I Can Extract Divine Power-Chapter 73: The Coffin is Unsealed

The spot where the Fox Girl had died should have been empty. But at this very moment, the black smoke that had just started to fade was instantly re-forming.

The coalescing black smoke gave off a nauseating stench that filled the entire cavern in a flash.

Just then, the black smoke transformed into an arrow and sped toward the chain-bound coffin.

Seeing this, Shen Bai raised his hand and unleashed a Fist Gang from his Vajra Demon Subduing Fist.

The Fist Gang, like a scorching sun, enveloped the arrow.

But after the Fist Gang dispersed the black smoke arrow, the smoke unexpectedly re-formed. Without losing any speed, it landed on the chain-bound coffin and vanished in an instant, like a droplet merging with the surface of water.

After being struck by the black smoke, the coffin began to shake even more violently. The crimson Talisman Paper on its surface glowed like a blood moon, attempting to keep the coffin suppressed.

The two forces struggled against each other. The crimson Talisman Paper gained a slight upper hand, and the coffin returned to normal once more.

Qin Shuang’s brow furrowed. She turned to Shen Bai and said, "I get it now. I know what he’s trying to do."

"What’s that?" Shen Bai asked.

Qin Shuang pointed at the coffin. "He wants to release the Deceitful Object inside. This was all set up by a Wild Daoist Technique Cultivator after his death. He wanted to use this terrifying tomb to transform into a Deceitful Object. He’s the one who created that crimson Talisman Paper, too."

Shen Bai stroked his chin. "Crimson Talisman Paper is used to suppress Deceitful Objects. So a Wild Daoist Technique Cultivator used it to suppress himself?"

’That doesn’t add up,’ he thought.

’If he truly wanted to become a Deceitful Object, there’d be no reason to use crimson Talisman Paper for suppression.’

Qin Shuang shook her head. "Deceitful Objects are formed from resentment. Anything in the world can become one. By using the crimson Talisman Paper to suppress it, the resentment grows even more potent. When the Deceitful Object finally emerges from that coffin, it will be an incredibly vicious creature."

Hearing this, Shen Bai’s eyes narrowed slightly. "I see."

"So the coffin has become an instrument for the Deceitful Object’s Cultivation."

"The more it’s suppressed, the more the Deceitful Object’s resentment builds. More resentment means more power. By the time it escapes, its strength will be unimaginable."

"But why would Zhang Chaofeng do this?" Qin Shuang found it odd.

"Logically, if Zhang Chaofeng’s goal is to release the Deceitful Object, he should just let the crimson Talisman Paper keep suppressing it. The longer it waits, the stronger it’ll be when it comes out."

Shen Bai said calmly, "I think the Wild Daoist Technique Cultivator overplayed his hand."

"Overplayed his hand?" Qin Shuang asked, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

Shen Bai pointed at the coffin. "The suppressing force is too strong. It can’t get out on its own anytime soon."

A look of realization dawned on Qin Shuang’s face.

The crimson Talisman Paper was so strong, it was actually preventing the Deceitful Object from escaping the coffin.

And Zhang Chaofeng’s move was meant to help the Deceitful Object emerge.

As they spoke, the coffin was once again brought under control by the crimson Talisman Paper.

Shen Bai looked around, continuing to observe the situation in the cavern.

Just then, a sigh echoed from within the cavern.

"Sigh... still just a little bit off. A near miss is as good as a mile. If that’s how it is, then I’ll risk it all to plunge the whole of Shengyun County into the terror of the Deceitful."

It was Zhang Chaofeng’s voice.

After Zhang Chaofeng finished speaking, a figure appeared at the entrance.

Shen Bai turned his head and saw Zhang Chaofeng in the flesh.

Zhang Chaofeng was wearing a pair of glowing boots, around which swirled a cold, sinister aura.

Qin Shuang’s eyes widened. "That’s the Deceitful Object the Observatory lost!"

Shen Bai didn’t need her to tell him; he had already realized it. But it was too late to make a move.

Zhang Chaofeng’s Speed was simply too great.

The Observatory’s Deceitful Object was a Body Technique type. When Zhang Chaofeng channeled it, his Body Technique became phantom-like, and in the blink of an eye, he was standing on the coffin. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Standing on the coffin, Zhang Chaofeng spat out a mouthful of blood. It splattered across the lid as the cold, sinister aura from the boots began to surge into the coffin.

"Shen Bai, do you see now? This is the true way to use a Deceitful Object! These boots belong to him, and now I’m giving them back!"

The cold, sinister aura emanating from the boots began to weaken.

The response to Zhang Chaofeng’s declaration was a terrifying blast of Sword Qi.

Zhang Chaofeng looked down at the Sword Qi piercing his chest. He tumbled from the coffin, landing heavily on the ground, the boots still on his feet.

Shen Bai stepped forward. A wisp of smoke appeared before his eyes, gradually forming into text.

[Tattered Boots]

[Appraisal Progress: 0%]

[A strand of Evil Qi can be used for quick appraisal.]

"Too late! It’s too late! Hahaha!"

As Shen Bai stared intently at the boots, Zhang Chaofeng’s mocking voice rang out.

"Shen Bai, you were too late. Look at the coffin."

Infused with the cold, sinister aura, the coffin began to shake violently once more. Amidst the tremors, the Talisman Paper was slowly dissolving into smoke.

Shen Bai collected the boots, then lifted his foot and kicked Zhang Chaofeng in the chest.

Zhang Chaofeng spat blood and laughed maniacally, his expression full of contempt for Shen Bai.

"Was it worth it?" Shen Bai asked calmly.

"It was worth it! Everything was worth it!" Zhang Chaofeng struggled to sit up, waving his arms frantically. "They owe me! All of Shengyun County owes me! They owe me my child, they owe me my wife, and they will pay me back! Go on, kill me! Killing me won’t change a thing! When the Deceitful Object emerges, all of Shengyun County will be plunged into death and destruction! Hahaha, it was worth it!"

Shen Bai looked down, grabbed Zhang Chaofeng by the collar, and raised the Longsword in his hand.

Qin Shuang suddenly spoke up, "Shen Bai, wait! He’s from the Upper Evil Sect! He has information. If we take him back, we might find more clues and track them down."

Shen Bai shook his head and plunged the Longsword into Zhang Chaofeng’s chest.

Qin Shuang froze. Chief Zheng and the others were stunned as well.

Zhang Chaofeng stared at the Longsword in his chest as the life slowly drained from his eyes.

Shen Bai said calmly, "Keeping him alive is a liability. Can any of you guarantee nothing will go wrong on the way to the Observatory?"

His words silenced everyone present.

It was just as Shen Bai had said. If something were to go wrong en route, it would indeed be a huge liability.

On the verge of death, Zhang Chaofeng grabbed Shen Bai’s arm. "You’re going to die! You’ll die a miserable death! I’ve already reported you to the Upper Evil Sect."

"I already figured. It doesn’t matter," Shen Bai said with a smile.

Zhang Chaofeng sneered. "In life, you were a Shopkeeper and I was an appraiser. That relationship won’t end with death. I’ll be waiting for you below."

"Then you can wait. Perhaps I’ll join you after countless eons."

Shen Bai slowly withdrew the Longsword.

Zhang Chaofeng’s hands dropped to his sides, and the last of his life faded away.

Shen Bai wiped the blood from his Longsword on Zhang Chaofeng’s clothes, then turned his gaze to the coffin.

"The last one. Time for the curtain call."

The coffin lid suddenly burst free of its chains, and a hand, radiating a terrifying aura, shot up from within.