The Hidden Malevolence

"There are quite a lot of items here, so if you have the time and resources, perhaps you can try to identify a few more," suggested Shen Tiaotai, the shopkeeper. He gestured for the Chaofeng apprentices to step forward and register each item, ensuring proper documentation.

"Zhang Ke, I assign this jade pendant to you," Shen Tiaotai proclaimed, handing over the delicate piece.

"Li Tiehammer, you shall take responsibility for this pendant," he continued, designating another item.

"Du Hao..."

One by one, the items were distributed among the individuals present. Each person claimed a treasure as their own, setting the stage for what was to come.

Observing the array of treasures laid out on the tray, Chen Shaojun realized that the time had come to test whether his previous vision could be brought to fruition. He swiftly activated his spiritual eye technique, allowing him to perceive a hidden realm within the objects.

In a mere instant, the treasures on the tray underwent a captivating transformation before his very eyes.

Chen Shaojun initially felt a sense of relief. Following yesterday's experiment, he had gained the ability to roughly assess that a small quantity of evil spirits posed little threat to most of the apprentices. With his divine sight, dispersing them was a simple task.

However, his relaxation was short-lived as he soon discovered that some of the treasures within this batch of 'raw materials' contained a significant amount of evil spirits. The inventory revealed troubling findings:

"A porcelain bottle with seven lingering strands of yin energy.

A hairpin harboring nine wisps of malevolence.

A fan carrying a chilling twenty-three strands of bloodlust."

Chen Shaojun's face grew increasingly grave, displaying a mix of concern and uncertainty. The inherent danger within these raw materials was undeniably significant.

It was crucial to note that the treasures' value had no correlation to the quantity of evil spirits they contained. Even seemingly inconsequential items held the potential for potent ghostly attachments.

As Chen Shaojun assessed the situation, he realized that the goshawk's eye he had identified earlier likely held a maximum of seven strands of evil energy. This revelation underscored the seriousness of the situation. Furthermore, the discrepancy between the identified treasures' worth and the intensity of their ghostly presence added an additional layer of complexity to the task at hand.

The disparity between the Goshawk's eye containing seven strands of arrow-killing aura and only four strands of medicinal power aura could be attributed to the underlying reason. It elucidated the fact that even within a single item, different types of auras could coexist, each with varying intensities.

In an instant, Chen Shaojun's expression shifted, revealing a mixture of surprise and concern. His gaze locked onto a tray held by a handyman at the far end of the room, which contained several yet-to-be-identified 'raw materials.' However, his attention was drawn to one particular item—Yu Ruyi.

The top of the jade ruyi was shrouded in a thick veil of Yin qi, its surface darkened significantly. Faintly, amidst the dense gloom, he even caught sight of a pallid grimace, emitting an eerie roar.

"A ghost is attached to this jade ruyi?" Chen Shaojun's face turned ashen, his hair standing on end. Subconsciously, he took a step back in alarm. Despite his knowledge of the existence of ghosts in the world, suddenly confronting one still sent shivers down his spine.

"Brother Chen, what's the matter with you?" It happened to be Zhao Hu's turn, and he was about to take the fan that Shen Lang had handed over. Observing Chen Shaojun's reaction, he quickly reached out and grabbed his arm. "Are you alright?"

Chen Shaojun composed himself and managed to mutter, "No, it's okay..."

Chen Shaojun shook his head, opting not to disclose his unsettling findings. He knew that even if he were to reveal them, no one would believe him. Moreover, he preferred to keep the secret of his spiritual eye technique hidden for now.

"Well, Chen Shaojun, this is what you need to identify," Shen Lang stated dismissively, casting a contemptuous glance at Chen Shaojun before handing him a bamboo Xiao.

The bamboo Xiao contained a minimal amount of evil spirits, making it one of the rare pieces with such a weak presence.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen," Chen Shaojun expressed his gratitude, glancing at the fan in Zhao Hu's hand. He noticed that the fan held by his companion contained ten strands of blood evil energy. Considering Zhao Hu's vitality and blood strength, it would be extremely challenging for him to withstand the impact of such turbulent malevolence. Chen Shaojun understood that the more valuable the treasures identified through the psychic treasure appraisal, the greater the rewards they would receive.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally made a decision. "Zhao Hu, let's swap appraisals."

Zhao Hu hesitated briefly, then agreed. He didn't question Chen Shaojun's suggestion, as before appraising the treasures, none of them were aware of the potential dangers lurking within the items they were about to evaluate.

In Shengjing City, Chen Shaojun stood out as the sole practitioner who had mastered the spiritual eye skills.

Following their decision, the two exchanged the treasures they were to appraise and headed to their respective appraisal rooms. Chen Shaojun found himself once again in appraisal room No. 7, where he carefully unfolded the fan.

A picturesque landscape painting adorned the paper, accompanied by a set of verses inscribed on the side—a poetic farewell to a friend embarking on a journey. Although Chen Shaojun was not well-versed in the arts of calligraphy and painting, he could still appreciate the skill evident in this fan's artwork.

Placing the fan on the table, Chen Shaojun proceeded to light candles and burn bamboo incense. He then closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment of rest. The use of his spiritual eye technique earlier had consumed a considerable amount of his energy, and he took this opportunity to recuperate.

After half an hour, Chen Shaojun opened his eyes. The candle had long since been extinguished, leaving only a small remnant. As for the three bamboo incense sticks, one had burned out completely, while the other two varied in length—one longer, one shorter.

"Indeed, the presence of heavy evil spirits is already affecting the surroundings," Chen Shaojun noted to himself. It was evident that prolonged contact with this fan would subject the holder to the influence of the intense blood evil energy, resulting in agitation, explosive emotions, and being plagued by various conflicts and troubles.

Chen Shaojun remained unsurprised by the outcome. Using his spiritual eye technique, he had already estimated the quantity of evil spirits present on the fan. Lighting candles and incense at this moment served as a means of verification.

Silently and with unwavering focus, he gathered his spiritual energy.

Drawing upon the power of his divine sight, Chen Shaojun infused his spiritual will into the fan. Simultaneously, he activated the latent blood evil spirit attached to the fan, causing it to surge forth as a monstrous wave of malevolence.

A crackling sound filled the air as the two forces clashed like mortal enemies, each vying for dominance. They cancelled each other out, obliterating one another in the process.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Chen Shaojun felt his blood coursing through his veins, transforming into spiritual power. With each passing moment, his concentration deepened.

After a full breath's time, he sensed a fleeting moment of clarity in his thoughts. The blood evil spirit that had originally attached itself to the fan had been completely eradicated by his efforts. However, his complexion turned slightly pale, realizing that he had expended a significant amount of energy in the process.

"Dealing with ten strands of blood was still a bit taxing," he murmured to himself, acknowledging the considerable toll it had taken on him.

Chen Shaojun let out a relieved breath, realizing that he had acted somewhat recklessly this time. He acknowledged that his increased energy, thanks to the nourishment of the Yangyuan Pill, had allowed him to endure the strain. Without it, he would have likely succumbed to the overwhelming power and suffered the same fate as Zhang Wang.

He understood the importance of caution, even when prepared for potential risks.

However, he also recognized that Zhao Hu, lacking in vitality and blood strength, would not be able to withstand the intense malevolence contained within the fan. If the appraisal were to proceed, Zhao Hu's spirit would be instantly dissipated, allowing the evil spirit to infiltrate his body and cause irreparable harm.

Moreover, having encountered Zhao Hu previously and considering him a rare friend within the Divine Treasure Shop, Chen Shaojun was naturally reluctant to see any harm come to him. If possible, he would do everything in his power to prevent such a tragic outcome.

Nevertheless, he didn't come away empty-handed. Having successfully obliterated the blood evil spirit, he directed his psychic treasure mirror towards the fan, allowing its reflection to appear on its surface. Simultaneously, various images related to the fan began to form in Chen Shaojun's mind.

He discovered that before the fan was crafted, it was relatively ordinary, made from a less high-quality material. However, the person who had inscribed the ink, calligraphy, and verses on the fan was no ordinary individual. It was the talented calligrapher Xu Chenchang, known for his remarkable skills.