I Can Extract Divine Power

"The buildings will collapse, and the ruins beneath the earth will reawaken."

"The former Prefecture Chief collaborated with us because he was looking for a way to open this city. He hoped to find a method inside that would allow him to break through to the next realm. And now, it’s time to open it."

The Fat Daoist frowned. "If I understand you correctly, you have a way to open it. Why haven’t you done so?"

Monk Yuanzhen said nothing, but the same confusion was reflected in his eyes.

If they had the method, they could have easily opened the so-called ancient ruins and let the Prefecture Chief inside.

So why didn’t Xinhua Academy do it?

Zhao Xuan scowled. "Did you not understand what I just said? Once it’s opened, the entirety of Nanxing Prefecture will be turned upside down. Nanxing Prefecture will be reduced to rubble, and the ancient city will rise from the earth to take its place."

"But if that were to happen, do you think any Demonic Forces could survive here?"

After he said this, everyone present fell silent.

It was just as Zhao Xuan said.

If they really did this, while it might not affect Cultivators, all of their operations would be wiped out in an instant.

"Besides, by controlling the method to get in, we could also control the Prefecture Chief at the time."

Zhao Xuan continued, "What we didn’t expect was that the Prefecture Chief would be discovered and executed. As a result, the method to open it has remained hidden within Xinhua Academy all this time."

"We’ve been pushed to our limits. In that case, let’s just take everyone down with us. It might not harm Shen Bai directly, but all the people of Nanxing Prefecture will die. And according to the laws of the Great Zhou Country, Shen Bai will face the most severe punishment."

They had no other choice. If they hadn’t been backed into a corner, Xinhua Academy would never have resorted to this.

After all, they had been operating in Nanxing Prefecture for so long.

But now, everything had vanished like a phantom bubble. With so few of them left, taking everyone down with them seemed like the only option.

Perhaps after ruining Shen Bai, they might even be recognized for their "merit," catching the eye of their organization and earning a promotion.

"Good, very good. This method will be more than enough." A vicious look appeared on the Fat Daoist’s face.

As long as it could drag Shen Bai into the mud, the lives of a mere city’s worth of people were nothing.

Monk Yuanzhen’s expression was just as cruel. "That’s right. Shen Bai is the one who brought this upon us. That bastard should get a taste of death."

The other members of the Demonic Forces exchanged glances and fell silent. They clearly agreed with the plan.

Among this group of Demonic Forces, the eyes of a very ordinary-looking man flickered.

Not far away, the sound of something tearing through the air signaled that the Observatory’s pursuers had arrived again.

The group immediately fled into the distance.

But the ordinary-looking man quietly left behind a common piece of Jade.

A moment later, members of the Observatory descended from the sky.

All thirty-plus of them were masters of the Void Realm.

When they landed in the clearing, their leader frowned.

"They got away again. And they’re fast."

Nearby, a Void Realm member of the Observatory picked up the Jade from the ground and handed it over.

"Lord Zhang, our informant left this. It might contain important information."

Zhang He took the Jade, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

They had an informant planted among this group of Demonic Forces.

In the beginning, this informant’s mission had not gone smoothly.

The Demonic Force he joined wasn’t very powerful, and he hadn’t managed to infiltrate its core.

But recently, due to the Observatory’s relentless pursuit and interception, they had arranged for the informant to become one of the "hunted" in a very plausible way. This allowed him to meet up with the remnant Demonic Forces and join their inner circle.

That was how Zhang He and his men were able to track the Demonic Forces so quickly.

This piece of Jade had been crafted by a master of Casting. It could record images and was extremely precious.

He would never have left this Jade behind unless the intelligence was critical.

The fact that it was left now meant it must contain something important.

With this in mind, Zhang He channeled his Qi into the Jade and carefully observed what was inside.

Inside the Jade, a series of images flickered through Zhang He’s mind—it was the scene of the group’s recent conversation.

A moment later, Zhang He’s expression became extremely grave. He handed the Jade to a Void Realm member and said, "Take this Jade to Lord Shen immediately. I believe Lord Shen will be very interested in the information inside."

Although the Observatory member didn’t know what was inside, he didn’t try to look. Seeing Lord Zhang’s expression, he knew it had to be something important.

He didn’t dare to delay. After nodding in acknowledgment, he soared into the air and flew toward the Nanxing Prefecture Observatory.

"The rest of you, with me. We’ll pursue them from a distance. It would be best to eliminate them, but if we can’t, don’t let them get too far. Also, that man from Xinhua Academy, Zhao Xuan—leave him alive."

Zhang He gazed in the direction the Demonic Forces had fled and slowly issued his orders.

"Yes, sir!"

The men nodded hastily and followed Zhang He in pursuit.

...

「Nanxing Prefecture Observatory.」

Shen Bai watched the smoke before him, the corners of his mouth turning up in a satisfied smile.

’I never expected the Void-breaking Cyan Eye to bring me another big surprise after reaching Level 4.’

Before him, the smoke twisted and contorted, finally forming words that floated in mid-air.