I Can Extract Divine Power

In the old, empty main hall, Master Wuxin's complexion improved slightly after he spoke.

Celestial Profound Dao hurried forward to support him, asking, "What did your Calculation reveal?"

"Whatever your Calculation showed you, we're some of the only ones left from the Era of Ten Thousand Cities. You have to prioritize your health."

Master Wuxin shook his head, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and gave a bitter smile. "I used a Buddhist Secret Technique as a catalyst to perform a Calculation on his past and future. The result was terrifying."

"His past is nowhere to be found, his future is elusive and traceless, and his present... is one of worship by tens of thousands."

As Master Wuxin spoke, a grave expression appeared in his eyes.

"When I gazed into his future, I saw only a fog of the unknowable. He is an unknowable man. Then, a hand suddenly emerged from the mist."

Master Wuxin said slowly, "That hand… it seemed to be a convergence of innumerable abilities. When it emerged, I was nearly consumed by it."

Celestial Profound Dao was aghast. "Even with your power, you were still gravely injured?"

Master Wuxin nodded. "Now do you understand why I was willing to resort to such a scheme, even giving him the Deceitful Object, just to form a bond with him?"

Celestial Profound Dao said nothing, but he understood perfectly.

If that was the case, then from his perspective, Master Wuxin's methods were completely understandable.

A man with such a terrifying future could never be won over by the Celestial Pride Salvation Society alone.

By treating Shen Bai as an equal, they might one day earn his favor in return.

Forging this bond now was all for the future.

"I'll go talk to those old fossils for you," Celestial Profound Dao said.

Master Wuxin shook his head. "There's no need. I orchestrated things this way today precisely to avoid leaving any pretext for gossip. Some of those old fossils are rather extreme in their methods. We can't let them know about Shen Bai's situation."

Celestial Profound Dao pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. In that case, we'll leave the matter be."

The connection had been made. What came next was a matter for another time.

The two fell silent. Master Wuxin began to focus on his Recovery, while Celestial Profound Dao stood watch, protecting him.

The main hall of the ruined temple once again fell silent…

...

「In the forest.」

The coachman waited anxiously, looking around from time to time.

It had been some time since Lord Shen left, and he was now very worried about his situation.

Although in the coachman's mind, Lord Shen was invincible, unmatched in all of Nanxing Prefecture, half an hour had passed. It would have been a lie to say he wasn't the least bit worried.

The surrounding forest was quiet, save for the occasional gust of wind.

Just then, a sound tore through the air.

The coachman instinctively looked up to see Shen Bai descending from the sky. His face immediately lit up with delight, and he hurried over.

"Lord Shen, you're back. How did it go?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the coachman knew he had spoken out of turn.

'It wasn't my place to ask about these things.'

'If Lord Shen didn't want me to know, asking would only cause displeasure.'

'And if Lord Shen wanted me to know, he would have told me without me having to ask.'

Shen Bai glanced at the coachman and said, "From now on, you are to return directly to Nanxing Prefecture."

The coachman froze, then asked timidly, "Lord Shen, was it something I said? Did I displease you?"

'I was sure I must have done something to displease Shen Bai.'

'If I return like this, it will be difficult to account for myself.'

'After all, I am Lord Shen's coachman. If Lord Shen no longer requires my services, it will be difficult to explain back home.'

Shen Bai shook his head. "The journey ahead is perilous. If we run into trouble, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you. For your own safety, you should head back first."

The coachman was taken aback. "There are people who dare to make trouble for you, Lord Shen?"

Shen Bai smiled faintly. "As they say, a general's success is built on a pile of ten thousand bones. Having made a name for myself, it's only natural that I've offended plenty of people. It's perfectly normal for some to come looking for trouble."

Since he had received this information from Master Wuxin, Shen Bai had to make other plans.

Although protecting the coachman would be a simple enough task, accidents could always happen.

No one could predict such things, and there was no reason to risk a life over an unforeseen event.

Hearing this, the coachman nodded. "In that case, I will head back now."

Now that it was all laid out so clearly, the coachman understood that Shen Bai was doing this for his own good.

When he returned, he could use Lord Shen's own words to account for himself.

Shen Bai lingered no longer. He unleashed Divine Thousand Miles, transformed into a streak of light, and shot into the sky.

'Since I'm traveling alone now, I'll just fly the rest of the way.'

'Flying along the main road will save a lot of time, but it means I won't be able to grind my Skill Level.'

'It's not a big deal, though. Once I get to Xuanjing City, I can use the time I've saved to make up for the lost training.'

The coachman watched Shen Bai's figure soar into the sky. After muttering a few words of awe, he turned the carriage around and headed back toward Nanxing Prefecture.

Before long, the stretch of forest fell quiet, leaving only the sounds of birds and beasts.

...

The sky was gloomy.

The light rain had stopped, but the gloomy weather remained, casting a pall over everything.

Every so often, thunder would rumble in the distance.

In the dense woods beside the main road, several bald Monks stared, stunned, at the figure that had just flown past.

The Speed was simply staggering. Before they could even react, the figure had already vanished beyond the horizon.

"Quick! Inform our superiors! Shen Bai has abandoned his carriage and is proceeding by Flying! All plans en route are to be changed! Alter the interception strategy!"