Chapter 717 - 218: 5 Deceitful Objects

On the street outside the Observatory.

Although Qu Yongfeng looked a bit worse for wear, when he cupped his hands to speak, he still carried the refined air of a scholar.

He had been defeated, but he didn’t find the loss shameful. In fact, he felt this failure would make his future path even smoother.

Facing, scaling, and overcoming challenges had always been one of Qu Yongfeng’s core principles. It was why he’d dared risk defeat to challenge Shen Bai in what he perceived as a contest between equals.

Of course, this was only a contest between equals from his perspective. In the eyes of others, it was a completely different situation.

Some things didn’t need to be said; everyone understood.

When he had fought Shen Bai in the five-story building just moments ago, he hadn’t even withstood a single move before being sent flying out.

Qu Yongfeng knew very well that Shen Bai hadn’t used his full strength.

That punch had been nothing more than a casual one.

Yet he had been defeated so utterly.

At that moment, all of Qu Yongfeng’s doubts were dispelled.

He finally understood why the Celestial Pride Salvation Society had invited Shen Bai twice.

Shen Bai was worth it.

This thought echoed in Qu Yongfeng’s mind.

Not far away, Xue Caixiang was somewhat numb as she watched Qu Yongfeng admit his defeat so decisively.

She looked toward the five-story building, a hint of horror in her eyes.

She knew very well what Qu Yongfeng was capable of.

Even if he wasn’t considered top-tier within the Celestial Pride Salvation Society, his technique that manifested the essence of landscape paintings was extremely formidable.

Putting others aside, she knew for a fact that she could never defeat Qu Yongfeng herself.

The essence of those landscape paintings would immediately immerse her in the scenery, making her lose herself completely and ultimately leading to her defeat.

Yet such a powerful individual had been defeated in a single move when facing Shen Bai.

And Qu Yongfeng was a prideful man.

For Xue Caixiang to see him admit defeat so readily proved that he was utterly convinced by his defeat.

At that moment, Xue Caixiang suddenly had the urge to slap herself a few times.

She felt as if her previous arrogance and insolence were now slapping her hard across the face.

"Let’s go. We should leave the Observatory’s vicinity first."

After straightening his disheveled clothes, Qu Yongfeng walked up to Xue Caixiang and spoke.

Since they had already reached an agreement with Shen Bai, all they had to do was wait for the traitor to appear. Then, they would notify Shen Bai, join forces with him to capture the traitor, and retrieve the Ten Thousand Strange Map.

Xue Caixiang’s expression was complicated, and she remained silent.

Those who could join the Celestial Pride Salvation Society were all shrewd people.

Despite Qu Yongfeng’s scholarly demeanor, even he could see the hint of desolation in Xue Caixiang’s eyes at that moment.

"There’s always someone better, a taller mountain beyond the one you see. This world is full of countless masters, and those stronger than you are as common as ox hair. You should rein in your temperament from now on," Qu Yongfeng said after a moment of thought.

Even though he disliked this woman, she was ultimately a member of the Celestial Pride Salvation Society and thus a colleague. So, Qu Yongfeng felt that a timely reminder was appropriate.

At that moment, Xue Caixiang finally let go of her pride.

Suddenly, she cupped her hands toward the five-story building of the Observatory and said, "If I have caused any offense, please forgive me, Lord Shen. I now realize my impulsiveness and will never rashly offend you again."

’You have to know when to back down.’ If she couldn’t even grasp something so simple, Xue Caixiang figured she wouldn’t live very long.

The five-story building remained silent. There was no reply.

But Xue Caixiang knew that for someone as powerful as Shen Bai, this lack of a response meant he didn’t hold her previous impertinence against her.

Only then did Xue Caixiang breathe a sigh of relief. She followed Qu Yongfeng, and the two quietly left the street.

As for where they would stay, Lingyun Dao had many inns. They could easily find a place to lodge.

The street fell silent once more.

The members of the Observatory also dispersed, each returning to their own duties.

...

No matter how the world changed or the years passed, time always marched relentlessly forward.

It waited for no one, nor did it quicken its pace.

Qu Yongfeng and Xue Caixiang took up residence in an inn in Lingyun Dao.

They lived in seclusion, venturing out rarely, waiting day and night.

If the traitor happened to pass through Lingyun Dao, they would notify Shen Bai at the first opportunity.

As for Shen Bai, he was immersed in furiously grinding his Ten Thousand Water Technique, living a simple daily routine.

He would eat, handle the Observatory’s official business, and then grind his Skill Level.

From time to time, he would spend his evenings with the two women, Amber and Red Makeup, doing things in the Space of the Yin Yang Storage Skill that any ordinary man would do.

But amid this interesting daily routine, some changes were afoot.

Anle County, a small county subordinate to Lingyun Dao, had once been a prosperous place. Its people were well-fed and well-clothed, living simple and happy lives.

But now, Anle County was shrouded in a dark cloud, its grounds littered with bones and corpses.

The bodies of the common people lay scattered about. Inside the Anle County Magistrate’s Office, the County Magistrate’s corpse was mangled beyond recognition, and the constables’ bodies were torn to pieces.

In the courtyard of the County Magistrate’s Office, an old man radiating black Qi scowled as he stared at a scroll before him.

The scroll emanated a chilling aura, radiating an evil and terrifying dread.

The old man’s face was deathly pale, his wrinkles like deep gullies, making anyone who looked at him shudder involuntarily.

"Releasing the aberrations from this Ten Thousand Strange Map is far too difficult."