kind that shattered worldly logic.
"Uchiha! Don't underestimate her!" Airi shouted, sensing the suffocating pressure in the air.
"This one's one of that maniac's inner circle. She's not like the others!"
She offered her warning not just out of fear—but out of concern that her potential ally might fall here.
But Zhong Yan didn't flinch. He raised his hand slowly.
The next instant, deep-blue energy surged around him—Susanoo's armored form emerged in full glory.
Its impenetrable shell radiated safety and overwhelming power alike.
Even more so, its offensive force was unmatched.
The lesson he'd learned earlier reminded Zhong Yan—never unleash destructive power in populated areas. A single arrow from Susanoo could annihilate the woman and her summoned entity... but it would also obliterate the entire district.
He wasn't a hero—but he wasn't a butcher either. Had this been in a Hollow, he'd have let loose with everything he had.
But here—one Yasaka Magatama would suffice.
"Starting with you... the Twelve Shields. Your god. I won't spare a single one."
Under his mask, Zhong Yan's face contorted into a snarl. In Susanoo's hand, a spinning magatama took shape.
With a single motion, he hurled it forward. The magatama whirled through the air—
And in the next instant, deep-blue energy detonated. The towering etheric avatar shattered violently into oblivion.