[Bright Jade Evil Body Level 3 (Hardness +4, Resilience +4, Counter Damage +4): 0/5000]
After this line of text appeared before Shen Bai, a phantom image materialized in his mind.
The phantom image, just like before, sat cross-legged on a cliff, looking enigmatic and unfathomable.
The emerald green light covering its body began to change, turning into a white like mutton-fat jade.
Once the white light enveloped its entire body, countless figures flashed into existence below the cliff.
These figures gathered their attacks and bombarded the white light.
But the seated phantom image remained completely unfazed, as if it had weathered the vicissitudes of the world, utterly immovable.
Endless attacks rained down upon the white light, causing it to tremble violently.
A breath later, the attacks were all sent back the way they came, striking the figures that had launched them.
The next moment, the surroundings shattered. Terrifying waves of sound washed over the cliff as everything vanished.
The phantom image within the white light stood up, hands clasped behind its back, like a deity looking down upon the world.
Gradually, the vision faded away.
Shen Bai opened his eyes. All the Qi in his body had condensed within his Dantian.
"A gentleman is like jade, gentle and unrivaled."
These seven words were all that appeared in Shen Bai's mind.
He was eager to circulate the Qi in his body and test the power of the Bright Jade Evil Body.
But he was on a public street. Shen Bai figured that if a jade-like white light suddenly erupted from his body, it would probably cause a huge commotion.
The new Attribute from the Bright Jade Evil Body was particularly interesting. Within a certain limit, Shen Bai could use it to return any and all attacks.
Not just Weapons, but even unarmed techniques could be reflected.
'Something's not right. Something feels off about me.'
After absorbing all the Information, Shen Bai felt more and more that something was amiss.
His Dantian was now full of Qi, and he felt as if something was about to sprout forth from within it.
The next moment, a sliver of Qi overflowed from his Dantian.
Immediately after, this overflowing Qi flowed toward his kidneys.
Once his kidneys were filled with this Qi, Shen Bai felt an unusual new understanding of how to use his Qi.
It was like his own arm—he could command it however he wished, smoothly and naturally.
The Qi that had moved to his kidneys felt like it had become a part of his very body.
'Is this the Three Treasures Realm?' Shen Bai wondered.
The Three Treasures Realm is divided into three layers: Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
Right now, he was cultivating his own Essence, which was centered in the kidneys.
After reaching this level, the more Qi that moved to his kidneys, the stronger his control over his Qi would become.
'No wonder they say every new realm is like a new mountain. With this level of control, wouldn't I be able to completely dominate experts at the Daoist Scripture Realm?' Shen Bai thought.
Having gained a new Divine Power and advanced to the Three Treasures Realm, Shen Bai was ecstatic, and his need for the black Evil Qi grew even more urgent.
'Tonight, I might be able to get a quick appraisal from the Ancient True Scripture.'
After draining the tea from his cup, Shen Bai mused to himself.
He sat in his seat and began to wait patiently.
While waiting, he silently observed the various activities of the Sun Family.
...
People came and went in a ceaseless flow. The clamor and footsteps on the bustling street slowly faded as the day wore on.
Like a detached observer, Shen Bai watched the chaotic street, finding the atmosphere strangely refreshing.
He disliked serene and lofty environments, preferring instead the vulgar clamor of a busy marketplace and the lively, mundane energy of city life.
The sky gradually darkened as the last sliver of the setting sun sank behind the clouds.
The common folk nearby packed up their stalls and headed home. With their day's work done, they began their evening with family.
Shen Bai had long since left the tea stall. Leaning against a corner wall, he watched the entire Sun Family estate.
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 another look.
Gradually, the sun finally disappeared, and a sliver of moonlight spilled down from behind dark clouds.
The moon, like a jade plate, hung high in the sky.
The bright moonlight was like a gorgeous veil draped over this jade plate.
'It's time.'
Shen Bai stretched, loosened his limbs, and made his way to the outer wall of the Sun Family estate.
He vaulted the wall with practiced ease and used the darkness to hide his figure, observing the estate for any signs of activity.
Aside from the main house, where an oil lamp was still lit, all the other areas were dark.
In the Great Zhou Country, where there were no modern forms of entertainment, people generally went to bed early—unless they were frequenting the brothels.
Of course, those hoping to get in a round or two of baby-making would also stay up a bit later.
Looking at the surrounding darkness, Shen Bai's gaze fell on the room where the coffin was locked. He vaulted down, landing steadily in the courtyard.
Seeing that no one was around, Shen Bai rubbed his hands together in excitement.
Money, beauty, power—none of these things were enough to truly excite Shen Bai.
Only this Evil Qi was the source of his excitement.
'Looks like I'll be making another gain today,' Shen Bai thought as he walked toward the room.
The room was locked from the outside, but for Shen Bai, that wasn't a problem.
After approaching, Shen Bai prepared to raise his left hand and open the lock.
But before he could make a move, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from the side.
Shen Bai narrowed his eyes, then his figure flashed as he hid in a corner.
Using the darkness as cover, Shen Bai observed carefully.
The footsteps were light but erratic. The person seemed to be walking without strength, dragging their shoes along the ground.
From the right side of the room, a young woman dressed in fine silks and satins slowly approached.
'Is that Miss Sun?'
Shen Bai frowned upon seeing the woman's face.
Miss Sun's face was pale and her eyes were dull. She walked toward the room like a wooden puppet.
When Miss Sun arrived in front of the room, she raised her index finger and gently brushed it against the lock.
For some unknown reason, the lock sprang open on its own.
After the lock was open, Miss Sun pushed open the door and walked inside.
With a soft thud, Miss Sun shut the door completely.
Seeing this, a thought struck Shen Bai, and he quietly crept to the door.
He extended his index finger, poked a hole in the window paper, and leaned in to peer through it.
The Evil Qi was important, but what came after was just as important.
'It seems there's more than one Locust Tree,' Shen Bai thought. 'I wonder if I can snag a few more wisps of Evil Qi.'
The room was dim. Other than the flickering candlelight surrounding the coffin, there was nothing out of the ordinary.
As Shen Bai's gaze swept across the room, it suddenly froze.
He had discovered a dark figure standing in the corner of the room.