A Deceit Transformation Pearl?

When Shen Bai heard those four words, he studied the fist-sized Treasure Pearl in his hand.

"What is a Deceit Transformation Pearl?"

Shen Bai was actually unfamiliar with this subject.

Although he had read many materials on the topic at the Observatory, there were always gaps in his knowledge.

Daoist Chongling looked at Amber, who was squirming with anticipation in Shen Bai’s arms, and said, "Lord Shen, you must know that Deceitful Beasts are very difficult to form. It requires a perfect confluence of factors. If anything goes wrong, they can turn from a Deceitful Beast into an aberration."

Shen Bai nodded. "I am aware of that. Amber’s own origin was a series of coincidences."

He had seen Amber’s past.

First, she lived a tragic life and nearly died. Then, at the moment of her death, she unexpectedly accumulated a massive amount of resentful energy.

When that resentful energy reached its peak and she was about to become an aberration, she was moved by a little girl’s kindness. This allowed her to suppress the aberrant aura and transform into a Deceitful Beast.

Every step of the process was incredibly difficult, and luck played a huge part.

Dying and generating resentful energy, and then having that energy reach the critical threshold to become an aberration—that alone was enough to filter out the vast majority of cases.

And even after that, when she was turning into an aberration, there was still a high chance she wouldn’t have regained her sanity, despite the little girl’s kindness.

You could say that every single step was fraught with difficulty.

But what did any of this have to do with the Deceit Transformation Pearl?

Shen Bai asked, "Is the formation of a Deceit Transformation Pearl also related to Deceitful Beasts?"

Daoist Chongling nodded. "Correct. To be precise, a Deceit Transformation Pearl is, in essence, an animal that has not yet fully become a Deceitful Beast."

Shen Bai examined the Deceit Transformation Pearl. "So you mean it’s a failed Deceitful Beast evolution."

"If a Deceitful Beast’s evolution fails, it becomes an aberration."

Daoist Chongling explained patiently, "But if it undergoes a sudden mutation right as it’s about to become an aberration, it will turn into a Deceit Transformation Pearl. This kind of mutation has an extremely low probability. Perhaps out of ten thousand failed Deceitful Beast evolutions, not a single one will result in a Deceit Transformation Pearl."

"After all, it is far easier to become an aberration than a Deceit Transformation Pearl."

Shen Bai understood. So, this pearl was something even more precious than a Deceitful Beast.

On this trip, he hadn’t just harvested Evil Qi and a Deceitful Object; this Deceit Transformation Pearl was an unimaginably valuable treasure.

Amber might not have seemed very impressive, but that was only in comparison to Shen Bai’s own immense power.

If she were with anyone else, Amber would surely be a Deceitful Beast capable of turning the tide of battle, not just a mascot in Shen Bai’s party.

If using the Deceit Transformation Pearl could make Amber stronger, it would be a good thing for Shen Bai as well.

The only thing Shen Bai didn’t know was what miraculous effects the Deceit Transformation Pearl actually had.

Shen Bai gripped the hilt of Cold Moon and asked, "Daoist, what changes will Amber undergo if she uses the Deceit Transformation Pearl?"

Daoist Chongling glanced at Amber. "Combat-type Deceitful Beasts are exceedingly rare. As for what she will evolve into, that depends on the Deceitful Beast itself. It’s ultimately random."

Random?

Shen Bai stroked his chin. "Then how is it used?"

Whether it was random or not didn’t really matter to Shen Bai.

He felt that as long as she gained some kind of ability, that would be enough.

At least Amber would become stronger.

Amber let out a soft meow, her emerald-like eyes filled with longing for the Deceit Transformation Pearl.

If her master, Shen Bai, hadn’t been there, Amber probably would have pounced on it already.

Even so, Amber couldn’t help but inch closer to the Deceit Transformation Pearl.

It was a Deceitful Beast’s instinct, and it was incredibly difficult to restrain.

Shen Bai stroked Amber’s head, calming her agitation.

"The method of use is simple. Just eat it," Daoist Chongling said.

Eat it?

Shen Bai looked at Amber in his arms, thought for a moment, then placed her on the ground. He set the Deceit Transformation Pearl in front of her and said, "Go ahead, eat."

Shen Bai thought the simple method of use was great.

If it required some complicated procedure, it would have just wasted more of his time.

After being placed on the ground, Amber saw Shen Bai set the Deceit Transformation Pearl down. She couldn’t help but sniff at it, an incredibly human-like expression of ecstasy appearing on her small face.

Her master was willing to give her the Deceit Transformation Pearl. This was a form of acknowledgment.

’From now on, I must help Master reach the pinnacle of this world.’

The little female cat, Amber, had a rather dramatic way of thinking.

"CHOMP!"

Amber opened her mouth and swallowed the Deceit Transformation Pearl in a single bite.

The moment the fist-sized Deceit Transformation Pearl touched Amber’s teeth, it melted like a piece of soft candy and flowed into her mouth.

The next moment, streaks of light like white jade appeared all over Amber’s body.

As the light emerged, Amber’s figure was gradually engulfed by it.

Shen Bai watched the transforming Amber and waited patiently by her side.

Daoist Chongling and the other daoists stood beside Shen Bai.

"Lord Shen, do not worry. This is a normal phenomenon."

Daoist Chongling said, "After a combat-type Deceitful Beast evolves using a Deceit Transformation Pearl, it will surely be of even greater assistance to you, Lord Shen."

Shen Bai nodded. "I’m not worried. I’m just curious what kind of abilities Amber will evolve."

Daoist Chongling smiled. "I doubt it will disappoint you, Lord Shen. After all, this is a one-in-ten-thousand Deceit Transformation Pearl."

"I hope so," Shen Bai said.

As the two of them spoke, the white light enveloping Amber grew even more intense.

As the white light flared, even Shen Bai could no longer see what was happening inside.

’What will she turn into? A catgirl?’

’That’s probably too ridiculous.’

As Shen Bai pondered, his sense of anticipation grew.