I Can Extract Divine Power

Of course, if the cost was too high, he felt it would be better to forget about it.

Prime Minister Cao took out a piece of jade and placed it in Shen Bai’s hand. "I’ve left a residual image within this jade," he explained. "If you get close to the Ten Thousand Ancient Books, the jade will react, emitting a soft glow and becoming slightly warm."

"Just keep this piece of jade with you."

Shen Bai felt the piece of jade, finding its surface to be extremely smooth.

A warm energy flowed continuously within it—the work of a Scholar, it seemed.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Bai put the piece of jade away. "No problem," he said. "I’ll take this on. If it’s within my power, I’ll be sure to bring it out and give it to you, Lord Prime Minister."

Prime Minister Cao asked, "Aren’t you going to ask what your reward will be?"

Shen Bai shook his head. "Anything you offer, Lord Prime Minister, will surely be extraordinary. I don’t need to ask. I’m certain you’ll treat me well."

The implication was clear: he didn’t need to know the reward up front. After he brought the item out, if the Prime Minister went back on his word, Shen Bai would be powerless. However, a promise from the Prime Minister turning out to be nothing but hot air would tarnish his reputation, especially in the eyes of the Jianghu.

Prime Minister Cao nodded. "In that case, you may go. I’m heading to the Imperial Study to discuss recent matters concerning the welfare of Great Zhou’s people with His Majesty."

As the head of all officials, he naturally had many matters to attend to.

Finding the time to meet Shen Bai today had already been a tight squeeze.

Shen Bai nodded. "Take care, Prime Minister Cao."

He said no more. Once Prime Minister Cao had left, he took the piece of jade the Prime Minister had given him and headed out of the Imperial Palace.

The way out was naturally unobstructed.

However, as he approached the palace gate, Shen Bai was stopped by the guards.

It wasn’t that he was in trouble; they were just there to retrieve his token.

This was the Imperial Palace, after all. The token allowed one to enter and exit freely, and since it had come from Eunuch Chen, it was extremely precious.

Whether due to procedure or some other rule, the token Shen Bai carried was only good for a single entry.

Shen Bai didn’t really mind. He hadn’t even wanted to come to the Imperial Palace in the first place; he just wanted to go back and grind his Skill Level.

With that in mind, he handed the token to the guard. He then crossed the bustling streets and returned to the inn where he was staying.

"Unless it’s important, don’t come to my room," Shen Bai told the Shopkeeper before returning to his room and closing the door behind him.

The moment the door closed, Red Makeup and Amber emerged from Shen Bai’s body as streams of light, landing on the floor.

Both of them looked at Shen Bai with sparkling eyes, as if he had something they desperately needed.

And in fact, he did.

The very thing they so desperately needed had just been obtained from the Saint Martial Emperor.

For a Deceitful Beast, the Deceit Transformation Pearl was an indispensable treasure.

Not a single Deceitful Beast could resist its temptation; after all, it promised an evolutionary leap to a higher state of being.

Shen Bai sat down, smiling. Before he could speak, Amber became a blur of motion, appearing behind him. She guided his head to rest against her chest and began to gently massage his scalp.

Meanwhile, Red Makeup took his arm and began kneading the muscles in his shoulder.

The two Deceitful Beasts were being incredibly eager to please.

All the while, they kept looking at him with those sparkling eyes.

Though not a word was spoken, their intentions were perfectly clear.

Shen Bai chuckled, then looked at Amber. "Even if you use this Deceit Transformation Pearl, it won’t be enough for your third evolution, will it?"

Hearing this, a troubled look appeared on Amber’s face. "Master, I know I can’t evolve again right away, but if I get one more Deceit Transformation Pearl, I’ll be able to!"

The first two evolutions only required one Deceit Transformation Pearl each, but the third required two.

Shen Bai understood the process; after getting his Deceitful Beasts, he had done a crash course on the subject.

Hearing Shen Bai’s words, Amber knew what he was planning, but she felt she could still plead her case.

Red Makeup, on the other hand, had eyes that were growing brighter and brighter.

Even her air of classical beauty couldn’t conceal her current excitement.

Shen Bai said, "Right now, I need to focus on immediate increases to our combat power, so I’m giving it to Red Makeup first. I’ll save the next one for you."

’I’ll be going to the Celestial Pride Hall soon, and the entrants won’t just be from Great Zhou. There will be prodigies from several other countries, too.’

’The younger generations of those other countries aren’t in decline like Great Zhou’s; they’re teeming with experts.’

’Although I’m a good fighter, I need to play it safe.’

’It’s crucial to seize any chance to increase my power before I go.’

Although Amber coveted the Deceit Transformation Pearl, she was also a loyal Deceitful Beast. Knowing her master’s plan was the most important thing, she could only nod in agreement.

"Then, Master, you have to remember! The next time you get a Deceit Transformation Pearl, you must give it to Amber first, okay?"

Amber said in a wheedling tone, still massaging Shen Bai’s head.

Shen Bai patted Amber on the head, gave her fluffy ears a rub, and then turned his gaze to Red Makeup.

Red Makeup released his arm, leaned slightly toward Shen Bai, and said, "It is my good fortune that Master values me. I am yours in life and in death. I will sweep aside all obstacles in your path and help you forge an unparalleled name for yourself."

Shen Bai had been about to hand the Deceit Transformation Pearl to Red Makeup, but after hearing her declaration, the corner of his mouth twitched. "Have you been spending too much time with Amber? How did you pick up her melodramatic tendencies?"