I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Strangely enough, the Southern Region, as the first line of defense against the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, has a large number of demonic beasts, yet there is not a single renowned top-tier beast-taming force. This made Lin Che somewhat puzzled.

In the border town of Burning Bones, there are all kinds of shops, including alchemy shops, magic weapon shops, talisman shops, and even puppet shops, but there is not a single shop that specializes in selling spirit beast cubs.

Most factions only sell some spirit beasts as an add-on, and these beasts are either tamed monster cubs or monster eggs obtained by chance from the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains. Few factions can form their own system and cultivate and breed specific spirit beast groups.

Perhaps because this place is constantly on the brink of war, cultivators are more focused on immediate improvements in combat power and have no time for the time-consuming process of nurturing spirit beasts.

Or perhaps the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range itself is an inexhaustible natural reservoir of spirit beasts, requiring no further breeding?

Alternatively, raising spirit beasts consumes too many resources, so using and maintaining puppets is more cost-effective and stable in comparison.

Limited by his own strength and intelligence, Lin Che was temporarily unable to find out the real reason.

In order to find a suitable natal spirit beast for Liu Qingxue, he has visited four or five large shops.

Finally, at the Jinshi Merchant Guild, where he had previously made transactions, he found a spirit beast that met his requirements.

"Fellow Daoist, what do you think of this Mystic Ice Spirit Falcon?"

A shop assistant dressed in a Taoist robe embroidered with the unique patterns of the Jinshi Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically introduced a spirit beast egg in the display case, which was pure white and exuded wisps of cold air.

"This beast possesses both water and ice attributes, but its ice bloodline is more refined and concentrated."

As a bird of prey, its combat strength is absolutely outstanding among those of its class. Its innate abilities are also extremely powerful, and it can even carry people and ride the wind, making it a combination of combat prowess and practicality.

A hint of interest appeared perfectly on Lin Che's disguised old man's face.

At the same time, detailed information about this beast from the Beast Taming Inheritance flashed through his mind.

The shop assistant was right; this Xuanbing Spirit Falcon was indeed very suitable for Liu Qingxue, who had an ice spirit root.

"Hmm, this beast does look quite impressive," Lin Che said slowly, his voice hoarse. "May I ask at what price your esteemed merchant guild wishes to offer it?"

Seeing that Lin Che was interested, the shop assistant was overjoyed, knowing that the deal was likely to be made.

His smile widened, and after a moment's thought, he began to lay the groundwork for raising the price: "Fellow Daoist is a discerning person."

As you probably know, the Mystic Ice Falcon usually nests on cliffs facing the great marshland, in a treacherous environment, and obtaining its eggs is extremely difficult and dangerous, with a nine-out-of-ten chance of survival.

Therefore, the price... is indeed correspondingly higher.

He held up four fingers and then opened his palm: "Price: 4,500 low-grade spirit stones."

This price is several times more expensive than the second-tier mid-grade Green Vine Deer Egg I bought before.

The reason is nothing more than the supernatural powers of the spirit beasts.

Second-tier, mid-to-low-grade spirit beasts typically possess only two innate divine abilities, while high-grade bloodlines reliably possess three!

As for the rarer, top-grade bloodline spirit beasts, their value is immeasurable, because they not only have stronger and more unique supernatural abilities, but also have greater bloodline potential.

Even with ordinary cultivation, its bloodline can advance.

This is why the price of that top-tier Tier 1 Crystal Treasure-Seeking Weasel even exceeded that of many Tier 2 spirit beasts.

However, in Lin Che's opinion, the price of 4,500 for the Xuanbing Spirit Falcon Egg in front of him was still a bit too high.

"Three thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones." Lin Che directly bargained, cutting the price down by a thousand spirit stones in one go.

Upon hearing this, the shop assistant's eyes widened instantly, and her smile froze: "S-Sir, you've gone way too far with this price! This...this doesn't even cover our costs!"

He said with a pained expression, "How about four thousand three hundred yuan? The quality of these eggs is one in a million..."

"Three thousand seven." Lin Che remained unmoved, his voice steady.

"Four thousand one hundred! That really can't be any lower!"

"Three thousand eight hundred, that's my bottom line. If not, then forget it." Lin Che made a move to leave.

"Hey! Senior, wait a minute!" The shop assistant quickly stopped him, a look of struggle on his face. Finally, as if he had made a great decision, he slapped his thigh: "Alright! Seeing how sincere you are, senior, three thousand eight hundred low-grade spirit stones will do as a token of friendship! This egg is yours!"

After a heated debate, Lin Che finally won the Xuanbing Spirit Falcon Egg for 3,850 low-grade spirit stones.

Immediately afterwards, he visited a shop specializing in formations and purchased a standard second-tier high-grade defensive formation—the Five Directions Thick Earth Formation.

A family's territory must have a defensive array; this is one of the mandatory requirements for establishing a family's territory under the Expansion Decree.

Once activated, this array forms a pale yellow spiritual light shield covering an area of ​​hundreds of feet in radius. It has uniform defensive power and self-repairing capabilities, making it sufficient to withstand continuous attacks from five or six late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators simultaneously.

The formation contains a rudimentary understanding of the Five Elements cycle. The master of the formation can specifically enhance resistance to a certain type of magic and can initially integrate with the earth's veins to achieve an early warning function within a range of fifty feet.

As a standard formation, it does not require a formation master to survey the terrain and arrange the formation; Lin Che can install the formation flags on his own.

This formation cost him 12,000 low-grade spirit stones.

After replenishing his own spirit beast with some breeding resources, Lin Che left Burning Bone City with satisfaction, planning to head to Listening Wind Pass on the east side and take a public flying boat back to Chuyang City.

However, just as he found what he thought was a secluded woodland and was about to change his form and remove his disguise, his powerful divine sense, far surpassing that of his peers, keenly detected three subtle yet malicious auras that were quietly approaching in a closing manner!

Lin Che felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

I'm being followed!

He changed his clothes at an inn in the city last time, and in retrospect, he may have left some clues.

Despite deliberately choosing to go outside the city, they were still targeted!

A careful scan with divine sense revealed that there were three people on the other side, all of whom were at the late Foundation Establishment stage!

Moreover, their actions were perfectly coordinated, clearly indicating that they were a highly experienced team.

The other party also sensed Lin Che's spiritual probe, realizing that their whereabouts had been exposed, and stopped hiding.

The three exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with murderous intent. They suddenly accelerated, like three ghosts, breaking through the forest mist and rushing straight at each other!

Lin Che remained calm in the face of danger. In a flash, he used his soul imprint to inform all the spirit beasts of the crisis.

Without hesitation, he patted the spirit beast pouch, and the Crimson Flame Tiger, the Burning Heaven Sacred Sparrow, and the Azure Profound Realm Spirit appeared simultaneously!

"Xiao Xuan, use Absolute Concealment to help Que'er hide her tracks! Que'er, seize the opportunity to launch a thunderous attack, don't hold back! Chi Yan, follow me to face the enemy head-on!" Lin Che spoke very quickly, giving clear instructions.

A cold glint flashed in the golden eyes of the Burning Heaven Sacred Sparrow. Although it was arrogant, its personality had become somewhat similar to Lin Che's after spending a long time with him.

Being able to launch a successful sneak attack doesn't feel humiliating at all.

The Crimson Flame Tiger's fighting spirit surged, flames erupted around its body with a "boom," and it let out a deep roar as it stood in front of Lin Che.

The Azure Profound Realm Spirit remained calm, merely nodding slightly.

Ripples spread across the surrounding space as he activated the Absolute Concealment Divine Power, instantly drawing the Burning Heaven Sacred Sparrow into his secret realm. The two vanished from their original spot.

Even with Lin Che's perception, it would be difficult to detect its existence without the connection of his natal spirit contract.

Almost simultaneously, three cultivators dressed in dark red cloaks, their faces shrouded in shadow, landed in a triangular formation in front of Lin Che.

Without exchanging any words, the moment their eyes met, the attack was launched!

The leader fixed his gaze on Lin Che and gave the other two a wink.

The two understood immediately, and their bodies surged with blood-red light. Dark red blood energy instantly covered their entire bodies, like two blood arrows shooting straight at the Crimson Flame Tiger!

A hundred shadows vanished into thin air!

The two figures suddenly swayed in the air, each splitting into hundreds of blood-red phantoms that were difficult to distinguish from the real ones and exuded a chilling aura. From all directions, like a surging blood-red tide, they instantly surrounded the Crimson Flame Tiger!

"Blood-Binding Soul Chains!"

One of them flicked his sleeve, and several dark red chains, formed from filthy blood and intense resentment, shot out like venomous snakes, wrapping around the Crimson Flame Tiger's limbs and neck. Runes flickered on the chains, emanating an aura of imprisonment and corruption.

"Shadow Blood Blade!" The other person flipped his hands, and two strange blood thorns, as thin as willow leaves and dark red in color, appeared in his palms.

His figure merged into the blood shadow, closing in on the Crimson Flame Tiger. On the Blood Thorn, highly condensed blood-colored magic power formed a thin, yet incomparably sharp energy blood blade, which pierced straight at the Crimson Flame Tiger's relatively vulnerable eye area!

The three men's tactical intentions were crystal clear.

Using unpredictable movement techniques and control spells, they trapped and even severely injured the late-stage Foundation Establishment Crimson Flame Tiger.

The leader was tasked with eliminating the core target—Lin Che—with swift and decisive action!

The leading cultivator was clearly stronger.

He also used the Hundred Shadows Escape technique, transforming into countless blood shadows, but these blood shadows were more solid and faster, carrying a pungent bloody smell. Like a hundred ghosts walking at night, they swept towards Lin Che like a tidal wave, their fierce killing intent locking onto him firmly!

Witnessing this signature move of creating clones and exuding a chilling aura, a familiar name instantly surfaced in Lin Che's mind.

Blood Shadow Hall!