Chapter 140: The Unadorned Harvest of the Divine Core

Inside the Nightmare Prison, a sudden silence fell, so profound that the drop of a pin could be heard, as if no sound were capable of escaping. However, after about three seconds of stillness, a thunderous roar of cheers erupted within the prison walls—like a muffled clap of spring thunder echoing through the third month of the year.

In the nightmare cells lining both sides of the corridor, the incarcerated nightmares unleashed a cacophony of cheers, whistles, screams, and jeers, rising and falling like a surging, turbulent tide.

Deep within the prison, the excitement on Da Lei’s face began to cool. The appearance of a Lesser God Core had nearly caused him to lose his composure; to be able to seize such a core and study it was a desire beyond measure. If they could be the first to unlock the secrets of a Lesser God Core, their status within the Research Office would leap to unimaginable heights. Was it not precisely because they held the technology to study these cores that the God Core Organization remained so powerful, causing the Dreamwalker Associations of various nations to tremble? They could extract the power of fallen gods, fuse it into Lesser God Cores, and effortlessly forge one powerhouse after another.

Yet, the sight of Da Zhou being smacked away by Du Fang’s palm had allowed the heat in Da Lei’s head to gradually subside. He looked toward the entrance of the corridor, where Da Zhou’s body was completely embedded in the portal, looking utterly dazed.

"What are you doing?" Da Lei took a deep breath, looking at Du Fang who stood blocking their path.

"I told you to extract the Lesser God Core, not to treat them like lab rats," Du Fang said calmly. "Dr. Lin is no longer a member of the God Core Organization. She deserves her freedom, and the only reason she is being held in the Nightmare Prison is because of the Lesser God Core within her. You cannot treat her like a common criminal. Do you understand?"

Da Lei stared daggers at Du Fang, a fierce, malevolent glint flashing in his eyes.

President Tang Nai leaned on his cane and gave a light cough. "Indeed. It was precisely because of Dr. Lin that we were able to identify the members of the God Core Organization. She has turned over a new leaf and is no longer one of them. Therefore, in the process of extracting the core, you must take care of Dr. Lin’s life. Your actions are indeed inappropriate."

President Tang Nai was firmly on Du Fang’s side. The arrogance displayed by Da Lei and Da Zhou as members of the Research Office had long since irritated him.

Du Fang smiled, nodded slightly at President Tang Nai, and turned his gaze back to Da Lei. "Furthermore, the facts prove that your methods are not suited for extracting the Lesser God Core from Dr. Lin. Therefore, I will be taking over from here."

Da Lei’s hackles rose instantly. Did Du Fang mean to prevent him from studying the Lesser God Core? How could he allow that? He had finally found such an opportunity. When the Research Office had contacted him and Da Zhou, they had only said there was a suspected member of the God Core Organization possessing a Lesser God Core, and had asked them to come. They had never imagined that the target truly possessed one. Since its existence was confirmed, the temptation was like a massive, irresistible cake. How could he stand by and be denied?

"Absolutely not!" Da Lei retorted, pulling his identification from his pocket. "I am a researcher from the Research Office! If you dare to lay a hand on me, you will be violating the rules and laws of the Dreamwalker Association. I will report this to the Grand President of the Night Sect, and then you will face joint sanctions from the Great Xia Dreamwalker Association and the four major financial conglomerates of Great Xia!"

Da Lei’s voice was sharp. The status and standing of the Research Office’s personnel were higher than those of ordinary Dreamwalkers. They were the future of the Association; they were the ones who researched and created the special tools and precious dream-spirit weapons. This was the power of knowledge. While the researchers themselves might not be powerful combatants, they were backed by numerous conglomerates that even hired formidable Dreamwalkers to protect them. Thus, Da Lei’s threat was undoubtedly potent.

President Tang Nai’s expression shifted slightly.

Du Fang glanced at Da Lei, raised his hand, and made a clawing motion toward him.

The air around Da Lei suddenly swirled, forming a powerful suction force that pulled him directly toward Du Fang. Du Fang raised his hand, just as he had with Da Zhou, preparing to press it against Da Lei’s face.

Da Lei’s expression changed drastically. "You dare!" he shrieked. He truly had not expected Du Fang to be this reckless! He had clearly stated his identity as a researcher and had even produced his credentials, yet Du Fang intended to strike him anyway!

*Bang!*

Du Fang did not hold back. As his palm pressed against Da Lei’s face, Da Lei felt the world spin, the surrounding scene flashing like streaks of light. A moment later, his body was sent flying back over two hundred meters, slamming into the closed portal at the entrance with a dull thud.

"Sanctions... then let them sanction me," Du Fang said, tilting his head with indifference.

Dr. Lin was, after all, an acquaintance. In the difficult days when Du Fang had just emerged from the nightmare disaster, it was Dr. Lin who had provided him with significant help. Even if her motives at the time had not been entirely pure, the help she provided was genuine. Du Fang was a man who repaid kindness with kindness and hatred with hatred; he was clear-cut in his grievances. He could not stand by and watch Dr. Lin be treated like a laboratory mouse. Since it was clear that these two so-called researchers, Da Lei and Da Zhou, were incapable of extracting the core without causing harm, Du Fang would no longer be polite.

President Tang Nai looked at Du Fang, his mouth opening as if to speak, but he ultimately remained silent. Du Fang’s attitude had made everything clear.

"Du Fang," President Tang Nai warned softly, "the Research Office holds a very prestigious position within the Dreamwalker Association, and with the support of the conglomerates, their influence is at its zenith..."

Du Fang smiled. "It doesn't matter. A Dreamwalker’s duty is to ferry people out of their nightmares and bridge the gap between the living and the dead. It is a profession of saving lives, not one of causing suffering. Furthermore, watching a friend be treated like a lab rat in agony—that is something I cannot do. If the Research Office wants to settle accounts, let them come to me. I will take whatever they throw at me."

Du Fang said no more. He turned toward Lin Liuli.

Lin Liuli was drenched in sweat; the spectral image of the Vermilion Bird had dissipated, but the power of the Lesser God Core had been partially activated, and waves of heat continued to radiate from her body.

"Dr. Lin, I will help you extract the Lesser God Core now," Du Fang said gently.

Lin Liuli looked up at Du Fang, a flicker of lingering fear in her eyes, but she nodded firmly. Compared to Da Lei and Da Zhou, she was much more willing to trust Du Fang.

At the entrance of the Nightmare Prison, Da Zhou and Da Lei were still embedded in the portal. They tried to pull themselves free, but they saw Du Fang walk up to Lin Liuli, clearly intending to perform the extraction.

"Who does he think he is?" Da Lei pulled one hand free from the door frame, his eyes filled with mockery as he spoke coldly. "Without any tools, and not being a researcher... does he think a Lesser God Core is just a piece of fruit on a tree that you can pluck with your hand?"

Du Fang had not hit them with lethal force, but for Da Lei and Da Zhou, it was a blow to their pride—a wound to their dignity as researchers. If they could not do it, how could Du Fang possibly succeed?

"This guy... he is filled with ignorance! He has no idea what a Lesser God Core represents! He lacks the proper reverence for the core and the passion for God Core research!" Da Zhou growled.

The two remained lodged in the portal, watching coldly, intent on seeing Du Fang make a fool of himself.

Du Fang was unaware of their comments, and even if he had been, he would not have cared. He stepped slowly into the cage and stood before Lin Liuli.

Lin Liuli tilted her head back in front of Du Fang. Beads of sweat clung to her fair neck, shimmering like pink diamonds. Her long eyelashes trembled, and her large eyes remained fixed on Du Fang.

"Close your eyes," Du Fang said.

Lin Liuli pursed her red lips, then tilted her head back and slowly closed her fair eyelids.

Du Fang raised his hand and extended a single finger, gently tapping the center of Lin Liuli’s forehead.

*Ding...*

It sounded like the gentle chime of a wind bell. A flash of golden light crossed Du Fang’s eyes.

Suddenly, the Lesser God Core inside Lin Liuli’s body shrieked like a frightened bird. A terrifying wave of dream-spirit energy surged outward, condensing and gathering above Lin Liuli’s head, forming a six-sided crystal. The crystal was wreathed in flames, and within it, a tiny bird could be seen spreading its wings.

A Lesser God Core! It had been forced out!

As the core emerged, Du Fang reached out and grasped it. Lin Liuli, eyes still tightly shut, began to spasm the moment the core was seized; a unique electrical stimulus rippled through every corner of her body.

"Stop!"

From within the Lesser God Core, the will of a white figure suddenly manifested—just as it had when the Lesser Dragon core was forced out, the priest’s will had appeared! Lin Liuli’s core, indeed, also contained the priest’s will.

President Tang Nai’s expression changed drastically.

However, Du Fang seemed unconcerned by the manifestation of the white figure, as if everything were within his expectations. Deep in his eyes, a dark golden luster emerged, as profound as a brilliant golden starry sky.

Du Fang’s hand clenched tightly.

*Pop!*

Before the white specter could even speak, it was crushed into nothingness by an indescribable power.

The world suddenly fell silent. Then, Du Fang’s hand moved with effortless grace, grasping the six-sided crystal. The moment the crystal touched his palm, it vanished, melting away like ice in the spring.

Lin Liuli’s legs tensed, her body arching back to its limit, sweat cascading down her skin. She collapsed into the chair, gasping for breath, her entire body as limp as mud.

At the entrance, the two researchers, Da Zhou and Da Lei, were frozen in disbelief. In this world... could a Lesser God Core really be extracted in such a simple, unadorned way?