“Is Shopkeeper Yang not here?”
“Yes, Gongzi Lin, Shopkeeper Yang has been gone for several days now. It might take some time before he returns. He instructed me that if Gongzi Lin came looking for him, you shouldn't worry, and he would contact you as soon as he gets back.”
“Alright.”
Learning that Yang Niu was not present, Lin Sheng could only sigh inwardly with regret. However, only half a month had passed out of the scheduled month, so there was no immediate rush. After purchasing a batch of Spirit Beast blood, he returned to his residence.
Inside the quiet room.
There were dozens of leather bags containing Spirit Beast blood. This time, he had purchased a full hundred catties of blood, spending nearly ten thousand in currency.
He had bought more than half of the Spirit Beast blood stock in the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall.
After absorbing all the blood from the leather bags, the activation progress of his third imprint had reached fifteen percent.
At this rate, fully activating the third imprint would likely cost around eighty thousand taels of silver.
He estimated in his heart that eighty thousand taels of silver was undoubtedly a huge sum, but he had gained a lot from this trip.
Just the cash he had on hand now amounted to seventy thousand taels, and he also had over 200 contribution points from the Dark Star Organization, which could be exchanged for more than twenty thousand taels.
Besides these, there were the two Bone Forging Treasure Pills.
Pills that could affect Bones Transformation Martial Artists were naturally valuable, and Pei Er's reaction at the time also confirmed the worth of these two pills.
“That Young Master Pei Er mentioned is quite wealthy. To be able to produce so much money without batting an eye is definitely not ordinary.”
With a flip of his wrist, the small porcelain bottle containing the two Bone Forging Treasure Pills appeared in his hand.
Regarding the identity of the man in the bamboo hat, he also had some guesses in his heart.
A master who could give him that sense of crisis was definitely not an ordinary person.
He was seventy to eighty percent sure that the man in the bamboo hat was Wan Yanbei, the Reverse Sword ranked first on the Black Rank.
This master, ranked first on the Black Rank, was probably no less powerful than the geniuses of Linjiang Prefecture like Liu Tianci.
He didn't want to have too much contact with this level of monstrous Genius. He knew very well that even though his strength had improved by leaps and bounds after integrating the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey and entering the Blood Transportation Realm, it was still not enough to face such a monster.
Powerful Bloodline potential is also accompanied by formidable innate abilities.
Just like Drilling Rat Pei Er, his drilling talent, which he was famous for, was definitely inseparable from his Bloodline talent.
Geniuses of the level of Liu Tianci and Ouyang Lengshui are masters who have already stepped into the Bones Transformation Realm. The martial arts they cultivate are also Peerless True Arts of extremely high grade. Coupled with their own Bloodline talents, their strength is naturally exceptionally formidable.
This was not something he, a Martial Artist who had just entered the Blood Transportation Realm, could contend with.
The only thing that could cause them some trouble was his Heart Monkey Talent. However, while the deterrent effect of the Heart Monkey Talent was quite remarkable on Pei Er, how much effect it would have on people like Liu Tianci was uncertain.
Thinking this, he had made a decision: to exchange these two Bone Forging Treasure Pills for money.
Calculating it this way, his gains this time should be enough for him to activate the third imprint.
Time flowed quietly, and soon a week had passed.
In Qingniao Yard, Lin Sheng and Zhao Kongfang walked side by side, heading down the mountain.
“Junior Brother Lin, you've been here for a while now. Not many new Disciples have joined the Sect during this period. Yet, precisely during this time, the city has been in chaos because of the beast mine issue, and Sect missions have increased significantly compared to before. It's estimated that this year's Sect missions will start earlier. What a hassle.”
Zhao Kongfang shook his head, fanning himself with a folding fan, speaking with some helplessness.
“However, the situation in Wanhua City is much better than before. The division of interests regarding the beast mine is almost complete. I expect the subsequent Sect missions won't be dangerous; they should mostly be temporary garrison duties.”
“Garrison duties?”
Lin Sheng's heart stirred. He naturally knew that while enjoying benefits, the Disciples of the Seven Forms Sect also had to complete missions issued by the Sect from time to time.
Based on the mission completion level, there would be a certain amount of contribution points. This was also an important way for Disciples in the Sect to advance. As a direct Disciple like him, although he could no longer advance in rank, he could obtain more resource allocation.
Now that he had entered the Blood Transportation Realm, his monthly treatment had significantly improved compared to when he first joined. Besides the five hundred taels of silver per month, he also received five bottles of Azure Feather Pills monthly.
Furthermore, and most importantly, thanks to Xie Qingyun's efforts, he could go to the main peak's scripture repository to choose two martial arts techniques or secret skills to aid his cultivation.
Although he was not yet qualified to borrow Peerless True Art level techniques from the repository, he could choose any first-rate martial arts or high-level secret skills within it.
However, his main focus now was on the Qingniao Chasing Star Finger and the Three Corpse Soul Severing Palm, so there was no need to cultivate other techniques and divide his energy.
Moreover, even if he were to cultivate another technique, the Yang Polarity Yin Harmonization Skill he possessed was a true Peerless True Art.
“Senior Brother Zhao, how long do these garrison duties usually last?”
Lin Sheng asked.
He had only joined the Seven Forms Sect for two months. Normally, he should have his first mission after half a year. However, with the current backlog of Sect missions, it was possible he might get one this time.
“Well, that depends on the situation. The shortest duration is a month, of course, unless there are special circumstances, it won't exceed three months at the longest.”
Zhao Kongfang sighed and said lightly, a hint of melancholy appearing on his face.
“I hope I don't get a garrison duty. Otherwise, what will happen to the Junior Sister Lin I just started dating in the Spirit Snake Courtyard…”
Seeing this, Lin Sheng was somewhat speechless and immediately changed the subject.
“Oh, right, Senior Brother Zhao, what did you say about the division of interests from the Yunshui Mountain beast mine?”
“You mean Yunshui Mountain? The four major powers of Wanhua City each occupied a peak. There was one peak left, Bo Peak, which the Crimson Whale Hall, White Dragon Gang, and Fang Family, these three major powers, were still fighting over. None of them were willing to give up this piece of fat.”
Hearing Lin Sheng ask about this, Zhao Kongfang's expression turned serious.
“While you were away some time ago, these three factions had quite a few conflicts. There were even rumors that Bones Transformation masters had clashed several times.”
“Things only quieted down a few days ago. I heard that the Tang Zhu of the Crimson Whale Hall, Red Hair, personally stepped forward and eventually met with the Fang Family and White Dragon Gang. I don't know what agreement they reached, but the beast mine on Bo Peak is temporarily being mined by the Crimson Whale Hall. Only then did the original chaotic situation settle down.”
“So that's how it is.”
Hearing this news, Lin Sheng was somewhat surprised. After all, the Crimson Whale Hall, like their Seven Forms Sect, originally occupied Baiyun Peak under their command and didn't show any intention of expanding externally. He didn't expect that the Crimson Whale Hall would end up occupying this last peak.
However, thinking about it, to make the White Dragon Gang and the Fang Family give up this piece of fat, the Crimson Whale Hall must have paid a considerable price.
Returning to Wanhua City, after politely declining Zhao Kongfang's invitation for a drink, Lin Sheng first went to the large courtyard outside the city to check on the progress of cultivating the poisonous creatures. During the time he was away, Lao Zhou was basically in charge here.
More than half a month had passed, and among the specifically cultivated large poisonous creatures, only a purple-eyed toad remained.
For the time being, it was time to specifically use various medications in combination to promote its mutation.
This was also a time-consuming process. But now he had plenty of time and was in no hurry.
Aside from that, the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey was in a much better state than before.
Looking at the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey bound by the cyan-gold chains, he had originally intended to cultivate it, cause it to mutate, and break through to the ranks of High-Level Spirit Beasts.
However, it was not hard to imagine that even if this Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey had consumed the blood dragon fruit and had the hope of advancing to a High-Level Spirit Beast, making it cross that threshold would definitely not be an easy task.
It would likely require a large amount of rare heavenly treasures and earthly materials, which meant a high financial investment.
Considering his current financial situation, he wisely put this plan on hold for the time being.
Looking at the now quite lively Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey, he unceremoniously stepped forward and took twenty catties of beast blood.
Then, without hesitation, he absorbed it into his body, increasing the activation progress of the third imprint by another 3%.
He then returned to the quiet room, preparing to begin cultivating.
However, there was a rapid knocking sound from outside the main door.
Lin Sheng's heart stirred, as if he had thought of something.
He walked out of the quiet room and opened the courtyard gate, only to see a shop assistant with a faint fishy smell on him.
Lin Sheng recognized this shop assistant; he was indeed from the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall. As for the fishy smell emanating from him, it was naturally the scent from various exotic beasts.
Seeing Lin Sheng come out, the shop assistant's face lit up with joy, and he quickly said, panting,
“Gongzi Lin, there's news! Shop- Shopkeeper Yang is back… He asked me to invite Gongzi to come over for a chat.”
Hearing this, Lin Sheng's eyes lit up.
An incense stick later.
Ten Thousand Beasts Hall.
In the high-class private room specifically used to receive distinguished guests, Yang Niu's plump face was full of smiles. Holding a pot of high-quality fragrant tea, he personally poured a full cup for Lin Sheng.
“Lin, I have fulfilled my mission. I, Yang, used all my might, and this time I finally brought back an avian Spirit Beast.”
“Oh?! May I know what kind of Spirit Beast Shopkeeper Yang has brought back?”
Lin Sheng took the teacup, a joyful expression also appearing on his face.
After waiting for so long, there was finally a genuine avian Spirit Beast.
“Lin, you'll know once you follow me to take a look.”
Yang Niu intentionally kept him in suspense. As he spoke, he led Lin Sheng forward towards the back courtyard of the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall.
In the back courtyard, Lin Sheng saw the sickly middle-aged man, suspected to be a Bones Transformation master, again. However, the Spirit Beast blood snake was nowhere to be seen. It was likely still in the back courtyard, just hidden somewhere.
At this moment, Lin Sheng didn't pay attention to these things. His attention was entirely focused on a sealed stone room in the back courtyard.
From the stone room, a sharp cry occasionally came out, resembling both an eagle and a sparrow, making it difficult to distinguish.
After Yang Niu stepped forward as usual and exchanged a few words with the middle-aged man, he turned back and led Lin Sheng to the stone door. After some manipulation, the tightly shut stone door slowly opened.
What came into view was a massive iron cage made of cyan-gold.
Inside the cage was an eagle-shaped exotic beast, mottled with cyan and white, standing as tall as an adult.
Each cyan and white feather was like a cyan-gold iron feather, shimmering with a faint luster. Although some patches of feathers were missing at the moment, it still couldn't conceal the sharp imposing aura it exuded.
To possess such an imposing aura, even if it wasn't a High-Level Spirit Beast, it was definitely a top-tier Elementary Level Spirit Beast, no less inferior to the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey.
At this moment, seeing someone enter, the eagle-like exotic beast's deep green pupils revealed a fierce and savage aura. It began to frantically crash against the cyan-gold iron cage, seemingly wanting to rush out and tear the two of them to shreds.
Clang, clang, clang!
Sounds of metal clashing against metal kept ringing out.
Its entire body of cyan and white iron feathers truly seemed to be forged from fine steel. The fierce force caused the cyan-gold iron cage to shake violently from the impact.
This terrifying display of power made Yang Niu subconsciously step back a few paces in alarm.
However, the eagle-shaped exotic beast's fierce display didn't last long. In just a few breaths, it seemed to have exhausted all its strength. The originally sharp and savage aura quickly disappeared, leaving only an indescribable listlessness.
Even the vitality in its body was rapidly declining. Finally, it collapsed inside the iron cage, with only its pair of sharp eyes still staring fixedly at the two of them.
Lin Sheng's gaze remained on the eagle-beast, especially pausing on its side and abdomen for a while before he finally spoke.
“Is this a Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle?”
“Exactly. Lin, you have good eyes; you recognized this beast's identity at a glance.”
Beside him, Yang Niu saw the eagle-shaped exotic beast calm down and quickly stepped forward a few paces, saying with a smile,
“Speaking of which, bringing back this Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle was also a matter of chance. This beast was injured and captured by a Sect Elder from the Tianxiang Sword Sect. Later, I, Yang, entrusted someone and spent a great deal of effort to buy this beast. The hardships involved are not for others to hear…”
When he said this, Yang Niu's face showed a look of sighing, putting on an appearance of having gone through a lot of trouble.
“Indeed, Shopkeeper Yang has gone to great lengths.”
Lin Sheng was quite satisfied with this Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle in his heart.
Among Elementary Level avian Spirit Beasts, it was considered top-grade. He hadn't expected Yang Niu to procure such a bird.
Although the compatibility between eagle-type Spirit Beasts and the Qingniao Chasing Star Finger wasn't perfect, in his opinion, it was still quite good.
After all, eagle-type Spirit Beasts are generally known for their speed and burst. After integrating it, there should be good effects.
It was just that the state of this Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle before him seemed very poor.
“Shopkeeper Yang, how much is this Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle priced at?”
He spoke lightly. Since the goods were satisfactory, it was time to discuss the price.
Hearing this, Yang Niu's expression turned serious. He coughed twice before speaking.
“Lin, you also know that the Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle is a top-tier avian Spirit Beast. Its price is naturally a bit more expensive than other Spirit Beasts. However, we are old friends, so the price is just fifty-five thousand taels of silver…”
After speaking, Yang Niu's gaze remained on Lin Sheng's face, constantly observing his reaction.
“Heh…”
Hearing this, Lin Sheng laughed.
“Shopkeeper Yang, are you perhaps joking? It's uncertain if even a perfectly healthy Green-Eyed Fierce Eagle could fetch this price, let alone this severely injured and dying Fierce Eagle.”