Wang Hu's words
left Li Chang'an rather stunned.
After only a few exchanges, Wang Hu had concluded that his heart was pure and kind.
That judgment was far too hasty.
Li Chang'an grumbled inwardly.
He felt that this senior was the one who was truly pure and kind.
That was good too.
This way, he could gain more from this trade.
"Little friend, what do you think?"
Wang Hu asked patiently with a warm expression.
Li Chang'an immediately nodded in agreement.
Afterward,
the two signed a Spirit Contract, formally completing the transaction.
Li Chang'an obtained a Yellow Sand Dog at the Mid-stage First-tier Peak.
He stroked the spirit dog's head, overjoyed.
"Canine Spiritual Beasts are famed for their loyalty. This Yellow Sand Dog is not only formidable in battle but also skilled at tracking. It will be of great help to me."
At the side, Wang Hu also wore a smile.
The quality of this Earth Fire Stone was even better than he had imagined, leaving him extremely satisfied.
Both sides had gained what they wanted.
At that moment,
Li Chang'an voiced the doubt he had harbored earlier.
"Senior, the Zheng Family should have quite a stockpile of Fire Element Treasures. Why not trade with the Zheng Family?"
"The Zheng Family?"
Wang Hu shook his head slightly.
He put away the Earth Fire Stone before explaining.
"Little friend, the Zheng Family has clashed with the other two Foundation Establishment families and is in desperate need of manpower. It is best not to seek help from the Zheng Family lately."
"So that's how it is."
Li Chang'an came to a sudden realization.
This matter
involved a struggle between Foundation Establishment families.
The Marketplace's profits were immense, yet the Zheng Family monopolized them.
Naturally, the other Foundation Establishment families were displeased.
The Cao Foundation Establishment family and Wu Foundation Establishment family were also located in this region, forming a triangular balance with the Zheng Family.
Each of those two families had an Early Foundation Establishment Ancestor, both eyeing the Zheng Family like tigers watching their prey.
Yet the Zheng Family had two Foundation Establishment Ancestors, one of whom was a Mid Foundation Establishment expert.
The Cao and Wu Families could only join forces against the Zheng Family.
Over the years,
the two sides often erupted into conflict, though everything remained under control.
However,
after the Secret Realm opened,
the descendants of both families frequently fought fiercely over the Secret Realm's treasures. Their conflict grew increasingly intense, and the slaughter became ever more brutal.
"A few days ago, an Elder of the Zheng Family at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining died in the Secret Realm. The Wu Family and Cao Family joined forces to do it."
Wang Hu spoke unhurriedly, recounting what he knew.
After all, he had personally ventured into the Secret Realm.
He knew quite a bit of information.
"Members of all Three Great Families have died. This matter will not end easily."
"So that was the case. Thank you for telling me, Senior."
Li Chang'an could not help feeling fortunate.
Luckily, he had already completely severed ties with the Zheng Family.
No matter how badly the Zheng Family lacked manpower, they could not forcibly conscript him.
"In the days ahead, the situation in the Secret Realm will only become more perilous. Staying in the Marketplace is the best choice. Little friend, do not risk your life for some so-called 'fortuitous opportunity.'"
At this point, Wang Hu let out a sigh.
He simply could not resist.
Hearing that many people had obtained fortuitous opportunities, he had gone to try his luck as well, harboring a trace of wishful thinking.
But the result...
He had suffered severe injuries and tremendous losses!
"Thank you for your warning, Senior. This junior will keep it firmly in mind."
Li Chang'an's expression turned solemn as he cupped his hands in thanks.
Afterward,
the two spoke for about another quarter of an hour.
Li Chang'an learned more information about the Secret Realm.
After returning to his room,
Li Chang'an began carefully examining the Spiritual Beast he had just acquired.
"From now on, I'll call you Da Huang."
Smiling, he patted the spirit dog's head.
In his Previous Life,
when he had still been a child, he had once raised a mongrel named Da Huang.
That mongrel had been reddish yellow all over, powerful and sturdy, and looked almost exactly like the spirit dog before him.
Unfortunately, thieves later broke into his home. In order to protect him, Da Huang fought the thieves and died from grievous wounds.
"Woof!"
The spirit dog opened its mouth wide, tongue lolling out. Its eyes were bright and lively, while its tail wagged without pause.
It seemed to like the name very much and looked exceptionally happy.
If one only looked at its appearance, one would never realize it was a Spiritual Beast.
It looked just like an ordinary mongrel.
Yet its strength and talent were both quite remarkable.
"The Yellow Sand Dog's Bloodline Grade is 'Mid-grade,' equivalent to a human cultivator's 'Mid-grade Spirit Root.'"
The Bloodline Grades of Demonic Beasts were divided the same way as the Spirit Roots of the Human Race.
From lowest to highest, they were Inferior Bloodline, low-grade Bloodline, Mid-grade Bloodline, High-grade Bloodline, Earth-grade bloodline, and Heaven Grade Bloodline.
In other words,
whether in strength or innate potential, Da Huang surpassed Li Chang'an, its master!
"Da Huang, I'll be relying on you to protect me from now on!"
"Woof woof!"
Man and dog enjoyed each other's company, the atmosphere harmonious.
Over the following days,
Li Chang'an tested Da Huang's abilities.
As an earth-element Spiritual Beast, Da Huang was especially adept at Earth Escape, moving through the ground without a sound.
This ability
particularly pleased Li Chang'an.
He instructed Da Huang to dig more tunnels underground.
If something unexpected happens one day and even the Marketplace becomes unsafe, I'll escape through the tunnels.
Li Chang'an thought to himself.
Better to be prepared than caught unprepared!
Moreover,
Li Chang'an taught Da Huang how to use Talismans.
Da Huang was already strong enough on its own. With Talismans to assist it, its strength would rise another level!
"Unfortunately, without a Spirit Beast Bag, it is always somewhat inconvenient."
A Spirit Beast Bag was similar in size to a storage bag.
But its value far exceeded that of a storage bag.
That was because storage bags could only hold dead objects, whereas Spirit Beast Bags allowed Spiritual Beasts to live inside them.
Even the most ordinary Spirit Beast Bag was worth more than a thousand Spirit Stones!
For now, Li Chang'an could only think about it.
Half a month later,
Wu Feng suddenly appeared with some news.
"Fellow Daoist Li, there's wonderful news!"
"Oh?"
Li Chang'an looked slightly puzzled.
"Fellow Daoist Wu, what good news is it?"
"A senior I know obtained a Talisman Inheritance in the Secret Realm. Fellow Daoist Li, guess what tier that Talisman Inheritance is?"
Wu Feng wore a broad smile, his gaze covertly sweeping over Li Chang'an's face.
Delight appeared on Li Chang'an's face as he hurriedly asked,
"Could it be a Second Tier Inheritance?"
"This..."
Wu Feng froze, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Even if he was deceiving him, it could not be this absurd.
If a Second Tier Inheritance had truly appeared, the entire Marketplace would have long since erupted into a frenzy!
After all,
a Second Tier Inheritance was enough to ensure that a Foundation Establishment family flourished without decline!
"It is a Mid-grade First Tier Inheritance, and that old senior intends to trade it. The trade will be held within the Marketplace, and there will be a Small Trade Fair in a few days."
Within the Marketplace, it would be relatively safe.
And it was the Legacy Li Chang'an needed most.
Surely he would not refuse to go this time?
Wu Feng had thought it through carefully.
Li Chang'an was merely a cultivator in the early Qi Refining stage. Whether it was a great Foundation Establishment tomb or a Foundation Establishment spiritual item such as Earth Dragon Saliva, both were far too distant for him.
But the craft of First-tier Mid-grade Talismans was precisely what he urgently needed right now!
Sure enough,
Li Chang'an's eyes lit up, as though he had been moved.
"Fellow Daoist Wu, please tell me the time and location of that Small Trade Fair."
"The time is tentatively set for three days from now. As for the location..."
Wu Feng sneered inwardly.
At last, he had lured this Old Turtle out!
That so-called Small Trade Fair was a trap, a Heavenly Net already laid out.
As long as Li Chang'an went,
he would undoubtedly die!
Before you continue