Crazy Buying Spree, Choosing the Third Soul Skill

As Xiao Qing and the other seven stepped through the gates of Suotuo City, the clamor of the marketplace rushed to meet them.

The ceaseless cries of hawkers, the haggling of customers, the clatter of carriages, and the laughter of children all blended into a single, vibrant roar.

To Ning Rongrong, who had grown up accustomed to top-tier auction houses and rare treasures, such bustle was nothing out of the ordinary.

Yet, perhaps it was the result of being cooped up in the academy for a week of grueling cultivation, or perhaps the novelty of roaming with friends her own age, but she appeared exceptionally excited.

Whenever she spotted a novel accessory, a piece of clothing, or a cute ornament—as long as she, Xiao Wu, or Zhu Zhuqing lingered on it for even a second—she would buy it outright without even asking the price.

Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Oscar, who followed in her wake, soon learned the true meaning of a "sweet burden."

Ning Rongrong's purchasing power was staggering, and her targets were clear: she bought for her sisters, and "incidentally" picked up items for the boys who were "working hard carrying things."

Tang San received a pair of wrist guards chosen by Xiao Wu, while Dai Mubai received a set of brass knuckles selected by Zhu Zhuqing.

Because Oscar was the one carrying Ning Rongrong's bags, he received a pendant she had picked out that matched him perfectly.

As for Ma Hongjun's "harvest," it was all in his stomach.

He ate his way from one end of the street to the other, his hands and mouth never resting, his chubby face filled with satisfaction as he mumbled recommendations between bites.

"This one, it's delicious! Third Brother, you have to try it!"

"Rongrong, Xiao Wu, there's a stall over there selling candied Crimson Fruit! It's so sweet!"

Xiao Qing did not participate in their activities, only stepping into a few general stores and shops related to spirit beasts as they passed by.

He purchased some materials for making toys, a few jars of honey, and two jin of Crimson Fruit; these were for Xiao Feng and the others.

Ever since arriving at Shrek, their contact with humans had increased, and with Xiao Qing's intentional guidance, the three spirit beasts had indeed begun to show simple preferences, taking on a side similar to "pets."

Of course, Xiao Qing did not believe this was a bad thing.

Playtime was playtime, but the group had not forgotten Dean Flender's instructions.

Once Ning Rongrong's shopping desire was initially satisfied and Ma Hongjun had eaten his fill, Dai Mubai took the lead and guided them to the Suotuo City Spirit Master Market.

The atmosphere here was completely different from the main street.

The goods traded here were mostly supplies that spirit masters might need for cultivation, combat, healing, or even hunting spirit beasts.

Tang San intended to purchase several specific medicinal herbs to concoct the insect-repellent powder essential for entering the Star Dou Great Forest.

He soon stopped in front of a stall specializing in herbs, where he began haggling over the prices of several ingredients with a middle-aged spirit master sporting a pair of rat-like whiskers.

Just as Tang San was focused on his bargaining, Xiao Qing's attention was drawn to a stall in an inconspicuous corner.

The stall was very small; aside from a gray cloth on the ground covered in a pile of slips of paper, there was only a crude wooden sign stuck into the ground that read: "Selling information on various spirit beast tracks and rare materials."

Sitting behind the stall was a gaunt old man in a faded robe, eyes closed in a nap.

What caught Xiao Qing's eye was a slip of paper held down on the gray cloth. His gaze swept over it and locked onto one line:

"Southwest region of the Star Dou Forest outskirts, suspected traces of a Blood-Vein Python, estimated age between 1,300 and 1,500 years. Price: 50 Gold Soul Coins."

Blood-Vein Python.

Information regarding this type of spirit beast immediately surfaced in Xiao Qing's memory.

It was a rather rare, python-type spirit beast with extremely vigorous vitality. Its scales were dark red, patterned with complex veins that resembled blood vessels, hence the name Blood-Vein Python.

This spirit beast held great appeal for assault-type and defense-type spirit masters.

Because absorbing its spirit ring carried a high probability of obtaining a spirit skill that could directly or indirectly enhance a spirit master's vitality, physique, or even provide some form of life recovery.

The reason Xiao Qing took note of the Blood-Vein Python was that he remembered they were going to hunt for Oscar's third spirit ring tomorrow.

Oscar was a food-type spirit master, and the essence of his spirit skills was to use food as a medium to bestow various states upon the consumer.

If the spirit ring Oscar absorbed originated from a spirit beast with such vigorous vitality, was it possible for his third spirit skill to produce a sausage that could enhance the consumer's vitality and physique?

This thought stirred something in Xiao Qing's heart.

Most spirit masters' physical constitutions were not particularly strong; as soon as they encountered a slightly stronger spirit beast, their bodies would become as brittle as a biscuit.

If Oscar could succeed, then in the future, their physical constitutions would be enough to crush a crowd!

Taking a step back, even if Oscar failed to obtain the ideal "physique-enhancing" sausage, given the characteristics of the Blood-Vein Python, he was highly likely to obtain a spirit skill related to vitality recovery or temporary state augmentation. Either way, it wouldn't be a loss.

"Come over here, everyone."

Xiao Qing called over the few who were busy picking out items. Tang San and the others immediately gathered around. Xiao Qing did not offer much explanation, simply gesturing for them to look at the information about the Blood-Vein Python on the slip of paper.

Oscar leaned in and read it softly: "Blood-Vein Python? 1,300 to 1,500 years? This spirit beast's vitality is notoriously vigorous."

Dai Mubai stroked his chin: "The Blood-Vein Python is indeed good, but is the information reliable?"

Although Ning Rongrong's knowledge of spirit beasts was not as deep as theirs, she knew from the discussion that this beast was extraordinary, so she asked curiously: "Can the spirit ring of this Blood-Vein Python make some kind of special sausage?"

Xiao Qing looked at Oscar and stated his thoughts directly: "Oscar is a food-type, and his spirit skills are primarily about 'bestowing states.' I was thinking, if you absorb its spirit ring, your third spirit skill might be able to create a sausage that enhances the consumer's physical constitution. Even if it isn't an all-around enhancement, even just one aspect would be of immense value to the team."

After hearing this, Oscar's breathing quickened slightly. A sausage that enhances physical constitution?!

The concept made his heart burn with excitement. If this could truly be realized, his path as a support would no longer be limited to recovery and attribute buffs, but would allow him to directly improve the "hardware" foundation of his teammates!

This was absolutely an unprecedented path for a food-type spirit master!

"The information needs to be verified, and there is a risk regarding the age, but... it is worth a try."

Oscar looked toward Dai Mubai and Tang San, his eyes filled with longing and determination.

Tang San nodded, "The Blood-Vein Python is indeed an ideal target. Although the information is expensive, if it is accurate, it will save us a great deal of time spent searching and screening."

Dai Mubai also agreed, "Fifty Gold Soul Coins for a precise lead on a high-value spirit beast is not unreasonable in the spirit master market. This old man looks like he specializes in selling information; people like this usually have their own channels and rules of reputation. They wouldn't sell fake information and ruin their own brand."

"Buy it." Xiao Qing was concise, making the decision. He looked toward the gray-robed old man.

The old man seemed to sense their gaze and slowly opened his eyes.

He swept a glance over the eight boys and girls gathered in front of the stall, his gaze lingering particularly on Xiao Qing, Dai Mubai, and Tang San, before he spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Interested in the information on the Blood-Vein Python? Fifty Gold Soul Coins, no bargaining, the deal is final once paid. Whether you can find it later or succeed in the hunt has nothing to do with me. The information is from three days ago; if you go now, the tracks might still be there, or they might be gone. Judge for yourselves."

Xiao Qing did not waste words, taking a money pouch from his robes and counting out fifty Gold Soul Coins, stacking them neatly on the gray cloth in front of the old man.

The old man extended a withered, thin hand and slowly gathered the Gold Soul Coins one by one, his movements steady.

Then, he pulled out the yellowed slip of paper held down by a stone and retrieved an envelope from the large chest behind him.

"The description of the location where the Blood-Vein Python was encountered is inside. The Blood-Vein Python prefers cool, damp environments and often lurks in rock crevices, marshes, or the root hollows of ancient trees. Be careful; that thing is not to be trifled with, and its death throes are quite troublesome."

Xiao Qing opened the envelope, read through it carefully, memorized the contents, and then handed it to Oscar.

"Keep it safe. We'll show it to the Dean and Teacher Zhao when we get back."