I Can Extract Divine Power

Zhou Qing and the others were nearby, all on high alert.

"It seems we were swallowed by that giant, but where are we now?" Nan Huang asked, gripping his longsword as he scanned their surroundings with a vigilant expression.

Shen Bai glanced around, his red pupils glowing with a scorching light like a blazing fire.

Through his Void-breaking Red Eye, Shen Bai could see his surroundings clearly.

Skeletons emerged from all directions, lunging at them out of the darkness.

These were not supernatural entities, but every skeleton radiated a powerful aura.

There were too many to count—thousands upon thousands of them.

Shen Bai wasn’t the only one who sensed it; the others did as well.

As the skeletons emerged from the darkness, everyone was struck with fear.

Just then, a figure began to materialize.

When the figure solidified, Shen Bai saw that it was a middle-aged man wearing a Dragon Robe.

The man looked identical to the giant and possessed a regal air, as if he were the most venerated person in the world.

"He wants to reclaim his flesh, unite with the skeletons, and live again."

The man in the Dragon Robe spoke slowly. "I don’t know who you are, but I need your help. I’ve exhausted my strength suppressing him. This is his plan—his plan to return to the world. He cannot be allowed to succeed."

His sudden appearance was followed by words that the group found jarring.

Nan Huang started to step forward to ask who he was.

But before he could speak, the man in the Dragon Robe’s gaze fell upon Shen Bai, his expression thoughtful.

"You’ve seen him," the man in the Dragon Robe said. "You carry his aura."

Shen Bai narrowed his eyes. "Are you Emperor Tianyun, or is he?"

Emperor Tianyun?

When that name was spoken, everyone’s gaze grew heavy.

They were all prodigies, and they all knew the title of the Former Emperor.

Although they didn’t know how Shen Bai knew this, if the man before them truly was Emperor Tianyun, the implications would be terrifying.

The man in the Dragon Robe sighed. "You may call me the Apocalypse King. History likely holds no record of me, for I was the shadow of the previous dynasty—the king in the darkness."

The skeletons were still crawling, and their speed increased the closer they got to the group.

The Apocalypse King asked, "Do you want to know everything?"

Shen Bai nodded. "Of course."

’The story behind all this must be incredible,’ Shen Bai thought, naturally eager to learn it.

The Apocalypse King began to explain slowly. "I am Emperor Tianyun’s twin brother. At that time, the Court was actually divided into two branches."

"One in the light, one in the dark. The branch in the light protected the common people; the one in the dark eliminated monstrous evils."

"I was the king in the dark, recruiting experts from all lands to slay supernatural threats and those who had fallen to darkness."

"The Court was established this way, one overt and one covert, to ensure its continued prosperity. If the public-facing branch couldn’t handle a threat, the hidden one could strike like an unseen blade. It could also protect the very foundation of the Royal Family in times of crisis."

"Do you understand now?"

Shen Bai stroked his chin and nodded. "More or less."

’If what he says is true, then this so-called Dark Division must have been the true elite force.’

’They were tasked with cutting down the darkness, yet also served as the means to preserve the Royal Family.’

’As for why the former dynasty did this, Shen Bai felt there was no need to get to the bottom of it.’

’After all, the dynasty had already fallen. Knowing this much was enough.’

"And then?" Shen Bai asked.

’Everything here is shrouded in mystery.’

’The Celestial Pride Hall is suppressing Emperor Tianyun, and now an Apocalypse King has appeared. What part does he play in all this?’

As he spoke of this, undisguised fury became visible in the Apocalypse King’s eyes.

"He betrayed our people! He threw in his lot with the Ten Thousand Cities Remnants and sought to bring ruin to the world!"

The Apocalypse King suppressed his rage and said coldly, "The common folk were in misery, and all people suffered. I tried to reason with him, but it was useless."

"I once intended to lead the Dark Division to overthrow him, but the Ten Thousand Cities Remnants were too strong. My own power was not enough."

"I tried to seek help from other nations, but I never succeeded. I was locked away, never to see the light of day again."

"He imprisoned me, intending to absorb my power and break through to the next realm of cultivation."

"Fortunately, the Dukes rose up in rebellion, and he failed."

At this, a hint of relief flickered in the Apocalypse King’s eyes.

The prodigies’ eyes widened in astonishment.

These were major secrets, concerning the previous dynasty and the Era of Ten Thousand Cities.

For people of their standing, hearing such things was an immense boon.

Sometimes, Information is more important than a fortuitous opportunity.

Shen Bai stroked his chin.

’According to the Apocalypse King’s story, the next part must be when the Saint Martial Emperor overthrew the previous dynasty and established the Great Zhou Country,’ Shen Bai mused.

Still, Shen Bai had his doubts. For instance, why was the Apocalypse King also here?

Meanwhile, the skeletons continued to approach, having already closed half the distance.

They were no longer crawling but walking upright, and their speed was increasing.

Shen Bai voiced his question.

The Apocalypse King gave a bitter smile. "He wants to live. He cultivated the technique of the White Bone Saint Official, separating his flesh from his bones and using the Celestial Pride Hall to suppress himself."

"This suppression was meant to create the illusion that he was dead. The moment the Celestial Pride Hall is opened, he will be resurrected, stronger than ever before."

Shen Bai nodded. "But because of your presence, his plan had to change, and he tried to use me as his new opening."

’If what the Apocalypse King said was true, then Emperor Tianyun shouldn’t have needed to do anything but wait for the Celestial Pride Hall to be reopened.’

’But the fact that he tried to deceive me meant that the Apocalypse King had become an unforeseen variable, forcing Emperor Tianyun to act.’

The Apocalypse King nodded. "You are correct. He wants to stir up a tempest and plunge the world into chaos once more. I will not allow it."