Li Changsheng had thought that nurturing would make Big Flower and Xiaohua grow faster, but he hadn’t expected the effects to be this good.
Xiaohua’s level progression had increased by three points. Big Flower’s had only increased by two, possibly because she had just given birth.
At this rate, Big Flower and Xiaohua would be able to advance to Tier One Middle-grade Spirit Beasts in just over half a month.
A Tier One Middle-grade Spirit Beast was comparable to a Cultivator at the Mid-Qi Cultivation stage. Although their domesticated upbringing left them lacking in ferocity and combat power compared to a Cultivator, this didn’t diminish their intrinsic value in the slightest.
An adult Tier One Low-grade Tusked Pig was worth one hundred Spirit Stones, while an adult Tier One Middle-grade Tusked Pig was worth at least five hundred.
This was because after a Tusked Pig advanced to Middle-grade, the blood qi contained in its heart’s essence blood and flesh would surge, making it usable as the main ingredient for the Body Refinement pill, the Blood Qi Pill.
It was well known that Body Refining Cultivators were the poor among the rich, and the rich among the poor.
This wasn’t just because Body Refining Techniques were precious, but because the pills required for Body Refinement were like a bottomless pit.
A saying circulated within the Cyan Yang Sect: a powerful Body Refining Cultivator is either the son of a rich man or the father of one.
This showed just how great the consumption of Body Refinement was, and how many Spirit Stones it cost.
The fact that the Tusked Pig’s essence blood and flesh alone could be used as the main ingredient for the Blood Qi Pill greatly increased its value.
If it advanced to Tier One High-grade, it would be even more incredible. Its tusks could be used as a main material for Artifact Refining, its hide could be used for talismans, and its sinews and bones had numerous uses as well. Every part of its body was truly a treasure.
After the initial elation, Li Changsheng’s faith in his nurturing ability grew stronger. He knew that the breeding method for the Tusked Pigs could not be leaked, no matter what.
His cultivation was too low. If the secret got out, there would be only one end for him: death.
He couldn’t just let Big Flower and Xiaohua advance to Tier One Middle-grade all at once. At the very least, when the sect came to collect for the mission, he couldn’t let them both be Middle-grade. That would be too conspicuous.
"Sigh, it’s all because my cultivation is too low..."
Li Changsheng sighed and turned to leave the animal pen.
Back in the kitchen, he walked straight to the large vat holding the Yellow Rice. Seeing less than two fingers’ worth of Yellow Rice at the bottom, he took a wooden ladle and fiercely scooped out half a bowl.
With his future cultivation resources secured, Li Changsheng decided to treat himself a little better from now on. He would strive to break through to the second layer of Qi Cultivation before the mission collection.
He started a fire and poured in water.
Before long, the rich aroma of grains filled the kitchen.
Li Changsheng looked at the large half-bowl of glistening, translucent, golden grains of Yellow Rice, his appetite whetted.
Mmm...
The rich, sweet fragrance of the Yellow Rice instantly conquered Li Changsheng’s taste buds. One bite after another, the large half-bowl of Yellow Rice quickly found its way into his stomach.
"Hooo..."
Li Changsheng put down his bowl and chopsticks. Feeling the waves of heat spreading from his stomach, he hastily sat cross-legged and began to refine it.
.
Meanwhile, after inquiring about Li Changsheng’s social circle, Ma Wu once again arrived at that spacious animal pen.
"Is Senior Brother Wang home?"
"Come in."
Wang Li’s rough voice came from within the animal pen.
Hearing this, Ma Wu walked to the door of the pen, pulled it open, and was immediately hit by a thick, metallic stench of blood.
The chewing sounds from within the pen abruptly stopped, and several pairs of dull yellow eyes fixed on Ma Wu.
Peeking through the gaps in the pen, he could see several wolves, each over two meters long and as sturdy as a small calf.
The wolves were called Desert Wolves, Tier One Low-grade Spirit Beasts. Their greatest value lay in their pelts and bones. The sect’s buyback price was one hundred fifty Spirit Stones each.
Ma Wu’s expression became slightly unnatural, and he quickly walked to Wang Li’s side.
Wang Li ignored him, holding a wooden bucket. From time to time, he would scoop out a piece of bloody meat and toss it through the gaps in the pen, immediately causing a chorus of whimpering and tearing sounds.
After he had finished feeding them the entire bucket of meat, Wang Li put it down and casually wiped the blood on his apron.
Only then did he speak. "Did you find out everything? Does he have anyone close to him?"
Ma Wu said obsequiously, "Senior Brother Wang, I did. That kid has a solitary personality, so he doesn’t have any close senior brothers in the Beast Valley."
"Besides, his animal pen is in a remote location, so very few people pass by."
Hearing this, a satisfied look appeared on Wang Li’s face. He waved his hand and ordered, "Find a way to lure him deep into the mountains. When the time comes, I’ll make my move and make sure he’s buried among the trees."
Ma Wu’s face instantly stiffened. He lowered his head slightly, cursing inwardly without end.
’If I could lure him into the mountains, would I need you to make a move? He’s just a greenhorn who joined barely a year ago. Besides, my target isn’t just Li Changsheng, but you as well...’
"Senior Brother Wang, I..."
Ma Wu looked up and met Wang Li’s mocking gaze. His heart went cold, and his words died in his throat.
Just as he was feeling uneasy, Wang Li burst out laughing, as if that mocking gaze had never been there.
Wang Li clapped him on the shoulder and chuckled. "Just kidding. The newbies may be green, but they’re not idiots. How could they be tricked into the deep mountains with just a few words from you?"
’Them?’ Ma Wu keenly sensed that something was off.
As expected, Wang Li’s next words sent a chill down his spine.
Wang Li said, "Next, you will continue to look for new disciples like him."
"Remember, they must be the kind with no background! The more remote their animal pens, the better! You also need to find out exactly who their close senior brothers are!"
Hearing this, Ma Wu’s mind fell into turmoil. How could he not understand Wang Li’s words? He was planning to kill more than just one person.
’Isn’t he afraid of the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall?’
Wang Li patted his shoulder, smiling. "Understand?"
Ma Wu nodded hastily. Before leaving, he hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Senior Brother, aren’t you afraid the Law Enforcement Hall will investigate?"
Wang Li’s expression didn’t change. He smiled and retorted, "Do you know how many new disciples enter the Beast Valley each year?"
Ma Wu was stunned. He was already old when he joined the Cyan Yang Sect. To cultivate, he had diligently raised ptarmigans, using the Spirit Stones he earned to buy pills for his training. He had never paid attention to other matters.
Now, hearing Wang Li’s question, he was at a loss for words.
Wang Li’s face was calm as he said coolly, "Every year, at least a hundred new disciples enter the valley, but the total number of disciples in the Beast Valley has never broken a thousand."
"Do you... understand?"
Even after leaving the animal pen, Ma Wu’s expression was still dazed.
Under the scorching sun, he looked at the wisps of green smoke rising from various places and suddenly felt a chill run through his entire body.
"AH!"
Ma Wu let out a low roar and staggered back toward his residence.
.
The days passed one by one. The Beast Valley, where few figures were seen during the day, suddenly became lively.
Cultivators—some old, some young and robust, some charming, some youthful—came and went, walking into the various animal pens.
Although Li Changsheng’s animal pen was remote, several people still came by. Through conversation, he learned that the Beast Valley’s annual market day was approaching.
It was a trading market organized by the Beast Valley Cultivators themselves, located on a flat piece of land in the center of the valley, not far from the stream.
In the market, one could set up a stall freely, with no entrance or stall fees.
Whether it was Spirit Medicines or spirit ores picked in the mountains, or one’s own farmed Spirit Beasts, anything could be bought, sold, or traded at the market.
Li Changsheng didn’t have anything in particular to buy or sell, but he was somewhat interested in this market.
It wasn’t for any other reason than this: if everyone in the entire Hundred Beasts Valley attended, think of all the Spirit Plants, Spirit Beasts, and spirit ores there would be. It would be a perfect opportunity for his nurturing eye to gather information.