I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

In addition to purchasing architectural books, Lin Che's other important purpose in coming to Tongxin Market was to buy a batch of spirit beast cubs and spirit plant seeds for breeding.

Various buildings can be built gradually, but the growth cycle of spirit beasts and the cultivation cycle of spirit plants are long, so preparations must be started as soon as possible.

If you were to ask which shop in this area sells the best quality and the most complete variety of spirit beasts, the answer would be undoubtedly yes.

At least for now, the Zhou family's spirit beast shop is the best.

Lin Che also took this opportunity to see for himself which spirit beasts the Zhou family was good at cultivating and what their foundation was.

As soon as he stepped through the heavy wooden door carved with a pattern of galloping beasts, a quick-witted young clerk at the front desk greeted him with a professional and enthusiastic smile.

"Welcome, fellow Daoist! What type of spirit beast do you need? Whether for transportation, combat, assistance, or other purposes, our shop has a complete range to meet your needs!"

As he spoke, his gaze naturally fell on Lin Che. When he saw the man's face clearly, his expression froze, then quickly transformed into utmost respect, even tinged with nervousness, and he unconsciously bent his back slightly.

"Oh...so it's Senior Lin who has graced us with his presence! I was so ignorant and have been quite negligent. Please forgive me! Senior, please have a seat here!"

He quickly stepped aside to lead the way, inviting Lin Che to a nicely furnished rest area with soft cushions, and deftly served him a cup of fragrant spiritual tea.

"Please sit for a moment, senior, and have a cup of tea to soothe your throat. I will go and fetch the manager to attend to you!" The young clerk bowed respectfully and then hurried to the back room to relay the message.

Lin Che didn't say much, but sat down calmly. His divine sense had already spread out like mercury, carefully sensing the layout of the Zhou family's shop.

Unlike ordinary stores that display goods directly in the front hall.

The front hall of Zhou Family Spirit Beast Shop is more like an exquisite reception area and customer rest area. It is spacious and bright, decorated with various spirit beast illustrations and skeletal specimens, which looks professional and grand, but there is no trace of any live spirit beast.

"It seems that the spirit beasts are all kept in a specific area in the back hall, and customers are guided to visit and purchase them according to their needs... They do pay attention to privacy and experience." Lin Che nodded slightly.

Judging from the layout and service process of the lobby alone, the Zhou family certainly has a knack for business, at least they've put effort into the customer experience.

Meanwhile, in the back room, incubation chambers where temperature and humidity are strictly controlled.

Zhou Wanfu, who was slightly plump and dressed in a brocade robe, was carefully wiping each spirit beast egg with a specially made spiritual liquid, meticulously checking their life fluctuations.

He was in charge of the shop and was also one of the core members of the Zhou family.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. The young shop assistant, looking slightly flustered, pushed the door open and whispered, "Fourth Uncle! Something bad has happened... there might be someone causing trouble up ahead!"

Zhou Wanfu paused, a hint of displeasure flashing across his round face. He said in a deep voice, "What's the panic! Explain clearly, who dares to cause trouble on my Zhou family's territory?"

"It's...it's that cultivator from the Lin family! The one who released the late-stage Foundation Establishment Crimson Flame Tiger on the arena!" the young shop assistant hurriedly explained.

Zhou Wanfu's heart tightened immediately.

Why did this jinx from the Lin family suddenly come knocking on our door?

He immediately pressed, "How many men did he bring? What did he say? What did he do?"

"He was alone, didn't say anything, just sat there drinking tea..." the clerk answered honestly.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wanfu's lips twitched slightly. He glared at his impatient junior with annoyance: "You... he didn't do anything, why are you panicking! Fine, I'll go and meet him myself and see what this Lin family head is up to."

Soon, Zhou Wanfu adjusted his facial expression, put on a warm smile, and strode out from the back room.

His round face was beaming with smiles, as if he were seeing an old friend of many years. From afar, he cupped his hands in greeting and called out in a loud voice:

"Oh dear! I had no idea Fellow Daoist Lin would grace my humble shop with his presence. I am so sorry for not greeting you properly!"

He approached, his tone warm yet tentative: "Fellow Daoist, you are so busy with your affairs, what brings you to my humble shop today? Is there anything you need? I, Zhou, will certainly do my best to fulfill your request!"

Lin Che put down his teacup, stood up, and nodded slightly in return, his tone calm: "Manager Zhou, you are too kind. I have come here to see what kinds of spirit beasts your shop sells. My Lin family is new here and does not have many spirit beasts with us. We wish to replenish our family's resources."

Zhou Wanfu's smile remained unchanged, but he was secretly speechless.

He doesn't believe a word of this. I'm afraid your main purpose is to find out which spirit beast clans my Zhou family has cultivated and to figure out our background!

However, he wasn't entirely opposed to it. After all, it wasn't a top secret. When you run a business, people come and go, so it's easy to show off your family's resources.

He immediately laughed heartily: "I see! Fellow Daoist, this way please. Let me personally introduce you!"

As he spoke, Zhou Wanfu led Lin Che through a light barrier that isolated his aura and into the back hall.

The scene in the back hall was completely different from the elegance of the front hall; the space was extremely open.

At the very center is a huge circular animal enclosure shrouded in a transparent protective light curtain, which is further divided into several smaller areas by smaller arrays.

Several adult mythical beasts were seen with their cubs, some resting under the artificial hill, some playing on the grass, and some drinking water by the pond, all full of vitality.

Along the walls of the animal pen were rows of shelves radiating coldness and spiritual light, neatly displaying all kinds of spirit beast eggs, as well as spirit beast food, nutritional pills, and other items packaged in different categories.

With Zhou Wanfu's detailed and knowledgeable introduction, Lin Che gained a clear understanding of the main types of spirit beasts that the Zhou family currently breeds and sells.

The spirit beasts that the Zhou family currently supplies and cultivates can be mainly divided into seven categories:

The first to be affected was the Wind Chaser, a spirit steed that Lin Che was quite familiar with.

This beast possesses a mid-grade first-tier bloodline, with a well-proportioned and agile physique. Its four hooves emit a slight whirlwind, allowing it to run swiftly and steadily with excellent endurance.

As the most common mode of transportation and cargo-carrying spirit beast in the Southern Region, it is very popular among Qi Refining stage cultivators and is the preferred companion for many cultivators when traveling.

The next three types focus more on combat and support, each with its own unique characteristics:

Rock Armor Rhinoceros, a mid-grade first-tier bloodline.

This beast resembles a rhinoceros covered in thick rock armor, possessing astonishing strength and top-tier defense among spirit beasts of the same level.

It excels at charging into battle, making it an excellent choice as a meat shield and a draw target. Its role is somewhat similar to that of the armored alligator snapping turtle in Lake Linche, but it is more adapted to land combat.

Wind Chaser, a first-tier superior bloodline.

This is a canine spirit beast with a sleek body and extremely agile movements.

With a keen sense of smell and excellent hearing, they are extremely adept at tracking, vigilance, and small-scale guerrilla warfare.

For rogue cultivators who make a living by hunting demons, a loyal and alert hunting dog companion can often provide crucial early warning and support in the perilous wilderness.

Sky-Patrolling Eagle, a first-tier superior bloodline.

As a bird of prey, it is born with formidable fighting power; its sharp claws and beak are enough to tear apart ordinary monsters.

More importantly, it has a wide aerial view, making it an excellent reconnaissance tool.

Once it reaches adulthood, its wingspan will be so wide that it can even carry a cultivator of normal build in the late stage of Qi Refining for short-distance flights, making it of extremely high strategic value.

The remaining three are the true core and foundation of the Zhou family. They are the three combat spirit beasts mentioned above that have been successfully promoted to second-tier spirit beasts through special means of cultivation and selection: Earthshaking Mountain Rhinoceros, Crimson Mane Wind Chasing Dog, and Wind-Splitting Cloud Eagle.

Therefore, the Zhou family's core focus is actually on cultivating three combat spirit beast clans: Rock Armor Rhinoceros, Wind Chaser Hound, and Sky Patrol Eagle, as well as a relatively independent Wind Chaser Spirit Steed clan.

Of course, the Zhou family's spirit beast shop's business is not limited to selling the spirit beasts they breed themselves.

They also target independent cultivators, buying good-quality monster eggs or cubs from dangerous places, taming them initially, and then reselling them.

After this understanding, Lin Che had a fairly concrete concept of the Zhou family's beast-taming strength and business model.

Seeing Lin Che deep in thought, Zhou Wanfu's smile remained unchanged as he casually asked, "Fellow Daoist Lin, do you think my Zhou family's spirit beasts are worthy of your attention?"

His tone was relaxed, but his shrewd eyes were constantly watching Lin Che's every expression, hoping to glean some information from it.

Lin Che maintained a calm smile and praised, "Distinct breeds, proper breeding, and stable bloodlines—truly a well-established beast-taming family."

His words were perfectly measured, expressing approval without being overly tactful.

His eyes were calm and unwavering, revealing neither a desire for these spirit beasts nor the slightest hint of disdain.

Suddenly, Lin Che seemed to remember something and added, "By the way, Steward Zhou, does your shop sell any edible spirit beast cubs? I plan to purchase some for the meat supply of my family members and spirit beasts."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wanfu breathed a sigh of relief, finally understanding Lin Che's main purpose for this trip.

His smile became even more genuine: "Yes! Of course! This way, please, fellow Daoist. This is another important business for our Zhou family!"

He led Lin Che to a slightly smaller but equally clean and tidy room next door.

This is where various edible spirit beasts are kept.

Not only newly established families like Lin Che need them, but also nearby spirit plant growers, Qi refining families, and even some Foundation Establishment families will come here to purchase cubs, either to raise and eat them themselves, or to raise them on a large scale and sell them in exchange for spirit stones.

"Fellow Daoist, please look," Zhou Wanfu said, pointing to two areas enclosed by fine fences.

"These are the two main types of spirit birds in our shop: the Pearl White Jade Chicken and the Green-headed Duck, both of which are of the lowest grade of the first rank."

"Look at these feathers, look at this vitality! The price for a cub is two low-grade spirit stones, and for an unhatched egg, it's one low-grade spirit stone."

Lin Che looked at the fluffy, chattering little creatures inside the fence and nodded.

The Zhou family's chickens are indeed well-bred; the chicks are all lively and healthy. He had tasted the Pearl White Jade Chicken at the Chuyang City Restaurant before; the meat was tender and contained spiritual energy, leaving a very good impression.

Seeing Lin Che's satisfied expression, Zhou Wanfu became even more enthusiastic in his introduction.

He walked to another area, where there were dozens of small rabbits with fur as soft as moonlight, long ears, and red eyes.

"This is the Moonlight Rabbit, a mid-grade first-tier spirit beast. It mainly feeds on spirit herbs, and its meat is extremely tender, melting in the mouth. It also contains gentle moonlight and the essence of herbs and plants, and long-term consumption is very beneficial for nourishing the meridians."

Then, he took out a chubby piglet from another pen. It was squealing and had a slightly yellowish-brown skin.

"Fellow Daoist, take another look at this: a mid-grade first-tier Xuanqiu Thick Earth Pig! This pig is a breed carefully selected and bred by my Zhou family. Its meat is a perfect balance of fat and lean, with a rich and delicious taste."

Even better, its flesh contains a gentle earth-elemental spiritual energy, which produces a strong feeling of fullness and satisfaction when eaten, effectively replenishing physical strength and nourishing qi, blood, muscles, and bones. It is an excellent tonic for physical cultivators and those with insufficient qi and blood!

These four types of edible spirit beasts are all recorded in the beast taming inheritance that Lin Che obtained, and they are indeed very classic and excellent choices for consumption.

If raised properly, its meat flavor is far superior to that of wild beasts with a fishy and foul odor.

"Fellow Daoist, what do you think?" Zhou Wanfu asked with a smile, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Lin Che pondered for a moment.

Given the limited manpower and lack of experience in large-scale breeding within the family, this is more of an experimental project, and it is not advisable to push too hard.

"These four spirit beasts are all good choices. How about this, give me one hundred cubs of each type first."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wanfu's already small eyes lit up, and his smile almost overflowed.

A major client! They really are a major client!

"Sure! Sure!" he readily agreed, and with his excellent mental arithmetic skills, he instantly quoted the price: "Two hundred of the two kinds of spirit birds, four hundred low-grade spirit stones;

One Moonlight Rabbit cub costs twelve spirit stones, and one hundred cubs cost one thousand two hundred spirit stones.

Each Xuanqiu Thick Earth Piglet cub costs thirty spirit stones, one hundred cubs cost three thousand spirit stones, for a total of four thousand four hundred low-grade spirit stones!

"The price is fair, so please pack it up for me as you suggested, Steward Zhou." Lin Che had no objection to the price and readily handed over four empty spirit beast bags and the corresponding spirit stones.

With a beaming smile, Zhou Wanfu personally sorted and carefully packed the four hundred lively cubs into the spirit beast bag for Lin Che.

After the transaction was completed, Zhou Wanfu personally escorted Lin Chegong to the shop entrance, his attitude even more enthusiastic than when he arrived: "Fellow Daoist Lin, if you ever have any needs in the future, feel free to come to my shop! I'll definitely give you the best price!"

After Lin Che left, the young shop assistant named Zhou Chunsheng approached Zhou Wanfu and asked in confusion, "Fourth Uncle, aren't you being a bit too generous? You just sold him so many cubs like that?"

Aren't you afraid that the Lin family will breed their own and steal our business in the future?

Only then did Zhou Wanfu abandon his shrewd businessman's smile. He glanced at his junior, a sly smile appearing on his face, and lowered his voice, saying:

"Afraid? What's there to be afraid of? Do you really think that raising spirit beasts on a large scale is such an easy thing?"

Controlling breeding costs alone is a complex skill; if not handled properly, you might end up losing money even after raising them!

Even if... even if the Lin family has some beast-taming heritage and knows how to raise them, so what?

He paused, then looked at Zhou Chunsheng with a hint of doubt: "You kid, you've been in the shop for so long, do you really not understand our family's core methods at all?"

Let me tell you, all the spirit beasts sold in the shop, whether adults or cubs, have been treated with secret methods before being sold, and have long been castrated, so they are completely unable to reproduce!

The more the Lin family buys now, the more they'll have to come to us when they need to replenish their stock in the future!

Do you understand? The more they raise, the more our Zhou family will earn in the long run!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chunsheng suddenly realized what was going on, slapping his forehead: "So that's it! No wonder you were laughing so happily just now!"

Zhou Wanfu's smile faded, his eyes narrowed as he gazed in the direction Lin Che had left, and he added meaningfully:

"Besides, in the territory of Chuyang City, the spirit beast business isn't something he can easily sell just because he wants to!"