When the "Heavenly Cauldron" within Meng Haoran's dantian trembled once more, his gaze happened to fall upon a tiny, frail Spirit Beast.
"That's it!"
Meng Haoran turned to the still-charming female cultivator and cupped his hands. "Um, may I ask how much that Spirit Beast costs?"
The female cultivator had been calling out for half the day. The customers who came to watch were all drawn by her graceful figure, and hardly anyone had bought a Spirit Beast. Now that a young man had finally come along, how could she let this business delivered right to her doorstep slip away for nothing?
Carrying a heady fragrance, the female cultivator crossed several steps to Meng Haoran's side and asked with a smile, "Little brother, which Spirit Beast have you taken a liking to? Tell your sister, and I'll pick it out for you."
Looking at the woman's jade-white skin, the inexperienced Meng Haoran secretly swallowed and raised a hand to point. "That Spirit Beast."
Following Meng Haoran's arm, the female cultivator turned to look, then frowned. "It's actually this Spirit Beast!"
Meng Bohai, standing beside him, also furrowed his brow and hurriedly said, "Haoran, don't make a mistake. Although this Spirit Beast is called a Thunderfire Tiger, look at how weak and wind-battered it is. There must be some hidden illness within its body!"
The female cultivator immediately disliked hearing that.
I've been peddling here for ages, waiting and waiting through good times and bad, and I've finally got a customer at my door. How could I let him go?
With a wave of her hand, the female cultivator smiled. "This customer, you mustn't say that. Since you know this Spirit Beast is called a Thunderfire Tiger, then you should know that tiger-type Spirit Beasts are among the strongest in build within the Spirit Beast World. It looks so frail only because it has been traveling with me these past few days. Don't mislead the other customers."
The female cultivator looked at Meng Haoran again and smiled. "Little brother, you truly have an excellent eye. Tiger-type Spirit Beasts are not only robust, but once they grow up, they can guard your home and courtyard and fight alongside you across heaven and earth. They are truly a must-have beast on the path of cultivation!"
After hearing her introduction, Meng Haoran recalled the records on Spirit Beasts he had once read in the Lineage's library.
Like cultivators, Spirit Beasts had realms of strength.
Generally speaking, based on their current degree of growth, they were divided into First through Ninth Tier, from low to high.
Even the lowest-tier Spirit Beasts were usually somewhat stronger in the flesh than Qi Refining Realm cultivators.
Every type of Spirit Beast contained a strand of Ancient Bloodline Power within its body.
Some Spirit Beasts might spend their entire lives unable to awaken that strand of Ancient Bloodline Power, while others might awaken it the moment they were born, thus becoming powerful Spirit Beasts that ruled one region.
Meng Bohai chuckled softly. "Fellow Daoist, you are right. Tiger-type Spirit Beasts are indeed among the strongest in build within the Spirit Beast World, but you have overlooked one point."
The female cultivator raised her head and asked, "Which point?"
Meng Bohai replied, "You said earlier that this Thunderfire Tiger was exhausted from the long journey, but the other Spirit Beasts here are full of life and vigor. How do you explain that?"
Hearing this, the female cultivator was momentarily at a loss for words.
Meng Bohai continued, "Moreover, the Thunderfire Tiger does not have much room for growth. Generally, once it reaches the Third Tier, the bloodline power in its body dries up, and it then declines through age, illness, and death. Most importantly, the cultivation resources it requires while growing are no fewer than those needed by cultivators of the same tier. If it grows up and we fail to control it, allowing it to hurt someone and escape, wouldn't we lose both beast and fortune?"
Yet because of the "Heavenly Cauldron" within him, Meng Haoran very much wanted to buy this Thunderfire Tiger.
As his thoughts turned, Meng Haoran suddenly asked, "How many Thunderfire Tigers do you have here?"
The female cultivator perked up and quickly answered, "Two! There are only two left. The other customers all saw the Thunderfire Tiger's advantages and bought them without hesitation!"
"Two left?"
Meng Haoran did not want the female cultivator to see how badly he wanted that frail "Thunderfire Tiger" and secretly raise the price.
"Then bring out the other Thunderfire Tiger and let me have a look," Meng Haoran said.
There's hope!
The female cultivator was secretly delighted. She turned around, lifted a "Thunderfire Tiger" cub from a cage, and placed it before Meng Haoran. "What do you think of this one?"
The moment her words fell, this "Thunderfire Tiger" suddenly let out a low growl.
Meng Haoran smiled. "This Thunderfire Tiger is not bad. Its tiger roar is somewhat immature, but it has great strength behind it."
The female cultivator smiled softly. "Little brother, you have a sharp eye! If you sincerely wish to buy it, I'll give you a discounted price!"
Meng Haoran nodded and asked, "How many Spirit Stones?"
"A straightforward man!"
The female cultivator praised, "Five hundred Spirit Stones! For only five hundred Spirit Stones, you can take this Thunderfire Tiger away."
Meng Haoran shook his head. "Four hundred Spirit Stones. I want both Thunderfire Tigers!"
"Four hundred Spirit Stones, and you want to buy both of my Thunderfire Tigers? Little brother, don't think that just because you're handsome, you can do whatever you please!"
The female cultivator said in surprise, "For four hundred Spirit Stones, I can't even recover my costs!"
Meng Haoran smiled. "For each Thunderfire Tiger, you have to spend quite a few Spirit Stones every day to raise it. Add this Thunderfire Tiger with a hidden illness, and the cost is at least three times as much. By buying both of them today, I'm saving you Spirit Stones as well!"
The female cultivator had just opened her mouth when Meng Haoran interrupted her again. He continued, "Besides, if this Thunderfire Tiger dies unexpectedly because of its hidden illness, then all your efforts will be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—nothing but emptiness!"
Upon hearing this, the female cultivator began to ponder in secret.
Meng Haoran waited quietly beside her, unhurried.
Meng Bohai waited as well.
Ever since Meng Haoran stepped onto the path of cultivation, he had not only improved in caring for Spirit Plants, but also shown remarkable talent in raising Spirit Beasts. Thus, Meng Bohai did not stop him from buying these two "Thunderfire Tigers."
Before long, the female cultivator smiled. "Little brother, why don't you add a few more Spirit Stones? I'm running a small business, and I'm such a frail woman besides. Can you really bear it?"
Meng Haoran did not fall for that at all. He sneered, "In the cultivation world, there is no distinction between men and women, only between enemies and allies!"
The female cultivator had never expected Meng Haoran to suddenly say such a thing. Left with no choice, she handed the two "Thunderfire Tigers" over to him.
Now that the Spirit Plant Soil most urgently needed by the Meng Family had been purchased, Meng Haoran had also bought the "Thunderfire Tigers" because of the "Heavenly Cauldron."
To avoid lingering too long and prevent someone with ill intent from murdering them for their goods outside the Black Market, Meng Bohai and Meng Haoran hurried all the way toward Xinghua Village.
At daybreak the next morning, while the morning mist still hung thick in the air, Meng Bohai and Meng Haoran quietly entered the Meng Family compound.
Before the Spirit Spring that gave off faint heaven-and-earth spiritual energy, Meng Jingshan wore a peaceful smile as he looked at the five Storage Bags laid out on the ground before him. He said approvingly, "Bohai, Haoran, you two have worked hard these past few days."
Meng Bohai and Meng Haoran replied in unison, "It was no hardship. Everything was for the Meng Family."
Meng Jingshan continued, "Since our Meng Family has purchased enough Spirit Plant Soil for planting Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat, we must now make preparations on two fronts."
Looking at Meng Bohai, Meng Jingshan instructed, "Bohai, after you rest today, sell off a portion of the Spirit Beasts in the rear courtyard. Then spread the Yellow-Tier Spirit Plant Soil over the ground, so that it may be used to plant Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat in the future."
Meng Bohai cupped his hands and replied, "Yes. I will handle it shortly."
Turning to Meng Haoran, Meng Jingshan said solemnly, "Haoran, the maturation and harvest of this batch of Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat is especially important to our Meng Family. Remember two things. First, do not let outsiders learn that Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat has grown in our Meng Family's Spirit Plant Field. Second, tend this batch of Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat with utmost care until it has been fully harvested!"
Meng Haoran nodded. "Haoran understands!"
Hearing this, Meng Bohai asked, "Lineage Head, after I finish spreading the soil over the Spirit Plant Field in the rear courtyard, who will be responsible for planting this Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat?"
Meng Jingshan extended an aged finger and smiled at Meng Haoran. "I already have someone in mind. That person is Meng Haoran."
Meng Bohai was slightly startled.
Meng Haoran also found it somewhat unbelievable. "Lineage Head, I usually only tend First-Tier Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts. I have never cared for Spirit Plants or Spirit Beasts above the Second Tier. I worry that after I cast my Daoist Magic, I might damage the foundations of these Second-Tier Spirit Plants and affect the great plan for our Meng Family's future rise!"
"No matter!"
Meng Jingshan slowly waved his hand and replied, "I have seen everything you have done in Xinghua Village. Now, the fact that Second-Tier Spirit Plant Six-Pattern Wheat has grown in the Meng Family's Spirit Plant Field must surely include some of your contribution. Therefore, I believe that whether they are First-Tier Spirit Plants or Second-Tier Spirit Plants, as long as they are in your hands, you will surely cultivate them well!"
Receiving praise from his Lineage Head, Meng Haoran could not help becoming somewhat excited. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your praise, Lineage Head. Haoran will certainly not fail your expectations or the trust of the Meng Family!"
As his words fell, Meng Jingshan broke into another fit of coughing.
Seeing this, Meng Bohai turned around and said, "Haoran, rest in the village for a while first. Afterward, head to Qingyang County."
Meng Haoran nodded, accepted the order, and returned to his room.
He placed the two "Thunderfire Tigers" he had bought from the female cultivator at the Black Market onto the ground, crouched down, and examined them closely.
Looking at the two "Thunderfire Tigers," whose vitality was utterly different, Meng Haoran smiled. "I would like to see what exactly about you was worth drawing the Heavenly Cauldron's attention?"
As he spoke, the mysterious "Heavenly Cauldron" suddenly appeared in Meng Haoran's palm.
Before you continue