Chapter 723 - 219: 3 Divine Powers, Level 7 (Part 2)

That was the official story, anyway. Since Shen Bai had reaped the benefits, he needed an excuse.

Qu Yongfeng’s expression was complicated, but he eventually nodded. "It’s all right, Lord Shen. As long as it didn’t fall into the hands of the Demonic Forces, everything is fine. If it’s destroyed, it’s destroyed. Our orders from the higher-ups were to destroy it if we couldn’t bring it back."

This was indeed their worst-case contingency. At least the Ten Thousand Strange Map had not fallen into the hands of the Demonic Forces.

Xue Caixiang gazed at Shen Bai’s figure, her eyes shining with a peculiar brilliance.

From her initial disdain, to her later submission, and now, she had even begun to worship Shen Bai.

’This is what a true young prodigy looks like. Compared to Shen Bai, the other young people in the organization are as weak as ants.’

’And yet they’re so incredibly arrogant. If they ever met Shen Bai, I’m afraid their pride would shatter into a million pieces.’

As Xue Caixiang thought this, the worship in her eyes grew ever stronger.

For someone like Xue Caixiang, despite her proud nature, she was more than willing to submit to those stronger than herself.

Such people were, paradoxically, the simplest.

After saying this, Shen Bai fell silent.

He looked at Qiu Ze, a keen interest in his eyes.

The Poison Avoidance and Spirit Recovery Skill had transferred all the poison into Qiu Ze’s body, leaving him unable to resist—or even commit suicide.

"Follow me back to the Observatory," Shen Bai said. "There is still value to be extracted from him."

A spatial rift materialized in midair, and Shen Bai stepped into it.

Qu Yongfeng and Xue Caixiang exchanged a glance, then followed Shen Bai, stepping into the rift and vanishing from sight.

...

「Inside the Observatory.」

Ding Quan and other members of the Observatory arrived and took custody of Qiu Ze.

Shen Bai spoke slowly. "I want you to extract the maximum possible value from him in the shortest amount of time. After you’re done, subject him to the most extreme form of punishment. Remember, the *most extreme* form. I don’t want him to have an easy death. After all, he is responsible for the lives of three entire counties."

Ding Quan placed a hand over his heart, thumped it once, and said, "This subordinate obeys."

The dungeons had Observatory members who specialized in punishment, and their methods were highly professional. Moreover, since Lord Shen himself had given the order, Ding Quan knew the task would be completed with the utmost speed.

Before long, Ding Quan was leading Qiu Ze toward the dungeons, and they quickly disappeared from Shen Bai’s view.

Shen Bai then turned back to Qu Yongfeng and asked, "Will the two of you be leaving now, or would you like to stay for a while?"

Qu Yongfeng thought for a moment before replying, "Lord Shen, we are also extremely curious about the intelligence on Qiu Ze. Is it possible for us to be kept informed?"

Shen Bai nodded. "Of course. After all, I’m technically a member of the Celestial Pride Salvation Society myself. Besides, Qiu Ze is a traitor from your ranks. If you want to know what we learn, you may stay. But do not cause any trouble in Lingyun Dao. Otherwise, I’ll take both your heads and hang them from the Observatory’s plaque."

Qu Yongfeng hurriedly replied, "We wouldn’t dare, Lord Shen. Rest assured, we will be on our best behavior."

Shen Bai simply nodded, said nothing more, and walked toward the five-story building.

He needed to perform the third qualitative transformation on his Vajra Dharma Form Fist and Flawless Ten-layered Body right away. He had no time to waste.

Qu Yongfeng and Xue Caixiang watched Shen Bai’s retreating figure until he disappeared from sight. Only then did they both let out a sigh of relief.

"The pressure I feel from Lord Shen is getting more and more intense," Qu Yongfeng said. "Back when I fought him, he used half his strength at most."

Xue Caixiang shot Qu Yongfeng a disdainful look. "That’s a ridiculous thing to say. You’ve seen Lord Shen’s Swordsmanship. I’d guess he didn’t even use ten percent of his strength when fighting you, let alone half."

Although Qu Yongfeng was rebuked, he seemed to tacitly agree with what Xue Caixiang said.

Xue Caixiang continued, "We should keep staying here at the Observatory. That way, we’ll learn of any news right away and can report back to the Celestial Pride Salvation Society."

Qu Yongfeng nodded.

Without another word, the two of them headed toward the Observatory’s living quarters.

The living quarters at the Observatory were free for members, but outsiders were charged an extremely high fee.

Fortunately, given their high status, they could afford the cost.

...

After returning to the five-story building, Shen Bai closed his door. He had just sat down when Amber and Red Makeup emerged. One began to give him a massage while the other brewed him tea.

Shen Bai, long accustomed to this treatment, enjoyed it for a moment before beginning the third qualitative transformation of his Divine Power.

He had gained so much this time. Both his Vajra Dharma Form Fist and Flawless Ten-layered Body had reached the threshold for their third qualitative transformation, and Shen Bai could hardly wait.

After calming his excitement a little, Shen Bai began to consume Evil Qi.

First, twenty wisps of Evil Qi vanished. Then, Shen Bai upgraded his Vajra Dharma Form Fist to Level 7.

Before his eyes, smoke coalesced, eventually forming into a new Divine Power that floated in the void.

[Buddha Dharma Form Fist lv.7 (Fist Technique +64, Buddha’s Light +64, Power Dao +64, Fist Gang +64, Dharma Aspect +64, Fist Intent +64, Suppression +64): 1000/40000]

The 1,000 overflow points were successfully applied to Level 7.

’It’s happening again.’

Shen Bai thought to himself as he looked at the words formed from smoke.

Everything around him started to blur, as if covered by a thick layer of pixelation.

When the pixelation gradually cleared, the scene before his eyes had completely changed.

Shen Bai found himself in what appeared to be a Buddhist hall.

The hall was filled with all sorts of bizarre and grotesque sculptures that resembled both Buddhas and ghosts, creating an atmosphere that was at once solemn and sinister.