In the quiet alley, as Cheng Shuang spoke, the details of the Three Treasures Realm gradually unfolded before Shen Bai.
"When qi filled the essence, it was called the First Treasure. At this stage, the body's essence was suffused with qi, and it could be wielded as easily as one's own arm."
"When qi filled the breath, it was called the Second Treasure. Qi and breath merged, and their power could not be mentioned in the same breath as before."
"When qi filled the spirit, it was called the Third Treasure. When the spirit stirred, the entire body brimmed with qi. With a casual gesture, one could produce endless wondrous applications."
At this point, Cheng Shuang paused briefly.
She was somewhat puzzled. Just what realm was the person before her in?
If he were in the Daoist Canon Realm, he could not possibly be this relaxed. But if he were in the Three Treasures Realm, then Ascending Cloud County truly hid crouching tigers and coiled dragons.
Shen Bai stroked his chin. "What comes after that?"
Cheng Shuang said helplessly, "I do not know what comes after. Those who cultivate fear nothing more than having eyes higher than their hands. Knowing the realms beyond one's reach can instead become shackles, making one restless."
Shen Bai asked again, "How do you plan to deal with the Five Hearts Sect?"
After thinking for a moment, Cheng Shuang said, "Before long, the Five Hearts Sect will hold a grand gathering within the sect, called the Five Hearts Dharma Assembly. I may disguise myself as one of their followers and join them to gather information."
After a slight pause, Cheng Shuang looked at Shen Bai expectantly.
"Since you have already intervened, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"
If she could gain the aid of this expert before her in Ascending Cloud County, things would surely go much more smoothly.
That was what Cheng Shuang thought. After all, this expert had followed her here; perhaps he might very well take action.
Who would have thought that as soon as she finished speaking, Shen Bai waved his hand?
"I'm not going."
"I'm merely a passing commoner."
Cheng Shuang froze.
Shen Bai turned and left. "If there is nothing else, I'll be going."
He had no intention of wasting time here. As for the Five Hearts Sect, Shen Bai had no plans to help them either.
He had come here to see whether he could obtain Killing Intent or an item that could be appraised.
Since he had found neither, Shen Bai did not plan to stay.
He still needed to grind Blood Sword Dance. He did not have the time.
There were countless matters in this world, and Shen Bai had no intention of meddling in them all.
Watching Shen Bai's departing back, Cheng Shuang gritted her teeth.
This turn of events was completely unexpected. She truly had not thought that he would leave so decisively.
"Wait!"
Just as Shen Bai was about to leave the street, Cheng Shuang suddenly called out.
Shen Bai turned around and said calmly, "What, are you planning to force me to stay?"
As he spoke, his hand had already closed around the iron sword at his waist.
If not for the fact that this girl seemed to have decent character, Shen Bai would not have wasted words on her at all.
Cheng Shuang gritted her teeth. "If I hire you to help, will you?"
Hire him?
Shen Bai said with interest, "That depends on what you can offer me. If it does not interest me, I will not act."
Cheng Shuang drew a deep breath and rummaged through the brocade pouch at her waist before taking out a jade pendant.
The pendant was emerald green and exceptionally pure, clearly worth a fortune.
Shen Bai raised an eyebrow.
The instant he saw the jade pendant, a line of mist appeared before his eyes, then formed into words.
Emerald Jade Pendant Appraisal Progress: 0% One wisp of Killing Intent can rapidly appraise it
"What is this?" Shen Bai asked with feigned calm, though his mind was already calculating.
Another item that could be appraised. This was another major question Shen Bai had in his heart.
He had figured out Killing Intent and understood the purpose of his Cheat System, but he alone did not know what kinds of things could be appraised.
Cheng Shuang had long known that Shen Bai lacked knowledge of many things, so she explained, "A Bizarre Item. An object contaminated by the bizarre. Through special methods, one can use the abilities within a Bizarre Item."
"But every use consumes one charge. Once all its charges are used up, the Bizarre Item disappears."
"Bizarre Items are exceedingly precious, because even after being contaminated by the bizarre, they still require the right time, the right place, and the right people to form."
Bizarre Items?
Hearing this, Shen Bai roughly understood the last of his doubts.
"So the things I can appraise are all Bizarre Items."
According to Cheng Shuang, every use of a Bizarre Item consumed one charge, and once those charges were gone, it vanished.
Moreover, it was related to the person using it.
Would that not mean his Cheat System could turn something with limited uses into something permanent?
Shen Bai suddenly felt that his Cheat System seemed pretty damn impressive.
"Can we make this deal?"
Cheng Shuang looked at Shen Bai expectantly. "This is the best thing I can offer."
Shen Bai touched the sword hilt. "By your account, this thing is so precious. Are you truly willing to give it up?"
"The traitor escaped from the Five Immortals Sect. All expenses I incur can be reported to the Five Immortals Sect."
Cheng Shuang explained, "So... the experts in the sect will compensate me."
"No wonder..."
Shen Bai held out his hand. "I can take this job."
Bizarre Items were so precious that Shen Bai had no idea when he might encounter another one.
Now that he had this opportunity, Shen Bai would not let it slip away.
It was like doing business. When the profits outweighed the risks, Shen Bai was naturally willing to give it a try.
Cheng Shuang hesitated. "You want it first?"
Shen Bai nodded. "Of course. If you do not trust me, there is nothing I can do about that."
Although Shen Bai did not have any Killing Intent now, he could still use his previous method to slowly raise the progress.
Cheng Shuang thought for a moment, then tossed the jade pendant over. "How should I find you?"
Shen Bai caught the jade pendant. "Once you have news or a plan, come find me at the Shen Family Pawnshop in Ascending Cloud County."
After putting away the jade pendant, Shen Bai did not linger and headed toward the pawnshop.
Only Cheng Shuang remained on that secluded street.
After Shen Bai returned to the pawnshop, he immediately chose to grind Blood Sword Dance.
The jade pendant was good, but it required time. Shen Bai had merely secured what he needed first; he could slowly raise the progress when he had time.
In the pitch-black rear courtyard, only Shen Bai's figure could be seen continuously flashing as he danced with his longsword.
By the next day, when sunlight shone in, Shen Bai was brewing medicine in the rear courtyard.
A line of mist appeared before his eyes and formed into words.
Blood Sword Dance lv.3 (Swordsmanship +4, Demonbreaking +4, Tremor +4): 1000/5000
Another sleepless night. Shen Bai felt that he had suffered quite a loss.
His qi and blood had been seriously depleted, leaving Shen Bai with no choice but to brew medicine himself.
Fortunately, brewing medicine was something Shen Bai became proficient at after learning it for a while.
Once the Qi-Blood Medicine was ready, Shen Bai poured himself a bowl and gulped it down.
Traditional medicine normally took effect slowly, but under the effect of the qi within his body, its medicinal properties were catalyzed and accelerated.
Shen Bai only felt his qi and blood begin to recover. Before long, he was lively and vigorous once more.
Fortunately, my qi and blood consumption is not too severe right now. If Blood Sword Dance reaches a higher level, this medicine will become useless, Shen Bai thought.
That was what he thought, but that was a problem for the future.
Shen Bai tidied himself up, went out for a meal, then returned to the pawnshop after eating and waited for Zhang Chaofeng to arrive.
But after waiting and waiting, Zhang Chaofeng did not come. Instead, Zhou Qing arrived.
Zhou Qing had a long saber hanging at his waist. The moment he entered, he strode straight toward Shen Bai.
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