Sun Yuzhi hesitated a moment, as if having made some sort of decision, and spoke softly.

"Regarding a Spiritual Object to aid in Condensing Evil, I happen to have one that I can lend you. However, you will owe me a favor, and you will have to repay it in the future."

Upon hearing this, a brilliant light of joyful surprise erupted in Chen Sheng’s eyes. He quickly bowed, his tone utterly sincere.

"If the Governor is truly willing to lend me the Spiritual Object, I will surely repay this kindness in the future."

"Mm."

Sun Yuzhi nodded slightly, her expression noncommittal in response to his declaration. Then, she instructed,

"You. Turn around."

"Yes."

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Sheng turned to face the door.

Sun Yuzhi gazed at his upright back and took a deep breath. A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes, but she finally raised a hand, reaching into the folds of her official robes over her chest. Her fingertips brushed against a warm, smooth Treasure Pearl.

With a gentle motion, she undid the silk cord and carefully removed the walnut-sized Profound Spirit Treasure Pearl, which glowed with a faint, clear light. The moment the Treasure Pearl left her body, Sun Yuzhi felt an emptiness in her chest, and her spirit seemed to waver slightly.

"You can turn back now."

Chen Sheng turned as instructed.

"This is the Profound Spirit Treasure Pearl. It has the miraculous effect of calming the heart, quieting the spirit, and nurturing one’s Divine Soul. During Condensing Evil, it is of great help in suppressing the backlash of Evil Qi and maintaining the clarity of your Spirit Platform."

Sun Yuzhi did her best to keep her voice steady. With a light wave of her hand, the greenish-blue Treasure Pearl began to spin, floating before Chen Sheng.

"This item is priceless. It is also... a personal treasure of mine. You must guard it carefully. After you have completed the Condensing Evil process, return it immediately. It must not be damaged in the slightest."

Chen Sheng extended both hands and solemnly accepted the Treasure Pearl.

The Treasure Pearl was warm and smooth in his hands. It carried an indescribable, elegant fragrance, laced with a hint of warmth, that wafted into his nostrils. This scent... it was identical to the one that occasionally emanated from Sun Yuzhi.

"What are you sniffing at? Just take it!"

Seeing Chen Sheng actually about to lower his head and sniff the Treasure Pearl, an almost imperceptible blush crept onto Sun Yuzhi’s face. She was both embarrassed and annoyed, and immediately snapped in a cold voice tinged with a rare trace of panic.

Chen Sheng quickly collected himself, clutching the Treasure Pearl tightly in his palm as he bowed deeply.

"Yes, my apologies for the rudeness. Thank you, Governor, for lending me the Treasure Pearl!"

"Condensing Evil is no small matter. You must not be rash."

Sun Yuzhi turned her back, struggling to calm her slightly ragged breath. Her tone returned to its usual composure.

"Before you enter seclusion, go to the third floor of the Archives Pavilion. Carefully study the notes on Condensing Evil left by our predecessors, especially the sections on how to handle the backlash from the Evil Qi and stabilize your Dao Foundation."

"Make sure you are thoroughly prepared. Do not attempt it until you are completely confident. Do not be reckless, and above all, do not be careless."

"I will remember the Governor’s teachings!" Chen Sheng bowed once more, then, carefully cradling the Profound Spirit Treasure Pearl—still warm and fragrant from her body—he withdrew from the Government Office.

Watching Chen Sheng’s figure disappear through the doorway, Sun Yuzhi slowly sank back into her chair. She raised a hand to rub her temples, her thoughts a tangled mess. An unusual fantasy even began to take shape.

She immediately took a deep breath, trying to circulate her Cultivation Technique to suppress the strange restlessness.

’No, I am Chen Sheng’s superior. How can I have such filthy desires?’

’It must be because my cultivation has reached a critical point. And with the old matters just concluded, my mind is simply unstable...’

’And this Profound Spirit Treasure Pearl... it usually helps calm my mind and quiet my spirit. Now that it’s gone, these pointless, distracting thoughts have a chance to sprout...’

Sun Yuzhi repeatedly admonished herself, forcefully circulating her Mental Method to suppress the chaotic fantasies that she herself was unwilling to examine too closely.

...

After successfully borrowing the Profound Spirit Treasure Pearl, Chen Sheng followed Sun Yuzhi’s advice and headed to the third floor of the Archives Pavilion. He spent an entire day there, carefully studying the notes and insights on Condensing Evil left behind by several senior Peacekeeper Envoys.

The records concerning the backlash from high-level Evil Qi were particularly beneficial, giving him a much clearer understanding of the risks ahead.

Afterward, he used his accumulated merits to redeem several types of high-quality Supporting Elixirs and Spiritual Materials from the treasury, ensuring he was as prepared as he could possibly be.

[Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique: Minor Achievement (496/500)]

[Basic Knife Technique: Perfection (1730/2000)]

[Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique: Perfection (468/2000)]

[Demon-Suppressing Triple Extremes Saber: Perfection (756/2000)]

Jingwu Bureau, sixteenth floor underground, in a secret chamber.

After glancing at the Celestial Book Panel in his mind, Chen Sheng swallowed an Elixir. He sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion in the center of the secret chamber, slowly closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing, gradually pushing his physical and mental state to their absolute peak.

「Two days later.」

[Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique: Minor Achievement (499/500)]

Feeling the surging power within him and the barrier that he was on the verge of breaking through, Chen Sheng knew the time had come.

He opened his eyes, a sharp glint of light flashing within them before vanishing.

First, he carefully took out the transparent jade stone containing the Nine Nether Yin Fiend, placing it within arm’s reach. Next, he sorted his various supporting Spiritual Objects and arranged them neatly.

Finally, Chen Sheng took a deep breath. His hands formed a Sealing Technique, and he swiped them through the air.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Twelve crystal-clear Elemental Crystals shattered simultaneously. An incomparably pure torrent of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi instantly erupted, flooding the entire secret chamber like a tidal wave, so dense it nearly condensed into a tangible mist.

The Condensing Evil process—had officially begun!

With a single thought from Chen Sheng, the circulation pathways for the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique began to operate at high speed within his body.

A faint golden light began to flicker beneath his skin, as if he were being coated in a thin, pale-gold film. Then, Chen Sheng crushed the transparent jade stone that sealed the Nine Nether Yin Fiend.

HUMMMM—!

In that instant, a terrifying Evil Qi—cold, domineering, and saturated with the stench of death and blood—erupted with explosive force.