Foundation Establishment Strife

Wang Hu's words.

Li Chang'an couldn't help but be stunned.

They had only exchanged a few words, yet he had already concluded that Li Chang'an was pure-hearted.

"That judgment is really a little hasty."

Li Chang'an secretly grumbled.

He felt that this senior was the genuinely pure-hearted one.

That was fine, too.

This way, he could gain more benefits from the transaction.

"Young friend, what do you think?"

Wang Hu wore a gentle expression as he patiently asked.

Li Chang'an immediately nodded in agreement.

Afterward.

The two parties signed a Spirit Contract, formally completing the transaction.

Li Chang'an obtained a peak First-tier Mid-stage Yellow Sand Dog.

He stroked the spirit dog's head, overjoyed.

"Canine Spiritual Beasts are famous for their loyalty. This Yellow Sand Dog is not only powerful, but also skilled at tracking. It will be a great help to me."

Beside him, 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 parties had gained something.

At this moment.

Li Chang'an asked about the doubt he had earlier.

"Senior, the Zheng Family should have stockpiled quite a few Fire Element Treasures. Why didn't you trade with the Zheng Family?"

"The Zheng Family?"

Wang Hu shook his head slightly.

He put away the Earth Fire Stone, then began explaining.

"Young friend, the Zheng Family has clashed with the other two Foundation Establishment families and urgently needs manpower. It would be best not to seek the Zheng Family's help recently."

"I see."

Li Chang'an suddenly understood.

This involved a struggle between Foundation Establishment families.

The benefits of the Marketplace were simply too great, yet they had been monopolized by the Zheng Family.

Naturally, the other Foundation Establishment families were displeased.

The Foundation Establishment Cao Family and Foundation Establishment Wu Family were also in this region, forming a triangle with the Zheng Family.

Each of these two families had an Early Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor, and both eyed the Zheng Family like tigers stalking their prey.

However, the Zheng Family had two Foundation Establishment Ancestors, one of whom was a Mid Foundation Establishment powerhouse.

The Cao and Wu Families had no choice but to join forces against the Zheng Family.

Over the years.

The two sides had frequently erupted into conflicts, but they had always kept them within a controllable range.

However.

After the Secret Realm opened.

The family disciples of both sides often fought viciously over the Secret Realm's treasures. Their conflict grew increasingly intense, and the killings 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. This was precisely the work of the Wu and Cao Families joining forces."

Wang Hu slowly recounted what he knew.

After all, he had personally ventured into the Secret Realm.

He knew quite a lot of news.

"High-ranking members of all three great families have died. This matter definitely won't end easily."

"So that's how it is. Thank you for informing me, Senior."

Li Chang'an couldn't help feeling fortunate.

Fortunately, he had already completely severed ties with the Zheng Family.

No matter how desperately the Zheng Family needed manpower, it could no longer forcibly conscript him.

"In the days ahead, the situation in the Secret Realm will become increasingly dangerous. Staying in the Marketplace is the wisest choice. Young friend, you absolutely mustn't risk your life for that so-called 'opportunity.'"

When he reached this point, Wang Hu let out a sigh.

He himself had been unable to resist.

After hearing that many people had gained opportunities, he had gone to try his luck as well, harboring a sliver of hope.

But the result...

He had suffered severe injuries and paid a devastating price!

"Thank you for the warning, Senior. I will remember it."

Li Chang'an's expression was solemn as he clasped his hands in thanks.

Afterward.

The two continued chatting for roughly fifteen minutes.

Li Chang'an learned more information about the Secret Realm.

After returning indoors.

Li Chang'an began carefully examining the Spiritual Beast he had just obtained.

"From now on, I'll call you Da Huang."

He smiled and patted the spirit dog's head.

In his Previous Life.

When he was still a child, he had once raised a common earth dog called Da Huang.

That earth dog had been yellow all over, sturdy and strong, and its appearance had been almost identical to that of the Spiritual Beast before him.

Unfortunately, thieves later broke into his home. Da Huang had fought with them to protect him, suffering severe injuries and dying.

"Woof!"

The spirit dog opened its mouth wide and stuck out its tongue. Its eyes were bright and lively, while its tail wagged without pause.

It seemed to like the name very much and looked extremely happy.

Judging only by its appearance, no one could tell that it was a Spiritual Beast.

It looked just like an ordinary earth dog.

But its strength and talent were quite extraordinary.

"The Bloodline Grade of a Yellow Sand Dog Spiritual Beast is 'Mid-grade,' equivalent to the 'Mid-grade Spirit Root' of Human Cultivators."

The Bloodline Grades of Demonic Beasts were classified the same way as the Spirit Roots of the Human Race.

From low to high, 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 its master, Li Chang'an!

"Da Huang, I'll be counting on you to protect me from now on!"

"Woof, woof!"

Human and dog lived together in perfect harmony, the atmosphere warm and cheerful.

Over the following days.

Li Chang'an tested Da Huang's abilities.

As an earth-element Spiritual Beast, Da Huang was especially skilled at Earth Escape, moving underground without making a sound.

This ability.

Satisfied Li Chang'an immensely.

He instructed Da Huang to dig more tunnels underground.

"If something unexpected happens one day and even the Marketplace is no longer safe, we can escape through the tunnels."

Li Chang'an thought to himself.

It was always better to be prepared!

Moreover.

Li Chang'an also taught Da Huang how to use Talismans.

Da Huang was already strong enough on its own. With Talisman assistance, its strength would rise another level!

"It's just a pity that I don't have a Spirit Beast Bag. It's always inconvenient."

A Spirit Beast Bag was similar in size to a Storage Bag.

But its value far exceeded that of a Storage Bag.

The reason was that a Storage Bag could only hold dead objects, while a Spirit Beast Bag allowed Spiritual Beasts to live inside.

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, bringing a piece of news.

"Fellow cultivator Li, I have wonderful news!"

"Oh?"

Li Chang'an looked slightly puzzled.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, what is this good news?"

"An elder I know obtained a Talisman Inheritance in the Secret Realm. Fellow cultivator Li, guess what grade that Talisman Inheritance is?"

Wu Feng's face was full of smiles as his eyes subtly swept across Li Chang'an's face.

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Li Chang'an's face, and he hurriedly asked:

"Could it be a Second Tier Inheritance?"

"This..."

Wu Feng froze, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Even if he was trying to deceive someone, it couldn't be that far-fetched.

If a Second Tier Inheritance had truly appeared, it would have sent the entire Marketplace into an uproar long ago!

One had to know.

A Second Tier Inheritance was enough to let a Foundation Establishment family flourish without decline!

"It's a Mid-grade First Tier Inheritance. Moreover, that old senior intends to trade it. It will take place right here in the Marketplace, and there will be a Small Trade Fair in a few days."

The Marketplace was relatively safe.

And this was precisely the inheritance Li Chang'an needed most.

Surely he couldn't refuse to go this time, could he?

Wu Feng had thought it through carefully.

After all, Li Chang'an was only a cultivator in the early Qi Refining stage. Whether it was a Foundation Establishment Great Tomb or a Foundation Establishment spiritual item like Earth Dragon Saliva, both were far too distant for him.

But the craft of First-tier Mid-grade Talismans was something he urgently needed right now!

Sure enough.

Li Chang'an's eyes lit up, and he seemed tempted.

"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.

He had finally managed to lure this Old Turtle out!

That so-called Small Trade Fair was nothing but a trap, with a Heavenly Net already laid.

As long as Li Chang'an went.

He would certainly die!