Just as he put away the Mind-Bewildering Bell, Gu An heard Huang Xuan offering twenty spirit stones to trade for the Lightning Summoning Talisman, and Qian Jinbao countered with twenty-one.
Huang Xuan clearly meant to have it, directly raising the price to twenty-five spirit stones, and took the Lightning Summoning Talisman at a premium.
After storing the Lightning Summoning Talisman in his storage bag, Huang Xuan took out a Wind Aperture Stone and introduced it: “A first-grade high-tier spiritual object, the Wind Aperture Stone. I’ll trade it for an escape-type Talisman or magical artifact. If it’s not enough, I can add spirit stones.”
Now there was a man who knew the art of staying alive.
One mention of robbers, and he was already buying himself a way out. With that attitude, he would live a long time.
Gu An silently praised him, strongly approving of such behavior.
Unfortunately, escape-type spiritual objects were everyone’s life-saving items, and no one was willing to trade.
Yun Xiuyan did try offering a price of sixty spirit stones, but Huang Xuan didn’t agree.
Seeing no one interested in trading, Huang Xuan shook his head in disappointment, put away the Wind Aperture Stone, and returned to his seat.
Next, Gu Feng brought out a first-grade lower-tier magical artifact, the White Profound Sword, but no one even made an offer. Wang Nan didn’t produce anything good either, just a first-grade middle-tier spiritual herb, Body-Tempering Grass, which Yun Xiuyan bought for twenty spirit stones.
Yun Xiuyan had said she needed the Red Maple Spirit Sap; now she was buying Body-Tempering Grass as well. Why so many supplies for Body Refinement? Gu An had thought she studied swordsmanship under True Person Qingxiao.
No one answered Gu An’s question, and the small gathering continued.
When his turn came, Han Geng took a fox from the spirit beast pouch at his waist. Gu An noticed that the pouch was the same kind as his own.
Han Geng held the fox up in his hand, and only then did everyone see it clearly. The fox was pure white all over, with soft, smooth fur. Its willow-leaf-shaped eyes were half-open, revealing a hint of moisture, and its pink nose and lips twitched as if it were still unweaned.
Han Geng chuckled. “Martial Uncle Wang and I were tracking those robbers when the trail led into Beastmaster Sect territory. We ran into several of their disciples and killed them. This White Jade Fox was my share of the spoils.”
“Everyone, seize the opportunity-such Spirit Beast cubs are rare.”
Having said that, Han Geng raised the White Jade Fox higher and announced loudly, “A first-grade high-tier Spirit Beast, a White Jade Fox cub, in exchange for a first-grade high-tier defensive magical artifact.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Gu An’s eyes burned with desire. A first-grade high-tier White Jade Fox mastered the technique Jade Profound Arrow. As an adult, it would reach the late Qi Condensation stage. Raising it from a young age also eliminated the risk of it turning on its master.
Moreover, it was perfectly suited for Gu An’s Spirit Source Feedback. Of course, that didn’t mean raising it to kill it, but rather signing a spiritual contract and keeping it as a spirit companion.
This was no useless Spirit Beast like the Colorful-Feather Chicken or Black Spirit Fish, which were only fit for the dinner table. The White Jade Fox had formidable combat power and was considered a superior Spirit Beast even within the Beastmaster Sect.
With such a Spirit Beast, one would have a huge advantage in magical combat. The Beastmaster Sect had every disciple raise one or two Spirit Beasts, using numbers to overwhelm opponents in fights, causing many Qingyuan Sect cultivators great distress.
Gu An expected fierce competition for the cub. He could only watch, though; he did not have nearly enough spirit stones to buy it.
Scanning the surroundings, he noticed everyone looked eager, yet few spoke up.
Had they all spent their spirit stones? Why was no one bidding on such a fine beast?
He was assuming too much. Having chosen to seek longevity by raising spirit beasts, he naturally saw every advantage in owning one.
The others saw the costs. Buying a beast took spirit stones; raising it took more. By the time it matured decades later, their own chance at Foundation Establishment might be gone. What use would it be then?
Han Geng was asking for a First-Grade High-Tier defensive artifact, pricier even than ordinary artifacts of that tier. The fox, meanwhile, would take at least thirty years to mature, even with ample spiritual qi. Most cultivators could not afford such an impractical investment.
Yun Xiuyan finally spoke. “I can’t offer a defensive artifact, Junior Brother Han. Would an ordinary high-tier artifact do?”
She had a family backing her. Raising it for thirty or forty years would yield a late Qi Condensation combatant, so she was quite interested in this White Jade Fox.
Han Geng quickly shook his head and refused, “No, I’ll only trade for a defensive magical artifact.”
“How about a First-Grade Middle-Tier Black Sand Shield and two hundred spirit stones?” Tan Chengfeng offered. His clan was based outside Yun Kingdom, but he was just as interested in buying the fox.
Han Geng hesitated. In terms of value, the two were roughly equal. He was a bit tempted, especially since he was only at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, and the Black Sand Shield seemed sufficient.
But Han Geng decided to wait and see if Senior Sister Yun would raise her bid.
Seeing this, Yun Xiuyan grew anxious. Her younger sister had joined the sect last year but had poor talent-only Five Spirit Roots-dooming her to a difficult path ahead.
The two sisters were very close, and Yun Xiuyan couldn’t bear it. If she had this White Jade Fox, her sister’s path would be smoother.
However, she currently had no first-grade high-tier defensive magical artifact. She did have a First-Grade Top-Tier Green Gauze Umbrella, but that was given to her by True Person Qingxiao and couldn’t be offered. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
Suddenly, a voice transmission entered her mind.
“Xiuyan, I’ve already found a Green-Winged Bird for Wanxi. Don’t trade for this White Jade Fox.”
In the Yun family, only that Foundation Establishment cultivator-her third uncle-could perform Secret Sound Transmission. Naturally, Yun Xiuyan wouldn’t object.
After a brief thought, Yun Xiuyan stepped back, signaling her withdrawal.
Han Geng was somewhat disappointed, while Tan Chengfeng beamed with joy. He took out the Black Sand Shield and two hundred spirit stones, exchanging them for the White Jade Fox.
Gu An and the others congratulated Tan Chengfeng on acquiring a fine companion, and Tan Chengfeng replied politely, “Thank you, fellow disciples, for letting me have it.”
This was clearly just a courtesy. Aside from Yun Xiuyan, who had shown some competitiveness, no one else had even made a bid.
After the commotion died down, everyone turned their attention to Gu An.
Reluctant to be the only one with nothing to offer, Gu An stepped forward with his two Purple Cloud Goose eggs. “I’m still a low-level cultivator with little to spare. These eggs are all I have to offer. I’m open to trades.”
The others had no conflicts of interest with Gu An, and seeing his decent talent, no one said anything inappropriate. Instead, they offered words of comfort.
Huang Xuan smiled. “You’ve reached this level so young, Junior Brother. You’ll build up some wealth in time. How about two Ice Arrow Talismans for those eggs?”
Gu An’s eyes lit up. Two Ice Arrow Talismans were worth considerably more than his Purple Cloud Goose eggs-about twelve spirit stones. He cupped his hands in thanks, “Thank you, Senior Brother Huang.”
Huang Xuan nodded cheerfully, as if he were the one getting the better deal. The two exchanged the talismans and eggs, then returned to their seats.
Gu An’s goodwill toward this senior brother, who had traded at a loss for the Purple Cloud Goose eggs, greatly increased.
Huang Xuan was pleased as well. Gu An had reached an impressive level for his age and clearly had talent. A small favor now might be the start of a useful friendship.
Seeing everyone sitting still, Yun Xiuyan hastily announced the end of the fellow disciple gathering. The group took their leave and dispersed.