I Can Extract Divine Power

He had the Spirit Casting Technique and was highly skilled in casting himself, so he could tell how precious it was with just a glance.

Fan Kai explained, "Surveyors have a unique Secret Technique that allows us to extract the very essence of the ore, then inject it back into the mineral vein to form a prison made of ore."

"The technique imprisons the mineral vein itself, so I must use these specific ores to perform the confinement method and completely secure the deposit."

Shen Bai nodded, then called out, "Yao Long, come in for a moment."

As Shen Bai finished speaking, a middle-aged man walked in from outside.

The middle-aged man wore the official uniform of the Observatory. He gave Shen Bai a cupped-fist salute and said respectfully, "Lord Shen, what are your orders? Please, just give the word, and your subordinate will see it done."

Yao Long was the head of the Observatory’s Jia Division and the one leading its members on this mission.

Shen Bai handed the list to Yao Long and asked, "How long will it take to gather all the materials on here?"

Yao Long’s expression turned solemn as he took the paper from Shen Bai. After a quick glance, he said, "It will take about five days, Lord Shen. The materials listed here are extremely rare, so even if we rush, it will take at least five days."

Shen Bai knew the materials were precious, so five days seemed reasonable. He nodded and said, "Arrange for the constables from the Government Office to handle this. See to it that the job is done properly."

"As for the members of the Observatory, they are to remain stationed at the mine. They are not to move an inch."

A task like collecting ore was perfectly suited for the constables from the Government Office.

After all, their strength was a notch below that of the Observatory members.

Therefore, Shen Bai’s arrangement was quite appropriate.

Yao Long nodded, turned, and left the Wooden House.

After Yao Long had left, Shen Bai continued his questioning.

"Once the mineral vein is secured, how do we get down into it?"

Fan Kai said, "That’s where our skills as Surveyors come in. We can create a tunnel leading directly to the mineral vein. Lord Shen can then lead the Observatory members inside, reach the location of the Hundred Truths Remains, and destroy it completely."

Destroying the Hundred Truths Remains was the safest solution.

With so many people coveting the artifact, its destruction was the only way to eliminate their desire for it.

The Observatory had no intention of learning the Hundred Truths Technique, so destroying the artifact was, in fact, the safest option for the people of Nanxing Prefecture.

"In that case, I’ll be counting on you," Shen Bai said.

Fan Kai hastily saluted with cupped fists. "It is my honor to be of service to the Nanxing Prefecture Observatory."

Shen Bai said no more, simply raising a finger.

Dark shadows flickered continuously over his finger.

The Amber had long since fused with his body, and a wisp of smoke, visible only to him, materialized before his eyes.

The Skill Level for Shadow Kill was gradually increasing.

[Shadow Kill +3+3+3...]

Watching his Skill Level continuously rise, Shen Bai felt a measure of calm.

...

In a magnificent and solemn temple, Abbot Xuanzhen, dressed in an ink-black Kasaya, was waiting inside the main hall.

A table laden with delicacies had long been set in the main hall, with key figures from the Wild Buddha Sect seated nearby.

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door.

An old Daoist with a lopsided topknot crown walked in from outside.

Following behind him were two middle-aged Daoists, one fat and one thin.

As he entered, Abbot Xuanzhen immediately gestured to a nearby seat and said, "Daoist Qihuang, I trust you’ve been well. Please, have a seat."

Daoist Qihuang sat down opposite Abbot Xuanzhen and stared at the dishes on the table, not saying a word.

Beside him, the fat and thin Daoists sat near Daoist Qihuang, looking on with impassive, meditative expressions.

The atmosphere felt rather cold. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Seeing this, the corner of Abbot Xuanzhen’s mouth twitched into a slight smile. He pressed his palms together and said, "The Hundred Truths Remains is a matter of great importance. Whoever deciphers it can become unrivaled among those at the same level. The Wild Taoist Sect and the Wild Buddha Sect are as close as family, which is why I’ve arranged this banquet to invite you, Daoist Qihuang. My purpose is to discuss this very matter. I presume the Wild Taoist Sect has also been making its own plans regarding the Hundred Truths Remains."

Abbot Xuanzhen was well aware of the power the man before him wielded in Nanxing Prefecture.

As a peer of comparable power, Daoist Qihuang controlled Nanxing Prefecture’s Wild Taoist Sect and was a major source of trouble for the Nanxing Prefecture Observatory.

Furthermore, Daoist Qihuang’s cultivation was at the peak of the Void Realm, making him arguably one of the top combatants in Nanxing Prefecture.

He had been summoned today precisely for the matter of the Hundred Truths Remains.

Abbot Xuanzhen was clear-headed. He knew nearly all the Demonic Forces in Nanxing Prefecture were scheming for this prize, and it would be impossible for him to take it all for himself.

Besides, even if he did manage to acquire it, there was no guarantee he could unlock its secrets.

Therefore, finding someone else to share the burden was the best course of action.

When Abbot Xuanzhen finished speaking, Daoist Qihuang finally opened his mouth.

Daoist Qihuang picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and then spoke, his tone as placid as still water.

"I do have designs on the Hundred Truths Remains, but I never expected you to suggest we cooperate. That talk of being ’as close as family’ is just for show. In the face of absolute self-interest, such kinship is meaningless. Just state your true purpose."

Abbot Xuanzhen showed no reaction to his words.

The faces of the monks around him, however, turned grim.