As Xiao Bai's perspective pierced through the energy shields, a dozen rooms, roughly the size of the outer chamber, came into view. Each shield served as a portal to one of these rooms.
The rooms contained rows of neatly arranged shelves, sparsely dotted with various-sized orbs of light. Scanning them, Xiao Bai was stunned to realize that the total number of orbs in these rooms matched those in the outer chamber. He'd thought the flurry of orbs outside was abundant, but it was only half the depository's contents.
In each room, a dark figure shuttled between the shelves. Xiao Bai's attention fixed on one that paused, its shadowy hands forming a simple seal over a yellow orb on a shelf.
Whoosh! A sharp sound rang out as the yellow orb shot from the shelf, darting through the energy shield into the outer chamber.
Xiao Bai understood. The orbs' energy shields were imbued with a propulsion mechanism, while the shelves held restraining seals, controlled by these puppets.
Comparing the two sides, Xiao Bai noted that the orbs in the outer chamber and those in the rooms behind the shields were similar in quantity and quality, differing only in attributes.
So Jia Nan Academy has these puppets randomly select half the orbs to release. No wonder Elder Huo said finding something depends on luck, Xiao Bai mused.
He'd located the Di-class poison attribute cultivation method's orb in the room behind the rightmost shield. But the puppet there stood idle, as if it had finished its task and clocked out, leaving Xiao Bai itching with frustration.
No good. That puppet's not moving—I can't keep waiting! With time running short and his soul force draining rapidly in this state, Xiao Bai resolved to act. He couldn't pin his hopes on a sluggish puppet.
His mind racing, Xiao Bai's perspective glanced toward the Thousand and Hundred Elders. Gritting his teeth, he considered his current state. This wasn't mere soul force perception but a mode driven by his soul force, using the vertical eye on his forehead to tap into a kind of cosmic authority. His perspective soared, granting him dominion-like insight within this space, "seeing" everything within its bounds.
Though he could only observe, not manipulate with soul force, he had other means.
Focusing on a gray, mist-filled orb radiating stronger fluctuations than the Ninefold Fire Phoenix Art, Xiao Bai willed a wisp of golden lightning to flicker from his body. Guided by the vertical eye's mystical connection, it materialized on the gray orb.
Crack!
The golden lightning struck the shelf's restraining seal, shattering it with a soft snap. The sound was subtle, causing no major disturbance. Freed, the gray orb surged outward with momentum akin to the Fire Phoenix Art's.
The moment the snap sounded, the idle puppet's neck creaked mechanically, its head swiveling. Its eyes glowed red, locking onto the gray orb. In a flash, it lunged to intercept, aiming to prevent the orb's escape.
After all this, you think a low-tier Dou Wang puppet can stop me? This cultivation method is mine! Xiao Bai snorted inwardly. Another wisp of golden lightning flickered from him, vanishing and reappearing in the puppet's path.
The puppet, devoid of independent intelligence and driven by programmed commands, showed no fear or hesitation. Ignoring the golden lightning, it focused solely on the fleeing orb, charging forward without pause.
Bang!
The golden lightning collided with the puppet, striking a point on its chest. Something there turned to ash, and the puppet's heavy frame was hurled back, crashing into a room's wall. The wall rippled with a protective light, unscathed.
The puppet crumpled to the ground, its red eyes flickering erratically before stabilizing. Standing, it scanned for the gray orb, only to find no trace of it.
After a futile sweep, the puppet returned to its post, its red glow dimming as if nothing had happened.
Xiao Bai exhaled in relief. He'd only meant to stop it, not destroy it. Fearing his Geng Metal Tribulation Lightning might ruin the puppet, he'd carefully controlled its power. The outcome was satisfactory.
Suddenly, his perspective detected an anomaly in the space near the depository's main gate. His expression shifted, and he swiftly withdrew from the state. His perspective plummeted, the vertical eye on his forehead closing. As his mind returned to his body, a wave of dizziness hit, his face paling from the strain.
He knew this feeling well—a symptom of excessive soul force consumption. With his current soul strength, the vertical eye couldn't be sustained for long.
"Brother Xiao Bai (Xiao Bai), are you okay?" Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, already at his side, looked at his pallid face with worry etched on their delicate features.
When the vertical eye had opened, Xiao Xun'er, ever attuned to Xiao Bai, had sensed it immediately. The chaotic pupil felt inhuman, like the indifferent gaze of the heavens, overlooking all creation.
It was her first time seeing the vertical mark on his forehead transform this way. Unlike the Gu Clan's imperial marks she knew, it shocked and puzzled her. But seeing his pale face and the faint exhaustion in his brow, her questions dissolved into concern.
"I'm fine," Xiao Bai said, rubbing his temples as the dizziness eased. Meeting their anxious gazes, warmth filled his heart. He waved lightly, reassuring them, "Don't worry. It's just soul force overuse. A few days' rest, and I'll be good as new."
"Xiao Bai, did you push yourself like this to find that cultivation method for me?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes locked onto his, suspicion glinting in her pupils. Realizing something, she added firmly, "Don't lie to me!"
With Xiao Bai's strength, only something extraordinary could drain his soul force so drastically.
To spare her worry, Xiao Bai nearly denied it, but her serious expression and the fact she'd soon learn the truth made him nod.
"You idiot!" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes reddened, her voice sharp with anger. "It's just a cultivation method! If we can't find it here, we'll look elsewhere. What if something happened to you? What would Xun'er and I do?"
"Uh…" Xiao Bai froze, caught off guard by the usually gentle Xian'er's outburst.
"Fool!" Xiao Yi Xian threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly, her heart swelling with emotion. This man, though a flirt, was genuinely devoted to each of them—Xun'er and her alike.
Any lingering reservations in her heart melted away. As long as it's him, that's enough.
Feeling her soft form in his embrace, Xiao Bai's eyes met Xiao Xun'er's clear gaze. Blinking in confusion, he received a dramatic eye-roll in return.
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