In the festive and bustling resource room, Shen Bai stared at the perfectly round pearl before him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

A sinister, cold aura emanated from the pearl, giving it an icy appearance.

Yet this icy aura made Amber, lying beside him, show signs of excitement.

If Shen Bai hadn’t been right there, Amber would have surely pounced on the pearl, clutching it playfully.

"Is this a Deceit Transformation Pearl?" Shen Bai asked in astonishment.

It was only natural that he recognized it. He had encountered one before and had given it to Amber.

After using it, Amber had immediately evolved, gaining a bonus that doubled its Skill Level progression. Furthermore, it allowed Amber to merge into his body, granting him a boost in combat power.

This item, it could be said, was not only crucial for Amber’s evolution, but was also incredibly important for him.

Moreover, Deceit Transformation Pearls were exceptionally precious—even more so than Deceitful Beasts. In his past life, they would have been rarer than giant pandas.

If even one of these were to appear in the Jianghu, experts would come flocking to seize it—not just from State-level Cities, but likely from several tiers of power above that.

For Elder Mu to now produce another one left Shen Bai utterly astounded.

Elder Mu nodded. "Ever since you arrived in Fenglin State, I’ve held you in high regard. I’ve helped you a few times, but I feel that since I truly see you as a grandson, I can’t just pay lip service to the idea. So, take this pearl."

Shen Bai paused in thought for a moment before placing the lid back on the wooden box. "Thank you, Elder Mu."

He wasn’t one for false modesty, and there was no need for such theatrics between him and Elder Mu.

He needed it, and Elder Mu was willing to give it. Accepting it was the natural course of action.

Being hesitant or making a show of refusal would have only made things awkward.

Elder Mu smiled and nodded. "I’ve had this pearl for a long time. It’s of no use to me, so it only makes sense to give it to you."

Shen Bai asked, "Elder Mu, where did you get this Deceit Transformation Pearl?"

’This thing is incredibly important for Amber and me,’ Shen Bai thought. ’It would be amazing if there was a steady source of them.’

Elder Mu was a shrewd man and naturally saw what Shen Bai was thinking. He scolded with a laugh, "You little rascal, you’re insatiably greedy. Thinking you can find a steady supply of these things? Impossible."

"You might only come across one of these in a hundred, or even a thousand, years. It was a gift from my master."

Shen Bai said, surprised, "Elder Mu’s master had something this good?"

"My master also came upon it by chance. You see, back then, I had a Deceitful Beast, and so did my junior martial brother."

"But there was only one pearl. At the time, our master said we would compete in Swordsmanship—winner take all. And so, I was the one who claimed the pearl."

"You had a Deceitful Beast, Elder Mu?" Shen Bai glanced around but saw no sign of one.

"Don’t bother looking. It’s dead."

A flicker of pain crossed Elder Mu’s eyes. "The two of us roamed the Jianghu together. During one extremely dangerous battle, it was brutally killed by our enemies while saving my life."

"I actually regretted my decision back then. After I got the Deceit Transformation Pearl, I decided to hold onto it for a while. That’s because when a Deceitful Beast uses one, it enters a period of evolution, and there’s no telling how long that might take."

"We were also facing a powerful foe, so I planned to use the pearl after we defeated him. I never imagined I wouldn’t get the chance."

Shen Bai understood. After Amber had used its Deceit Transformation Pearl, its evolution had also taken some time to complete.

The duration was unpredictable.

Seeing Elder Mu’s expression, it was clear he still missed his former Deceitful Beast.

Just as Shen Bai was about to speak, Elder Mu shook his head.

"Don’t try to comfort me or say anything more. At my age, I’ve learned to let go of such things. This Deceit Transformation Pearl is your destiny, so accept it. Besides, there are a few things I want to discuss with you in detail."

Shen Bai nodded. "Please, Elder Mu, go on."

Elder Mu organized his thoughts for a moment before speaking. "Your journey doesn’t end in Fenglin State, or even in the Great Zhou Country. I have very high hopes for you. You certainly won’t remain in Fenglin State for long. I’m no longer your match, and there’s not much else I can teach you. All I can offer is some of the experience I’ve gained from my time in the Jianghu."

Shen Bai said nothing, simply straightening his posture and listening patiently.

Sometimes, the younger generation grows impatient when their elders speak, but Shen Bai didn’t see it that way.

These elders had lived longer and experienced more. When it came to life experience, they possessed their own unique insights.

You didn’t have to follow all of it, but you could absorb the best parts.

It wasn’t just nagging; every word from an elder could prove useful at some point.

After a moment of contemplation, Elder Mu continued, "The Jianghu is vast. Fenglin State is but a tiny corner of it, as is the Great Zhou Country."

"There are countless masters in this world. As you make your way through the Jianghu, remember one principle."

"If you can beat them, annihilate them completely. If you can’t, survival is paramount. With your talent and means, once you’ve escaped with your life, it won’t be long before you can make a comeback."

"If you truly can’t win, let them have their moment of glory. You can always come back later and eradicate them, root and stem."

Shen Bai nodded. "I understand. That has always been my principle."

’Cut the weeds and pull out the roots; grind the bones to ash. Only then can you ensure the weeds never grow back.’

Shen Bai understood this point perfectly.