I switched to the Qi-sensing vision but found that Yao Yao's complexion hadn't improved significantly. In fact, it seemed to have faded even more than before.
However, with an outsider present, I couldn't ask too many questions.
After touring the antiques, the waiting Sabian personnel loaded them onto vehicles, preparing to transport them to headquarters. Shen Xingyue understood the importance of this escort mission and had deployed almost half of Fucheng's forces. I, however, raised an objection, believing such a large display would attract unwanted attention.
Shen Xingyue agreed with my reasoning. After communicating with headquarters, they still decided a more cautious approach was better, proceeding with the original plan. However, headquarters would dispatch their own forces to meet the convoy at Shanhaiguan.
I bid farewell to Shen Xingyue and returned to Zhèjiang Building with Yao Yao.
Once back in the room, I finally asked Yao Yao why her complexion had worsened instead of improving.
"Absorbing the essence of these antiques consumed a lot of my energy. It was a net loss, and I ran out of power," Yao Yao said weakly.
"So, it wasn't worth it?" I frowned.
"Not entirely. When the battery is drained, it can be recharged. But absorbing the essence of these antiques increases my maximum battery capacity."
"...You know quite a few words, don't you? Well, shall I recharge you first?" I asked tentatively.
"Mm-hmm!" Yao Yao probably had been waiting for me to say that. She scurried over and pulled the curtains shut. The curtains were thick, and the room was instantly plunged into darkness...
After two charging sessions, her power was full. I looked at her complexion again; it had stabilized at the intermediate Purple Qi stage, much stronger than before.
"I can't absorb any more for a while, or my body won't be able to handle it," Yao Yao said, wiping sweat from her body. She was somewhat drained, but it didn't matter. It wouldn't damage her true qi, only enhance it.
"Then let's stabilize for a while," I said, flopping onto the bed. I was still a little unsettled. Today's mission was tough, and I still had to carry the whale god's demon core later!
"Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you," Yao Yao said lazily, resting her head on my arm. "When we encountered Sha Wuji at Shanhaiguan, he heard from the martial world that the Mohe and Chi You were fighting in Jinling."
"Isn't that a good thing?" I chuckled. My original plan to lure Long Yue and the others to Jiangnan was precisely to make these two factions clash.
"I'm just worried that as they fight, they might actually draw out the reincarnation of Shan Hai."
"What would be the characteristics of Shan Hai's reincarnation?" I asked.
Yao Yao shook her head. "I don't know either. You could ask Diana."
"She doesn't know either. She used to be close to Bai Ze and wasn't familiar with Shan Hai," I said. I had asked before. The whale god could only provide some information about the reincarnated Bai Ze. It was based on what she and the Little King of Hell told me that I had concluded that Yao Yao was the reincarnation of Bai Ze.
"Let's take it one step at a time..." Yao Yao curled up. Looking at her gentle, cat-like posture in my arms, I couldn't connect her to the "statue" I had seen in the underground forest. That thing was just too ugly.
Unknowingly, Yao Yao fell asleep. My phone vibrated on the bedside table. She and I were now in a chaotic position, heads at the foot of the bed and feet at the head. I gently pulled my arm out from under Yao Yao's neck, got off the bed, went to the bedside table, and picked up my phone. It was a message from Shen Xingyue: "Just as you predicted, the convoy transporting the antiques was ambushed on Lake Heron Island. Fortunately, 201 personally came out to meet them, repelled the enemy, and secured the antiques."
I replied: "Is it the Canghai Group?"
Shen Xingyue: "The enemy's identity is not yet confirmed. Also, 201 wants to add you on WeChat. I'll forward her contact to you later."
Me: "Understood."
A moment later, Shen Xingyue sent over a WeChat contact card. The name was Bai Qingcheng, and her profile picture also indicated her identity: a white sash, hanging in a U-shape on a coat rack, looking like the rope used by a hanged ghost.
I added her as a friend and stated my identity. About half a minute later, Bai Qingcheng accepted. Before I could greet her, she sent a message: "Bai Ze, how is your martial arts?"
This hit a nerve. I lit a cigarette and pondered for a long time before replying: "Mediocre."
It was better to be honest. What if she decided to test my skills one day, and if I bragged about being powerful, she might kill me with a single palm strike!