Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Cyan-Horned Bull

“The Upper Grade Yellow Dragon Pill for Tier One cultivators is extremely beneficial for increasing mana and enhancing cultivation, with a starting bid of seventy Spirit Stones!”

“I bid seventy-five Spirit Stones!”

“I’ll bid eighty!”

The auction was exceptionally heated, starting with various pills for enhancing cultivation and magical artifacts, with the lowest tier being Middle Grade artifacts.

“Next up is a set of Middle Grade magical artifacts, the Golden Cicada Mother and Child Blade, starting at…”

Lin Chang’an in the audience watched the treasures appearing one by one, feeling quite tempted, but remembering his purpose, he calmed himself.

There were many treasures, and though he wanted to possess them all, he lacked the resources, so he decided to wait patiently for the spirit pet auction.

Currently, his cultivation was at the late-stage Qi Refining; to enhance his strength safely, he needed more than just magical artifacts and spirit pets.

He was not in short supply of magical artifacts at the moment, but if he could raise a durable spirit pet, that would be even better.

After all, when preparing for Foundation Establishment in the future, having an additional spirit pet in battle could provide an extra layer of security. It’s crucial to start nurturing one early.

“Next up are Upper Grade magical artifacts!”

With the appearance of Upper Grade magical artifacts, the scene became even more fervent, with innumerable cultivators’ eyes turning red. Even some cultivators from large families began participating in the bidding.

However, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from Profound Sound Pavilion and Li Huo Palace just watched indifferently from above, as if all of this was just the conduct of mere mortals in their eyes.

They truly were just here to maintain order.

With the appearance of various treasures in the auction, countless cultivators were left green-eyed and eager; this was undoubtedly the grandest auction ever held at Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market.

“Next is the spirit beast auction special session, with a total of sixty-five spirit beast cubs of excellent lineage to be auctioned.”

As the spirit beasts began to be auctioned, the venue calmed down quite a bit.

Spirit beasts might not be expensive, but keeping one costs substantial Spirit Stones; therefore, most loose cultivators prefer to invest these stones in themselves.

Of course, some large families and cultivators with exceptional skills would maintain a spirit beast as a battle companion, which is far more reliable than partnering with other cultivators.

“Black Wind Wolf cub, a descendant of a Tier Two Demon Beast with Middle Grade bloodline…”

Cultivators have spirit roots, and likewise, demon beasts’ bloodlines are categorized into corresponding levels; the higher the bloodline grade, the greater the potential.

The bloodline levels are: Mixed Rank, Lower Grade, Middle Grade, Upper Grade, Earth Grade, and Celestial Grade, corresponding to the cultivators’ spirit root grades, with Mixed Rank becoming Inferior Grade.

“Snow Spirit Fox, Middle Grade bloodline, highly intelligent, extremely fast…”

As each spirit beast cub was presented, the commotion from before subsided; most bids came from large families or powerful cultivators.

“Indeed, raising one of these creatures is like raising a child.”

Lin Chang’an chuckled; to impoverished cultivators, spirit beasts are like nurturers, but to wealthy cultivators, they are equivalent to having a loyal and reliable partner.

“Next up is a spirit beast from the Beast Taming Zhou Family, a bit special, it’s an unhatched ’Profound Water Turtle’ egg, with an Upper Grade bloodline!”

Not even halfway in, a spirit beast with an Upper Grade bloodline appeared, surprising everyone, including Lin Chang’an.

“Fellow Daoists, a spirit beast with an Upper Grade bloodline; a hundred years ago, the strongest loose cultivator in our Yue Kingdom had a Profound Water Turtle with an Upper Grade bloodline grow to Tier Three, its strength comparable to a Golden Core cultivator…”

With the appearance of an Upper Grade spirit beast, countless cultivators exclaimed with astonishment, but the scene became somewhat subdued afterward.

“The Profound Water Turtle, even with an Upper Grade bloodline, takes a long time to mature.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head secretly; perhaps a family or a small sect could slowly nurture it as a guardian spirit beast.

But given the current chaotic situation, he had no intention of using countless resources to feed a slowly maturing spirit beast.

It would take over a hundred years to mature, like raising an ancestor for himself.

He sought a spirit beast capable of contributing while preparing Foundation Establishment materials.

“Fellow Daoists, although the Profound Water Turtle matures slowly, it also has clear advantages: a long lifespan, making it the perfect choice to leave behind for descendants or a family as a guardian spirit beast.”

The female cultivator hosting the auction, Han Lin’Er, smiled confidently, unfazed by the possibility of no one purchasing it.

Indeed, her explanation swayed many, as numerous cultivators think about their descendants’ future.

The Beast Taming Zhou Family is a prime example; they secretly nurtured one for over a century, becoming pivotal during a family crisis.

“To be frank, this egg experienced premature delivery due to external forces, possibly making it slightly weaker than usual, but the starting price is only six hundred Spirit Stones!”

No wonder such a high-bloodline spirit beast appeared only at the halfway point; it turned out to be a weakened product.

Ultimately, this Upper Grade bloodline ’Profound Water Turtle’ sold for seven hundred eighty Spirit Stones, followed by more standard Upper Grade spirit beasts.

“Next in Upper Grade spirit beasts is a young ’Cyan-Horned Bull,’ known for its tough skin and flesh. Once mature, it emits a smoke that bewilders divine senses, also known as the Black Cloud Beast.

The advantage is its short maturation period, reaching adulthood in about ten years. However, its lifespan is short as well, just seventy to eighty years.”

Some experienced cultivators in the audience merely smirked at the price.

“The Cyan-Horned Bull matures quickly, with indeed an Upper Grade bloodline, but feeding it with Spirit Grass isn’t cheap, unless you’re a cultivator from a major family or have exceptional skills. Otherwise, it’s hard to afford.”

Ah well, no mention of the high maintenance cost, Lin Chang’an thought to himself.

The Profound Water Turtle may grow slowly, but its upkeep cost is much lower, whereas the Cyan-Horned Bull requires high-quality Spirit Grass for feeding.

“However, this Cyan-Horned Bull is quite suitable for me,”

Lin Chang’an thought internally. He still possessed a collection of unused Spirit Grass and Spiritual Medicine left by Zhou Qing for spirit beast cultivation.

Though it consumes more, it grows quickly, while its short lifespan isn’t an issue, given that without Foundation Establishment, he’d have only seventy to eighty years left; it’s just enough to accompany him on his path.

“This spirit beast’s physique is not weak, with a starting bid of eight hundred Spirit Stones!”

“Eight hundred thirty Spirit Stones!”

“Eight hundred sixty!”

Spirit beasts require skillful nurturing, making their auction segment less competitive.

Most cultivators prefer to purchase an Upper Grade magical artifact at that price.

After all, an Upper Grade magical artifact can directly enhance a cultivator’s combat power.

“Nine hundred thirty Spirit Stones.”

Lin Chang’an raised his hand, announcing his bid with a raspy voice.

For the Cyan-Horned Bull, he wasn’t determined, since there would be more Upper Grade spirit beasts later.

“Nine hundred thirty Spirit Stones, is there a higher bid?”

The female cultivator hosting the auction, Han Lin’Er, smiled slightly, tinged with exasperation; spirit beasts were indeed difficult to sell.

Being able to afford it was one matter, deciding to nurture one was entirely another.

“Nine hundred thirty Spirit Stones, sold to this Daoist friend!”

Lin Chang’an wore a broad smile; as a Top-Grade Talisman Master, who in the eyes of outsiders could earn over one hundred fifty Spirit Stones a month, affording a spirit beast was within his means.

A budget under a thousand Spirit Stones was reasonable; after all, such a purchase couldn’t remain concealed.

The bustling auction eventually presented spirit beast cubs with Earth Grade bloodlines, acquired by a disciple from Profound Sound Pavilion.

And of course, in such a grand auction, there was no ignoring Foundation Establishment Pills.

This time, not only did it feature various Foundation Establishment materials, but also top-grade magical artifacts that only Foundation Establishment cultivators could wield.

The scene was buzzing with excitement.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep