Chapter 285: Chapter 142: Xinhua Academy 5

The next moment, the Chaotic Heart Spell transformed into words that enveloped all the soldiers present, seeping into their bodies.

As the Chaotic Heart Spell seeped into the soldiers’ bodies, faint Dao Text flickered in and out of sight. The soldiers, whose expressions had been completely blank, instantly regained their clarity.

It wasn’t that the brain-shaped abomination wasn’t attacking—this *was* its method of attack.

After Shen Bai cast the Chaotic Heart Spell, waves of cold, sinister Qi pulsed from the brain-shaped abomination, as if it were struggling to maintain control.

But it stood no chance.

His Level 5 Chaotic Heart Spell possessed a +16 bonus to its various Attributes, with massive boosts to its Clear Heart and Neutral properties.

Against the brain abomination, Shen Bai was like a fortress wall, standing firm and unmoving no matter how the wind and rain battered it.

Zhou Qing also snapped out of his daze and drew the saber at his waist.

A streak of Blood Red Sword Qi, seemingly launched later, struck first, landing on the brain-shaped abomination.

The next moment, the brain-shaped abomination disintegrated within the Blood Red Sword Qi, turning into plumes of ash that scattered into the sky.

"Without its mind control, its physical form is pathetically weak." Shen Bai ran a finger along Cold Moon’s blade and said coolly, "What about you? Where is your real body? Do you dare show yourself to me?"

Six strands of Evil Qi materialized and were absorbed into Shen Bai’s body. Combined with his previous gains, he now possessed thirty-three strands of Evil Qi—enough to induce a second qualitative transformation in three of his Divine Powers.

Wang Tianxing was frozen on the spot, as motionless as a wooden statue.

His eyes were wide, and his white robes, far from lending him an air of scholarly elegance, now made him look rather comical.

"How is this possible? You’ve cultivated a Daoist Technique to such an advanced level... Are you even human?"

Wang Tianxing said in utter disbelief, "A normal person would exhaust their mental energy just cultivating one technique. You’re cultivating so many, and all of them to such a profound level... How can you possibly be this strong?"

Shen Bai raised an eyebrow. "It’s only natural that I’m strong."

The remark left Wang Tianxing speechless.

Nearby, Zhao Sheng put a hand to his forehead.

’No, it’s that feeling I got from Landlord Mu all over again... No, that’s not right. He’s even more extreme than Landlord Mu.’

For some reason, Zhao Sheng suddenly had no desire to get any closer to Shen Bai.

He especially didn’t want to be near him when he remembered that insufferably smug look on the face of that old fellow from decades ago, the one who called himself Mu Jianlin.

Zhou Qing and the others all pointed their weapons at Wang Tianxing, their expressions wary.

Shen Bai, however, knew this Wang Tianxing was merely a phantom projection; his real body wasn’t on the Life and Death Road, so he made no move.

Wang Tianxing sighed. "Every member of Xinhua Academy is precious. We possess vast knowledge; why would we ever put ourselves in harm’s way?"

At this, Wang Tianxing’s tone softened, and a look of interest appeared on his face.

"Although you destroyed my research specimen, I find myself even more interested in you now. Shen Bai, isn’t it? We’ll be seeing each other again."

As he finished speaking, Wang Tianxing’s body began to fade.

’As I thought. There’s a problem with the Yin Walker Cultivation Technique I’ve been studying. The simulation is unstable; it can’t hold for long.’

"But no matter. I will come for you. I will take you back and make you my next masterpiece."

With those final words, Wang Tianxing’s figure finally dissolved into nothingness.

Shen Bai stared at the spot where Wang Tianxing had vanished, sheathing Cold Moon without a word.

Zhao Sheng stepped forward. "Lord Shen, don’t worry. The people from Xinhua Academy may be lunatics, but they don’t dare to act too brazenly. At least..."

Shen Bai cut him off before he could finish.

"I’m not worried about Xinhua Academy," Shen Bai said.

Zhao Sheng faltered. "Then, Lord Shen, just now you were..."

Seeing Shen Bai’s silent expression, he had assumed the man was worried about Xinhua Academy.

But that wasn’t it at all.

"Hm..." Shen Bai said. "I was thinking about how to catch his real body next time so I can finish him off for good."

Zhao Sheng: "..."

’Good heavens. So *that’s* what you were worried about.’

’But... is that even a rational thought?’

’Everyone else tries to avoid provoking these lunatics, and you’re busy plotting how to kill them.’

’Unbelievable.’

But then Zhao Sheng thought about Shen Bai’s various abilities, and another thought suddenly surfaced.

’Actually... that seems pretty reasonable too.’

Once the thought appeared, it took firm root in his mind.

Shen Bai said, "Since we’ve all made it, let’s wait for a bit. We’ll wait for Elder Mu and the others to figure out a way to get us out of here."

As he spoke, Shen Bai recounted what had just happened.

Zhao Sheng nodded in agreement after hearing the explanation.

Afterwards, Zhao Sheng began arranging the soldiers to guard the perimeter of the Yin Post and prevent any further danger.

According to procedure, they were supposed to depart as soon as the Yin Post’s coordinates were finalized, without lingering in the outside world for long.

But now that this incident had occurred, they would need to make up for lost time.

Shen Bai found a spot to sit and began chatting idly with Zhou Qing.

Zhao Sheng pretended not to notice Zhou Qing and Shen Bai’s conversation.

Normally, according to Dingfeng Camp regulations, Zhou Qing should have been participating in the defense as well.

But Shen Bai’s actions had just saved Dingfeng Camp from the risk of being completely wiped out. To put it bluntly, he was their savior. Even if he and Zhou Qing chatted up a storm, no one was going to say a word.

Many of the soldiers, however, now looked at Shen Bai with gazes full of awe.

Hushed whispers could even be heard echoing across the clearing.

"So that’s Lord Zhou’s brother. He’s truly young and promising."