Chapter 681: Chapter 676: Shaping Fear

Having escaped those two fools, Bai Qi continued on his journey, under the escort of the guards, to Xiao Mu’s office.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

“Bai Qi, why did you suddenly come? Have you made any progress in your research on the Dead Beasts?”

Xiao Mu put down the documents in his hand and asked.

Because it involved the Power of Death, Xiao Mu did not assign the task of researching the Dead Beasts to anyone else, but entrusted Bai Qi to handle it completely.

After all, Bai Qi was a Legend who not only had a pet beast that mastered the Power of Death, but he also had research talent, making him the best fit for this.

If other people got involved, it was uncertain whether they could come up with any findings, but they might be eroded by the Death Virus.

...

“Not yet, I need a Dead Beast that is closer to the source of the infection.”

Bai Qi shook his head and said, “If possible, let’s ask the West Sea to expedite their search because it wouldn’t be to their benefit to let the Dead Beasts spread without restrictions.”

“The West Sea is already doing their best. However, Dead Beasts can infect any beings lesser than the Emperor, which makes their job difficult.”

Xiao Mu slightly nodded and replied.

“Indeed.”

Bai Qi understood and said, “By the way, elder, have there been any gains from the Ba Jieji side?”

“Their mouths are pretty tight-lipped and we can’t forcibly extract their memories. We have to rely on the Ultrasonic Dolphin to grind down their mental defenses.

Xiao Mu sighed and said, “I have to admit, the tribe has not been idle over the years, their techniques of binding human souls have become stronger and stronger.”

Last>Upon hearing this, Bai Qi couldn’t help but smile. Humans began their rebellion as simple slaves, and now stand as equals to the tribe. It was unrealistic to think that the tribes wouldn’t get smarter over time.

But to be able to stump so many Legends, this charm was indeed formidable.

“By the way, Bai Qi, you have done a lot of research on Runes. How about you take a look?”

Xiao Mu grinned, “Actually, I wanted to ask for your help a long time ago, but the situation with the Dead Beasts seemed more significant, so I didn’t disturb you.”

“All right, I’ll give it a try.”

Bai Qi slightly nodded, a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

Speaking of it if not for the Soul Device from the Black Water Tribe, Bai Qi might not have researched the Spirit-Control Orb so quickly. Maybe this time, he could research something else?

With a small amount of anticipation, Bai Qi arrived at the place where the Ba Jieji was detained.

The Ultrasonic Dolphin was constantly producing sounds that were inaudible to humans, gradually altering the Ba Jieji’s consciousness.

But even though the Ultrasonic Dolphin carefully controlled its power, occasionally it would trigger the Curse Mark within their souls, awakening them.

“Luckily, we didn’t accept the tribe’s invitation to collaborate. If we had been planted with this kind of Curse Mark, the West Sea would likely have become slaves to the tribe forever.”

Seeing this, the Ultrasonic Dolphin temporarily dispersed its skill and sighed helplessly.

“This Curse Mark really is sensitive.”

Just then, Bai Qi who had been observing on the side couldn’t help but speak up. “Have you ever thought of asking someone else to suppress the Curse Mark while you ‘brainwash’ them?”

The Ultrasonic Dolphin glanced at Bai Qi and replied, “We’ve tried that already. It’s hard, unless the two individuals are in complete sync with each other. If one person has an issue, it will trigger the Curse Mark.”

“Moreover, the impression left by Lord Black Water is too deep, even if the Curse Mark could be suppressed, it is impossible to wash out this impression in a short time.”

“Is it really that complicated?”

Bai Qi frowned slightly as he asked, “Can you see the Curse Mark carved onto their souls?”

The Ultrasonic Dolphin is also a Spiritual Species, and a Legend to boot, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

“I can. But we Sea Beasts have not researched runes, it doesn’t really help me.”

“You may not have researched it, but I have.”

Bai Qi shrugged, took out an electronic board, handed it over to the Ultrasonic Dolphin and said, “Could you please draw the Curse Mark you see as accurately as possible?”

The Ultrasonic Dolphin stayed silent. It felt a bit mocked, but still diligently drew the Curse Mark as it perceived it and handed it to Bai Qi.

“So that’s how it is… They’ve even added a structure for amplifying emotions? No wonder it’s so difficult to deal with.”

Bai Qi studied for a while, finally finding a clue.

Because of the Law Emperor’s Insight, Bai Qi’s understanding of runes had also increased significantly, and he also mastered many runes that are no longer in circulation today.

Among them, was this rune for amplifying emotions.

“Amplify emotions? Runes can do that?”

The Ultrasonic Dolphin was a bit surprised upon hearing this. It had heard of humans, including those from the tribe being able to enhance their powers through runes. But such detailed work was quite difficult for the massive Sea Beasts, and also seemed unnecessary. Hence, the field of runes never really developed in the Sea Beast circles.

It seemed that now, they were really falling behind.

“No wonder your waters are so vast, yet you have not developed to be stronger than the tribe. There really is a reason for that.”

Bai Qi couldn’t help but tease when he saw this. But soon, he had a scary thought.

Thankfully, the sea creatures had not developed. Otherwise, with the abundant resources and large population of the Sea Area, it might have been the end of the human race.

“Right, we will certainly learn more from the Federation.”

Upon hearing Bai Qi’s mockery, the Ultrasonic Dolphin didn’t get angry. Instead, it humbly agreed.

All right, it looked like he might have doomed future humans.

Bai Qi’s mouth twitched a bit, then he continued his research on the Curse Mark.

Indeed, as Schuck had said, this charm was quite complex, and forcefully breaking through it would be as difficult as a Legend directly confronting an Emperor.

So either they’d have to spend time deciphering it, or let the Ultrasonic Dolphin continue its slow conditioning.

“However, with structures enhancing emotions present, it would be quite challenging to make these people forget the Black Water Python, unless…”

Bai Qi pondered for a while, looking at Ba Jieji, who was in a coma with tightly shut eyes, then something suddenly occurred to him.

“Maybe, like this?”

…

The interrogation room.

The captive Ba Jieji slowly regained consciousness, only to find that their companions had disappeared, and they were wearing a pitch-black helmet.

“What are you trying to do to us? We’ve told you, no matter what you do, we will never betray Lord Black Water!”

Peering menacingly at the camera in front of him, the crew-cut man roared out.

“This fellow, his spirit is really good.”

Seeing this, Bai Qi couldn’t help but laugh, then he turned to Nicholas and Schuck, “Did you get the specifics of the operation?”

“Don’t worry, this dragon will make them feel the majesty of a Giant Dragon.”

Nicholas slapped his chest, affirming this.

“Dear leader, rest assured, I will ensure that Mr. Nicholas is created into a synonym for fear.”

Schuck also had a serious look on his face, as he said.

“Very good, then let’s begin.”

With a broad grin, Bai Qi looked at the separated Ba Jieji, his eyes filled with anticipation.

“Then let’s start, Mr. Nicholas, please be ready.”

Schuck adjusted himself, and the light of the Bright Sun erupted from the helmet of Ba Jieji, turning their cells green.

“Dreamland skills, be careful!”

The crew-cut man immediately sensed the abnormality and began to roar, regardless of its usefulness.

Howbeit, Bai Qi and his allies would not let such a method of divulging information occur. No matter how the Ba Jieji roared, they could not inform the others, instead only increasing their emotional agitation.

“Now!”

Finally, catching the right moment, a black eye appeared behind Schuck, glaring down at Ba Jieji.

In an instant, Ba Jieji felt a sudden darkness before them, and from their cells, they were transported into a dark world.

“It’s indeed the Dreamland skill!”

The crew-cut man became even more alert, clearly guessing the plan of Bai Qi and his group.

“Trying to extract information using Dreamland? Dream on!”

The crew-cut man snorted coldly and began to sense with his eyes closed.

Gradually, in the previously silent Dreamland, other figures started to appear and even blink, obviously being the other members of Ba Jieji.

“Lord Black Water is indeed strong, this Dreamland turned into a platform for us to connect with each other.”

Seeing this scene, the crew-cut man showed a touch of reverence. He carefully probed at the gradually materialising companions before him and only relaxed after confirming that there were no issues.

“This Bai Qi really is a genius to think of using this method, but he doesn’t know that our Ba Jieji souls have been connected by a contract for a long time. He just shot himself in the foot.”

A young boy with a baby face mocked, “Now, with all eight of our souls converged here, we can directly summon the Power of Orochi to break the constraints.”

“No, this is the headquarters of the Deep Sea Alliance. Even if we break the limits, we may not be able to escape.”

The crew-cut man shook his head, “Also, don’t forget about the peculiar runes Bai Qi used earlier, we might not be their opponents.”

Upon hearing this, Ba Jieji fell into silence.

“The only way now is for us to completely abandon our human identities, and give our body and heart to Lord Black Water which may genuinely break through the Legend. That way, we can avoid being shattered out of beastification.”

“But we will never be able to turn back into humans…”

Once the crew-cut man finished speaking, members of Ba Jieji immediately looked up—some hesitant, some expectant, their minds in turmoil.

They were originally Beast Masters of the Federation, who had joined the tribe due to their mediocre talents, consequently upgrading their strength.

But to let them transform into a completely different species, they couldn’t allow it.

This hesitation, however, only lasted a moment as Ba Jieji made their decision.

“Even if we die, we should die in style, let’s bet on it!”

Members of Ba Jieji met each other’s gaze and collectively made a decision before sitting in a circle, beginning to focus on the image of Black Water.

Gradually, eight large snakes with different attributes emerged behind them and began to merge into the shape of Black Water, while their souls also began to change bit by bit.

This was a result of their thorough abandonment of their reservations, letting the Bond Curse Mark transform their souls.

Once the transformation was complete, they would become true beastmen.

Eventually, when the alteration of their souls reached halfway, the illusory figure of Black Water suddenly became animated, and members of Ba Jieji couldn’t conceal their joy.

After being branded by the Slave Contract, they could communicate with Black Water like pet beasts and even borrow his power. This way, the probability of escape increased marginally.

Roar!!!

Just then, a Giant Dragon descended from the sky and stepped on the illusion of Black Water, its sharp fangs piercing into Black Water’s head. With a fierce pull, it forcefully tore its head off, much to the astonishment of Ba Jieji.

“Ptui! A big bug even dares to come to this Lord Dragon’s territory and cause a ruckus. Die for your lord!”