Free Web NovelChapter 324: Chapter 53: New Magical Artifact and a Free Taiyin Formation
Yue Ziyu was not surprised by Wang Ping’s refusal. In the Cultivation Realm, there was no such thing as a truly free gift.
He placed the red crystal he was holding onto the tea table between them. Pointing at it, he said, "I haven’t been idle these past few years. In my spare time, I’ve been modifying this True Spirit’s mind. Now, if you release it, it will pounce on the Primordial Spirits of those Fire Cultivators like a vicious dog."
"This crystal is also one I specially crafted. A long time ago, I had the good fortune to meet a Lord from the Taiyin Sect and consult him about an Array for controlling a True Spirit. If you’re nearby to assist during a battle, you can even use the Array within the crystal to recall it."
Wang Ping remained silent, sensing that Yue Ziyu had more to say.
"Furthermore," Yue Ziyu continued, "I heard from your master that you possess the ’Taiyin Demon Suppression Seal.’ I have a friend in the Taiyin Sect who will soon enter a state of slumber. Before he does, he wants to use the ’Taiyin Demon Suppression Seal’ to collect a sufficient number of Demon Race Bloodline Abilities to furnish his tomb."
At this, Yue Ziyu let out a soft chuckle. "A person like him has many things to offer, including one item I’ve always wanted."
Wang Ping quickly weighed the pros and cons. ’To a Taiyin Sect Cultivator, the ’Taiyin Demon Suppression Seal’ might be worth more than a Third Realm True Spirit. But to other Cultivators, it’s of little practical use. If Yue Ziyu can really pull off this three-way trade, then none of the three parties will come out at a loss.’
"In that case, my thanks, Fellow Daoist."
Wang Ping raised his cup in thanks, drained it in one gulp, and then took a bamboo slip from his storage bag. He carefully inscribed the usage Array for the ’Taiyin Demon Seal’ onto it.
After taking the bamboo slip, Yue Ziyu didn’t bother to check its authenticity. He put it away and immediately picked up the crystal from the table, handing it to Wang Ping.
This time, Wang Ping did not refuse. The crystal felt warm in his hand, a warmth that spread through his entire body along his meridians. In the next moment, he sensed the True Spirit Consciousness inside the crystal. It was highly aggressive, its emotions locked in a perpetual state of hunger.
Then, Wang Ping detected a Taiyin Array for controlling the True Spirit inside the crystal. As expected, a light screen panel promptly appeared:
[Taiyin Spirit Control Array: An Array developed by Taiyin Sect Cultivators while studying the >, used to control True Spirit Consciousness. This Array is a fixed formula; each use requires a sufficient amount of Taiyin Qi.]
[Note 1: The amount of Taiyin Qi required per use varies according to the level of spirit control. A Third Realm True Spirit requires one Celestial and Earthly Treasure, while a Second Realm True Spirit requires one Spiritual Object.]
[Note 2: The Array lures the True Spirit’s thoughts with a sufficient amount of Taiyin Qi. Therefore, the Array must be drawn in a single, uninterrupted effort. Any breaks will create an obstruction upon activation, and the slightest obstruction will allow the True Spirit to break free from its guidance.]
[Note 3: Drawing the Array requires an extremely cold ice crystal as a catalyst. Do not attempt this before you have cultivated a True Spirit Body, or your thoughts will be frozen.]
[Note 4: The fixed formula diagram is as follows...]
’This is good stuff!’
Wang Ping quickly suppressed his joy and put the crystal away, his expression unchanging.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist!" he said again. "I contacted you primarily because there is something I need your help with."
Unsurprisingly, Yue Ziyu asked, "Finding you a safe place? You want to complete your registration at the Daoist Scripture Hall?"
"Correct."
Wang Ping nodded. Watching Yue Ziyu pick up the wine jug to pour another round, he said, "I know I have quite a few supporters. Even if I were to walk out openly, I most likely wouldn’t be killed. But I don’t like being watched like some performer on a stage."
Yue Ziyu gestured to the refilled cup, inviting Wang Ping to raise it as he spoke. "It seems you’re destined to play the performer this time. But while it’s wise to protect yourself, are there perhaps... other possibilities?"
Wang Ping knew what Yue Ziyu meant by ’other possibilities.’ ’It means luring those who are lurking in the shadows into the open, then having a little ’pre-game warmup’ and catching them all in one fell swoop!’
But all of that required Wang Ping to act as the bait.
’Perhaps that’s what most people are thinking, too!’
"That is something I’ll have to think about," Wang Ping said, leaving his options open. If the price and his safety were both guaranteed, it wasn’t out of the question.
"Mm, alright."
The two of them once again drained their cups.
Setting down his cup, Yue Ziyu didn’t refill it. Their official business was more or less concluded.
Wang Ping glanced at his empty cup, then stood and gave a cupped-fist salute. "I’ve troubled you, Fellow Daoist. Once you’ve prepared the location, you can inform me through our group’s secret channel. I won’t disturb you any longer."
"Alright."
After agreeing, Yue Ziyu’s brow suddenly twitched. He dispelled the barrier around the private room, and a clamor of voices immediately drifted in from outside.
"Don’t go out just yet."
Yue Ziyu stepped forward and opened the room’s window. He saw a squad of soldiers wielding long sabers and wearing bright yellow armor enter the rear courtyard. These soldiers were all at least at the Qi Cultivation level, and their bodies radiated a powerful blood qi. It was clear at a glance that they had cultivated using Demon Race bloodlines.
"It’s the Imperial Guard. A while ago, Yang Kui, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, had his eldest son die on the road back to the Capital City. His Majesty the Emperor specially assigned two squads of the Imperial Guard to the Ministry of Justice to help them investigate the case."
After sending the voice transmission to Wang Ping, Yue Ziyu walked out into the courtyard.
Wang Ping’s expression didn’t change upon hearing this, but Yu Lian, who was hiding in his sleeve, stirred slightly.
"It’s fine, don’t worry," Wang Ping communicated to Yu Lian in his Spirit Sea. Just then, a sharp-looking, middle-aged man wearing a Fifth-Grade Official’s Robe also entered the courtyard.
"Lord Liu!" Yue Ziyu greeted him with a cupped-fist salute.
"Ah, Mr. Yue, you’re here as well. My sincerest apologies for the disturbance. This wasn’t my wish either, but the Ministry issued a strict order to search the entire city once every other day. You see, the Vice Minister himself intended to come, but he was suddenly summoned to the palace. My apologies, my apologies."
This Lord Liu repeatedly cupped his fists, his tone exceedingly polite. It was clear that Yue Ziyu held a high status within Shangjing City.
"It’s no trouble at all. It is this humble one’s honor to be of service to you, My Lord."
Yue Ziyu was even more courteous.
After the two exchanged pleasantries, the Imperial Guard began to inspect the private rooms one by one.
Although all the guests present were displeased by the personal inspection from the Imperial Guard, none of them dared to say a word.
They used a Magical Artifact imbued with Human Dao Fortune to screen everyone, including Wang Ping, but ultimately found nothing. This was because any Entering Cultivator could easily shield themselves from the artifact, which made the whole search feel like much ado about nothing.
After the Imperial Guard left, Yue Ziyu personally escorted Lord Liu to the front hall.
Wang Ping left the private room on his own. By the time he walked out the main entrance of Hundred Flavors Hall, the Imperial Guard, led by that same Lord Liu, was already heading down another street.
"Are they planning to keep searching indefinitely?" Yu Lian asked from within his Spirit Sea.
"It wouldn’t matter if they searched for ten years. As long as you don’t reveal yourself, they’ll never be able to detect your aura."
