603 Stone Tablet! (1/2)

The mission, which hundreds of Never-Ending Clan members participated in, didn't take long to complete. It ended six hours later. Wang Baole didn't know the exact number of fatalities from the Dao Palace, however, based on what he had witnessed, it was definitely more than forty.

In the end, under the joint forces of multiple Soul Conduit realm cultivators, the city ruins were forcibly wiped off the face of the star, never to be seen again.

As for the cultivators who had been recruited to participate in the mission, they were permitted to leave with the mission's completion. They left separately, and a dispirited Wang Baole dashed off towards the rear of the Vast Expanse Dao Palace's mountain gates.

Having participated in the mission and witnessed the Never-Ending Clan fighting firsthand, there were no longer as many flaws in Wang Baole's imitation of an Never-Ending Clan cultivator. Wang Baole no longer hid his tracks as he traveled, speeding through the air boldly instead.

He encountered quite a few Never-Ending Clan members along the way. He didn't wait for them to spare him a glance, though. Instead, Wang Baole actively threw an assessing look at them. Their eyes would meet, and they would exchange nods before going their separate ways.

His journey was undisturbed by danger. Wang Baole returned once again to the back of the mountain gates of the Vast Expanse Dao Palace. Upon arrival, he stood and stared at the jackhammer-shaped Dharmic Artifact, listening to the thunderous rumblings it made. Little Missy's voice rang out in his head.

”Where did you learn it… the Never-Ending Clan's language!”

”This is the language of the Dark Sect. Don't you know, Little Missy?” Wang Baole replied calmly.

Little Missy sank into a long bout of silence after hearing Wang Baole's reply. She recalled the temporary void that she had experienced when Wang Baole had been in the Dark Artifact. She had her suspicions. At the same time, she couldn't help experiencing a sense of helplessness once again—one caused by the incredulous Wang Baole. It seemed that no matter how impossible a task was, as long as she spoke it and got him to try it, he would, after some time, manage to succeed at the task.

Her head began to throb even harder at that thought. Despite realizing that Wang Baole had probably seen through her bluff regarding the Dark Sect, she still believed that whatever she had said remained true as long as she didn't admit otherwise. She snorted.

”Of course I do. I'm just testing you!”

”Oh? What's the point of this test? You're not planning to get me to play the hero, are you? I'm really not cut out for that, Little Missy.” Wang Baole stretched lazily. He set aside the mixed feelings he felt towards the massacre on the Vast Expanse Dao Planet. His logic was simple. He was no saint. He only had the Federation in his heart and would only be responsible for the Federation.

The Federation, and the Dark Sect.

Even though his heart went out to the Vast Expanse Dao Planet, he could only give it his sympathy. That was why he had asked Little Missy that question—to stop her from talking and getting him to take on the restoration of the Vast Expanse Dao Palace as his duty.

”The truth is, while the Dark Sect has fallen, its foundations remain. Within the Never-Ending Clan is a mysterious and powerful entity who is a spy from the Dark Sect. This is information of utmost secrecy and confidentiality. The Dark Art that I've learned was originally passed down by this person. That's why you can even consider me one of his extended disciples!” The gears spun furiously in Little Missy's head, and she whipped up a tale in a matter of seconds. Once done with her tale, she couldn't help but feel pleased with how quick she was on her feet.

”I tested you because I wanted to know if you had any chance of gaining my master's approval. With his help, the possibilities in your future would be limitless!”

Little Missy grew even more pleased with herself as she continued. If she could conjure an image of her actual body, one would see her with her arms half-raised and fists pumping in the air, as if in a show of encouragement.

There was an increasingly odd expression on Wang Baole's face. He hadn't believed what Little Missy had said earlier. However, her current tale seemed reasonable. Wang Baole began to doubt himself. In the end though, he still decided not to believe her.

Wang Baole took into consideration his still being in the middle of a mission and decided not to express his disbelief. He nodded his head and went along with Little Missy. She grew more pleased and finally shared the location of the secret passage with Wang Baole.

Wang Baole was tickled by Little Missy as she gained peace of mind. She was rather adorable this way. After all, girls whose favor could be easily gained were all adorable creatures.