The Deal

"Senior, please tell me your instructions first, and I'll see if I have the ability to do them." Shen Ge took a few steps forward and sat down opposite the person, waving his hand to pick up the tea that had been pushed in front of him on the table and taking a small sip.

Judging from that guy's tone, he knew he was safe for the time being, so he became bolder.

The man looked at Shen Ge with a faint smile, and only spoke after Shen Ge finished his tea, "Don't call me 'senior' anymore. My surname is Bai, and my given name is Wushuang. Of course, you can also call me Mr. Bai."

Sir, is mostly used to address people who are knowledgeable and prestigious, and is often used to address people who impart knowledge to the world.

Suppressing a slight doubt in his heart, Shen Ge and bowed somewhat humbly, saying, "Greetings, Mr. Bai."

Shen Ge used Confucian etiquette, which he had seen before in Han Yu's palace; those scholars were indeed very particular about it.

Bai Wushuang smiled gently and stood up to return the greeting.

"It seems this guy really is from a Confucian background; he follows the rules in every move he makes, "Shen Ge thought to himself.

"Fellow Daoist, now that we've had our tea, shouldn't I introduce you?" Bai Wushuang said as he slowly sat down.

"Shen Linfeng is merely a Rogue Cultivator; he cannot compare to Mr. Bai."

Bai Wushuang gave Shen Ge a meaningful look, but didn't expose his lie. It was just a name, a code name; whether it was real or fake didn't matter.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you came to this Luan Bird Forest for the Luan Bird, didn't you?"

"To be honest, Mr. Bai. Bai, I've taken on a very lucrative job. The eldest daughter of the Kong Household in Lifeng City is looking to buy a Luan Bird." Shen Ge betrayed his employer without hesitation, truly showing no professional ethics whatsoever.

"I know the Kong Household of Lifeng City. They have a trace of peacock blood in them, making them half-human and half-demon. They used to be quite powerful, but they've declined since Kong Qing died. The strongest Kong Household now is only at the Nascent Body Integration Realm, barely maintaining their reputation as a great Aristocratic Clan."

Bai Wushuang chuckled softly, poured Shen Ge another cup of tea, and continued, "This time, they're probably looking for the Luan Bird to open their Peacock Nest and send a group of their people inside to strengthen their bloodline."

"I heard that the Five Colors Wheel of their ancestor is in that Peacock Nest, but I don't know if it's true."

Speaking of peacocks, this reminded Shen Ge of the Luo Heaven Sea's ferocious bird. Back then, the Five Colors Divine Light of that white peacock was almost too much for him to handle. You have to know that when he had his sword formation in hand, he was practically invincible in the Golden Core Realm.

"But that's not important. Since it's a mission issued by the Kong Household, you can't take this Luan Bird with you. Even if I let you take it, that woman will come looking for the Kong Household. At most, I can only give you some Luan Bird blood."

"Mr. Bai, why don't you tell me your terms first?" Shen Ge said somewhat awkwardly.

"The conditions," Bai Wushuang chuckled softly before slowly explaining, "I recently heard some news that a trial for the younger generation will be held in Azure Vastness Province, at the Thunderfire Secret Realm."

"Mr. Bai, you don't mean for me to participate, do you?" Shen Ge was somewhat reluctant to go, so she politely declined, "This younger generation should include those in the Spirit Severing Realm, right? I'm only in the Nascent Soul Late Stage stage; even if I went, it would just be a formality."

"The Nascent Soul Realm and the Spirit Severing Realm are not in the same place, so don't worry about that," Bai Wushuang smiled gently and continued, "Moreover, the rewards this time are very generous, which might help you break through quickly."

"With the younger generation of all these powerful Lineage gathered here, it's no wonder they're teeming with geniuses." Shen Ge chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Would Mr. Bai. Bai really think highly of someone like me, a rootless Rogue Cultivator from the mountains? I'm afraid I'll disappoint Mr. Bai."

Bai Wushuang wasn't annoyed by Shen Ge's refusal, and simply said to herself, "I heard that the reward this time includes a Phoenix tail feather and a jar of True Dragon blood."

"Mr. Bai, you should tell me your purpose first, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

Shen Ge was somewhat tempted. He wanted both of the things this guy mentioned: the Phoenix's tail feathers could enhance his Samsara power, and the True Dragon's blood could strengthen his physical body.

"I just need your help to retrieve something. One of the trial rewards is a book called ' The Record of Exotic Beasts,' written by an ancestor of my clan."

After pondering for a while, Shen Ge finally decided to take on the task.

"Alright, since it's Mr. Bai's request, I will certainly do my best to fulfill it."

"It would be best if you could agree, fellow Daoist. Come, fellow Daoist, have some tea."

Shen Ge looked at the person opposite him. Logically speaking, this guy was highly skilled, likely at the Spirit Severing Realm or even stronger. Getting a book shouldn't be difficult for him, right? Why did he need to go through me?

Keeping this in mind for now, Shen Ge decided to find out more about this guy's background and reputation after they got out, lest he end up being scammed and still end up paying for it.

After chatting for a while, Bai Wushuang noticed that Shen Ge was getting restless, so she smiled and summoned a few Luan Bird.

Four Luan Bird arrived, all of them entirely blue, with Qingguang flowing between their feathers, making them look extraordinary and worthy of being called celestial birds.

With Qingguang, the four Luan Bird transformed into human form and respectfully bowed to Bai Wushuang, saying, "Mr. Bai."

These Luan Bird, after transforming into human form, were about the same age as eleven or twelve-year-old human boys, and looked somewhat like students.

"Qingyi, give this fellow Daoist some blood."

"Yes, Mr. Bai."

Without asking why, the four of them put their fingers together and made a small cut on their wrists. Soon, four clumps of blue blood, each the size of a head, floated in front of Shen Ge, emitting a blue glow and a fragrance, showing that the blood of the Luan Bird was indeed a good thing.

"Is that enough?" the girl named Qingyi asked, her brows slightly furrowed.

"That's enough, that's enough." He said with a forced smile, while putting away the four clumps of blood.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Shen, since you've accepted this blood, I'll have to entrust Qingyi with your care during the Azure Vastness Province trial."

"She's going too?" Shen Ge was slightly surprised, but he quickly came to his senses. Although they were Luan Bird, which belonged to the category of Demon Beast, because of Fairy Qingyu, their clan was not really associated with Demon Beast, so it was acceptable for them to participate in this kind of trial.

However, regardless of anything else, she is still Luan Bird. Although she has the strength of Peak Nascent Soul, it is inevitable that she will be targeted in the trial, without a doubt.

So Shen Ge was still a little confused. Logically speaking, Mr. Bai couldn't possibly be so blind as to not see this, so why was he sending her? Wasn't he afraid she wouldn't come back alive?

Seeing the strange expression on Shen Ge's face, Qingyi said with some displeasure, "What, does this fellow Daoist look down on me, or do you think I'm weak?"

"No." Shen Ge hurriedly waved his hand and said, "You are very strong, but the vast majority of participants in this trial are humans, and you are Luan Bird. You would easily be targeted if you went there."

"I doubt you're strong enough to take on ten people at once, right? Besides, the people you can go to aren't weak, so it's even less likely."

Although Shen Ge offered an explanation, Qingyi's expression remained somewhat displeased. She said softly with a hint of anger, "Since Mr. Bai asked you to look after me, then I'd like to see what your strength is like."