Samuel Shang was still deep in thought about how, once he left the Lost Dao Domain, he might seize the Cycle Bridge and the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram from Joe Di. Suddenly, Aron Peng urgently triggered the protective array's restriction.
Without a second thought, Samuel Shang opened the restriction. As soon as Aron Peng entered, he exclaimed excitedly, "City Lord, Joe Di is here! He has already entered the city."
Just as Aron Peng finished speaking, Joe Di's voice rang out from beyond the restriction, "City Lord Shang, Joe Di has come to pay a visit. There are some matters I'd like to consult the City Lord about."
Samuel Shang nodded to Aron Peng, then personally went out to open the sanctuary's restriction, warmly saying, "Fellow Daoist Di, please come in. In fact, I also have some matters I'd like to discuss with you."
"That's perfect," Joe Di replied, stepping into Samuel Shang's sanctuary without the slightest hesitation.
If Samuel Shang didn't know that his sanctuary could never trap Joe Di, he might have considered activating the trapping array.
Seeing this, Aron Peng quickly said, "Since that's the case, I'll come visit the City Lord another day. Brother Di, I'll take my leave."
With that, Aron Peng hurried out of Samuel Shang's sanctuary. Between Joe Di and Samuel Shang, he couldn't afford to offend either. If the two of them were to fight, he wouldn't be able to help at all.
After Aron Peng left, Samuel Shang set up the restriction again and invited Joe Di to the guest hall. Pouring a cup of divine spirit tea for Joe Di, he said, "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Di has come to discuss how to leave the Lost Dao Domain together?"
Joe Di smiled and replied, "My friend is still in seclusion, preparing to break through to the late-stage Dao Integration. I estimate she'll be out in about a year. So leaving the Lost Dao Domain will have to wait. Today, I've come to consult the City Lord about something else."
Samuel Shang laughed heartily, speaking with great boldness, "Fellow Daoist Di, feel free to say whatever's on your mind. We may have met through conflict, but that only deepens our acquaintance. As long as it's within my power, I won't refuse you."
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony," Joe Di said, taking out several materials he'd found in the Lost Dao Domain. "The Lost Dao Domain was once a chaotic world, so there must be many forging materials here. Unfortunately, I've searched several places, but none were satisfactory. City Lord Shang, you've been entrenched here for years and must know it far better than I do. I'm here to ask your advice on where to search for materials."
Joe Di had originally wanted to directly propose buying Samuel Shang's Creation Brush, offering the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram plus a drop of Cosmic Essence in exchange. If Samuel Shang was truly willing to trade, Joe Di's bottom line was even to offer both the Voidmount and the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram for just one item.
Both the Voidmount and the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram were treasures no less valuable than the Creation Brush, but the Creation Brush was the one he truly needed.
What you can use is what's truly valuable. If you can't use it, no matter how good it is, it just sits there without much worth. It's like money—only when you spend it does it count as money; if it's sitting in the bank, that's not money, that's just savings. It might sound trivial, but for those who deal in trade, they have their own self-justifying logic. You can't really say they're wrong.
Yet as the words reached his lips, Joe Di sensed he shouldn't bring it up first. If he did, he might very well fail.
Samuel Shang looked at Joe Di in confusion. He was sure Joe Di hadn't come here just for forging materials. But since Joe Di said so, he could only ask, "Fellow Daoist Di, are you also a master of forging?"
Joe Di chuckled, "That's right. I have a blade array, and most of the blades in it were forged by others for me. But the cost is too high. When I upgrade the array in the future, I'd like to forge the blades myself. If we ever join forces and really leave the Lost Dao Domain, I won't have another chance to come back."
Samuel Shang knew about Joe Di's blade array, but he'd never seen it in action. If he had, he'd know Joe Di was lying. The blades in Joe Di's array resonated so perfectly with his Dao that it was clear they couldn't have been forged by someone else.
Regardless of whether Joe Di was telling the truth, Samuel Shang took out a jade talisman, inscribed something on it, and handed it to Joe Di. "Fellow Daoist Di, here are a few places. Although they're a bit dangerous, I believe your physical body should have no trouble."
Joe Di quickly accepted it, laughing heartily and expressing his thanks, "Many thanks, City Lord. I'll go try my luck right away."
With that, Joe Di stood up to take his leave. He had a feeling Samuel Shang would call him back for something. If not, he'd wait until he reached the door, then suddenly remember the Creation Brush and bring it up for discussion.
When Joe Di reached the door, Samuel Shang still hadn't asked for anything, and Joe Di was starting to lose patience. Just as he was about to stop and mention the Creation Brush and Genesis Opening Incantation, Samuel Shang suddenly said offhandedly, "Fellow Daoist Di, my cultivation method is the Path of Duality..."
Naturally, Joe Di stopped. Hearing Samuel Shang's words, he sneered inwardly. Wasn't this obvious? You're always dressed in black and white, your sanctuary is split into black and white, and your Dao resonance is pure Yin and Yang. Even your Genesis Opening Incantation is rooted in duality. It would be strange if you didn't cultivate the Path of Duality.
Seeing Joe Di stop instinctively, Samuel Shang clasped his fists and said, "I know my request is a bit much, but I hope to borrow your Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram for study. Rest assured, when you return, I will personally hand it back to you."
The Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram was simply too important to Samuel Shang—more important even than the Cycle Bridge. It was just as Joe Di had thought: it's all about need. Samuel Shang happened to need the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram.
Samuel Shang had wanted to ask Joe Di for the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram before, but there were too many people around and he never got the chance. He'd planned that when Joe Di came to him again, he would make this request.
To ask Joe Di to simply hand over the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram was wishful thinking. He planned to offer the Book of Life and Death in exchange. As long as he could study the diagram for a while, his understanding of the Genesis Opening Incantation would reach a new level.
As for giving Joe Di the Book of Life and Death—well, it was just an innate treasure. Besides, he was confident that the book would eventually end up back in his hands.
Joe Di looked at Samuel Shang with a smile, "City Lord Shang, I'm afraid that's not very appropriate."
Samuel Shang immediately replied, "Fellow Daoist Di, I wouldn't just take your Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram for nothing. I intend to exchange it for the Book of Life and Death. You know I'm not asking for the diagram itself—just to study it for a while before returning it to you."
Samuel Shang knew full well that his reason for wanting the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram for cultivation couldn't fool Joe Di. Since deception was pointless, he might as well be honest.
If Joe Di still refused, Samuel Shang was prepared to offer a piece of Genesis Ironmother. He was certain that someone like Joe Di couldn't turn down Genesis Ironmother.
If Joe Di knew Samuel Shang had prepared Genesis Ironmother, he'd definitely play hard to get. Unfortunately, he didn't know. Just as Samuel Shang didn't know Joe Di was willing to trade both the Voidmount and the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram for the Creation Brush.
After hesitating for a long time, Joe Di said, "City Lord Shang, you can use my Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram to gain insight in your cultivation, but what use do I have for your Book of Life and Death? Am I supposed to just put it on display?"
Samuel Shang was immediately troubled. If Joe Di refused to trade, he had no way to force the issue. Only if Joe Di agreed could he be sure to keep the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram, and eventually reclaim his Book of Life and Death.
Just as Samuel Shang was struggling, Joe Di suddenly said, "City Lord Shang, I'm actually quite interested in your Genesis Opening Incantation. Why don't we exchange incantations? Of course, I'll need to borrow your Creation Brush for a few days as well. Otherwise, if I only get your incantation, it won't be of much use to me."
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)