Bai Pu looked at the corpses of Taiyin and Eternal Frost, and casually picked up the Bloody Treasure Chest that Eternal Frost dropped.

These two S-level wanted criminals were definitely not inferior in strength to Celestial Wolf and Xilou!

Before the profession trial, Bai Pu found dealing with Celestial Wolf to be troublesome.

Having just passed the profession trial, Bai Pu could already defeat Celestial Wolf with ease.

Now, after some time of cultivation, having mastered the "Demon Refining Sand" skill, Bai Pu could face Awakened of Celestial Wolf’s level with even greater ease, without a problem even if battling several at once.

Bai Pu felt quite satisfied. His strength was indeed continuously improving.

The next target is top-level Awakened like the Dragon King.

After the deaths of Taiyin and Eternal Frost, the Awakened of the Star-Picking Tower completely lost their fighting spirit.

Most of these people were merely Enhanced Elite Templates and couldn’t be considered official members of the Star-Picking Tower, at best they were just cannon fodder.

Their crimes were also not as heinous as those of Taiyin and Eternal Frost, so their resistance will wasn’t as strong. Under Xiang Yinghua’s orders, they all surrendered, obediently putting on the Bloody Torture Devices, which restricted their ability to act freely.

Bai Pu found it a bit strange, as he believed the strength of the Star-Picking Tower should be more than this.

In order to cause such a stir in the Demon Fighting World, wouldn’t there need to be at least one or two top-tier experts equivalent to Senior Dai Sect?

But now, it was as if these experts had vanished from the earth—they didn’t exist in this Boundary Land.

Bai Pu expressed his doubts to Xiang Yinghua.

"This is also good; our task is just to take over this Boundary Land, not to annihilate the Star-Picking Tower."

Xiang Yinghua also breathed a sigh of relief. For this operation, the officials had even prepared a "National Destiny-level" artifact, capable of instantly changing the course of the battle with its powerful turnaround ability.

The Dragon King’s escape was actually partly due to his fear of the existence of the "National Destiny-level" artifact.

It could be said that even if there were a few more experts at the Dai Sect level, the outcome of this battle wouldn’t change.

But considering the extraordinary value of the National Destiny-level artifact, according to Xiang Yinghua’s understanding, one would only likely be obtained for a world event recognized by the Spirit Realm Will, like the national college entrance exam, organized by the officials.

So, saving it where possible!

Bai Pu had only recently learned about the existence of the National Destiny artifact; previously, his Candidacy for Standing Committee Member’s authority was insufficient to know about it.

"Now we have basically wiped out the resistance forces of the Star-Picking Tower. Next, we are to capture the current Realm Master of the Celestial Residence and take over this Boundary Land," Xiang Yinghua said to Bai Pu.

Bai Pu slightly nodded; he had already seen the outline of the Star-Picking Tower Headquarters appearing faintly through the mist ahead.

...

Star-Picking Tower Headquarters, Wu Yunzhong’s office.

"Wu Yunzhong, I am Gangxin, Candidacy for Standing Committee Member, responsible for the management of the Boundary Land in the Jiangnan Region. There is ample evidence showing that the Celestial Residence Boundary Land has been harboring many Awakened criminals. For the recent series of malfeasance incidents involving Awakened across the Jiangnan Region, the District Council believes you are a prime suspect. Come with us. Should you resist, we are authorized to execute you on the spot."

Bai Pu looked at the bald old man in front of him, expressionless, as he issued a formal warning.

Wu Yunzhong was also observing Bai Pu.

"So fast..."

Wu Yunzhong shook his head slightly and sighed, "A year ago, you were just a test subject. Were someone to have told me a year ago that you would grow to become an Advanced Awakened second only to the Dragon King within a year, I would have thought them insane."

Bai Pu’s expression remained indifferent. His entanglement with the Superstar Alliance seemed to be coming to an end.

"Test Subject No. 4."

Wu Yunzhong continued, "Don’t think this is the final Chapter...this is merely the beginning. You wouldn’t think that the Star-Picking Tower only has the strength you’ve seen, right?"

Bai Pu narrowed his eyes; Wu Yunzhong’s demeanor was somewhat unusual, seemingly overly calm.

Was he confident of escaping?

But officials had stationed Awakened troops from the government at all entrances and exits of the Celestial Residence in various cities. Even if Wu Yunzhong chose to return to reality, he would be captured immediately.

Could there be space fluctuations detected by Spiritual Essence sensors yet undiscovered hidden spatial passageways within the Celestial Residence?

Bai Pu subtly signaled, and Xiang Yinghua understood, immediately ordering the use of Combat Shackles, locking onto Wu Yunzhong one-on-one, preventing his return to reality.

Blood-colored strings connected to Wu Yunzhong, the bald old man seemingly aware of this, yet remained unfazed, calmly stating:

"The Star-Picking Tower has three ’Elders,’ each with strength at the ’Candidate’ level. From today onwards, the influence of the Star-Picking Tower will fully shift into the Spirit Realm. The three Elders and their elite members will assist the Dragon King in thoroughly eradicating you!"

Candidate refers to experts of the Dai Sect level, also top-tier Awakened.

Compared to a "Titled Strong Person" like the Dragon King, the strength of a candidate may not be much inferior, just lacking a title skill as a trump card.

"I have never been afraid of targeted actions from the Spirit Realm."

Bai Pu rather hoped Wu Yunzhong would say more, "During your first target, you supplied me with the second vial of Pure Blood, allowing me to successfully transition to the Enhanced Elite Profession. Your second target enabled me to acquire the predecessor to the Dark Gold Shield. Your third target allowed me to ascend to the Enhanced Heroic Profession..."

Wu Yunzhong sneered, "Think you’ve really got what it takes? The true experts of the Alliance are all in the Advanced Spirit Realm. Only something like Hidden Snake was sent to stop you, allowing for a few lucky wins on your part. Now that you have stepped into the realm of an Advanced Awakened, it’s as if you’ve signed your own death warrant!"

"Nice words, but unfortunately, you will not see it. Shall I send some newspapers to the prison later?"

"Hehe... Gangxin, you are utterly ignorant of the true great powers of Awakening!"

There was a faint trace of mockery at the corner of Wu Yunzhong’s lips.

His figure gradually flickered with light, his whole being seeming to transform into a dazzling shadow, with only a faint outline visible.

"Is he...teleporting?!"

Bai Pu detected intense space fluctuation, slightly taken aback.

Despite the Combat Shackles’ blood-colored strings remaining connected to Wu Yunzhong’s body, his form continued to illuminate, gradually disintegrating into particle rays of light, slowly disappearing.

"This isn’t an ordinary Spirit Realm teleportation... this is a teleportation to the ’Silver Heart Great World!’" Xiang Yinghua attempted to shoot an arrow but found the arrow passing straight through Wu Yunzhong’s light particle form, as if his body were a phantom.

"Gangxin... should fortune favor you, and you find yourself in the Silver Heart Great World in the future, I shall teach you the proper awareness of a test subject!"

Wu Yunzhong’s final, indifferent words resonated, "However, you probably will not have the chance, for the Dragon King and the three Elders are quite interested in your head!"