I Can Extract Divine Power

Upon hearing this, the Sunset City Lord said, "It’s no trouble. I can sense that Red Makeup isn’t far from my location. Just go and bring her here, my young friend."

As he spoke, the Sunset City Lord even looked as if he wanted to raise his hand and point out a direction for Shen Bai, appearing extremely eager.

Shen Bai shook his head. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Since you are already separated by life and death, it’s better not to meet. Seeing you would only cause Red Makeup more pain. You’re her father; surely you wouldn’t want to cause her more pain, would you?"

The Sunset City Lord froze for a moment. Once he recovered, he said, "It won’t be like that. It’s just a glance. You can bring Red Makeup in, young friend. I won’t come out. I’ll just watch from a distance. She won’t even sense me."

Hearing this, a hint of mockery touched Shen Bai’s face. "You’re that desperate?"

He made no attempt to hide this mocking expression; in fact, he made it quite obvious.

The Sunset City Lord took in Shen Bai’s expression completely, then sighed. "In the end... you found out."

With that one simple sentence, the entire secret was laid bare.

Shen Bai said, "I’m guessing that before this, you couldn’t reach Red Makeup. With her level of power, she couldn’t open the gates to this eerie palace to see you."

He had guessed correctly.

’This guy in front of me is definitely up to something. At the very least, he’s not as simple as he appears on the surface. There might even be a conspiracy at play here.’

It was this conspiracy that caused Shen Bai’s Divination Skill to show a mix of Fortune and Misfortune.

Shen Bai smiled without saying a word.

At this moment, the Sunset City Lord seemed to have given up completely now that his scheme was exposed. He slowly sat down.

As he sat, a throne materialized behind him, slowly lifting him up.

"I’ve spent years researching the path of rebirth. I was on the verge of success, and then you showed up."

"And you’re so clever. This really complicates things for me."

"How about we make a deal?"

Shen Bai said with great interest, "Before we make this deal, why don’t you tell me what your true objective is? After all, I’m quite curious."

The Sunset City Lord glanced at Shen Bai. "Very well. It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken with anyone. I’ll tell you."

"All of this is merely the final struggle of a dying man."

"I have lived for too long. When I first founded Sunset City, I suffered an indelible hidden injury. I don’t have long to live."

"Everyone in the world wants to live, and I am no exception."

Shen Bai nodded. "So Red Makeup is your opportunity to keep on living?"

The Sunset City Lord made no effort to hide the truth. "That’s right. From the day Red Makeup was born, I noticed something was different. Her Power of Divine Soul is exceptionally strong."

"It is precisely because of this that my plan could be implemented. She is my daughter, connected to me by blood. And with her powerful Divine Soul, she might be able to retain her living consciousness before transforming into a creature of deceit, eventually becoming a Deceitful Beast."

"In truth, she never really died. I just concocted her ’cursed star’ backstory, constantly feeding her suggestions. Then, at the moment she was hovering between life and death, I made sure she knew that I was the one who killed her."

"Regrettably, she was too kind. Even in that situation, she still wouldn’t develop any resentment. I had no choice but to find another way."

Shen Bai raised an eyebrow. "So, the eerie paper effigies were your doing as well?"

The Sunset City Lord said, "Correct. That was also part of my scheme. Using a special method, I made sure the lingering Red Makeup heard everything."

"When she heard that all the citizens were dying in her name, she finally developed resentment."

"I knew my plan could finally be put into motion."

"I caused everyone in the city to fall into death, while I came to the palace, sat upon my throne, and waited for my life to end."

Having said all this, the Sunset City Lord seemed to have unburdened himself of everything, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Shen Bai said, "No wonder your skeleton was found sitting on the throne. So you died of natural causes. In that case, how do you plan to live again?"

Everything connected.

This Sunset City Lord before him was no noble martyr; he was a thoroughly scheming old bastard.

His schemes, which had even led to the deaths of an entire city’s populace, were all just so he could live a second life.

Not only was he sinister, but he was also utterly ruthless.

A person would have to be Unparalleled in their viciousness to personally destroy the very city they created.

"By becoming a Deceitful Beast, of course."

A smile touched the Sunset City Lord’s face. "I will use the Hundred Truths Technique to take everything from her and replace her. There are risks, but one must at least try."

The Sunset City Lord didn’t explain the specific method of Manipulation, as there was no need for him to elaborate.

All of this required the perfect alignment of time, place, and people—especially the blood connection and Red Makeup’s incredibly powerful innate Divine Soul. These factors were unique.

The Sunset City Lord scrutinized Shen Bai. "I know what you’re thinking. You’re wondering how I could bring myself to do it. Of course, I could."

"Everything they had, I gave them. They thrived in Sunset City for generations. I gave them their lives."

"I am the creator; they are merely my creations. That being the case, why can’t they die?"

"All of this was their destiny."

Hearing this, Shen Bai had only one response: "Utterly shameless."

’He really was completely shameless.’

’To be able to say such things so smugly... it was simply outrageous.’

The Sunset City Lord said slowly, "Now, how about we discuss our deal?"

Shen Bai said, "I’m listening."

’He was actually curious to hear what kind of deal the Sunset City Lord was proposing.’

The Sunset City Lord paused for a moment, then said, "I would be a far better Deceitful Beast for you than Red Makeup."

Shen Bai: "..."

’Seriously, what is it with you people and becoming a Deceitful Beast?’