Chapter 652: Chapter 652: 653

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Before the government officer could react, Li Xiaobai suddenly activated his Cultivation Technique. A powerful suction force exploded from the palm of his hand, and the officer felt like the Inner Strength within his body was being forcefully ripped out, just like a dam bursting its banks.

This was the first time Li Xiaobai had used the Spirit Realm Technique against a Martial Artist since entering the Illusionary Realm World. It was completely different from using it on livestock; he could clearly feel the basketball-sized Dantian within him rapidly expanding at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This was the true power of the Spirit Realm Technique, the ability to absorb the strength of other Martial Artists for his own use, which was the truly domineering aspect of this technique.

“This is the Spirit Realm Technique!”

“You… you’re the demon head Li Xiaobai!”

The officer’s complexion turned deathly pale as he stared at Li Xiaobai, speaking with some difficulty.

“Heh, congratulations on getting it right, unfortunately, there’s no reward.”

Li Xiaobai sneered and, without realizing it, increased the force of his Inner Strength absorption.

The officer’s face drained of color, his lips trembling. Having such a large amount of Inner Strength sucked away in an instant left him extremely weak.

Seeing the officer’s condition, Li Xiaobai thought it was about enough. He stopped absorbing the man’s Inner Strength and with a backhand slap to the nape of the officer’s neck, he knocked him out. Li Xiaobai then hoisted the unconscious officer over his shoulder and fled.

“Heh heh heh, from now on, you’re my personal Inner Strength ATM.”

Li Xiaobai murmured happily to himself. It was worth it for Long Xue to be captured; with this officer in hand, he would soon be able to progress beyond the beginner phase and ascend to a higher level.

Inside the Imperial Palace hall.

Everyone was once again astonished by Li Xiaobai’s brazen actions and dropped their jaws in disbelief.

You want to absorb, why not just suck him dry, what’s the deal with sucking half and then knocking him out to take him away?

“He just said ‘Inner Strength ATM’? What is that?”

Someone asked, puzzled.

“Not sure, but it seems he’s quite experienced in these matters. This certainly isn’t his first time doing such a thing; he must be quite skilled.”

“Isn’t it obvious? Since his technique can absorb others’ Inner Strength, he naturally intends to raise that Martial Artist like livestock, to be able to repeatedly extract the cultivator’s Inner Strength. It’s a resource that can be sustainably used, such a clever scheme, and yet so cruel-hearted!”

The assembly of civilian and military generals quickly understood Li Xiaobai’s intentions and were once again amazed at his shamelessness.

“So, tell me, how is Li Xiaobai going to rescue the little princess?”

“If the government doesn’t have the patience we anticipate and something happens to the little princess, what then?”

“All I know is that Li Xiaobai is a narrow-minded, selfish, fearful coward, taking cowardice to the extreme. He’s clearly using the little princess to escape, how could he possibly have the courage to save someone?”

“After all the trust the little princess has put in him…”

Listening to the surrounding cultivators’ comments, Long Zhan’s brow furrowed tightly: “If Li Xiaobai really is a coward, how could he have had the nerve to execute that official on the execution stage?”

“You call yourselves scholars, can’t you think before you speak?”

“General Long, in your opinion, how long can Li Xiaobai survive in the Illusionary Realm?”

The Tortoise Prime Minister looked at Long Zhan with a faint smile and asked.

“If you ask me, the guy won’t die, he can keep on living, so just give up hope of that,” Long Zhan replied bluntly without mincing his words.

“Hehe, General Long sure is confident, I just wonder if Li Xiaobai will live up to the General’s high expectations.”

“`

Tortoise Prime Minister gave a weird smile and continued to focus his gaze on the massive image in the void.

…

Inside the Illusionary Realm, Li Xiaobai had been carrying the government officer on his shoulder, madly dashing through the mountains all night. Now he found himself deep in the mountain range, not even knowing his exact location.

This was the heart of the mountain range, teeming with wild beasts, and even some large fierce animals that Li Xiaobai himself couldn’t handle.

But such dangerous places were exactly where Li Xiaobai longed to be—their seclusion guaranteed that outsiders would absolutely not encroach, and the giant beasts comparable to martial artists ensured he could quickly rise in power in a short period.

“Where exactly are you taking me?”

The government officer couldn’t hold back any longer, his heart growing apprehensive as he looked at the increasingly desolate mountains.

“Naturally, it’s to a place where no one can find us. This spot right here is pretty good, from now on, we’ll live here.”

Li Xiaobai quickly cleared out a cave dwelling and looked at the government officer in front of him with a smile, his eyes filled with an unmistakable predatory intent.

“Um… brother, although I’m male, my preference is for women. If you’re thinking of using force, I’ll immediately sever my own meridians and die!”

The government officer trembled as he spoke, his voice shaky. He had long heard of a person in the martial world who did not favor women but enjoyed male company – could it be that Li Xiaobai, whom the authorities were chasing, was one such person?

“Rest assured, I’ve got no such inclinations. Just tell me whatever you want to eat; don’t be shy.”

Li Xiaobai seemed quite friendly, aside from being bound hand and foot, everything else didn’t seem too bad?

“By the way, what’s your name?”

Li Xiaobai asked, turning to the government officer.

“I’m ranked seventh among the government officers; everyone calls me Old Seven.”

The government officer said.

“So you’re Xiao Qi. From now on, this will be your home, don’t be shy about anything. Just tell me what you need. Your task is to cultivate. As long as you spend all twelve hours a day cultivating, I won’t kill you!”

Li Xiaobai declared.

“That’s impossible, how can I spend all twelve hours a day in cultivation? What on earth are you trying to do?”

Xiao Qi was extremely anxious, knowing that the other party definitely had ulterior motives for him, but what exactly were they after?

“There’s nothing impossible about it. Want to sleep? Once a person is dead, there’s plenty of time to sleep. Now your task is to cultivate diligently and become a strong support for me.”

Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently.

By evening.

Xiao Qi finally understood the meaning of the “strong support” that the other party spoke of. Ancient people often said killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, but what Li Xiaobai was doing was even more extreme. Indeed, he didn’t take the eggs, and didn’t even kill the goose.

Instead, he kept urging the goose to work hard and lay eggs non-stop. To some extent, it was worse than killing it.

In just half a day, Li Xiaobai had drained his inner strength three times. Xiao Qi deeply understood what it felt like to be a lamb waiting to be slaughtered – it was an agonizing experience! Just like Li Xiaobai said, he had to cultivate ceaselessly; otherwise, if his inner strength didn’t recover in time, he might very well be drained dry. Driven by a strong will to live, he cultivated desperately, each time snapping back with twice the speed when his inner strength was sapped.

“Li Xiaobai, you are a demon head, to think of martial artists as livestock to be raised and have their inner strength drained, truly the conduct of someone on the Demon Path!”

“If my government learns of this, they will not let you off!”