"This power level... is it equivalent to high-stage Sage?"
Bai Fanxian raised her eyebrows in surprise. In an era affected by the refining of the "Eternal Myriad Heavens" pill like this, she hadn't expected anyone could draw power from heaven and earth to cultivate until stepping into that realm.
Even since she woke up, the world's power level would gradually recover over time. But from conversations with the Dragon Queen, both agreed it should take many more years or even decades before the world's energy recovered to be equivalent to Bai Fanxian's era.
So she wasn't too surprised that low-level cultivators would develop quickly. But for those with extremely high power levels in this world, it was almost impossible to step into the next realm because that energy hadn't recovered enough yet.
Barbatos smiled arrogantly. He raised both his unwounded hands as if mocking Liu Yianfei and Zheng Renyi.
"I told you just the three of us would be enough."
Berith laughed lightly. He looked at Barbatos radiating a strong aura as he spoke to Vepar, who was shocked by the power they sensed.
"Once you receive acceptance from our lady, you can be as strong as us too."
What he meant was that Vepar was still just a new member who needed to prove themselves.
"What is this power..."
Zheng Renyi gritted his teeth, sweating. He, a ninth-stage Grandmaster, still felt pinned to the ground. Same as Liu Yianfei, whose body's glow was gradually dimming. It was just a matter of time before both would collapse.
"Come on. Entertain me a bit."
Barbatos smiled viciously. He grabbed the same bow. But the moment it touched its owner's increased power level, it creaked. Its shape expanded to almost two meters. If you stood it up, its height would be close to the middle-aged man himself.
He managed to pull its string to the limit. The string creaked under the tension. Just looking at the resistance force that could make space tremble, one could guess this bowstring's weight.
Ordinary people would have no way to make it budge at all.
Twang!
An ordinary brown arrow appeared in Barbatos's hand and was released. The sound of it slicing through the air was more intense than war weapons. It grazed both Liu Yianfei and Zheng Renyi, leaving blood traces in its wake.
Both clutched their shoulders. Even though the arrow had barely grazed them, it pierced through their defenses without them noticing. Moreover, when they turned to look, they found the dome ceiling of the broadcast room had a hole pierced through, revealing the sky outside.
Liu Yianfei swallowed and coughed lightly. He couldn't imagine the damage if he took that arrow directly.
"If you still think you can stop us, next time won't be just a graze."
Barbatos put the bow back on his back. He gave a final warning before walking away slowly. He looked arrogant, full of the pride of those with superior strength.
But in truth, Barbatos was full of wariness. The reason he displayed power but still didn't barge in to take that pile of ancient raw materials was because his instincts were screaming warnings of danger.
It came from that black-haired young woman. She still had a calm expression tinged with curious interest. There was no worry or fear toward the power level he radiated at all.
So this matter would have to be investigated properly when they returned. At least they needed to know the power level of this young woman named Bai Fanxian before they could start acting again.
"...Let's retreat."
They nodded to each other and were about to leave. Except that—
"...You people are really interesting."
The young woman's voice rang out. All three felt as if the voice's owner was standing right behind them. The middle-aged man drew breath and forced himself to turn back.
It was Bai Fanxian standing at close range and staring at Barbatos. She didn't care about their shocked attitudes. Both her eyes and Heaven Sense were examining the middle-aged man's body, and he felt creeped out.
It was the second time in his life he felt this mysterious, hair-raising feeling. The first time occurred decades ago when he met his "lady." Since then, he never thought any human on this world could give him this feeling again.
"Berith... be careful. I'll buy time. You two retreat."
Barbatos, sensing danger, quickly turned to order. Berith and Vepar nodded to each other and hurriedly leaped away without turning back.
They expected Bai Fanxian to chase after them. But she didn't. What she was interested in was precisely the strange techniques and training methods on Barbatos's body.
Fwoosh!
Barbatos's own speed was far greater than when he first clashed with her. In just a blink, he disappeared from sight and appeared outside the building.
Clang!
Before he had time to rejoice, Bai Fanxian's figure appeared behind. She slapped her palm into Barbatos's back, sending that tall body flying down like a meteor. He crashed into the ground, creating a large hole in the yard beside the station.
Bai Fanxian didn't need to hold back too much. This person's power level was equivalent to high-stage Sage already. Just one more step and he would be equivalent to "Ancient Sage"—the sixth power realm level in the past era. She just had to be careful not to kill him.
The moment the location changed to outside, it naturally attracted citizens' gazes. Especially since this was a main station important to the entertainment industry. So in just a few minutes of them clashing outside, it became the center of attention immediately.
Fortunately, this area had been under officers' watch since last night, allowing them to quickly move those stuck in the building including surrounding citizens as far away as possible. The station's cameras that used to film programs were used to broadcast the situation live instead. Since reporters from other stations would have to come film here anyway, they might as well broadcast it live themselves.
So the surroundings were full of more than ten cameras capturing images from every angle.
"I have many things I want to ask you."
Bai Fanxian floated above the hole about five meters. She looked down at Barbatos lying at the bottom in pitiful condition. The middle-aged man's eyes widened with disbelief. Since receiving that power, he had never lost again. One slap from a young woman put him in this state.
Barbatos tried using his arm to prop his body up again. He stared at Bai Fanxian with fearful eyes. He reached for his beloved bow but found it had broken into two pieces from the impact force of that slap.
The middle-aged man cursed in his throat. He had to throw it down on the ground helplessly and gather his strength to jump up from the hole.
His sharp eyes scanned left and right to find an exit. Right now he had to survive and get out of this place first. Other matters could be discussed later. At least by now, Berith and Vepar should have escaped far away.
Suddenly his eyes met with a group of contestants who had just come out of the building. He grinned immediately. His body disappeared in a blink and grabbed one of the contestants with the most fearful demeanor.
"If you don't want this man to die... let me through."
Barbatos's voice was hoarse. But Bai Fanxian and those involved were surprised when they found who Barbatos had taken hostage.
Fu Rong!
Fu Rong tried to stand out but got his scene stolen by the children every time. Before this, Bai Fanxian sensed this man's evil thoughts but hadn't acted on anything. She hadn't expected him to be this unlucky.
Many cameras quickly filmed this way immediately. They captured images of Fu Rong trembling in fear, tears and snot flowing. He tried to cry for help but no one dared come close. Even police officers could only watch the situation from afar.
"Don't do anything to me! I'm not involved at all!"
Fu Rong tried to bargain and beg Barbatos. Barbatos lifted Fu Rong's collar with one hand and made an annoyed expression while radiating pressure lightly.
"Stay quiet..."
He growled in his throat. Fu Rong shrank back. He didn't even dare raise his face. He thought sadly about his luck since traveling here to compete. He tried to build fame on the first day, but got his scene stolen by a little girl and young man completely. That afternoon he was also robbed of fame that should have been his by that same girl and her friends again.
Moreover, just now when they started refining pills, they also drew attention from people in the broadcast room away from him. Fu Rong started thinking—should he not have come here from the start?
But when he raised his face, he suddenly saw Bai Fanxian standing in midair and thought of something.
"Let me go! You see those three kids? They're that woman's disciples. If you want hostages, grab them instead!"
Fu Rong dared to say something like this—unbelievable. Not just those watching the live broadcast, but the citizens here—they all looked at Fu Rong with strange feelings.
This man was telling that criminal to grab those children who looked not even ten years old yet instead of himself. No matter how much you love yourself and fear death, you shouldn't drag small children into involvement, right?
But his words made Barbatos's eyes gleam. He turned to look at the three children behind the old man in butler clothes. Even when stared at by an existence stronger than Grandmaster, Huang Zihuan still didn't move and used his own body to block the children behind.
"In consideration that your information is useful."
Barbatos flung Fu Rong against the wall. He cried out. But no one ran to check on him. The middle-aged man exploded with power again and shot toward where the children were standing.
"Young lady! Help the children!"
Sword Master Zheng Renyi had just emerged from the building when he found this scene. He quickly shouted to Bai Fanxian, who was nearest, urgently.
But Bai Fanxian remained calm. She watched Barbatos shoot toward the children calmly.
"Hmph! Who do you think you are?"
Suddenly a small voice rang out. People didn't know where that voice came from. But Barbatos saw that the red doll in one of those children's arms was speaking and staring at him fiercely.
Boom!
Barbatos, who was about to grab Tang Yeye, was suddenly hit by huge flames that emerged from the ground, shooting him up into the sky like a red pillar and burning his flesh black. The Dragon Queen held back according to her lady's orders. Otherwise, this light attack of hers would be enough to burn Barbatos's body, leaving not even ash.
Her action went unnoticed by anyone. The Dragon Queen's small form was still in Tang Yeye's arms as before.
Huang Zihuan himself sighed. He himself almost forgot that Bai Fanxian left the Dragon Queen with the children all the time. As long as this little red one was nearby, besides her lady's own side, there probably wasn't anywhere safer than this.
"...Would you like an extra plate of special recipe grilled meat tonight?"
"Hmph!"
The little red one didn't answer. She turned her face aside. But looking at the small tail swaying happily, the old man thought tonight he'd have to work a bit harder...