Chapter 635 201: Spirit Forging Transformation, Qin Shuang's Innate Wisdom

The Second Prince coughed and said, "My father agreed. I'm a member of the Celestial Pride Salvation Society now, so I can focus on practicing my Daoist Skills."

Shen Bai stroked his chin.

He hadn't expected the Saint Martial Emperor to agree so decisively.

'But on second thought, it made a certain kind of sense.'

'If he couldn't be dissuaded, it was better to arrange for him to join the Celestial Pride Salvation Society.'

'Go on, learn your Daoist Skills, but while you're at it, you'd better keep an eye on the Celestial Pride Salvation Society for me.'

'If he couldn't even manage that, he was a useless excuse for a member of the Royal Family.'

Nan Huang said, "The Celestial Pride Salvation Society is already known to the leaders of many nations, so there's no need for us to be so secretive."

Shen Bai nodded. "In that case, why have you come to see me?"

The Second Prince and Nan Huang exchanged a glance.

Nan Huang said, "I didn't realize Master Wuxin had already invited you, Lord Shen."

Shen Bai said, "It seems you've already spoken with Master Wuxin."

'That seemed perfectly normal to Shen Bai.'

'In fact, it would have been strange if he hadn't told his superiors about it.'

Nan Huang nodded.

He had done more than just talk to him; Nan Huang now knew the full story of what had transpired.

He had continued his long-distance correspondence with Master Wuxin, and, feeling it was worth another shot, he brought the Second Prince along.

As for why the Second Prince had come, Nan Huang wasn't actually sure.

The Second Prince had simply said he wanted to meet Shen Bai.

A meeting was a meeting. Nan Huang saw no harm in it.

Shen Bai, however, knew exactly what was going on.

'The Emperor was also aware of the deal he'd struck with Eunuch Chen.'

'This was the Emperor's way of telling him that it was a good time to join the Celestial Pride Salvation Society.'

Nan Huang said, "Lord Shen, I would still like to invite you to join the Celestial Pride Salvation Society on its behalf. It's a truly great cause."

Shen Bai nodded. "Alright. What's the process? Do I need to swear an oath or anything like that?"

Nan Huang: ...?

He was utterly astonished and felt the surprise showing plainly on his face.

But he couldn't help it.

After all... Shen Bai had agreed far too readily.

Previously, Master Wuxin had talked himself blue in the face, but Shen Bai hadn't budged.

And now, he'd suddenly agreed.

'How was anyone supposed to react to that?'

'I wouldn't believe for a second that you don't have some other motive.'

'This whole thing has really thrown me for a loop.'

Nan Huang hesitated for a moment. "Lord Shen, what are your terms?"

Shen Bai looked at him, puzzled. "What do I want? I don't want a thing."

Nan Huang took a deep breath.

'Something's not right. There's definitely something more to this.'

'As the old saying goes, the things you get for free are often the most expensive.'

"Why don't we discuss this further?" Nan Huang pressed.

Shen Bai waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need. Joining the Celestial Pride Salvation Society to slay demons and eliminate evil for the sake of all people has always been my lifelong dream. For that dream, I would walk through fire."

Nan Huang's lip twitched. "But that's not what Master Wuxin told me. He said that you, Lord Shen, were very... wise."

He had wanted to use the word "cunning," but he had a feeling that if he did, he'd be leaving the room on a stretcher, so he changed his tune at the last minute.

Shen Bai shook his head. "You all underestimate me. I am a man of great heroic spirit."

Nearby, the Second Prince spat out a mouthful of tea.

'Heroic spirit?'

'That trait... in Shen Bai?'

'No way. Absolutely impossible.'

Seeing Nan Huang dawdling and wasting time he could be using to grind his Skill Level, Shen Bai said, "Fine, I won't join then."

Nan Huang quickly said, "No, wait, Lord Shen! You already agreed! A gentleman never goes back on his word! It's settled, then. No ceremony is needed; you just have to join. Besides, given your status, Lord Shen, we won't bother you unless something extremely important comes up."

'Even though he felt something was fishy, he thought, 'To hell with it.''

'As long as he could get Shen Bai to join, he could worry about the rest later.'

"Shall I... see you out, then?" Shen Bai said, getting to his feet.

He needed to get back to grinding his Spirit Casting Technique and really didn't have time for small talk.

Nan Huang rose. "There's no need, Lord Shen. We can see ourselves out."

With that, he and the Second Prince made a swift exit.

If he stayed any longer, Nan Huang felt his mind would conjure up all sorts of conspiracies, and that wouldn't do.

Shen Bai watched them leave, then closed the door and headed out himself.

He needed to find a smithy to grind his Spirit Casting Technique and get it to Level 5.

...

「Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.」

After listening to the Dean's report, the Saint Martial Emperor mused, "Regarding this matter, are you the only one who can extract the Innate Wisdom left behind by the Ten Thousand Cities Remnants?"

The Dean cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, the extraction method is known to anyone who has reached my level of attainment. It is not unique to me."

The Saint Martial Emperor pondered. "In that case, I will consult with the other nations. We can have a select group of individuals thoroughly investigated. You will lead the team and look into key personnel."

The Dean nodded.

The Saint Martial Emperor said slowly, "If this is true, the Ten Thousand Cities Remnants will suffer a devastating blow. There should be countermeasures to follow, but we'll take it one step at a time."

'If this was their only trick, they'd be finished now that it's been exposed.'

The Saint Martial Emperor didn't believe the Ten Thousand Cities Remnants would rely on a single method.

'Their plan had to be a series of interconnected plots.'

'He just didn't know what would come next.'

'But for now, all they could do was clear the obstacles as they appeared.'

The Dean accepted his orders and withdrew from the Imperial Study.

After the Dean left, Eunuch Chen walked in.

"Your Majesty, regarding Shen Bai's reward, I have had my men select ten Deceitful Objects from the treasury."

Eunuch Chen asked, "Is there anything else?"

The Saint Martial Emperor had tasked Eunuch Chen with handling the reward, and the Deceitful Objects had already been retrieved. As for anything else, Eunuch Chen needed to probe the Saint Martial Emperor's intentions.