The Black Soul Envoy, Taiyinzi

Luo Qiu was looking at one of the books, The Origin of Blue and White Porcelain, when the bell suddenly rang.

After putting on the Clown Mask, Luo Qiu came down from the club's second floor.

The guest this time was unexpectedly Yang Taizi... Of course, he had come alone.

"Who are you?"

When Yang Taizi saw Luo Qiu wearing the Clown Mask, he was clearly quite surprised. At the same time, he also saw You Ye. Judging by the figure of the masked person, Yang Taizi easily guessed that this was the young man from that day.

Luo Qiu pointed at the round table beside him, indicating that Yang Taizi could sit down and have a proper conversation.

Was the mask meant to conceal his identity?

But he had already seen Luo Qiu's true face... Yang Taizi couldn't help pondering what this rather absurd act of pretending not to see the obvious meant.

Was it a warning not to reveal his identity? Yang Taizi had always been extremely cautious, especially when dealing with mysterious and strange powers. He ought to be even more careful in such situations.

Thus, Yang Taizi simply acted as though he knew nothing of Luo Qiu's true appearance and sat down quietly. The old Daoist Cultivator was quite skilled at meditation; when silence was called for, he was as immovable as a boulder.

Yet at this moment, Luo Qiu was thinking, If I'd known it was Yang Taizi, I wouldn't have bothered putting on the mask...

Still, Luo Qiu took the initiative to speak. "You want these two White Jade Tokens, right?"

In fact, judging by the time, if the White Jade Tokens were truly important to Yang Taizi, he should have arrived within the past day or two.

"That's right." Yang Taizi nodded cautiously.

"Do you know the rules here?" Luo Qiu suddenly asked.

Yang Taizi said, "This old Daoist has heard a little about them."

He was silent for a moment before saying resolutely, "The value of the White Jade Tokens is too great. If they were a complete pair, I'm afraid this old Daoist couldn't afford them. So I only intend to obtain the Supreme Jade Emperor's Heart Seal Subtle Scripture hidden within the White Jade Tokens."

Luo Qiu asked curiously, "The Three Souls and Seven Spirits of Taiyinzi are also inside. He was, at any rate, an ancestor of your sect. You intend to abandon him?"

"He was expelled from the sect." Yang Taizi said solemnly, "He is no longer a member of my sect and has nothing to do with me."

As he spoke, Yang Taizi reached into his robes and took out a brocade pouch. A trace of reluctance flashed through his eyes, but he still opened it resolutely and poured out a piece of azure jade. "This Azure Warm Jade can be used for Nourishing Qi. When worn by an ordinary person, it can not only prolong life, but also ward off evil and dispel demons, keeping the wearer free of illness and pain."

Daoist Cultivators really had it good. Rich or poor, they could always dig out one or two treasures. Unlike ordinary people in the mortal world, whose only possessions worth offering were their own lifespans, souls, and so on.

Using treasures as payment was basically the method commonly used by these nonhumans.

Luo Qiu brushed his hand over the jade and only spoke after a moment. "This jade can only exchange for the scripture on one of the White Jade Tokens."

Yang Taizi froze and hurriedly said, "Look carefully! This Azure Warm Jade has been nurtured for over a thousand years! Pollution is severe in modern society, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy has long since weakened to an extreme degree! As long as it is worn regularly, it can safely help one complete the Nourishing Qi stage!"

Luo Qiu shook his head. "The scripture is a relic of your sect, isn't it? That day, I heard you reciting it. It was disjointed and incomprehensible. I think the scripture must be incomplete within your sect. Besides, judging by the fact that you only want the scripture, I probably haven't guessed wrong, have I?"

Luo Qiu said calmly, "Since the scripture you know is incomplete, the complete version means even more to you. Your cultivation may have become stuck somewhere because the scripture is incomplete. It's easy to understand, then. Does it mean a great deal to you?"

Yang Taizi said helplessly, "This really is a place that eats people without spitting out the bones... Half a chapter, then! I'll buy back the remaining half as soon as possible."

Luo Qiu placed the two White Jade Tokens on the round table. "Choose one."

After a long silence, Yang Taizi chose the one on the left.

Although both White Jade Tokens were right before his eyes, and he could simply snatch them and leave... Yang Taizi didn't dare act so rashly.

Hadn't that terrifying and powerful woman from that day been standing right there? She was quiet, but Yang Taizi truly had no confidence that he could pull off the feat of stealing the treasure and leaving safely.

Yang Taizi took a deep breath, extended a finger, and touched the White Jade Token on the left. He began muttering something under his breath, though no one could tell what he was saying.

The White Jade Token began to emit a faint glow. One ancient golden character after another emerged from within the White Jade Token, then surged toward his eyes.

Before long, the White Jade Token stopped producing characters. Only then did Yang Taizi reluctantly withdraw his finger. With a smile that was not unpleasant to look at, he said, "Fortunately, I chose the half-section."

Since this was an on-the-spot transaction, there was no need to draw up another contract as Zhong Luochen had.

The transaction completed, Luo Qiu was in a somewhat better mood, so he created another Black Card and handed it to Yang Taizi. Of course, the Black Card given to Yang Taizi bore no imprint.

Having obtained the first half of the scripture, Yang Taizi was also in a better mood. He asked, "May I ask what you intend to do with Taiyinzi's Three Souls and Seven Spirits inside the White Jade Tokens?"

Luo Qiu said calmly, "Are you interested in buying them?"

"No..." Yang Taizi hurriedly said, "I still have matters to attend to... Once I find another treasure, I'll come back!"

He had been restless and extremely uncomfortable the entire time he sat there. His steady Dao heart had been wavering nonstop, and he didn't want to stay another moment.

Watching Yang Taizi hurry away, Luo Qiu removed his mask and asked You Ye, "Did all the Daoist Cultivators who came to the club before look like that?"

You Ye said, "After all, the legends circulating in their circle have been heavily demonized."

"Is that so..." Luo Qiu nodded, then suddenly joined the two White Jade Tokens together.

A plume of green smoke emerged and took shape. It was none other than Taiyinzi, who had been trapped inside the White Jade Tokens.

When Taiyinzi emerged this time, he was no longer reckless as he had been before. Instead, an expression of fear hung on his face. Luo Qiu slowly said, "From the moment the transaction began, I let you 'see' the entire process... Now, do you know what I do?"

"I know..." Taiyinzi nodded.

This man was from five hundred years ago, yet he also knew about the club... It seems the club's history can be extended by another five hundred years. As Luo Qiu pondered this, he asked aloud, "Do you want to come out of your imprisonment in the White Jade Tokens?"

Taiyinzi had been trapped for five hundred years, and this was his only wish.

"I... What else can I offer in exchange?" Taiyinzi gave a bitter laugh. "This place doesn't accept money! Even if it did, I don't have a single coin on me now... I only have these Three Souls and Seven Spirits. You want my Three Souls and Seven Spirits?"

"I need some servants lately." Luo Qiu considered his words before saying, "How about a term of five hundred years? You were imprisoned for five hundred years, so serve me for five hundred years. After that, I'll return your freedom. Five hundred years for five hundred years. In fact, you'll be able to leave the White Jade Tokens, so you'll even come out ahead."

Taiyinzi almost answered without thinking. "Good! I'll take this deal!"

Luo Qiu was also fairly satisfied with the outcome.

Next, using the ability granted to him by the club, he freed Taiyinzi from the White Jade Tokens, reunited his Three Souls and Seven Spirits, and finally branded him with the club's mark.

"The Black Soul Envoy?" Taiyinzi regained his freedom and also learned his current identity. He shook his head and sighed, then finally gave a bitter laugh. "Black Soul Taiyinzi pays his respects to his master."

Luo Qiu smiled. "Stay here for a few days first. I'll call a Black Soul Envoy back. Hmm... You Ye, call back one of the big shots with good performance and have him teach this newbie."

"Yes, Master."