Chapter 1: Deceitful Object

In the quiet alley, as Cheng Shuang spoke, the details of the Three Treasures Realm gradually unfolded before Shen Bai.

"When Qi fills the Essence, it is called the First Treasure. At this point, the entire body’s Essence is suffused with Qi, and circulating it is as easy as moving one’s own limbs."

"When Qi fills the Qi, it is called the Second Treasure. The two Qis merge, and the resulting power is on a completely different level."

"When Qi fills the Spirit, it is called the Third Treasure. At this stage, when the spirit moves, the entire body fills with Qi. A single, casual move can have endless miraculous applications."

Cheng Shuang paused here.

She was a little puzzled. ’I wonder what realm this man before me is truly in.’

’If he were in the Daoist Scripture Realm, it shouldn’t have been this easy. But if he’s in the Three Treasures Realm, then Shengyun County is truly full of hidden masters.’

Shen Bai stroked his chin and asked, "And after that?"

Cheng Shuang replied helplessly, "I don’t know what comes next. For a Cultivator, the greatest taboo is to have one’s ambition outstrip one’s ability. Knowing about later realms becomes a kind of shackle that can make one impatient."

Shen Bai asked again, "How do you plan to deal with the Five-Heart Sect?"

Cheng Shuang thought for a moment, then said, "In a little while, the Five-Heart Sect will be holding a grand event called the Five-Heart Dharma Assembly. I might disguise myself as a follower to join and gather information."

After a slight pause, Cheng Shuang looked at Shen Bai with anticipation.

"Since you’ve already made a move, would you be willing to help me?"

’If I can get help from this expert right here in Shengyun County, things will go much more smoothly.’

That was what Cheng Shuang was thinking. After all, this expert had followed her here; perhaps he was likely to intervene.

But as soon as she finished speaking, she saw Shen Bai wave his hand dismissively.

"Not interested."

"I’m just a commoner passing by."

Cheng Shuang was stunned.

Shen Bai turned to leave. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going."

He had no intention of wasting time here. As for the Five-Heart Sect, Shen Bai had no plans to help.

He had only come over to see if he could score some Evil Qi or an item he could appraise.

Having found neither, Shen Bai didn’t plan to stick around.

He still needed to grind his Blood Sword Dance, and he didn’t have time for this.

There were too many troubles in this world, and Shen Bai didn’t intend to get involved in them.

Cheng Shuang gritted her teeth as she watched Shen Bai’s retreating figure.

This was completely unexpected. She truly hadn’t thought he would leave so decisively.

"Wait!"

Just as Shen Bai was about to walk out of the street, Cheng Shuang suddenly called out.

Shen Bai turned his head and said calmly, "What, are you going to try and force me to stay?"

As he spoke, his hand was already on the hilt of the Iron Sword at his waist.

If he hadn’t thought the girl had a decent character, Shen Bai wouldn’t have even bothered with words.

Cheng Shuang gritted her teeth. "If I were to hire you for help, would you accept?"

’Hire me?’

Shen Bai said with interest, "That depends on what you’re offering. If I’m not interested, I won’t lift a finger."

Cheng Shuang took a deep breath, fumbled inside the Brocade Bag at her waist, and then pulled out a Jade Pendant.

The Jade Pendant was a brilliant green, its purity exceptionally high. It looked priceless.

Shen Bai raised an eyebrow.

The moment he saw the Jade Pendant, a line of smoke appeared before his eyes and coalesced into text.

"What is this?" Shen Bai asked, feigning calmness, but his mind was already racing.

’Another item I can appraise.’ This was another major question on Shen Bai’s mind.

He understood Evil Qi and the function of his Golden Finger, but the one thing he didn’t know was what kinds of items could be appraised.

Cheng Shuang had long known that Shen Bai was unfamiliar with many things and explained, "It’s a Deceitful Object—an item tainted by the strange and unnatural. Through special methods, one can use the powers held within it."

"But each use consumes a charge. Once the charges are used up, the Deceitful Object will disappear."

"Deceitful Objects are extremely rare. Even if an item is tainted by the unnatural, its formation requires the perfect alignment of time, place, and people."

’A Deceitful Object?’

Hearing this, Shen Bai roughly understood the last piece of the puzzle.

’So, the things I can appraise are all Deceitful Objects.’

According to Cheng Shuang, using a Deceitful Object consumes one of its uses, and once they’re all gone, it’s gone for good.

And its effects were also related to the person using it.

’Doesn’t that mean my Golden Finger can turn these limited-use items into permanent ones?’

Shen Bai suddenly felt that his Golden Finger was actually pretty damn awesome.

"So, can we make this deal?"

Cheng Shuang looked at Shen Bai expectantly. "This is the best I have to offer."

Shen Bai stroked the hilt of his sword. "From what you’ve said, this thing is incredibly valuable. Are you really willing to give it up?"

"The traitor escaped from the Five Immortals Sect. I can report any expenses I incur during this mission to the Five Immortals Sect."

Cheng Shuang explained, "So... the higher-ups in the sect will compensate me."

"No wonder..."

Shen Bai held out his hand. "I’ll take the job."

Deceitful Objects were so precious; Shen Bai wasn’t sure when he would encounter another one.

Now that he had the chance, Shen Bai wouldn’t let it go.

It was like doing business: when the potential profit outweighs the risk, Shen Bai was naturally willing to take a chance.

Cheng Shuang hesitated. "Do I give it to you now?"

Shen Bai nodded. "Of course. If you don’t trust me, there’s nothing I can do."

Even though Shen Bai had no Evil Qi at the moment, he could still use his previous method to slowly increase the appraisal progress.

Cheng Shuang thought for a moment, then tossed the Jade Pendant over. "How do I find you?"

Shen Bai caught the Jade Pendant. "When you have news or a plan, come find me at the Shen Family Pawnshop in Shengyun County."

After stowing the Jade Pendant safely, Shen Bai didn’t linger and headed toward the pawnshop.

Only Cheng Shuang remained in the secluded street.

After returning to the pawnshop, Shen Bai immediately chose to practice the Liver Blood Sword Dance.

The Jade Pendant was nice, but appraising it would take time. Shen Bai had simply secured what he needed first; he could slowly work on the progress bar when he had a free moment.

In the pitch-black courtyard, only the flickering figure of Shen Bai dancing with his Longsword could be seen.

The next day, as sunlight streamed in, Shen Bai was in the courtyard brewing medicine.

A line of smoke appeared before his eyes and formed into text.

After another sleepless night of training, Shen Bai felt like he’d gotten the short end of the stick.

His qi and blood were severely depleted, leaving Shen Bai with no choice but to brew the medicine himself.

Fortunately, brewing medicine was something Shen Bai got the hang of after a bit of practice.

Once the Qi Blood Medicine was ready, Shen Bai poured a bowl and drank it down with a GULP GULP.

Herbal medicine usually takes effect very slowly, but under the influence of the Qi in his body, the medicinal effects were catalyzed and accelerated.

Shen Bai could feel his qi and blood beginning to recover, and before long, he was full of life and energy again.

’The drain on my qi and blood isn’t too severe right now. If my Blood Sword Dance reaches a higher level, this kind of medicine won’t be effective anymore,’ Shen Bai thought to himself.

That was the thought, but it was a problem for another day.

Shen Bai cleaned himself up, went out for a meal, and then returned to the pawnshop to wait for Zhang Chaofeng to arrive.

But after waiting and waiting, he didn’t see Zhang Chaofeng. Instead, Zhou Qing showed up.

A long saber hung from Zhou Qing’s waist. The moment he entered, he headed straight for Shen Bai.