The Pure Yang Palace.
It stood above the Three Halls.
Inside the palace, ten-thousand-year borneol incense rose in faint wisps from a censer, transforming into all manner of wondrous visions.
A Daoist sat cross-legged before the censer, resting with his eyes closed.
Suddenly, a small stone slipped silently from his sleeve and floated in midair.
The Daoist slowly opened his eyes, which were as cloudy as an ordinary person's.
From the small stone, however, came an urgent voice:
"Sect Master, Seng Wangxin has crossed the Wind-Howling Strait and successfully joined the cultivators from Tupi Continent led by 'Ashina.' The West Sea Kingdom's front may be lost!"
The Daoist's expression barely changed. He merely frowned slightly.
"Seng Wangxin crossed the Wind-Howling Strait? Could Martial Nephew Yao have failed?"
"With Patriarch Yuyang there, he should not have died, but his path ahead may..."
The Daoist shook his head slightly, then spoke softly to the voice within the stone:
"Have Xumi withdraw, and notify the Longevity Sect as well. This time, we failed. We will send someone else."
"Yes!"
The voice cut off.
The small stone immediately fell, landing squarely in the Daoist's hand.
Gently holding the small stone, the Daoist looked puzzled.
"Did he fail, or did they fight to a draw..."
"A Ghost-Patterned Stone Dragon Lizard!"
Wang Ba exclaimed the spirit beast's name in surprise.
Hearing this, the spirit beast shopkeeper glanced back at Wang Ba with mild surprise.
"Oh, you actually know what this is?"
Wang Ba shook his head slightly, unconcerned by the teasing in the man's tone, and made his decision almost immediately.
"How much for this Ghost-Patterned Stone Dragon Lizard?"
"Since you know your stuff, I can knock a little off. Five High-Grade Spirit Stones."
Without any hesitation, Wang Ba counted out the Spirit Stones and