Within the castle tower.
Kuesu Jingūji, seated properly on a cushion, studied Luo Shu with careful scrutiny.
Facing her examination, Luo Shu simply maintained his smile, watching the silver-haired witch before him with keen interest.
Their gazes met and held in mid-air for a moment before disengaging.
Closing her eyes, Kuesu Jingūji exhaled softly:
"You fall far short of the Luo Shu described by Meer."
Hearing Meer's name, Luo Shu's expression remained unchanged as he replied coolly:
"Trying to claim familiarity now is rather too late."
"Hmph!" Kuesu Jingūji snorted, clearly displeased.
Yet she quickly regained control of her emotions with such speed that Luo Shu wondered if her outburst had been performative.
"Tenseiga, So'unga, Tessaiga, the Bone-Eating Well, the Tree of Ages, and the Shikon Jewel."
Kuesu Jingūji enumerated these items with calm precision:
"I require temporary access to study these. Naturally, I'll ensure their preservation during research."
"In exchange, I'll assist you in tracking So'unga and the tree spirit of the Tree of Ages."
'The tree spirit of the Tree of Ages? So the passageway gained sentience? No wonder it could transport me and Kikyo to the modern era...'
Though this explanation came from Kuesu Jingūji, Luo Shu feigned prior knowledge, adding a touch of mischief:
"You're surprisingly well-informed."
Kuesu Jingūji scoffed at this, her expression turning icy:
"The Musashi Province has many books, but since they're written in Chinese, no one except some civil officials would pay attention to those records."
"The stupidity of rentiers ensures they'll never recognise the magnificent treasures hidden within themselves."
"Should I say this is what I'd expect from the Witch of Knowledge?"
Luo Shu offered Kuesu Jingūji some light flattery.
Yet judging by Kuesu Jingūji's expression, she didn't seem appreciative at all.
"Spare me the unnecessary words." Kuesu Jingūji said coldly to Luo Shu, "I've presented my offer. What's your answer?"
"Not enough." Luo Shu refused without hesitation, deliberately not specifying what was lacking.
After all, Luo Shu himself didn't know how many good things Kuesu Jingūji actually possessed.
Seeing this, Kuesu Jingūji slightly furrowed her brows, seemingly surprised by Luo Shu's difficult nature.
After a moment's silence, she carefully considered what else she could offer before calmly stating:
"I once seized a secret technique from Truth Astronomy. I believe you might find it interesting."
"What technique?" Luo Shu grew somewhat curious.
At this point, Kuesu Jingūji said with grave seriousness:
"The cultivation method for Yggdrasil."
Hearing this term, Luo Shu paused, then suddenly realised something, exclaiming in astonishment:
"The Tree of Ages?"
Kuesu Jingūji gave Luo Shu a somewhat surprised look before nodding:
"It seems you've already guessed."
She paused briefly before explaining:
"Cultivating Yggdrasil requires extremely high-quality saplings. One such particular spacetime tree serves as the best material for growing Yggdrasil."
"When I first learned of the Tree of Ages' existence, I intended to cultivate a Yggdrasil for my own use."
"According to the technique's description, with sufficient resources invested, Yggdrasil can absorb an Abyss and transform it into a permanently stable alternate dimension."
"But upon reflection, neither I alone nor even the entire Jingūji family possesses enough resources to cultivate a complete Yggdrasil—not even a sapling."
At this thought, Kuesu Jingūji couldn't help but look at Luo Shu.
While the Jingūji family may be incapable, Luo Shu's backing from the SDS might have access to such resources.
A stable, permanent alternate dimension would essentially become a relatively safe and secure base.
For any major organisation, such a dimension would undoubtedly be one of its most critical assets.
Thus, Kuesu Jingūji had no doubt Luo Shu would accept.
"A Yggdrasil capable of sustaining an alternate dimension..."
Luo Shu murmured with complex emotions:
"If this truly is the cultivation method for such a Yggdrasil, then my own bargaining chips might actually be insufficient."
Luo Shu had already guessed Kuesu Jingūji was wealthy, but he hadn't expected her to possess such a secret technique.
Realising this, Luo Shu quickly sent messages through the SDS internal forum to Lacus, Kirika Tachibana and Meer:
"Kuesu Jingūji wants to trade the Yggdrasil cultivation method for research materials. Should we negotiate?"
The moment Luo Shu sent the message, Kirika Tachibana replied.
"No need to discuss further. If you can get the item, sell me if you must. By the way, if you can't obtain it, just say the word, and I'll turn around right now to blockade the Jingūji family's doorstep."
Seeing Kirika Tachibana's reply, Luo Shu's expression turned awkward. Only after receiving Lacus's response—"Try your best to negotiate, resort to force only if absolutely necessary"—did he shift his gaze towards Kuesu Jingūji and ask:
"Aside from the previously mentioned items for your research, what other conditions do you have?"
Kuesu Jingūji seemed entirely unsurprised by Luo Shu's agreement, as if she had prepared in advance, and quickly stated her terms:
"A portion of the alternate dimension must be designated as my territory, with a minimum area of 2,000 acres."
"Deal!"
Luo Shu agreed without hesitation and added:
"Just you, not the Jingūji family?"
Kuesu Jingūji replied coldly:
"As long as I exist, the Jingūji family will never cease to be."
"Understood."
Luo Shu nodded, then glanced at Yomi Isayama and Noriyuki Izuna standing nearby.
At this moment, Kuesu Jingūji said indifferently, "Isayama knows what to do."
"What about him..." Luo Shu looked at Noriyuki Izuna.
Kuesu Jingūji's expression remained unchanged as she stated:
"Just a puppet. If you're uneasy, I can hand him over to you."
"I see."
Luo Shu smiled in understanding and said:
"In that case, let's begin the first phase of our collaboration."
As for whether he wanted Noriyuki Izuna, Luo Shu decided to discuss it with Kuesu Jingūji later. After all, he couldn't let Yomi Isayama find out right now that he intended to use Noriyuki Izuna's control as a means to monitor her, could he?
"Divining the locations of So'unga and the Tree of Ages' spirit? I understand."
Kuesu Jingūji stood up and walked towards Luo Shu, saying:
"Follow me."
With that, Luo Shu nodded, exchanged a glance with Senhime Rin Getsu, and followed Kuesu Jingūji.