After leaving the County Captain’s Office, Chu Bai didn’t return directly to Qingfeng Courtyard. Instead, taking advantage of the New Year’s festive air, he changed into casual clothes and strolled toward Dahuai Lane in the bustling downtown area.
The midday sun fell upon the alley, where the ground was carpeted with the red paper scraps of firecrackers.
In contrast to the clamor of the main streets outside, Dahuai Lane was exceptionally tranquil. Even the fresh scent of the plants and trees was a bit richer here than anywhere else.
Chu Bai walked to the foot of the enormous old locust tree, his fingertips lightly touching the cold, rough bark.
"My Lord."
An old and gentle voice sounded in Chu Bai’s mind.
Immediately after, the shadow of the locust tree shimmered slightly, materializing into the form of an old man leaning on a staff, visible only to Chu Bai. Lord Locust bowed deeply to Chu Bai, his demeanor growing even more respectful.
Chu Bai recalled what Zhang Cheng had said earlier, and a lingering doubt in his mind was dispelled.
He looked at Lord Locust and asked in a low voice, "Lord Locust, you’ve been rooted here for a century, performing good deeds by protecting the populace and accumulating Merit. So why, before I conferred divinity upon you, did you constantly hide, unwilling to reveal your divine presence?"
"Were you afraid?"
Upon hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Lord Locust’s face. He sighed and said, "As you can see, My Lord, within the borders of the Great Zhou, the conferral of divine Status has grown increasingly rare. Though this old servant has some meager cultivation, I am, in the end, just a ’wild entity’ that cultivated from a plant.
The current Court’s attitude toward the Divine Dao is ambiguous, and the Emperor’s will is difficult to fathom. How could this old servant dare to lightly presume upon it?"
He paused, his voice tinged with the relief of having survived a great danger. "If I had revealed my divine presence at the wrong time, or been branded an ’Illicit Wild God’ by the Government, I wouldn’t have just failed to attain that divine Status—I’m afraid my century of cultivation would have been reduced to ashes.
If I hadn’t met you, My Lord, I fear this old servant would have simply withered here until the day my Spiritual Mechanism was exhausted."
Chu Bai nodded silently. ’Under imperial authority, even Divine Authority is in chains. Until the Great Zhou takes a clear stance, the first law of survival for beings like Lord Locust is to remain hidden.’
"Last night, on New Year’s Eve, Age Evils were spawning in the County. Was your lane safe?" Chu Bai asked, changing the subject.
Lord Locust smiled faintly and gestured to the ground at his feet. "Thank you for your concern, My Lord. Indeed, an unobservant Age Evil tried to sneak into the lane last night by following the kitchen smoke from a resident’s home, hoping to feed on their life force.
Having received your divine mandate, My Lord, it is my duty to protect this land. I simply dragged it down into my roots and turned it into nutrients. Everyone in the lane had a good night’s sleep."
’So he just dealt with it casually...’ Chu Bai felt the deep, earth-like Spiritual Pressure emanating from Lord Locust, and his mind was put at ease.
’With a Divine Spirit at the Late-stage of Qi Cultivation watching over the area, the safety of this downtown district was indeed guaranteed.’
"Well done." Chu Bai instructed, his expression profound, "However, from now on, you must continue to remain hidden.
Acting covertly, as you did last night, is sufficient. Without my Dharma Decree, remember that you are not to reveal your divine presence in public, and you are especially forbidden from manifesting your true form to gather large-scale incense offerings."
Chu Bai stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his tone growing serious. "You must remember: you are now a hidden card up my sleeve.
Your task is to be my eyes and ears, monitoring this downtown district for any anomalies within a three-li radius. If you encounter a formidable enemy you cannot handle, notify me at once. As for the trivial little monsters that pop up, you may dispose of them as you see fit."
’In an age where imperial power holds a monopoly and the Divine Dao is shrouded in obscurity, revealing himself too early would only bring unnecessary trouble.’
"This old servant understands," Lord Locust replied respectfully. "I will restrain my divine might and act as a quiet, unassuming old locust tree, guarding this small plot of land for you, My Lord."
"Go."
Chu Bai withdrew his hand. Lord Locust’s phantom image instantly disintegrated, melting back into the towering branches and leaves.
A gentle breeze swept through Dahuai Lane.
Pulling his thoughts back to the present, Chu Bai turned and left. ’Now that the lingering evils of the old year have been purged, it’s time to focus all my energy on breaking through to the next Realm.’
After returning to Qingfeng Courtyard, Chu Bai didn’t slacken his pace in the slightest for the New Year’s festivities.
’To him, in the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty where strength reigned supreme, the only true security for the New Year was a constantly improving Realm.’
Inside the Cultivation Room, the Five Elements Gathering Spirit Array continued to operate smoothly.
Thanks to the suppressive power of the Earth Treasure, Mountain-Suppressing Platinum, the Earth Element Spiritual Energy in the room had become exceedingly viscous and heavy, making the very air feel denser.
Chu Bai sat cross-legged at the heart of the array and took the Cyan Jade Scroll from his robes. It recorded the Secret Technique: the Iron Bone Casting Body Technique.
He sent his Divine Thought into it, and countless intricate patterns and insights on Body Refinement flooded his mind.
This Secret Technique was different from ordinary Magic Techniques. It wasn’t about releasing Magical Power outward. Instead, it involved vibrating one’s meridians at a specific frequency, guiding the Magical Power to hammer against every inch of bone and flesh, over and over again.
’Time to begin.’
Chu Bai took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Magical Power surged from his Dantian, instantly splintering into countless fine, sharp points that followed the path laid out by the Secret Technique.
"Ngh!"
When the first wave of vibrations surged up his spine, Chu Bai let out a muffled grunt. Veins bulged on his temples, and his face instantly went pale.
It was a pain that radiated from the inside out, as if countless steel needles were piercing the seams of his bones while a heavy hammer relentlessly pounded his very marrow, forcing out the deeply hidden impurities one bit at a time.
The pain was bone-deep.
This was a level of agony that most Qi Cultivation Cultivators would find unbearable, and it was precisely why Body Refiners were so rare.
However, Chu Bai’s will was like iron. He could even feel that, empowered by Fate Charts like General Star Enters Life, his Divine Soul was growing ever clearer amidst the excruciating pain.
He gritted his teeth, letting sweat soak his robes.
Under the precise control of his Microscopic-level Guiyuan Technique, every strike of Spiritual Power against his body was controlled with sublime perfection—it stimulated his physical potential to the absolute maximum without damaging his foundation in the slightest.

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