Chapter 861 - 856: Ultimately Just Clay and Wooden Puppets
The enchantment of The Demon Spider Empress’s Warning is the Displacement Spell, with a passive effect of reducing 30 points of recoil damage, and 100 points of recoil damage reduction upon activation.
That’s all.
It’s worth mentioning that after the previous surprise attack on the Shadow Island Chain, Bai Pu had already enchanted the Iron Breastplate with the Black Tortoise Armor Spell.
The effect is a passive increase of 60 points of armor, and in life-threatening attacks, the Black Tortoise Armor Spell will self-destruct, providing 1000 points of unchargeable shield value.
This effect did not trigger during the battle with Great Dark Heaven, so Bai Pu doesn’t need to purchase another one.
After buying some "high-end food" from the Heart Demon World and exchanging some potentially useful items, Bai Pu concluded this merit exchange.
His special merit points still total 100,000, replenishing no matter what he purchases.
After procurement ended, Bai Pu excused himself to enter seclusion and enlightenment.
The four Quartermasters had varying relationships with Bai Pu; for example, Xiyuan Lin had the lowest favorability, while Flame Blade Princess had the highest.
They chatted briefly with Bai Pu, discussed their upcoming goals, and then took their leave one after another.
Before departing, Dongbo Longjie said to Bai Pu:
"Lord Gangxin, my Young Master said to meet him after your cultivation, there’s something important to discuss."
Bai Pu nodded, "I understand."
What matters could Dong Bochengzhi have?
Bai Pu was unclear.
Flame Blade Princess was the last to leave.
Her expression was somewhat complicated as she glanced at the Great and Small Witches, finally gathering courage to speak to Bai Pu: "Would you... considering coming back with me to the Ashes Sea?"
The Great and Small Witches quickly became alert.
Alright, alright, planning to steal him away, huh.
Bai Pu, feeling the piercing gaze from the Great and Small Witches, replied with a smile, "Sorry, I’m used to wandering and won’t stay in one place."
In other words, Bai Pu won’t be satisfied with temporary achievements; he needs to keep exploring and progressing.
However, Flame Blade Princess didn’t understand the deeper meaning of Bai Pu’s words.
Her expression turned gloomy, without even saying goodbye, she turned and gracefully left.
Watching Flame Blade Princess’s fiery silhouette disappear, Wu Mingyue laughed, "Oh, are you willing to let go?"
Bai Pu calmly replied, "There’s nothing to be unwilling about. If one doesn’t uncover the World Mystery, they’re just clay statues; investing emotions will only harm oneself and others. When the Plane World ends and resets, the newborn Flame Blade Princess won’t recognize me anymore."
Shutting the door, Bai Pu took out the reward from the S-level golden side task: Xiyuan Clan’s Demon-Control Secret Technique.
"Come, this Demon-Control Secret Technique is our joint task reward; you will also have the opportunity for enlightenment."
This Demon-Control Secret Technique allows everyone two enlightenment opportunities, from the two objectives of the S-level golden side task: Ultimate Demon Hunt.
Among them, task objective 1 poses relatively less difficulty, with Spirit Realm Will’s enlightenment being average.
Bai Pu has already used his first enlightenment opportunity, getting familiar with the activation method of the Xiyuan Clan’s Spell Transmission Array, while also gaining insight into the compound Mystical Arts of Water Element and Space Element.
However, due to time constraints then, Bai Pu could only memorize the information concerning Mystical Arts insights vaguely, storing them in his mind without thorough contemplation.
Now, with ample time, he can further contemplate repeatedly.
The highlight is the second enlightenment opportunity provided by task objective 2, which is the value of the S-level golden side task, with Spirit Realm Will’s enlightenment being substantial.
Bai Pu used the precious second enlightenment opportunity to delve into the compound Mystical Arts of the Five Elements—while simultaneously having the third part of Dong Bochengzhi’s Swordsmanship Manual, still with one enlightenment opportunity left.
Regarding the compound Mystical Arts of the Five Elements, Bai Pu originally had 30% to 50% confidence.
But having acquired the world’s unique Power of the Four Symbols statue, Bai Pu’s confidence in successfully enlightening the compound Mystical Arts of the Five Elements has already surged to 90%.
At present, Bai Pu allows the Great and Small Witches to enlighten themselves with the Xiyuan Clan’s Demon-Control Secret Technique.
He himself remains calm and focused, dismissing distractions, and preparing by contemplating the previous Mystical Arts insights from various vow secret techniques.
...
Silver Heart Continent, Lingshu City, Inner City District.
The moment Salacia’s return from weightlessness ended, she couldn’t wait to rush to her beloved little garden.
"Bai Yujing! Bai Yujing!"
The gardener’s shack was empty.
A mixed-blood servant said, "Miss Salacia, Bai Yujing, the Spirit Plant Master, left a while ago."
"He... left?"
"Yes, didn’t you remember? This little garden now belongs to Miss Julian," the servant respectfully replied.
He heard rumors, with Miss Salacia’s regal return, having successfully promoted to Major General Gaia!
Whether the two young ladies clash with East Wind overpowering West Wind, or vice versa, he is merely a servant.
No need to play favorites, maintaining superficial respect for both ensures he doesn’t lose his job.
Salacia suddenly recalled.
——Damn, that contemptible person drove Bai Yujing away... Rushed to the Spirit Realm for the Second Refinement to prove myself, yet forgot to leave Bai Yujing’s contact information.
Salacia promptly thought: But Bai Yujing comes from the Frosty Spirit Plants Shop in Baihui District; I can find him in the Outer City District!
Deciding in an instant, Salacia set off. However, she still used the "Jade King Leaf" to message her father, with whom she shared little to no familial affection:
[Dear Father, your understanding daughter Salacia has successfully gained promotion to Major General Gaia through the Second Refinement. Surely you must be pleased for me, right?]
Salacia knew that the Heig Team had returned earlier and surely informed the family.
She sent this message to request her former benefits, with a message akin to "Mother has struck back again."
After sending the message, Salacia headed straight to the Green City Manor’s general office.
"I need to make a trip to the Outer City District. Is Vian here? Have him accompany me!"
The green race supervisor gave Salacia a startled glance: "Miss, Vian used to be your guard but no longer is. According to the Patriarch’s orders..."
"According to the latest command from the Patriarch, return all of Miss Salacia’s privileges immediately!"
The tall evolver attendant Vian Silverwind hurriedly arrived, smiling sincerely at Salacia and bowing, "Congratulations on your successful promotion to Major General Gaia, Miss Salacia."
The green race supervisor lifted his watch, showing two messages. He also received the same command.
The green race supervisor quickly fingered the light screen, forwarding the command to various parties, while attentively saying to Salacia:
"Alright, alright! Miss Salacia, please wait a moment. Your guard team, meal team, clothing team, and training team will be in place within an hour and twenty-five minutes..."
Salacia replied indifferently, "I won’t wait. I’m eager to head to the Outer City District with just Vian accompanying me."
She immediately turned to leave, eager to meet Bai Yujing.
——Be sure to let Little Bai know this piece of good news first.
Vian Silverwind hurriedly followed.
As they walked, Salacia said, "That contemptible Julian returned before me, right? Did she cry before Father, recounting her hardships?"