「Heavenly Realm, Myriad Beasts Domain, Outer Sect area of Myriad Beasts Sect.」
Inside a shop specializing in low-rank Spiritual Beasts.
"Senior Brother Chen, although this snow rabbit looks better than the others, it's really only suitable as a pet for female cultivators or children, or else as food. The price of ten low-grade Spirit Stones each is already quite high," the shop assistant said helplessly.
"No! Look at its pure white fur, that foolish—no, I mean—innocent gaze! A snow rabbit with such a pure bloodline for only ten low-grade Spirit Stones?" Chen Jiuge criticized, his face full of dismay.
"But no matter how you put it, it's still just an ordinary snow rabbit. You know the buy-back price for ordinary snow rabbits is only eight Spirit Stones each," the shop assistant pointed out bluntly.
Seeing this, Chen Jiuge knew he had reached the price limit and could only say helplessly, "Alright, I still have three hundred of these snow rabbits. Let's sell them all."
"That will be thirty middle-grade Spirit Stones in total. Do you need anything else, Senior Brother?" the assistant said, handing the Storage Bag filled with Spirit Stones to Chen Jiuge.
"How much for one Colorful Deer?" Chen Jiuge asked as he took the Storage Bag.
"A Second Rank Colorful Deer costs ten middle-grade Spirit Stones each," the shop assistant said, revealing his white front teeth.
Chen Jiuge's mouth twitched. He placed the Storage Bag on the counter and said, "Get me two, one male and one female. With the remaining ten middle-grade Spirit Stones, buy me all Second Rank Spirit Grass."
"Got it, Senior Brother Chen, just a moment." The shop assistant swiftly collected the Storage Bag. In just a few minutes, he placed the Spiritual Beast Bag containing the two Colorful Deer and a Storage Bag full of Second Rank Spirit Grass on the counter.
Carrying the hefty sum of thirty middle-grade Spirit Stones, Chen Jiuge left the Outer Sect market and returned to his own small valley.
Myriad Beasts Sect was a super-large sect spanning multiple heavens, with countless small worlds beneath it supplying resources. The entire Myriad Beasts Domain served as Myriad Beasts Sect's territory, and the Outer Sect, where Chen Jiuge was stationed, occupied a vast part of it. Indeed, though over a hundred years had passed since Chen Jiuge formally joined Myriad Beasts Sect, he hadn't fully explored the entire Outer Sect, let alone the specific area where he resided.
Looking at the fog-covered entrance, Chen Jiuge formed a spell with his fingers. The fog dispersed, barely revealing the thriving scene within the valley.
Upon entering the valley, he was immediately surrounded by a large group of golden Spiritual Dogs. As Chen Jiuge looked at the group of Golden Dogs squatting obediently before him, his mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but grumble, "You wretched things! Did you think I'd actually stiff you on your Spirit Bones? Scatter! I'll refine them for you tonight."
Hearing Chen Jiuge's promise, the lead massive mastiff turned and led its followers to frolic deeper into the valley.
The distinctive leader was not only much larger than the other Golden Dogs but also had a different coloration: the others were golden, while it was pitch black. This was one of Chen Jiuge's Lifebound Spirit Beasts, a Hellhound with a mottled bloodline.
"To think I raised it all this time, only for it to lead its underlings to rebel! It seems it's been playing too wild recently; I must find some proper work for it," Chen Jiuge muttered, quite annoyed.
After sending away the annoying dogs, Chen Jiuge finally returned peacefully to his little house.
First, I'll settle the Colorful Deer, then plant the Spirit Grass. The batch of Red Flame Sheep in the valley should also be ready to sell soon. By then, the funds should be about right, and it'll be time to buy some valuable Guardian Beasts. I'm always selling these beasts meant for food; I'm practically becoming a livestock farmer. Chen Jiuge quietly calculated, the irritation in his heart dispersing.
However, the moment he pushed open the door, Chen Jiuge's blood pressure skyrocketed.
He saw the messy cosmetics in the room. A Moon Rabbit, about the height of a person and emitting a jade-like glow, was using her paws to smear bright red rouge left and right on her rabbit face. Shiny lipstick was applied haphazardly to her three-lobed mouth, and unbelievably, there was even eyeshadow on her silly, big eyes.
Unaware that Chen Jiuge had entered, the Moon Rabbit was admiring herself in the mirror, striking several enchanting poses and proudly saying, "Look at this beautiful body of mine! I'll definitely give Master a huge surprise when he returns."
Chen Jiuge's mouth twitched. "I think it would be more of a fright, don't you agree, Yue Meng?"
The sudden voice made Yue Meng jump three feet high. Fortunately, the small house was a Third Rank Spiritual Artifact, protected by restrictions, so Yue Meng's bunny head didn't smash through the ceiling.
Regaining her senses and seeing it was her master, Yue Meng couldn't help but put on the expression of a frightened gentlewoman. She said coquettishly, "Oh dear, Master, you're back and didn't even say a word! You truly scared this little rabbit to death!!!" Then, she even threw a flirtatious wink at Chen Jiuge.
Looking at a face uglier than Ru Hua's, Chen Jiuge suppressed his anger and said, "Go wash your face, and take all your messy stuff with you. You're not drinking any Moonlight Dew for the next three days."
Chen Jiuge's words dealt Yue Meng a huge blow, and she stood frozen in place. Chen Jiuge didn't bother with her any further and left the room directly.
Sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, Chen Jiuge poured himself a cup of Spiritual Tea, his heart filled with constant sorrow.
He had been in the Sect for a hundred years, advancing from Qi Cultivation straight to the Golden Core realm, and had even purchased this large valley. Consequently, he enjoyed some fame in the Outer Sect. Cultivation resources were not lacking, and he even had a True Immortal ancestor in his family. No one in the Sect deliberately targeted him. By all accounts, he seemed to be a child of destiny, though this did involve some help from his Golden Finger. But, why were his Lifebound Spirit Beasts so outrageous? There was the insubordinate Hellhound, Black Eye; the vain Moon Rabbit, Yue Meng; and the unruly Fighting Demon Ape, War Song, who went out to fight almost every day.
Reflecting on these sad thoughts, Chen Jiuge couldn't help but down his Spiritual Tea as if it were Spiritual Wine.
"Master, don't be sad. I'll go and learn more from Sister Yu next time, and I'll do a pretty makeup look for you," Yue Meng said solemnly, her tiny paw resting on Chen Jiuge's shoulder.
Chen Jiuge's expression darkened as he looked at Yue Meng. Perhaps sensing her master's unstable mood, Yue Meng rolled her eyes and changed the subject. "Oh dear, I wonder if the little bunnies at home have been obedient. I'll go check on them now."
With that, she dashed off in a flash.
Watching the incorrigible Yue Meng, Chen Jiuge really began to doubt if there was something wrong with his Golden Finger for it to create such an unruly creature from a Moon Rabbit bloodline.
Forget it; it's not worth getting angry about. In a few days, the Sect will have its new round of recruitment. My family should also be sending someone over, and they will probably ask me to help out. I'd better hurry and take care of the Colorful Deer first, and those Second Rank Spirit Grass need to be planted too. Ah, what a laborious life. Chen Jiuge sighed quietly to himself and then set off to work.
Settling the Colorful Deer was simple; he just needed to place them in an area lush with Second Rank Spirit Grass. He would ask Black Eye to keep an eye on them and ensure the Red Flame Sheep didn't bully them.
The trouble was with the Second Rank Spirit Grass. He wasn't a Spiritual Plant Master, and the number of Plant Elves in the valley was too low. It seemed he would have to ask his mother for more Plant Elves.