Uses for Bizarre Items

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's called the First Treasure. At this point, the entire body's essence is permeated with Qi, allowing it to be manipulated as easily as one's own arm."

"When Qi fills the energy, it's called the Second Treasure. The fusion of Qi and energy makes their power incomparable to before."

"When Qi fills the spirit, it's called the Third Treasure. At this stage, when the spirit moves, the entire body is filled with Qi, enabling endless wondrous applications with just a casual gesture."

Cheng Shuang paused slightly after explaining this.

She was somewhat puzzled about the true realm of the man before her.

If he were in the Daoist Canon Realm, it shouldn't have been so easy. But if he were in the Three Treasures Realm, then Ascending Cloud County was truly a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers resided.

Shen Bai stroked his chin and said, "What about beyond that?"

Cheng Shuang said helplessly, "I don't know what comes after that. For cultivators, the biggest taboo is letting their ambition outstrip their ability. Knowing the subsequent realms can actually be a hindrance, making one restless."

Shen Bai then asked, "How do you plan to deal with the Five Hearts Sect?"

Cheng Shuang thought for a moment and replied, "In a while, the Five Hearts Sect will hold a grand assembly within their sect, called the Five Hearts Dharma Assembly. I might disguise myself as one of their followers to gather information."

After a brief pause, Cheng Shuang looked at Shen Bai with an expectant gaze.

"Since you've already intervened, would you be willing to help me?"

In Ascending Cloud County, if she could get assistance from this expert, things would surely go much smoother.

Cheng Shuang thought that, since this expert had followed her, he might very well be willing to help.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, Shen Bai waved his hand.

"No."

"I'm just a passing civilian."

Cheng Shuang was stunned.

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

He had no intention of wasting time here, and as for the Five Hearts Sect, Shen Bai didn't plan to offer any assistance.

His purpose in coming here was to see if he could acquire Malevolent Qi or items that could be appraised.

Since he hadn't found anything, Shen Bai decided not to linger.

He still needed to grind for Blood Sword Dance; he didn't have the time for this.

There were countless things happening in this world, and Shen Bai had no intention of getting involved.

Cheng Shuang watched Shen Bai's retreating back and gritted her teeth.

This situation was unexpected; she truly hadn't thought he would leave so decisively.

"Wait!"

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

Shen Bai turned his head and calmly said, "What, do you want to force me to stay?"

As he spoke, his hand was already on the iron sword at his waist.

If it weren't for the fact that this girl had a good disposition, Shen Bai wouldn't have bothered with any more words.

Cheng Shuang gritted her teeth and said, "If I were to hire you, would you help me?"

Hire?

Shen Bai said with interest, "That depends on what you offer me. If I'm not interested, I won't act."

Cheng Shuang took a deep breath and rummaged through the brocade pouch at her waist, then pulled out a jade pendant.

The pendant was emerald green and of extremely high purity, looking quite valuable.

Shen Bai raised an eyebrow.

The moment he saw the jade pendant, a wisp of smoke appeared before his eyes, then transformed into text.

[Emerald Jade Pendant]
[Appraisal Progress: 0%]
[A wisp of Malevolent Qi can quickly appraise]

"What is this?" Shen Bai feigned calmness, but a plan was already forming in his mind.

Another item that could be appraised—this was another major point of confusion for Shen Bai.

He understood Malevolent Qi, he understood the function of the Cheat System, but he still didn't know what kind of items could be appraised.

Cheng Shuang already knew that Shen Bai was unaware of many things, so she explained, "It's a Bizarre Item, something contaminated by a Bizarre Entity. You can use the abilities within the Bizarre Item through special means."

"But each use consumes a charge, and once the charges are used up, the Bizarre Item will disappear."

"Bizarre Items are extremely rare, because even if they are contaminated by a Bizarre Entity, they still require the right time, place, and circumstances to form."

A Bizarre Item?

Hearing this, Shen Bai roughly understood his last point of confusion.

"So, everything I can appraise is a Bizarre Item."

According to Cheng Shuang, a Bizarre Item is consumed after one use, and once it's used up, it's gone.

And its effectiveness is also related to the user.

Doesn't that mean my Cheat System can make these limited-use items permanent?

Shen Bai suddenly felt like his Cheat System was pretty awesome.

"Can we complete this transaction?"

Cheng Shuang looked at Shen Bai expectantly and said, "This is the best I can offer."

Shen Bai rubbed the hilt of his sword and said, "According to you, this item is so precious. Are you really willing to part with it?"

"The traitor escaped from the Five Hearts Sect. All the expenses I incurred during this time can be reported to the Five Hearts Sect," Cheng Shuang explained. "So... the higher-ups in the sect will compensate me."

"No wonder..."

Shen Bai extended his hand and said, "I can take this job."

Since Bizarre Items were so precious, Shen Bai wasn't sure when he'd encounter another one.

He wouldn't pass up this opportunity.

It was like doing business; when the potential gain outweighed the risk, Shen Bai was certainly willing to try.

Cheng Shuang hesitated. "Should I give it to you first?"

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

Although Shen Bai currently lacked Malevolent Qi, he could still slowly improve his progress using his previous methods.

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

Shen Bai caught the pendant and said, "Once you have news or a plan, just come find me at the Shen Family Pawnshop in Ascending Cloud County."

After carefully putting the pendant away, Shen Bai didn't linger and headed towards the pawnshop.

Only Cheng Shuang was left in the quiet street.

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

While the Emerald Jade Pendant was good, it required time. Shen Bai just wanted to get what he needed first, then slowly make progress when he had the chance.

In the dark backyard, only Shen Bai's constantly flashing figure could be seen as he wielded his long sword.

By the next day, as the sunlight streamed in, Shen Bai was brewing medicine in the backyard.

A wisp of smoke appeared before his eyes, forming text.

Blood Sword Dance lv.3 (Swordsmanship +4, Demon Slaying +4, Shockwave +4): 1000/5000

After another sleepless night, Shen Bai felt quite drained.

His Qi and blood were severely depleted, so he had no choice but to brew medicine himself.

Fortunately, Shen Bai quickly became proficient at brewing medicine.

After the restorative medicine was ready, Shen Bai poured himself a bowl and gulped it down.

Traditional Chinese medicine usually took a long time to take effect, but with the Qi circulating in his body, the medicinal properties were rapidly catalyzed.

Shen Bai only felt his Qi and blood begin to circulate again, and before long, he was full of vigor once more.

"It's only because my Qi and blood aren't severely depleted right now. If Blood Sword Dance reaches a higher level, this kind of medicine won't be effective," Shen Bai thought to himself.

That was a thought for the future, though.

Shen Bai tidied up, then went out to eat. After his meal, he returned to the pawnshop to wait for Zhang Chaofeng to arrive.

However, after waiting and waiting, Zhang Chaofeng didn't appear. Instead, Zhou Qing arrived.

Zhou Qing, with a long saber at his waist, walked straight towards Shen Bai as soon as he entered the door.