The Shadow in the Room

[Jade Evil Body lv.3 (Hardness +4, Toughness +4, Damage Reflection +4): 0/5000]

As this line of text appeared before Shen Bai, a phantom image materialized in his mind.

Like before, the phantom sat cross-legged on a cliff, appearing mysterious and unfathomable.

The emerald green light surrounding it began to change, shifting from emerald green to an opaque white, like mutton-fat jade.

Once the white light enveloped its entire body, countless figures flashed below the cliff.

These figures converged their attacks, all striking the white light.

Yet, the cross-legged phantom remained utterly motionless, as if unburdened by worldly cares, having weathered the vicissitudes of time.

Countless attacks rained down on the white light, causing it to tremble violently.

After just one breath, these attacks astonishingly returned the way they came, striking the figures that had launched them.

The next moment, the surrounding environment shattered, and terrifying roars echoed from the cliff as everything began to disappear.

The phantom, still bathed in white light, stood up, hands clasped behind its back, like a deity looking down upon the world.

Gradually, these visions faded away.

Shen Bai opened his eyes, his internal Qi now fully condensed within his dantian.

"A gentleman is like jade, gentle and peerless."

Only these eight characters surfaced in Shen Bai's mind.

He longed to circulate the Qi within his body and test the power of the Jade Evil Body.

But here, on this bustling street, Shen Bai felt that if a jade-like white light were to suddenly emanate from him, it would likely cause massive chaos immediately.

The attribute added by the Jade Evil Body was particularly interesting: within its range, Shen Bai could reflect all attacks back through it.

Not just weapons, but even unarmed techniques could be bounced back one by one.

"Something's not right. I feel… off."

After absorbing all the information, Shen Bai increasingly felt that something was amiss.

His dantian was completely filled with Qi, and he felt as if something was constantly trying to sprout from within it.

The next moment, a wisp of Qi overflowed from his dantian.

Immediately after, the overflowing Qi flowed towards his kidneys.

As his kidneys were filled with this Qi, Shen Bai felt an unusual insight regarding his use of Qi.

It was as if his arms, no matter how he moved them, could do so with perfect fluidity and naturalness.

The Qi that had transitioned to his kidneys seemed to have become a part of Shen Bai's body.

"Is this the Three Treasures Realm?" Shen Bai wondered.

The Three Treasures Realm is divided into three layers: Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

Currently, he was cultivating his own essence, which corresponded to the position of the kidneys.

Upon reaching this level, the more Qi that transitioned to the kidneys, the stronger his control over Qi would become.

"No wonder each realm is like a mountain to overcome. With this level of control, wouldn't I just crush those Daoist Canon Realm masters?" Shen Bai thought to himself.

Having gained a new Divine Ability and advanced to the Three Treasures Realm, Shen Bai felt incredibly invigorated, and his need for Malevolent Qi became even more urgent.

"Tonight, perhaps the Ancient True Scripture can be appraised quickly."

Shen Bai drained the tea from his cup, contemplating silently.

He sat patiently, waiting.

While waiting, he also quietly observed the various activities of the Sun Family.

People came and went, a constant stream of commoners, their chatter and footsteps gradually fading into the bustling street.

Shen Bai felt like an unnoticed observer, witnessing the noisy street, a feeling of comfort washing over him.

He disliked quiet, remote environments, preferring instead the vulgar vibrancy of bustling markets and the constant human warmth of the common folk.

As evening drew near, a sliver of sunset slowly descended amidst the clouds.

The surrounding commoners packed up their stalls and headed home, concluding their day's work and beginning their family reunions.

Shen Bai had long since left the stall, leaning against a wall, observing the entire Sun Family residence.

From morning until now, there had been no movement from the Sun Family.

Shen Bai was waiting for the right moment to go in and take a look.

Gradually, the sun finally set, and a sliver of moonlight spilled from the dark clouds.

The moon hung high in the sky like a jade plate.

The bright moonlight seemed to drape a magnificent veil over this jade plate.

"It's time."

Shen Bai stretched, then, after loosening up his limbs, he arrived outside the Sun Family's wall.

He skillfully scaled the wall, using the darkness to conceal his figure as he observed the Sun Family's movements.

Only the main house had a lamp lit; everywhere else was dark.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, where there was no entertainment, everyone chose to go to bed early, except for those visiting brothels.

Of course, if one wished for a "procreation" session or two, they would naturally go to bed later.

Looking at the surrounding darkness, Shen Bai's gaze fell on the room where the coffin was locked. He flipped over the wall and landed steadily in the courtyard.

With no one around, Shen Bai rubbed his hands excitedly.

Money, beauty, power—none of these were enough to truly excite Shen Bai.

Only Malevolent Qi truly thrilled him.

Another good haul today, Shen Bai thought, walking towards the room.

The room had a lock on the outside, but for Shen Bai, that was no problem.

As Shen Bai approached, he prepared to raise his left hand to open the lock.

But before he could act, he suddenly heard footsteps nearby.

Shen Bai narrowed his eyes, then, with a flicker of his body, he hid in the corner of the wall.

Using the cover of darkness, Shen Bai observed carefully.

The footsteps were very light but scattered, and as they walked, it was as if they were weak, dragging their shoes along.

From the right side of the room, a young woman dressed in fine silk slowly approached.

Is that Miss Sun?

Shen Bai frowned when he saw the woman's appearance.

Miss Sun's face was pale, and her eyes were blank, like wood, as she walked towards the room.

When Miss Sun reached the front of the room, she raised her index finger and lightly brushed the lock.

For some unknown reason, the lock opened automatically.

After opening the lock, Miss Sun pushed open the room door and walked inside.

Thump.

With a muffled sound, the door was firmly closed by Miss Sun.

Seeing this, Shen Bai's heart stirred, and he quietly approached the door.

He extended his index finger, poked a hole in the paper window, then leaned closer, peering through the hole.

Malevolent Qi was important, but what came after was equally important.

It seems there's more than one Sophora tree here, Shen Bai thought, wondering if he could extract a few more wisps of Malevolent Qi.

The room was dim, with no other abnormalities except for the candles flickering around the coffin.

As Shen Bai's gaze shifted, it suddenly stopped.

He discovered a dark figure standing in the corner of the room.