I Can Extract Divine Power-Chapter 98 - 88: Arrival in Fenglin State, All Factions Stir

Chapter 98: Chapter 88: Arrival in Fenglin State, All Factions Stir

Shen Bai rubbed his chin as he listened. "Money, power, intelligence, resources... The Observatory really lives up to its name. It has it all. No wonder everyone in the Jianghu wants to join."

Qin Shuang nodded slightly and hummed in agreement. "The Qi and Blood Pill I gave you is part of the standard monthly provisions. You won’t have to brew your own medicine anymore. Other elixirs are also provided."

Shen Bai nodded in understanding and continued to ask, "With benefits and compensation this good, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. What’s expected of me in return?"

Qin Shuang considered this for a moment. "You just need to complete the missions assigned by the Observatory. Aside from interacting with various officials during our patrols, we mostly deal with the strange and quell disturbances in the Jianghu. Minor turmoil is one thing, but major chaos is forbidden. That is the Observatory’s duty."

"Furthermore, if anyone obstructs us while we’re on an Observatory mission, we have imperial authority to act first and report later."

Having said all that needed to be said, Qin Shuang fell silent, awaiting Shen Bai’s answer.

Shen Bai sank into thought.

Qin Shuang also waited for Shen Bai’s reply, patiently sipping her tea.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Shen Bai tapped the table.

Qin Shuang immediately looked over.

"I agree to join the Observatory," Shen Bai said. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

He had just been thinking it over carefully, and the benefits of joining the Observatory were simply too great to pass up.

Putting the salary aside for now.

The authority granted by the Observatory would be incredibly convenient at times.

Shen Bai wasn’t some protagonist from a storybook; he had no desire to handle everything on his own.

In this day and age, having the Observatory’s backing would save him from a world of trouble.

Next were intelligence and knowledge.

Shen Bai was sorely lacking in knowledge, so this was a huge benefit.

As for intelligence, information was crucial these days. Whoever had it held the advantage.

Finally, and most importantly—the strange.

Shen Bai needed Evil Qi, and to get it, he needed the strange. The Observatory was his closest link to them.

For this reason alone, Shen Bai couldn’t refuse.

He could complete missions while also obtaining Evil Qi. It was killing two birds with one stone.

Hearing Shen Bai’s agreement, Qin Shuang clenched her fists in excitement. "Then we’ll wait a few days before we depart. That will give us time to handle Zhou Qing’s assessment. Maybe he’ll be able to leave with us."

Although the affair in Shengyun County had concluded, Qin Shuang still needed to help manage the aftermath.

Only after everything was settled and Zhou Qing was assessed would Qin Shuang depart for Fenglin State.

Shen Bai nodded in agreement.

’This gives me time to see if I can grind Divine Hundred Miles to Level 4.’

It was his last Level 3 skill. Once he was done grinding it, Shen Bai could start on Vajra Demon Subduing Fist.

With their business concluded, Shen Bai didn’t bother resting. As soon as Qin Shuang had returned to her room, he started grinding Divine Hundred Miles.

The night passed quickly.

...

Time gradually passed.

In the blink of an eye, many days went by.

Some say that memories are like the dust of the past, fading with every passing moment.

But for the people of Shengyun County, the recent events were seared into their minds like a brand.

They would never forget how the normally amicable Shopkeeper Shen had cut down that wicked woman.

Nor would they ever forget the sky-blotting, blood-red gleam of his sword.

During every after-dinner conversation, the story of Shen Bai’s deeds spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys. It reached the point where he couldn’t even go out for a meal without people staring at him in awe for long stretches of time.

Meanwhile, the aftermath in Shengyun County had mostly been dealt with.

Chief Zheng was now the acting County Magistrate and would remain in the post until the Court appointed a new one.

This came as a great relief to the people of Shengyun County.

As for Shen Bai, he had become completely engrossed.

His life fell into a strict rhythm, consumed by only two things: grinding and eating.

Beyond that, he took only minimal rest.

As Shen Bai himself put it, it was as if he were possessed by the need to grind.

Still, Shen Bai had reaped considerable rewards during this time.

"Hooo..."

In the courtyard, Shen Bai let out a long breath and consumed one of the Qi and Blood Pills Qin Shuang had given him.

After he swallowed the Qi and Blood Pill, Shen Bai felt his Qi and Blood become like a Dragon, and his energy rapidly recovered.

’This stuff is so much better than the medicine I brew myself,’ Shen Bai thought. ’And a lot less trouble, too.’

A mysterious, veil-like smoke swirled before Shen Bai’s eyes, gracefully coalescing into text that hovered in the empty air.

[Divine Hundred Miles Level 4 (Speed +8, Endurance +8, Evasion +8, Illusion +8): 0/100,000]

The text formed by the smoke quickly vanished.

Shen Bai closed his eyes. After a moment of careful focus, he absorbed all the new information in a single rush, mastering the new attribute.

"Not bad."

Shen Bai opened his eyes, a thought forming in his mind.

Reaching Level 4 not only doubled all his existing attributes but also added a new one: Illusion.

This attribute would be highly effective in actual combat.

Before, using Divine Hundred Miles would leave an afterimage, but it would vanish almost instantly.

Now it was different. Every time he used the skill, it would leave an afterimage behind.

This afterimage would persist indefinitely unless it was attacked or Shen Bai willed it away.

Whether he was attacking or dodging, it could be used to confuse his enemies.

’This time, I should be able to break into the final stage of the Three Treasures Realm.’

Shen Bai circulated the Qi within his body, sensing its subtle changes.