Cosmic-Level Demon God
Chapter 173 - 173 123 Subjugation Reward Dropping a Skill Book

173: Chapter 123: Subjugation Reward, Dropping a Skill Book 173: Chapter 123: Subjugation Reward, Dropping a Skill Book Wei Zheguang was stunned.

Facing Snake, who mastered Indian martial arts, Niu Tou the Sharpshooter, and the most dangerous and unpredictable Lingneng user Gray Viper, even a Martial Artist with a life force exceeding sixty points might not dare to guarantee retreating unharmed.

However, Qin Shi, who just obtained a temporary inspector’s ID, captured them all in one sweep.

This challenged his understanding.

“You aren’t hurt?”

Wei Zheguang was dazed for a moment before squeezing out a seemingly concerned question.

“Just my school uniform is damaged.”

Qin Shi looked down; the average quality school uniform was already in tatters.

Especially the chest area where Snake had kicked him hard, almost tearing it into strips, barely hanging onto his body.

“Officer Wei, does your Inspection Department issue those high-grade combat uniforms that can withstand bullets and adapt to harsh environments?”

He found an intact round stool in the ravaged beverage shop and leaned against the half-destroyed door frame.

The entire battle had lasted less than five minutes, pushing his body to its extreme limits.

As his breath calmed, steam-like sweat rose violently from Qin Shi’s body, like a boiling kettle, radiating intense heat.

Using the [Wind Chime]major move as a basic attack and finishing off with [Torrent] caused significant damage and secured the kills.

This was the robust physical strength that only a life force of fifty points could provide.

He had just been operating at overload, nearly depleting his physical strength bar entirely.

“The branch doesn’t offer those perks.

You have to make it to headquarters for that.”

Wei Zheguang put away his gun, looking at Qin Shi like he was a monster.

“You’re walking the Old Martial Road?”

“Hmm.”

Wei Zheguang understood:

“No wonder your combat power is so high.”

The Old Martial Sect focuses on the rebirth of the mortal body and physical transformation, and they are said to eagerly strive to break their limits.

Their strength often surpasses their life force value.

“Let’s discuss something, Mr.

Qin…”

While maintaining the scene, Wei Zheguang whispered:

“When we report later, can you credit me with the intel?”

Looking at Officer Wei, who was stern last time but trying to get close today, Qin Shi nodded.

Forming a good connection is a small effort, and wouldn’t reduce the reward.

He mused to himself:

“Is this the flexible bottom line of adults?”

Wei Zheguang also seemed a bit embarrassed, coughing twice:

“Add me as a friend.

If you need any help, feel free to find me.

I still have some clout in Chenghua District.”

Qin Shi pulled out his terminal and bumped it with Wei Zheguang’s.

Afterwards, he received a friend request.

[ “Chenghua District’s Handsomest” is now your friend]

Qin Shi couldn’t help but smile; the username certainly fit Officer Wei’s narcissistic personality.

He slowly closed his eyes, his eyebrows showing a touch of fatigue.

Wei Zheguang did not continue to disturb him, using his terminal to contact Old Feng:

“Hurry over here and pretend you’ve done a lot.

It’ll make the subsequent report easier.

By the way, ask the Operations Department guys for a few bottles of high-energy injectable strength boosters; they always carry some.”

Hanging up the phone, he occasionally glanced at the teenager sitting calmly against the wall, thinking self-deprecatingly:

“I lost completely this time.”

…

…

“The progress of the second rebirth has indeed sped up.”

Qin Shi, while pretending to nap to avoid further conversation with Wei Zheguang, took the opportunity to examine himself.

His life force, which used to increase by 0.5 to 1 point daily, had surged by around three points as if being stimulated by some catalyst.

Moreover, the growth rate of the life seed inside him seemed to have accelerated, deeply rooted in his flesh, circulating and spinning with his breath, filling his mortal body with abundant vitality.

“Surpassing the first rank in New One High School doesn’t seem to take more than half a month.

Probably just a week.”

Qin Shi remained calm inwardly, as he did not consider Zheng Yun as a target to catch up with.

But thinking about the elite boss that he hadn’t defeated yet in the rapidly cleared New One High School campus dungeon, he couldn’t help but feel his OCD flare up.

He had to clear the whole map to feel satisfied.

Suppressing his distractions, Qin Shi summoned the Monument Panel, and noticed that the symbols representing the Four Pillars, previously dormant, had lit up.

He carefully scanned and found that the ones representing [Order] under [Taiyi] and [Breaking] under [Celestial Being] were glowing.

These two achievements, like illuminated light bulbs, revealed more information within the faint halo.

[You uphold order and maintain order, acquiring the ‘Integrity’ state, lasting twelve hours]

[During this period, you are unaffected by any manipulation, agitation, or deception]

[You eliminate evildoers and neutralize dangers, acquiring the ‘Determined’ state, lasting twelve hours]

[During this period, your mental concentration will prevent you from feeling fatigued, allowing continuous high-intensity training]

“Following the Four Pillars appears beneficial.”

Although the temporary buffs offered average effects, consistent practice would accumulate richer rewards over time if treated as weekly tasks or daily side missions.

Thanks to the determined state’s mental focus, Qin Shi’s senses seemed sharper, and he heard a “ding.”

Legendary Talent [Steel of the Heart] activated!

He opened his eyes and shifted his gaze, pinpointing the target as Gray Viper, who had become mentally unstable.

A red light flickered above his head, making it hard to resist touching it.

“It turns out Lingneng users can stack attributes without necessarily capturing Netherworld creatures.”

Qin Shi felt pleasantly surprised, closing his eyes again as his mist-like spiritual power slowly spread, enveloping the nearby Gray Viper.

This guy had a life force over forty points; otherwise, he would have died heavily wounded from the large-caliber shot to his spine.

The gunshot wasn’t fatal; his biggest trouble was mental backlash, failing to use his spiritual undercurrents, witnessing Qin Shi’s inner world like a Palace of Thought.

It was akin to throwing a stone, realizing there was a brick wall opposite him, resulting in an outcome not much better than an egg.

The mentally constructed Palace of Thought, carrying immense information flow, burst him apart.

It was like a Wuling Hongguang van challenging the loading capacity of a cargo aircraft, utterly misjudged its limits.

Coupled with the symbolic emblems of the Four Pillars and the Dao-nature incarnations in his inner world.

Any one of these was enough to make Gray Viper suffer.

“Let’s see if anything drops.”

Qin Shi guided his mist-like spiritual power, extending like invisible tendrils towards the foaming and insane Gray Viper.

By colliding their minds, he transported him to his inner world.

“Everyone’s image projection in consciousness is different.

Qin Lihao was a monster with a scorpion tail; this guy is indeed a viper.”

Qin Shi held a limp little snake in his hand, transporting it to the Netherworld.

The misty, boundless sea remained silent; he swiftly chopped the Gray Viper into pieces.

Just as he dealt with Qin Lihao before, the snake’s body turned into green smoke and disappeared, leaving only a fist-sized light ball.

“My spiritual power increased by a few points.”

Destroying Gray Viper’s consciousness, Qin Shi felt as if he had taken a tonic, refreshing his mind and soul.

The misty spiritual power instantly solidified a bit, transitioning from fine strands to a resilient and dense network.

This was just the first step.

He couldn’t imagine the cumulative spiritual properties if he absorbed thousands of Lingneng users or Netherworld creatures?

Ascending to Sitting and Forgetting state?

Or manifesting as a Sage?

Qin Shi fantasized for a moment, picking up the illusory light orb fallen on the ground.

Using his immense spiritual power, he instantly refined it.

All the chaotic, twisted, and dark memories were erased, retaining only the precious techniques for cultivating the mind and manipulating the spirit.

“Imprint intense emotional imagery, using it as a medium to trigger and cause mental shock and pollution to the enemy.”

Qin Shi earnestly absorbed and learned.

Spiritual Shock was a signature skill of Lingneng users, and this form of control could often yield surprising results.

…

…

“Xiao Wei, what’s going on?

Did you catch a big fish?”

After about ten minutes, the main force of the Operations Department finally arrived.

The middle-aged man leading the team was fully armed.

Seeing Wei Zheguang looking relaxed, he let his guard down a bit.

His name was Tan Cong, one of the top skillful operatives in the department next to Gao Haipeng.

His solo combat capability was strong.

His skills and seniority were solid.

He was constantly suppressed for offending Gao Haipeng and couldn’t make progress until recently, when Gao Haipeng suddenly died, after which he celebrated with several banquets.

“Brother Tan!

It’s a big fish!

Bullhead, Snake, and Gray Viper, the ‘Three Scourges’ on the department’s wanted list, all taken down!”

Wei Zheguang knew Tan Cong well; their relationship was good, and the latter had taught him fighting techniques, even serving as a semi-mentor.

“Wow!

You’ve gotten pretty impressive!”

Tan Cong looked astonished, as these three were tough.

Especially Gray Viper!

This guy committed heinous crimes, including killing police officers with cruel means, causing public outrage.

The widespread media coverage had tarnished the department’s reputation significantly.

“You’ve earned a major credit!

Get ready to be commended.

You’ll likely be transferred from the branch to the Operations Department, joining my team…”

Tan Cong, wearing a bulletproof vest and holding a kinetic gun, spoke excitedly.

“It wasn’t me, Old Tan.”

Wei Zheguang forced a smile.

He almost got himself into trouble, nearly becoming a victim if not for Qin Shi’s timely intervention, who wiped out the Three Scourges.

“Ah?”

Following Wei Zheguang’s gaze, Tan Cong looked at Qin Shi, sitting against the wall.

“Him, alone?”

Wei Zheguang sighed, explaining in detail:

“He took down everyone in five minutes.

I checked; Gray Viper likely suffered brain death, Bullhead had a severed hand and multiple fractures, internal bleeding, and was basically crippled.

Most terrifying was Snake, without a single intact body part, seemed to be hammered all over, his skull shattered, almost causing his entire head to be stuffed into his neck.”

Tan Cong’s eyes grew serious; such brutal methods didn’t seem to match the sunny, handsome young face.

But he didn’t doubt Wei Zheguang’s account; the evidence at the scene was irrefutable.

“A high schooler making money through bounties, likely a disciple of the Old Martial Sect.”

Tan Cong approached the beverage shop just as Qin Shi opened his eyes, showing an astonishing flash of brilliance.

The spiritual fluctuation contained deep meaning, unfolding like a small world, halting the newly promoted senior inspector slightly.

“How should I address you, mister?”

Tan Cong asked curiously.

“Qin Shi.”

The teenager responded politely, seeming well-rested, rising calmly with a posture as straight as a cliffside pine, conveying an indomitable impression.

“It seems I must accept being the second-handsome guy in the Chenghua Branch.”

Wei Zheguang sighed again.

This kid not only fought well but also looked good—no unfairness in losing to him.

“Thank you, Mr.

Qin, for assisting the Inspection Department in capturing the criminals.”

Tan Cong extended a hand while speaking.

“I just fulfilled my duty as a resident of Heng Province.”

Qin Shi replied with a bashful smile as they shook hands.

Old Liang and Old Ren said that taking out the three criminals served as a pop quiz.

If he passed satisfactorily, he would get to learn the “Cosmic Furnace Secret Manual” at Nanhuang Daoist School.

“I suppose I passed this exam.”

Qin Shi released his hand, sensing something, and looked towards a monitoring camera not far away.

…

…

The white-haired old man in a wheelchair was thrilled, waving his arms and hitting the armrests as if having a seizure.

“Beat them to death!

Overpower them!

That’s the kind of successor our Nanhuang Daoist School needs!

Ren You, learn from this!”

Listening to his teacher, Ren You was helpless, knowing he couldn’t adopt such a domineering and wild style.

“Teacher, since Mr.

Qin has handed in a perfect answer sheet, should we prepare for the Blood and Heart Refining Intent?”