Trust Between People is Necessary, But It's Useless

Following the yokai, Luo Qiu encountered the mysterious powers of the ancient East again in a short period of time.

A Daoist cultivator.

The old man initially gave him a sense of strange pressure. But this pressure quickly vanished. It wasn't because of You Ye, but because his own soul and the altar hidden within the Club resonated in the unseen.

It was as if he had experienced something similar to the descriptions of liches in Western fantasy works. Liches were immortal because they hid their hearts in phylacteries; as long as the heart was safe, the lich possessed immortality.

This seemed to apply to Luo Qiu as well. However, it wasn't a heart, but something far more ethereal – his soul.

Luo Qiu's soul... was within the Club's altar. One could say it was imprisoned, or protected. So, as long as the altar existed and Luo Qiu's existence continued, he was theoretically immortal.

"You Ye, can you handle this old man?" Luo Qiu suddenly asked.

You Ye proudly replied, "Just an insignificant old fellow. How dare he threaten Master with his spirit? Watch me deal with him."

It was unclear what kind of doll the alchemist who created You Ye had intended her to be, but the fact that she could deal with an Eastern Daoist cultivator clearly meant she was more than just for housework or greeting guests.

"This old man said the white jade tokens belong to his sect, and I want to clarify that too," Luo Qiu mused. "Don't be too rough."

You Ye nodded, her chillingly sharp gaze reappearing. A vast, invisible, and unfathomable spiritual power erupted.

Luo Qiu's own senses weren't significantly affected, likely because his abilities hadn't reached their full potential yet. But Yang Taizi personally experienced the true meaning of "courting death."

Under You Ye's overwhelming spiritual pressure, Yang Taizi saw visions of mountains of knives and seas of fire, as if he were immersed in the wails of countless vengeful spirits. He clung to a sliver of his pure, tranquil life-platform. The most crucial aspect of Eastern cultivation was the life-soul. If the life-soul was harmed, it could lead to qi deviation at best, or eternal damnation at worst.

In just an instant, the old man once again realized the vast difference between them and regretted ever going to the mountain to cultivate.

But there was no other way! These white jade tokens were important items passed down in his sect. As a descendant of the sect, he had an obligation to retrieve them. If it were just ordinary treasures unrelated to his sect, having witnessed the terrifying nature of this strange woman at the auction, the old man would never have dared to court death.

"Wait! Please wait! Esteemed Daoist friend! These two white jade tokens indeed belong to my sect! This old Daoist has no ill intentions; I merely intended to scare you initially," Yang Taizi hastily called out.

He could no longer afford to care about saving face. Cultivation was about pursuing longevity; if he perished here, how could he face his ancestors?

Can't a Daoist cultivator assess the situation and adapt? Must they be a stubborn, unyielding bone? This is called following one's destiny. If you know you cannot succeed, you don't attempt it. To truly believe everyone is the protagonist with innate luck and foolishly adhere to the "don't back down, just charge" mentality would only lead to a tragic death unknown to anyone.

During a past period of war, he and a group of people fled to the mountains, disturbing the Daoists who lived in seclusion there. By chance, they were taken in by the old man's disciples. After some time, a group of fellow disciples achieved minor success in their cultivation, gaining abilities beyond ordinary people. They descended the mountain, intending to forge a career amidst the chaos. They didn't seek immortality and couldn't endure the asceticism of cultivation for longevity; they were content with enjoying a lifetime of wealth and status. But Yang Taizi was different. He understood the importance of assessing the situation. He knew that although their skills far surpassed those of ordinary people, the world was filled with cannons and grenades during wartime, and flesh and blood could not easily withstand them. Furthermore, to think one could dominate the world after learning only a superficial grasp of the arts was inherently idiotic. Yang Taizi did not descend the mountain; he chose to remain with his master. Many years later, he had received his master's true teachings, while his fellow disciples from that time had long since perished in the war, their remains scattered. Only memorial tombs were erected. As the saying goes, everything can be discussed. Don't be arrogant and complacent over trivial gains. When you need to back down, do so obediently. As the saying goes, there's always tomorrow; who knows what the future holds? It's better to proceed cautiously, for that is the way of life.

Therefore, Yang Taizi completely lowered his stance. In the eyes of ordinary people, cultivators like them were mysterious and deserved reverence. However, in the world of cultivation, strength was strength. A difference of one point was like the difference between heaven and earth. Bowing to a stronger opponent was not a shameful act.

Luo Qiu waved, signaling You Ye to stop. He didn't feel much guilt seeing the old man bullied like this. He particularly disliked those who acted superior just because they were older. Each generation is different; this is probably the mindset of most young people. But it doesn't mean one can't respect elders; elders must also be worthy of respect. First impressions matter; if the initial impression is bad, an invisible and intangible barrier forms between people.

"Su Houde told a story that I could believe," Luo Qiu mused. "But what reason do you have for me to believe these white jade tokens belong to your sect?"

Seeing an opening for negotiation, Yang Taizi quickly said, "These two jade tokens are inscribed with the 'Supreme Jade Emperor's Heart Seal Subtle Scripture,' but not the common version that circulates today, but the internal compilation! I can recite some of it. If this fellow is truly the jade craftsman from back then, he will naturally recognize it and be able to discern the authenticity."

Luo Qiu said calmly, "Then let's try."

Yang Taizi then quickly recited a few lines... likely random passages, incoherent and nonsensical. But Luo Qiu carefully observed a subtle change in Su Houde after listening.

Unexpectedly, after Yang Taizi finished reciting, Su Houde adamantly declared that the old man was a fraud trying to claim the jade tokens for himself.

"Benefactor! This old Daoist saved you once before; you cannot be so ungrateful!" Upon hearing Su Houde's words, Yang Taizi was furious. "There are gods three feet above your head!"

"Gods?" Su Houde sneered. "If such things truly existed, why didn't they pity me wandering the mortal world like a lonely ghost all these years? Why didn't they pity San Niang when a demonic Daoist split her three souls and seven spirits? You talk about gods three feet above my head? Bah!"

Yang Taizi retorted, "That year, our Patriarch sent San Niang to assist Emperor Xianzong in his cultivation in the palace, intending for her to temper herself and refine her Dao heart through worldly experiences! Who knew she would develop mortal affections, secretly consorting with you, and angering the Son of Heaven! You, with your arrogance, inscribed evidence of your crimes on the jade tokens, and your eventual beheading was your own doing!"

"San Niang and I were truly in love; why should we care about the illusory path of eternal life? You cultivators, with your pure hearts and few desires, are simply devoid of humanity! Just a bunch of cold-blooded animals who don't understand true love! Give me back the jade tokens!"

Su Houde suddenly became frenzied and lunged at the old man.

Luo Qiu, seeing this, felt annoyed. He had expected to understand the mysteries of Eastern cultivation, but it had turned into a melodramatic "Xianxia romance" soap opera. He shook his head and turned to You Ye, saying, "These people are very noisy. Make them shut up and get the jade tokens for me."

With the master's command, You Ye no longer held back. The ancient alchemical creation, the mysterious doll, unleashed her powerful might.

With just a cold hum, Yang Taizi, Su Houde, and the young man beside Yang Taizi all cried out and fell to the ground, clutching their heads in agony. You Ye beckoned towards Yang Taizi, and the jade tokens in his hand flew out.

You Ye caught the jade tokens and presented them to Luo Qiu.

Luo Qiu held the two white jade tokens and looked at the three people on the ground with their differing expressions, saying calmly, "I'll listen to what San Niang has to say one last time."

He gently placed the two jade tokens together. "If you are still here, if you know that a devoted lover has been searching for you for hundreds of years, and if you know your sect's descendant is also here, then reveal yourself."

The two white jade tokens, now joined, began to glow. Two wisps of green smoke rose from each token, swirling in the air before merging together.

Gradually, a form took shape.

"Hahahaha!! Five hundred years!! This old Daoist finally sees the light of day!"

What appeared was not the expected San Niang, but a disheveled, lunatic-like... Damn it, it was another old man!

Luo Qiu was stunned and cursed, "Holy shit!"