Shen Bai shook his head. "It was just a mission. There’s no need for all this. Is there anything else that needs to be done?"

Yang Feng shook his head and said, "We just need to take this Treasure Pearl back and have the Soul Master release the souls inside. Then, everything will finally be over."

Shen Bai nodded. "Alright. I’ll go back to Liangshui County with you, Lord Yang. After this is all settled, I should be heading off to that examination."

Yang Feng said no more. He turned decisively and led the way.

Everyone remained silent, but it was clear from their eyes that today’s battle had left a profound impression on them.

The journey from the thatched cottage back to Liangshui County was uneventful.

Once they returned, Yang Feng handed the Beads filled with souls to the Soul Master.

The Soul Master took it, raising an index finger to tap the Beads.

Invisible souls streamed out of the Beads one by one, entering the bodies of the townspeople.

The townspeople wandering the streets rolled their eyes back and collapsed, unmoving.

Before anyone could speak, the Soul Master quickly explained, "This is normal. They will recover by tomorrow. Please don’t be alarmed."

Coming from an expert in analyzing souls, the Soul Master’s words put everyone at ease.

Seeing that it was about time, Shen Bai knew he should set off for the inner examination in Yunxi State.

"Lord Yang, now that this matter is concluded, it’s time for me to leave. The inner examination is urgent and cannot be delayed," Shen Bai said.

Yang Feng replied, "Safe travels, Lord Shen. Let me see you out."

Shen Bai shook his head. "There’s no need. Our carriage is waiting outside."

People of the Jianghu aren’t ones for trivial formalities.

With that, Shen Bai and Ouyang Sword left Liangshui County, soon disappearing at the end of the street.

Yang Feng watched Shen Bai’s departing figure, a complex look in his eyes.

At that moment, a member of the Observatory came up and spoke in a low voice.

"Lord Yang, I’m afraid those young prodigies in this year’s inner examination are in for a rough time."

At his words, the other Observatory members nodded in agreement, seemingly sharing his sentiment.

Yang Feng nodded. "It’ll be more than just rough. I fear the confidence of many young prodigies will be shattered this time. It’s embarrassing to even say it, but I’m glad I wasn’t in the same cohort as Lord Shen."

Yang Feng himself had been a genius who rose from the ranks of the constables and had also participated in the inner examination.

Although his results in the inner examination weren’t the best, he had never encountered such a terrifying opponent.

’He imagined that the group participating in the inner examination would probably be beaten black and blue after meeting Shen Bai. They’ll definitely end up completely demoralized.’

An Observatory member nodded and said, "For Lord Shen, it’ll be like a stroll in the park. It’s going to be ridiculously easy for him."

Yang Feng waved his hand. "Alright, that’s enough. Don’t gossip about Lord Shen behind his back. Participating in today’s battle was an eye-opening experience for all of us. Let’s wrap things up. After we’re done, I’ll treat everyone to drinks at the tavern."

Hearing this, the Observatory members immediately cheered in agreement.

Soon, they began their cleanup work.

Liangshui County, once battered by monstrous waves, became calm and peaceful. Its people were deep in slumber, as if danger had never visited.

...

A light drizzle began to fall on the official road, much gentler than the rain before.

The carriage sped along the road, the surface not overly slick.

Ouyang Sword acted as the driver, sitting at the front of the carriage and tapping the horse’s rump with the whip in his hand.

The horse neighed and ran even faster.

"Brother Shen, I think Brother Yang was also scared stiff by you."

When the two of them were traveling, Ouyang Sword, being a chatterbox, would often strike up a conversation with Shen Bai to pass the time.

But this time, there was no response from inside the carriage to Ouyang Sword’s words.

Ouyang Sword was already used to this.

On this road to the Inner Examination Land, aside from a few casual discussions about Swordsmanship, Shen Bai spent most of his time inside the carriage practicing his Cultivation Technique.

Ouyang Sword didn’t understand why he trained so hard.

’Even if it leads to improvement, it can’t be that significant.’

In Ouyang Sword’s opinion, a balance of work and rest was best.

But since Shen Bai insisted, Ouyang Sword didn’t say anything more.

Seeing that Shen Bai didn’t respond, he stopped talking so as not to disturb him and continued driving the carriage.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Shen Bai’s gaze was fixed on the Skill Level panel before him, a thought stirring in his mind.

He had obtained eight wisps of Evil Qi from killing the anomaly, and adding them to the two he already had, he now possessed ten wisps of Evil Qi.

Without hesitation, Shen Bai allocated all ten wisps of Evil Qi to the Mixed Element Array-Breaking Technique.

Before his eyes, the Mixed Element Array-Breaking Technique transformed. Wisps of smoke appeared and coalesced into new text.

As the text appeared, Shen Bai stroked his chin.

’This new attribute... interesting.’

[Heaven and Earth Primordial Array-Breaking Technique Lv. 5 (Array +16, Gathering Array +16, Primordial +16, Resistance +16, Heaven and Earth +16): 0/15000]

Just as this thought crossed his mind, before Shen Bai could even process it, his surroundings changed.

He found himself no longer in the carriage, but floating in a strange, unfamiliar space.

The place was completely empty, a void of pure white.

And in the middle of this white void sat a lone, illusory figure, cross-legged with its eyes shut tight, seemingly oblivious to everything around it.

Everything before him piqued Shen Bai’s curiosity.