Liu Wufeng nodded. "With Shen Bai’s current strength, going to Nanxing Prefecture won’t be as dangerous as we thought."

Long Yan, shedding his usual flippant demeanor, said seriously, "Unity Realm experts are like toys in his hands. I’m afraid only someone at the Void Realm could fight him. And even then, one wrong move and they could be defeated and killed."

As he said this, the other two nodded in unison, believing Long Yan’s words couldn’t be more true.

Shen Bai paid them no mind. In the space of a single breath, he had already replenished the Qi he had just consumed.

He raised Cold Moon and was about to step forward when Qian Wu unexpectedly held up a hand.

"There’s no need to continue."

Shen Bai stopped and asked, "Why not?"

"Your intention was to test your strength, and now, it has been tested," Qian Wu said.

Shen Bai thought about it. What Qian Wu said was right; his strength did seem to have been assessed.

Thinking of this, Shen Bai asked.

"So, how is my strength?"

Qian Wu nodded. "I originally thought this trip to Nanxing Prefecture would be somewhat dangerous. But now it seems that with your level of strength, you’ll be much safer there."

The test just now needed no words. One only had to feel it to sense Shen Bai’s power.

As it stood, Shen Bai appeared to be at the Meridian Realm, but he could already fight someone at the Void Realm to a standstill.

In fact, with his wide array of techniques, he might even be able to kill those who had reached the Void Realm simply by accumulating years of practice.

After all, in a battle, all sorts of factors had to be considered. A life-and-death fight wasn’t a tournament match; underhanded methods and hidden trump cards were key to victory.

Shen Bai sheathed Cold Moon. "In that case, I can be a little more at ease about this trip."

Nanxing Prefecture was a Prefecture-level City, after all. The powers there were far too numerous and complicated. If Shen Bai was going, he needed a clear understanding of what he was getting into.

Now that he had the strength to back him up, many of his plans could be realized.

Qian Wu surveyed the surrounding ruins. "I didn’t choose the location well. If I had known, we would have fought somewhere else. Now I’ll have to spend a lot of money on the Observatory’s behalf."

As he spoke, Qian Wu took a money pouch from his robes and tossed it to Liu Wufeng.

"Wufeng, consider this payment for the damage I caused. Take it and repair the Observatory’s Martial Arts Arena."

Liu Wufeng didn’t stand on ceremony. He took the money and nodded. "Thank you, Lord Qian."

Qian Wu shook his head, then looked toward the window.

It was already noon.

"It’s getting late."

Qian Wu looked away. "Coming here, I’ve completed the mission from the Yin General Department. Since the mission is done, I’ll be heading back. The matter with Marquis Fengjiang is still in its final stages, and Lord Yin needs my help."

At their level, many things were out of their control. For instance, time was a luxury they considered extremely precious.

Having completed his task, Qian Wu had no intention of lingering.

Liu Wufeng said, "Lord Qian, why don’t I prepare dinner? You can eat before you leave."

Qian Wu laughed. "You should know my personality by now. Once my business is done, I leave. I don’t bother with all these social niceties."

"Wufeng, manage your Fenglin State well. There’s a chance for promotion in the future."

Without waiting for anyone to reply, Qian Wu leaped into the air, transforming into a streak of light that flew off into the distance.

He came quickly and left just as fast. Without even a formal Jianghu farewell, Qian Wu was gone.

The area was still a field of rubble. As Qian Wu disappeared, Liu Wufeng went out and called over members of the Observatory to start cleaning up the ruins.

Elder Mu said, "You set out tomorrow. Tidy up all your loose ends today and leave first thing in the morning."

A mission from the Observatory was an order. Elder Mu knew that Shen Bai couldn’t afford any delays.

Shen Bai nodded. "Then I’ll take my leave."

Since he had business tomorrow, there was no need for Dianmao today.

Shen Bai bade farewell to Elder Mu and the others, then headed for his house in Fenglin State.

「...」

The walk back was quiet. As Shen Bai strolled along the bustling yet peaceful streets, he felt a trace of reluctance to leave.

He had been in Fenglin State for a long time now. To be honest, its streets and alleys, every plant and tree, were already imprinted on his heart.

Now that he had to leave Fenglin State for Nanxing Prefecture, it was natural to feel a pang of sorrow at parting.

Fortunately, Shen Bai had a straightforward personality. After a few last looks, he turned and went back to his house.

Inside, the room was as quiet as the night.

Shen Bai first lit the oil lamp on the table, then opened the space of his Life and Death Storage Skill to check on Amber’s condition.

The cyan giant egg had grown thinner and thinner. Not only that, but the patterns on Amber’s body were now faintly visible through its surface.

Shen Bai observed it carefully for a moment. ’At this rate, Amber might hatch from its shell before I even reach Lanxing Prefecture,’ he thought.

Because of Amber’s evolution, Shen Bai had already missed out on a lot of double Skill Level gains. He was now eagerly anticipating just how much of a surprise Amber would bring him.

But anticipation was just anticipation; it wasn’t time for Amber to emerge yet.

’In that case, I should grind Skill Level first.’

Having made up his mind, he wasted no time.

Even though it was still the afternoon, Shen Bai’s grinder’s mentality had surfaced once again.

’Right now, the skill closest to leveling up is the Chaotic Heart Spell,’ Shen Bai thought to himself.

After several boosts, especially after converting Skill Levels, his Chaotic Heart Spell already had seven thousand points of Skill Level. It wasn’t far from the next level.

Grinding the Skill Level for the Chaotic Heart Spell was Shen Bai’s top priority at the moment.

’Time to grind!’

Shen Bai washed his face and circulated the Qi within his body.

Then, he began to grind his Skill Level.

The light of the Chaotic Heart Spell flickered continuously in the room.

And its Skill Level rose at a speed visible to the naked eye.

[Chaotic Heart Spell +1+1+1...]