I Can Extract Divine Power

Chapter 156 - 107: Return to the Department, Shortage of Evil Qi

Since this matter had already been reported to the Observatory, it was now their responsibility.

From this moment on, Three Flames Temple’s only job was to cooperate with the Observatory.

Wang Zhen came forward again. "We’ve already had a professional forensic doctor perform an autopsy," he said. "The results show they were killed by a single palm strike to the chest. We went back and reviewed our intelligence. After putting it all together, we’ve found that these two seemed to be in league with the Upper Evil Sect."

Jian Taiwen pondered for a moment. "So you’re saying they were killed by Elder Huo to silence them?" he asked. "But why would he need to do that?"

Normally, having spies inside Three Flames Temple would be an excellent asset. The only reason to silence them would be if their cover was blown and there was a fear they might reveal some of the Upper Evil Sect’s secrets.

’But what secrets?’

Shen Bai considered this. "Perhaps it’s related to the incident at Sealed Village," he offered. "Elder Huo had a pawn planted there. Lv Yang’s passing through Sealed Village was no coincidence, either. Once all these events were linked, the Upper Evil Sect grew worried about being exposed and decided to eliminate its spies first."

Jian Taiwen nodded. "There is indeed a connection between the two. Alright, Wang Zhen, have someone deal with the bodies. We’ll discuss this further back at the Observatory. Also, I want a team posted here to guard Three Flames Temple."

"On second thought, the Ding Division will handle the arrangements."

Since the matter now fell to the Ding Division, Jian Taiwen had no choice but to take charge.

Wang Zhen nodded. "Understood. I’ll have someone take the bodies back immediately. If we find any useful intelligence, I’ll send word to Lord Jian."

Jian Taiwen didn’t say anything further. Instead, he turned to the men behind him. "Keep searching the area for any clues Three Flames Temple might have left behind. For now, Divisions Ten, Eleven, and Twelve of the Ding Division will stand guard. The rest of you can return and rest. Anyone available can rotate in to relieve them later."

Even the Ding Division as a whole had other missions to attend to, so no one objected to this arrangement.

Following Jian Taiwen’s orders, Divisions Ten, Eleven, and Twelve remained to guard the temple and prevent any further incidents. The rest of the team took the two bodies and headed back toward Fenglin State.

Shen Bai, of course, was among them.

’Right now, we have no clues, just two bodies. Finding the mastermind will be next to impossible. It’s better to head back and regroup.’

’Besides, I don’t have any new assignments right now. The real priority is to go back and grind my Skill Level.’

Before long, the group had left Three Flames Temple, leaving only the men from the three divisions to stand guard.

...

While for Shen Bai the matter of Xuanxin Temple had concluded, the incident at Three Flames Temple was just beginning to unfold.

「Meanwhile, in a hidden location.」

The Sect Leader fiddled with a secret letter in his hands, lost in thought.

Below him, seven Elders stood with their hands at their sides, all of them poised to listen with the utmost respect.

This was especially true of Elder Huo, the red mole between his brows glittering with a crimson light.

After fiddling with the letter for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Sect Leader tossed it down to them.

Elder Huo reacted the fastest, striding forward to catch the letter.

"Take a look. This is what the Wild Taoist Sect has in mind," the Sect Leader said coolly.

Elder Huo opened the letter in front of the others, and the Elders crowded around to read it.

The letter’s contents were simple, but every word made the Elders’ faces shift.

By the time they finished reading—a process that took half an incense stick—Elder Huo’s reaction was the most violent. He clenched his fists tightly.

"Sect Leader, the Wild Taoist Sect is going too far! Don’t they know how sensitive things are right now? We just killed two of our spies, and now they want us to make another move? They’re treating us like we’re disposable!"

Another Elder nodded. "Exactly. Why do we have to be the ones to kill Shen Bai? He’s the man of the hour in Fenglin State, not to mention Liu Wufeng’s specially recruited disciple. And from what we’ve gathered, he also forged connections with several other powers in Fenglin State during the Xuanxin Temple incident."

"Aside from Qingyun Cloud Temple, every other power in Fenglin State is trying to curry favor with him. If we try to kill him now, we’ll be throwing an egg against a stone—courting disaster and exposing ourselves in the process."

The remaining Elders nodded in agreement, all sharing the same sentiment.

The Sect Leader hummed softly, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his throne. "The Wild Taoist Sect and the Wild Buddha Sect are both top-tier powers," he said coolly. "Our Upper Evil Sect may have a fearsome reputation in Fenglin State, but we alone know our true circumstances. To survive, we must align ourselves with a stronger power."

"We can’t ally with the righteous sects, which leaves only them. From the Xuanxin Temple incident, I earned the goodwill of the Wild Buddha Sect. But as of now, the Wild Taoist Sect doesn’t think much of us."

The Elders all nodded, acknowledging the truth in their Sect Leader’s words.

The Sect Leader sat up straighter. "The Sealed Village incident was our chance to earn the Wild Taoist Sect’s favor, but Shen Bai ruined everything. We even lost two spies, a significant loss for the Upper Evil Sect."

Elder Huo clenched his fists. "If it weren’t for that Shen Bai’s outrageous background, I’d have secretly taken care of him myself by now."

The Sect Leader shook his head. "There’s no need to be secretive about it. You can do it brazenly, out in the open."

At these words, all the Elders’ eyes went wide.

They clearly understood the implications of his words.

Elder Huo hesitated for a moment before asking, "Sect Leader, do you really intend to kill Shen Bai? But don’t forget, the situation is tense right now. The Observatory knows two people died at Three Flames Temple, and they’ll be gathering intelligence everywhere. This is a bad time for us to make a move."