Otherworldly Affairs Office

As Cao Jiu Zhou's voice echoed, a bright moon seemed to rise behind him, and its dazzling light made Shen Yuanzhou unable to look directly at him. Forced to withdraw his longsword, he stumbled backwards repeatedly. It was then that he felt gusts of cool wind brushing against his face, effortlessly breaking through his protective Cultivation Technique and leaving fine cuts on his skin.

Realizing something was amiss, Shen Yuanzhou quickened his retreat while his longsword spun out one sword flower after another. Each time the sword rotated, a fire snake formed, coiling to bite its own tail and creating a circle. The flames from the snake filled the gaps, transforming into Fire Shields that blocked Shen Yuanzhou's path as he retreated.

As the wind grew stronger, the Fire Shields could hardly hold on. Each fire snake extinguished by the fierce wind before fully forming. Despite this, the Fire Shields bought Shen Yuanzhou some time. When his vision cleared and he steadied himself, he found himself surrounded by a sweeping wind from all directions. The howling gales carried glinting flashes of cold light, and, besides the wind's roar, the sound of metal clashing resonated in his ears.

"Old Dog Cao, do you think you're the only one willing to sacrifice your life?" Shen Yuanzhou sneered at the Wind Array. He was not afraid to stake his life; Cao Jiu Zhou was already heavily injured, so his chances of winning were better should they fight to the end!

With this in mind, he threw his longsword into the sky. Just as the engulfing wind was about to swallow him, he let out a furious shout, rising into the air. His body transformed into a sword light, charging straight into the Wind Array.

For a moment, the sounds of weapons clashing and exploding filled the wind. This situation didn't last long before a flash of cold light pierced through the hurricane, striking straight towards Cao Jiu Zhou.

Thunk! The protective array in front of Cao Jiu Zhou trembled violently at the moment it came into contact with the sword-transformed Shen Yuanzhou. The array was pierced easily, as if made of paper, and Shen Yuanzhou's fingertip, sharp as a sword tip, punctured Cao Jiu Zhou's chest.

The anticipated gush of blood didn't occur. When his right arm passed through, he heard a soft puff sound. Realizing something was wrong, Shen Yuanzhou quickly tried to retract his arm, but it was too late; half of his arm was trapped, like being mired in quicksand. In front of him, Cao Jiu Zhou had turned into a pile of flesh and blood, mixed with several Talismans.

Shocked and angered, Shen Yuanzhou glanced sideways, only to see Cao Jiu Zhou's true body several meters away, staring at him with venomous eyes. Seeing Cao Jiu Zhou muttering incantations with his hands forming seals, Shen Yuanzhou, never one for indecision, transformed his left hand into a blade and chopped down on his right arm. Blood splattered as he severed his own arm with resolve. After doing so, he placed his left palm on the severed arm, injecting Spiritual Qi into it.

At that moment, the Talismans activated by Cao Jiu Zhou flared powerfully. After a blinding flash, more than ten huge electric snakes struck Shen Yuanzhou's body with lightning speed. Simultaneously, the severed arm, infused with Spiritual Qi, finally broke free, transforming into a sword light and shot forward.

After the thunderous strike, Shen Yuanzhou knelt, clutching the wound on his severed arm with his left hand. Suppressing his body's convulsions, he lifted his head, bursting into laughter.

"Old Dog Cao, no matter how intricate your tricks, in the end, the victory is still mine!"

"Cough! Cough! Cough!" Kneeling in the same posture, Cao Jiu Zhou spat out several mouthfuls of blood and couldn't utter a word. Shen Yuanzhou's severed arm had pierced his abdomen, and the blood flowed from the wound, pooling in front. The residual effects of wielding the talisman overwhelmed his mind.

He brought shame to his sect; with his weakened state, he couldn't even unleash the full power of the talisman. If he had been in peak condition, if he had been ruthless from the start... But no matter how much Cao Jiu Zhou regretted, it was too late now.

At that moment, an eerily shrill infant's cry rang out between heaven and earth, sending shockwaves through everyone's souls, leaving them dizzy and breathless.

To Cao Jiu Zhou's ears, it was like a bolt from the blue. Gathering his last ounce of strength, he turned his head skyward and saw the big-headed baby finally breaking free. Its whole face emerged from the clouds, shrinking until it was the size of a mud doll, falling toward the camp of the Divine Desire. The mix of pain, fury, and terror overwhelmed him, and he spewed a mouthful of blood, fainting from shock.

Following closely behind the mud doll was a tall man with a fiery beard descending from the sky, seemingly unfriendly with the mud doll. As soon as they were free, they parted ways, each landing beside those who summoned them.

Another one! Still two more! Mu Fanchen gazed at the sky, fixated on the two yet-unfreed Divine Artifacts—a scale entangled in thorns and a long scroll trapped in mist—yearning eagerly.

"I won't let you succeed again!" Zuo Huaxian's angry roar interrupted Mu Fanchen's thoughts. Annoyed, he turned back to face the elder, low-spirited. Dodging Zuo Huaxian's attack, he glanced at his watch. Though reluctant to admit it, time was indeed running short. While he managed to hold off three people, the Investigation Bureau's delays in snatching the treasures would only last so long. The half-hour mark was approaching, and if those at the entrance joined the fray, it would be a missed opportunity.

Damn it! He looked once more at the balance scale in the sky. The organization's most coveted Divine Artifact slipped through their grasp, proving those so-called allies from other realms were indeed self-serving, caring only for their interests at critical moments.

No matter. Knowing he had largely achieved today's true goal, Mu Fanchen's gaze at Zuo Huaxian turned mocking and derisive, saying, "Elder Zuo, after all these years, you haven't improved much since back then!"

"Shameless! What did you do to Yao Xuefang? What bizarre power have you obtained?" Leng Yang, desperately suppressing the violent impulses in his mind, fought to remain clear-headed, pressing down on Yao Xuefang to maintain her dignity while raising his head in fury.

Currently, Yao Xuefang had shed more than half of her clothes, her fair skin flushed. Her body twisted involuntarily, while suggestive moans escaped her lips. If not for Leng Yang holding her hands down, they would be wandering all over her body.

"Ah! Leng Yang, you indeed surprised me, enduring so long under my attack while staying calm. Army training does serve you well!" Mu Fanchen said, sidestepping another Kunpeng Strike from Zuo Huaxian, stepping back out of the combat zone, and with a light smile, he spread his left arm and declared, "As former colleagues, let me kindly inform you before I leave. This is an ability Origin Superpower Users might comprehend upon reaching the fourth stage: Domain! This is the true path for Superpower Users! Be sure to raise that pawn well in your hands, for soon enough, it will no longer be yours!"

With that said, he looked towards Leng Yang and gestured with a hand in the air, smiling as he spoke, "Chaos Mind!"