Chapter 530: Buying on Credit

As always, Justice Odile was the first to stand, lifting the hem of her dress with both hands, her posture graceful, and she greeted with a light tone:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

Her mood was contagious, and everyone at the Tarot Society felt their own spirits lift considerably.

Following the procedure, after the group paid their respects and greetings to the highest‑ranking Fool, they nodded to each other.

After taking their seats, Hermit Jia De Li Ya and Magician Foersi each submitted the Rousseau diary they had collected.

Ke Lai En lounged back in the high‑backed chair, finished reading today's diary, casually made the materialized diary vanish, looked around, and then said calmly:

"You may begin."

Sun Dai Lik, imitating Justice Odile's usual manner of speaking, first glanced left and right, then raised his right hand and said:

"Everyone, does anyone have, or know, the Sun's Path Sequence Five magic potion formula?"

After a moment, he added: "Um, I'm not in a hurry."

Finishing, he looked at the members of the Tarot Society with hopeful eyes.

"I have," Ke Lai En immediately manipulated his minor account World to speak.

While subtly watching Lei Ke Dun's reaction, he used World to say: "Sequence Five 'Priest of Light,' its price is between 4,500 and 7,000 pounds."

"I need some materials; I need to know whether near Silver City there are Trickster Evil Monsters and Spirit Realm Raiders, whose value exceeds the Sequence Five magic potion formula. If you can find them, I'll make up the price difference for you."

"Trickster Evil Monsters and Spirit Realm Raiders," Dai Lik repeated the two monster names softly, then nodded firmly and said, "Understood, I'll check the library for information on those monsters."

The value exceeds the Sequence Five magic potion formula; is this the Sequence Four magic potion material? He obtained the Sequence Four magic potion formula so quickly—does this reflect a special privilege? Does it also mean that the path of 'World' is under Mr. Fool's control, or perhaps that this is the path Mr. Fool occupies?

Thought after thought flashed through Hanged Man A'erjie's mind; when he inferred a connection to Mr. Fool, he subconsciously lowered his head, and his desire to obtain the Ocean Singer's magic potion formula grew stronger, erasing any lingering sense of superiority in his own strength.

Even Sun is already at Sequence Six, and the Sequence Five magic potion formula is practically obtainable, yet I'm lagging behind. I must strike a deal with the White Tower; I'm not interested in that primordial island—what should I use to trade with him?

Justice Odile, who had been attentively watching everyone, saw her eyes brighten slightly as she noticed some unusual body language from Hanged Man A'erjie.

The Hanged Man seems quite concerned about Sun's rapid ascent to Sequence Six; he feels urgency, his earlier micro‑expression showed envy and anxiety—what did he associate? Fortunately, my 'Hypnotist' magic potion is nearly complete, and the 'Psychiatrist' potion should be digested within the week, so I too can advance to a Sequence Six extraordinary being.

Odile, you're amazing; you'll soon catch up with A'er Fei. Once I gather the second material, I can tell him, "Look, A'er Fei, you're already as formidable as my Su Xi!"

Hermit Jia De Li Ya, who also felt urgency to raise her own sequence, slightly turned her head toward the lowest seat where the now‑silent 'World' had just spoken, and asked:

"When roughly can you obtain the mythic creature blood of the 'Mercury Snake'?"

Ke Lai En mentally estimated the birth year of Wei Er Ang Sai Ting, then used World to say:

"Around July of this year."

Lei Ke Dun, who had been lazily lounging in the high‑backed chair listening quietly, suddenly spoke:

"I'm currently in the Divine Abandoned Land; the Fate Angel Urolius is also here, constantly following the True Creator. If you can present conditions that move him, I can try to make contact."

Jia De Li Ya paused, then nodded slightly and said, "I'll consider it and get back to you."

At the head of the mottled long table, Ke Lai En, lounging, surveyed the group and couldn't help thinking to himself:

The Hermit lady certainly can't produce something to move a King of Angels, but the Mysterious Queen might; after all, she's met the True Creator before. During the Beikelande Great Smog Incident, the other side likely still owes her a favor—though it's unclear if that favor's already been spent. If so, my deal could be hijacked. There's nothing I can do unless Wei Er Ang Sai Ting opts for an early birth.

Hanged Man A'erjie's expression froze briefly; he stiffly turned his head toward Lei Ke Dun. "White Tower" daring to contact a King of Angels? He should still be just a saint. Ha, when did I start calling a saint merely a 'just' saint? He dares to engage the Fate Angel because he represents Mr. Fool, perhaps?

Some people can already contact a King of Angels who survived from the Third Era, while others still fret over the next magic potion's gold pounds. Magician Foersi rested her hands on the table edge, momentarily dazed and contemplative, realizing she seemed the laggard of the Tarot Society.

As she pondered whether to inquire again about clues to the ancient vengeful spirit's cursed item, Hanged Man A'erjie spoke first:

"Everyone, I need the Ocean Singer's magic potion formula; does anyone have it, or know any clues?"

Although he addressed everyone, his gaze remained fixed on Lei Ke Dun, hoping the other would reconsider his earlier trade proposal or state his own needs.

Lei Ke Dun leaned back leisurely in the high‑backed chair and calmly said, "7,000 pounds; you can give me something of equal value in exchange. I don't mind gathering extra traits or materials. If it's just the coordinates of that primordial island, that's fine—I'm not able to go there now."

He paused, then added, "You can collect the materials there yourself and then trade the magic potion formula with me. If you're worried about danger, you may find a companion; these are necessary trade‑offs."

Having lifted the misfortune from himself, Chariot Anderson appeared unusually composed today; aside from the initial salute to Mr. Fool, he said nothing, quietly sitting in his seat observing everyone. Only after hearing the trade between Hanged Man and White Tower did he show a hint of interest.

Coordinates of the primordial island? Worth a Sequence Five magic potion formula—what treasure lies there? This Hanged Man appears to be a lifelong sea‑roamer; given his bearing and strength, he's likely already a somewhat famous captain.

Thinking that, he curled his lip, raised his hand and said, "If you need a companion, consider me."

"As an active sea‑borne treasure hunter, I believe that both my abilities and my past experiences and character make me a solid choice."

It sounded like a job pitch; one can only say that graduates of the Knowledge Church's schools inevitably pick up some of their habits.

Though it might seem self‑aggrandizing, there's nothing wrong with his claim; among the Tarot Society members, Anderson is probably the best fit. He lacks a fixed crew or faction, so partnering with him would reassure Hanged Man, and as an experienced, powerful hunter, he's well suited for hunting extraordinary beings.

Fool Ke Lai En, his gaze hidden beneath the gray mist, calmly assessed Anderson, a slight curve at his mouth. After shedding his misfortune, Anderson began trying to blend into the group, and was doing fairly well.

Hanged Man A'erjie silently sized up Anderson, weighed pros and cons in his mind, then turned his head toward the head of the mottled table where Fool sat, bowed slightly, and said respectfully:

"Respected Mr. Fool, I would like to speak privately with World."

Hmm? Compared with the newly‑joined Chariot, the Hanged Man seems to prefer the already familiar World. Ke Lai En mused internally, then guided World to nod lightly and say, "Sure."

As he spoke, his right hand tapped the table edge twice, producing a dull 'thud‑thud', muffling the others' senses.

"You may now communicate."

Prompted by Fool Ke Lai En, Hanged Man A'erjie inhaled deeply, turned toward the foot of the mottled table where World sat, and said:

"That primordial island hosts many extraordinary beings extinct on the northern and southern continents; I can confirm traces of demi‑god‑level extraordinary creatures, and perhaps among them are the Trickster Evil Monsters and Spirit Realm Raiders you seek."

"In the island's center lies an ancient ruin of undetermined age; Qi Lin Ge Si and I discovered it, though we lacked the means to explore fully. He did find some traces, suspecting the ruin contains extremely valuable items."

"My request is simple: the first three expeditions must be undertaken together, and if anyone else wishes to join, both of us must consent."

"Also, for the first expedition I need you to help me acquire extraordinary materials whose value equals that of a Sequence Five magic potion formula; the subsequent harvest we'll split normally."

"What do you think?"

Demi‑god‑level extraordinary beings are essential for me. Ke Lai En, without hesitation, used World to let out a low laugh and said:

"Deal."

Hanged Man A'erjie, while lightly nodding, spoke again:

"I'd like to postpone the first expedition a bit; I plan to buy on credit from White Tower to obtain the Ocean Singer's magic potion formula. The stronger I become, the more advantageous our exploration will be."

"Heh, fine." World replied indifferently.

"Hanged Man" A'erjie said no more, and after receiving the Fool's help, he will manifest the parchment bearing the coordinates of that primitive island and hand it to the "World".

Not long after, the two ended their private conversation, and the senses of the shielded crowd also instantly recovered.

The moment his senses recovered, Lei Kedun noticed the gaze from the "Hanged Man" A'erjie, and he tilted his head slightly in doubt and exchanged a glance with him.

"Hanged Man" A'erjie cleared his throat and said:

"Cough~ 'White Tower' Mr., I want to withdraw in advance the potion formula of the 'Ocean Singer'; I will pay you the principal plus interest of 7500 pounds within two months."

After saying that, he looked at Lei Kedun with some apprehension, worried that the other would stubbornly refuse his proposal.

The "Moon" has the backing of the blood clan, so he will surely be able to repay the debt, while I, in the Storm Church, don't even have a surface identity.

(End of chapter)