Wang Hu's words left Li Chang'an stunned.
After just a few words, he'd concluded that Li Chang'an was pure of heart.
'This judgment is a bit rash.'
Li Chang'an complained inwardly.
He felt that this Senior was the one who was truly pure-hearted.
But this was good, too.
This way, he could gain more from the transaction.
"Young friend, what do you think?"
Wang Hu asked patiently, his expression gentle.
Li Chang'an immediately nodded in agreement.
Afterward, the two signed a Spirit Contract, officially completing the transaction.
Li Chang'an obtained a Tier One Middle Stage Peak Yellow Sand Dog.
He patted the Spiritual Dog's head, overjoyed.
'Canine Spirit Beasts are famously loyal. This Yellow Sand Dog is not only powerful but also skilled at tracking. It will be a great help to me.'
Nearby, Wang Hu was also smiling.
The quality of the Earth Fire Stone was even better than he had imagined, and he was very satisfied.
Both parties got what they wanted.
At that moment, Li Chang'an voiced the question that had been on his mind.
"Senior, the Zheng Family should have a good stock of Fire Element Treasures. Why didn't you trade with them?"
"The Zheng Family?"
Wang Hu shook his head slightly.
He put away the Earth Fire Stone and began to explain.
"Young friend, the Zheng Family has gotten into a conflict with the other two great Foundation Establishment Clans. They're in desperate need of manpower, so it's best not to seek their help right now."
"I see."
Li Chang'an understood.
This involved a struggle between Foundation Establishment Clans.
The profits from the Marketplace were enormous, yet the Zheng Family monopolized them.
The other Foundation Establishment Clans were naturally displeased.
The Foundation Establishment Cao Family and Wu Family were also in this region, forming a triangular standoff with the Zheng Family.
These two great families each had an Early Stage of Foundation Establishment Ancestor and were eyeing the Zheng Family covetously.
However, the Zheng Family had two Foundation Establishment Ancestors, one of whom was a Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment expert.
The Cao and Wu Families had no choice but to join forces against the Zheng Family.
In past years, the two sides often clashed, but it was always kept within controllable limits.
However, after the Secret Realm opened, the disciples of the families frequently came to blows over the Treasures in the Secret Realm. The conflict escalated, and the fighting grew more brutal.
"A few days ago, a Qi Refining Ninth Layer Elder from the Zheng Family died in the Secret Realm. It was the work of the Wu and Cao Families acting together."
Wang Hu slowly recounted what he knew.
After all, he had braved the Secret Realm himself.
He had heard quite a bit of news.
"All three great families have lost high-ranking members. This matter will not end easily."
"So that's how it is. Thank you for telling me, Senior."
Li Chang'an couldn't help but feel relieved.
'Thankfully, I've completely broken ties with the Zheng Family.'
No matter how desperate they were for manpower, they couldn't forcibly conscript him.
"From now on, the situation in the Secret Realm will only grow more dangerous. Staying in the Marketplace is the best choice. Young friend, you must not risk your life for some so-called 'opportunity'."
At this, Wang Hu sighed.
He himself hadn't been able to resist.
He'd heard that many people had found opportunities, so he decided to try his luck, clinging to a sliver of hope.
But the result...
He was grievously injured and suffered heavy losses!
"Thank you for your warning, Senior. I will take it to heart."
Li Chang'an said with a solemn expression, cupping his hands in thanks.
Afterward, the two chatted for about a quarter of an hour.
Li Chang'an learned more information about the Secret Realm.
...
「Back in his room.」
Li Chang'an began to carefully examine the Spirit Beast he had just acquired.
"From now on, I'll call you Dahuang."
He said with a smile, patting the Spiritual Dog's head.
In his previous life, when he was still a child, he had raised a mutt named Dahuang.
That dog had a reddish-yellow coat and a strong build, looking almost identical to the Spiritual Dog before him.
Unfortunately, a thief later broke into his home. Dahuang fought with the intruder to protect him and died from his injuries.
"WOOF!"
The Spiritual Dog opened its mouth wide, its tongue lolling out. Its eyes were bright and lively, and its tail wagged nonstop.
He seemed to like the name a lot and looked very happy.
Judging by its appearance alone, you would never guess it was a Spirit Beast.
It looked just like an ordinary mutt.
But its strength and talent were quite remarkable.
'The bloodline of a Spirit Beast like the Yellow Sand Dog is Middle Grade, which is equivalent to a Human Race Cultivator's Middle Spirit Root.'
The bloodline Tiers of Demon Beasts were categorized the same way as the Spiritual Roots of the Human Race.
From lowest to highest, they were: Inferior Bloodline, Low Grade Bloodline, Middle Grade Bloodline, Top Grade Bloodline, Earth Grade Bloodline, and Celestial Grade Bloodline.
In other words, Dahuang surpassed his master, Li Chang'an, in both strength and potential!
"Dahuang, I'm counting on you to protect me from now on!"
"WOOF WOOF!"
The man and his dog got along harmoniously, sharing a cheerful atmosphere.
「In the following days.」
Li Chang'an tested Dahuang's abilities.
As an Earth Spirit Beast, Dahuang was especially skilled at Earth Escape, able to travel underground without a sound.
This ability was particularly satisfying to Li Chang'an.
He instructed Dahuang to dig more tunnels underground.
'If something unexpected happens one day and even the Marketplace is no longer safe, I can use these tunnels to escape,' Li Chang'an thought.
It never hurt to be prepared!
Furthermore, Li Chang'an also taught Dahuang how to use Talismans.
Dahuang was already strong enough, but with the aid of Talismans, his power would rise to another level!
'It's just a shame I don't have a Spirit Beast Bag. It's really inconvenient.'
A Spirit Beast Bag was similar in size to a Storage Pouch.
But its value far exceeded that of a Storage Pouch.
This was because a Storage Pouch could only hold inanimate objects, while a Spirit Beast Bag could sustain a living Spirit Beast inside it.
Even the most common Spirit Beast Bag was worth over one thousand Spirit Stones!
For now, Li Chang'an could only dream about it.
...
「Half a month later.」
Wu Feng suddenly appeared with a piece of news.
"Daoist Li, I have great news!"
"Oh?"
Li Chang'an was slightly puzzled.
"Daoist Wu, what is this great news?"
"A senior I know obtained a Talismanic Inheritance in the Secret Realm. Daoist Li, take a guess, what Tier is the Talismanic Inheritance?"
Wu Feng was all smiles, his gaze subtly sweeping over Li Chang'an's face.
A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Li Chang'an's face as he asked eagerly,
"Could it be a Tier Two inheritance?"
"Well..."
Wu Feng froze, the corner of his mouth twitching.
'Even for a lie, that's way too unrealistic.'
If a Tier Two inheritance truly appeared, it would have sent the entire Marketplace into an uproar long ago!
After all, a Tier Two inheritance was enough to ensure the everlasting prosperity of a Foundation Establishment Clan!
"It's a Tier One Middle Grade inheritance. And that old senior plans to trade it, right here in the Marketplace. There will be a small trade meet in a few days."
Wu Feng had thought it through carefully.
Li Chang'an was, after all, just an Early Stage of Qi Refining Cultivator. Whether it was the Foundation Establishment Tomb or a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object like the Earth Dragon Saliva, they were all too far out of his reach.
But the art of crafting Tier One Middle Grade Talismans was something he desperately needed right now!
As expected, Li Chang'an's eyes lit up, and he seemed tempted.
"Daoist Wu, please tell me the time and location of this small trade meet."
"The time is tentatively set for three days from now. As for the location..."
Wu Feng sneered inwardly.
'I've finally lured this old turtle out of his shell!'
The so-called small trade meet was a trap, a Heaven and Earth Net already laid out.
As long as Li Chang'an went,
he was as good as dead!