I Can Extract Divine Power-Chapter 99 - 88: Arriving at Fenglin State, Various Factions Are on the Move

Chapter 99: Chapter 88: Arriving at Fenglin State, Various Factions Are on the Move

Now that all his Divine Powers had reached Level 4, the Qi in Shen Bai’s chest was as full as a round moon.

At this moment, a wisp of Qi overflowed from his chest, eventually flowing into his mind.

Shen Bai’s Divine Soul was enveloped by the Qi, and he felt a warmth, like being bathed in the morning sun.

In that instant, Shen Bai had stepped into the final stage of the Three Treasures Realm.

’Next up is the Vajra Demon Subduing Fist,’ Shen Bai thought.

Because the Vajra Demon Subduing Fist had a dual Divine Power cost, its Skill Level was currently the highest. Shen Bai’s plan was to induce its second qualitative transformation first.

With this in mind, Shen Bai prepared to continue grinding.

But just then, the pawnshop door was pushed open, and Qin Shuang walked in.

Shen Bai temporarily paused his plan to grind his Skill Level and asked, "Is everything taken care of?"

He assumed Qin Shuang had handled the remaining affairs and that they could now head to Fenglin State.

To his surprise, Qin Shuang shook her head, a troubled look on her face. It seemed there was something she wanted to say but found it difficult to.

Shen Bai frowned. "What’s wrong? Is there another problem?"

Shen Bai could tell from her expression that something was wrong.

Qin Shuang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Shen Bai, Zhou Qing just told me he doesn’t want to join the Observatory anymore."

Inside the room, Shen Bai looked confused upon hearing Qin Shuang’s words.

"What’s going on?"

The assessment was imminent. According to Qin Shuang, the reason Zhou Qing had failed to enter the Observatory on previous attempts was related to his merits.

Zhou Qing had been involved, to some extent, in the recent incident in Shengyun County. Combined with his previous accomplishments, joining the Observatory should have been a simple matter.

But now Qin Shuang was telling him that Zhou Qing no longer wanted to join the Observatory. Shen Bai couldn’t understand the reason.

Qin Shuang shook her head. "I don’t know either. Maybe you should go ask him yourself."

Shen Bai rubbed his chin. "You wait for me at the pawnshop. I’ll go find Old Zhou."

Qin Shuang nodded and watched Shen Bai leave.

「...」

The Government Office.

Shen Bai’s arrival startled the constables guarding the entrance.

Lately, Shen Bai had practically been a shut-in.

If they hadn’t known for a fact that Shen Bai was still in Shengyun County, the constables would have assumed he had already left.

Seeing him now, a constable immediately walked over.

"Shopkeeper Shen, is something the matter?"

"I’m here to see Zhou Qing. You can carry on, don’t mind me."

"Then please be careful, Shopkeeper Shen."

"Right."

After a brief exchange with the constable, Shen Bai walked straight into the courtyard and headed for the constables’ quarters.

As soon as he entered, he saw Zhou Qing packing his belongings.

"Old Zhou, what’s going on? Why have you decided not to join the Observatory?" Shen Bai asked.

Zhou Qing, not expecting Shen Bai to come, set aside the bundle he was packing. "I’ve realized that with my abilities alone, I wouldn’t be of much use even if I did join the Observatory."

After the recent string of events, Zhou Qing had formed his own ideas.

He felt his strength was too low. Even if he joined the Observatory, he would be useless and only cause trouble.

Shen Bai frowned. "Then where are you planning to go, packing your bags like this?"

Zhou Qing smiled. "To join the army."

Shen Bai heard this and said, "Joining the army... what’s the difference between that and joining the Observatory?"

The Great Zhou Country did have an army, usually stationed in important cities and border regions.

Shen Bai knew that the situation in the military was different from that of the Observatory.

Zhou Qing organized his thoughts before speaking. "Lao Shen, with my level of strength, what good would I be in the Observatory? I’m not afraid of dying. I just feel like I’d be wasting a spot."

Shen Bai said, "You can’t look at it that way."

Zhou Qing shook his head. "My goal in joining the Observatory was to do my part for this tumultuous dynasty. Joining the army achieves the same thing."

"In the army, at least I can kill some enemy invaders. I know my own strength, and the army is a better fit for me."

The Observatory’s standards were high, and its missions were far more difficult.

It wasn’t that Zhou Qing was afraid of dying. He just felt that if he couldn’t complete the missions, he’d never be able to realize his dream.

At least the barrier to entry for the army was lower, allowing him to progress one step at a time.

Shen Bai was silent for a long time before asking, "Are you sure about this?"

Zhou Qing nodded. "I’m sure."

Shen Bai sighed. "Be safe."

Shen Bai didn’t say anything more.

Being brothers didn’t mean you had to control every decision the other made.

You should support your friends. As long as what they were doing wasn’t wrong, you needed to give them your firm support.

"If things don’t work out, you can come find me," Shen Bai said.

Zhou Qing laughed heartily and clapped Shen Bai on the shoulder. "And if I do really well for myself, you can come visit me, and I’ll be sure to give you a grand reception."

Shen Bai put an arm around Zhou Qing’s shoulder. "Let’s get a drink tonight, after you’re done packing."

Zhou Qing agreed.

Shen Bai gave up on grinding his Skill Level and simply waited for Zhou Qing at the Government Office.

Once Zhou Qing had packed everything, he went to submit his resignation at the Government Office.

Only then did Shen Bai and Zhou Qing head to a tavern for a drink.

At the table, they naturally talked about everything under the sun.

Learning that Zhou Qing was leaving that very day, Shen Bai didn’t get drunk, just sharing a few light drinks with him.

When it was almost afternoon, Shen Bai saw Zhou Qing to his carriage.

"If things get tough in the army, come find me in Fenglin State."

Just as Zhou Qing had once promised to look after Shen Bai if he went to Fenglin State, Shen Bai now offered him the same words of support.

"With an expert like you for a brother, I can’t afford to fall too far behind," Zhou Qing said with a smile.

Before long, the carriage began to move.

Shen Bai waited until the carriage had disappeared from sight before returning to the Shen Family Pawnshop.

「...」