Qin Shuang pouted her rosy lips. "Can’t I even complain a little? Of course I’m going. Once you’re in the Jianghu, your fate is not your own. I just don’t know when we’ll be able to grab a casual meal on the street together again."

"There will be plenty of time. I won’t be staying in Fenglin State for long either." Shen Bai shook the wine jug and took another sip, only for Qin Shuang to snatch it right out of his hands.

Qin Shuang took a large swig herself, then let out a hiccup. With hazy eyes, she said, "The Dean told me the same thing. He said you were destined for greatness and would one day soar to the heavens. That’s one of the reasons I’m hurrying to Xuanjing City."

Shen Bai took the jug back and had another drink. "So I’m one of your reasons, am I?"

Qin Shuang nodded vigorously. "Of course! I’m the one who brought you out of Shengyun County. I can’t let myself fall behind you."

With that, Qin Shuang stood up, placed her left hand on her hip, and pointed to the stars in the sky.

"You’re the brightest star, and I’m the slightly dimmer one right next to you. But as long as I study diligently and strive to improve, I’ll be able to shine just as brightly as you do."

"Alright then, brightest star, have a drink." Shen Bai handed the wine jug back to her.

Qin Shuang rubbed her face, causing the blush to spread, making her look like a delicate, dew-kissed flower.

She took the jug and, GLUG GLUG GLUG, took several more large swallows.

The two of them sat there on the doorstep, talking late into the night.

Finally, Shen Bai stood up and took Qin Shuang home.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and use your Qi to sober up," Shen Bai said, patting Qin Shuang’s cute, round cheek.

Qin Shuang said dreamily, "When you drink, you’re supposed to get drunk. What’s the fun in staying sober?"

Despite her words, Qin Shuang still circulated the Qi in her body, completely dispelling the effects of the alcohol.

"I’m going now," Shen Bai said, looking out the window.

Qin Shuang nodded. "I’ll be setting out for Xuanjing City tomorrow. Don’t worry about seeing me off; I’m leaving early in the morning."

"Alright. Be careful on your journey. I’m off, I’m off. We really did drink a bit too much today." Shen Bai waved his hand, no longer lingering. He wrung out a towel for Qin Shuang and wiped her face, then finally left the room.

Qin Shuang watched Shen Bai’s retreating figure, then closed the door and clenched her small, fair fists.

’You’re the brightest star, but I won’t be outshone,’ Qin Shuang silently vowed to herself.

...

After returning to his room, Shen Bai didn’t rest. Instead, he circulated the Qi in his body to completely clear his head of the alcohol.

Once clear-headed, he picked up Amber and sat down in a chair.

On the table, an oil lamp flickered, casting a dim, yellow glow.

The light cast dappled shadows across Shen Bai’s face.

The moment Amber landed on the table, it began rubbing against Shen Bai’s arm, MEOWING insistently with an urgent look.

Everyone at the banquet, host and guests alike, had a wonderful time. For Amber, however, it had been pure torture.

Shen Bai had obtained the Deceit Transformation Pearl but hadn’t used it on the creature right away. To a Deceitful Beast, this was akin to setting a gourmet feast before it at its hungriest moment, only to forbid it from eating.

As a result, Amber had been on pins and needles for the entire banquet.

"Alright, alright, I know what you want. Stop with the pitiful act."

Shen Bai gave Amber’s head a good rub. After getting his cat fix for a moment, he swiped his index finger through the empty air before him.

A rift tore open in space. Shen Bai reached inside, grabbed the box containing the Deceit Transformation Pearl, and placed it on the table.

Amber immediately flopped onto the table and began to roll around incessantly, like a cat on catnip, looking utterly ecstatic.

"Go on, fuse with it yourself," Shen Bai said, stroking Amber’s back.

The fluffy sensation was pleasant to the touch.

Shen Bai released his hold on the wooden box. From within, the Deceit Transformation Pearl emanated a sinister chill that instantly enveloped its surroundings.

If an ordinary person were to feel this sinister chill, they would undoubtedly be discomforted for some time.

But Amber was different. With a single MEOW, it pounced forward and swallowed the Deceit Transformation Pearl whole.

Immediately after, streams of sinister energy began to swirl and intertwine around Amber, completely obscuring its form.

’This aura leaking out could be bad for ordinary people.’ Shen Bai lightly stomped his foot.

The next moment, he activated the Heaven and Earth Primordial Array-Breaking Technique. An Array, with Shen Bai at its center, instantly enveloped the entire room.

With this Divine Power, he was already a master of Arrays.

It was a simple matter for him to set up an Array to contain the area and stop the sinister energy from leaking out.

From within the swirling, sinister energy, Amber’s low growls could be heard intermittently.

Fortunately, the Array was in place, so the noise wouldn’t disturb anyone late at night.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Amber’s cries gradually weakened.

Shen Bai watched with curiosity.

This was Amber’s second transformation.

The first time, it had gained double Skill Level and a bonus to its combat power.

Shen Bai was very curious to see what kind of effects using the Deceit Transformation Pearl a second time would produce.

As Amber’s cries grew fainter, the sinister energy suddenly began to change.

Streams of azure light pulsed through the room, wrapping around Amber.

In the blink of an eye, Amber was gone from the table. In its place was an egg the size of a millstone.

The egg was azure, covered in exquisite patterns, and it just sat there motionless on the table.

Shen Bai stared at the millstone-sized egg, completely stunned.