Cultivation begins with forming a bond with a spirit bee.

Chapter 82 Giant Catfish

Upon hearing this, Qu Ye feigned regret and shook his head.

"I acquired them by chance, and I didn't have many on hand. I've already sold them all."

Having a stable place to sell spirit essence is certainly a good thing, but since jade spirit bees are extremely rare in Yunyang Market, I fear that continuing to supply them rashly might bring trouble.

It would be better to follow the method used in Yumen Market. Although it would be more troublesome, at least it would be safer.

Seeing this, the female cultivator in green smiled and said, "It's alright, fellow Daoist, you are welcome to visit Qinghe Pavilion again next time."

Qu Ye waved his hand and walked out of Qinghe Pavilion.

Han Xuan jogged up to Qu Ye and asked, "Senior, are you still going to Wanling Tower?"

"No need."

After saying that, Qu Ye looked at Han Xuan, a slight smile playing on his lips: "By the way, if you bring people over, how many spirit stones will these families give you?"

Han Xuan was startled upon hearing this, his expression turning fearful, and his voice trembling: "This—Junior—Junior—"

He didn't utter a single word for a long time.

Seeing Han Xuan at a loss, Qu Ye's expression turned cold.

"Let it go this time, but don't let it happen again."

"Also, if anyone asks you about today's guidance, you should know how to answer."

"Thank you very much, senior. I will remember this!"

Han Xuan's tense expression relaxed, and he quickly cupped his hands and bowed deeply.

Qu Ye nodded and said calmly, "Let's continue leading the way to the place in the East District that sells monster materials."

It's not that he's petty or can't stand others making extra money.

Rather, it's because Han Xuan has connections with those three shops and knows where I live. What if Qinghe Pavilion or Baicaozhai harbors malicious intentions and wants to harm me?

The probability is very low, but we still need to give them a good talking-to and make them keep this matter to themselves.

As the two approached the eastern district, the shop's appearance became noticeably more rugged.

Not long after walking, Qu Ye saw a group of cultivators returning from outside the market.

The men's robes were covered in mud and blood, and behind them dragged the carcass of a black-armored wolf, which was about ten feet long. The wolf's belly had been cut open, and blood was dripping down the road.

Han Xuan followed Qu Ye's gaze and whispered, "Senior, that's how it is in the Eastern District. Most demon hunters who go in and out of the Hengduan Mountains and Dongqingze bring back the demon beasts they capture, leaving them whole for merchants to choose from."

Qu Ye nodded without saying anything; this was pretty much what he had in mind.

Monster corpses are easy to dispose of; they can be sold directly.

However, capturing them alive would not only require more effort, but also necessitate guarding against the monster's counterattack, and even require special restrictions and spirit beast pouches. Few monster hunters are willing to do such troublesome things.

Where should we look for living spirit beasts?

Qu Ye's eyes flashed, and he casually walked into a shop selling materials for monsters.

After purchasing two spirit stones worth of monster meat, he chatted with the shopkeeper for a while, subtly steer the conversation toward the monster situation.

According to the shopkeeper, the Hengduan Mountains are home to various kinds of forest monsters, such as the Green-maned Wolf, the Iron Mountain Ape, the Red-tailed Fox, and the Black-scaled Python.

On the other side of Dongqingze, there are mostly aquatic monsters, such as silver frost fish, green-shelled crocodile, black-backed turtle, and mist gull.

The corpses and materials of these monsters are not uncommon, but as for living ones, most shops do not have them.

As the conversation progressed, the shopkeeper thought for a moment and then said, "If you truly wish to purchase a spirit pet, you should either wait for the auction held in the market, or go deep into the eastern district to find the Spirit Beast Pavilion or the Hundred Birds Pavilion. Those are the places that do this kind of business."

"Where is the Spirit Beast Pavilion located?"

The shopkeeper casually pointed in a direction: "Go along this street, and after two more forks in the road, you'll find it. There's a sign with animal bones hanging at the entrance; it's easy to spot."

Qu Ye cupped his hands in thanks, then turned and left.

The reason Qu Ye didn't ask Han Xuan was because the previous incident had reminded her that it was best not to let outsiders know about the secret of her marriage.

Qu Ye told Han Xuan to wait where he was and followed the direction the shopkeeper pointed. Sure enough, not long after, he saw a shop that occupied a considerable area on the street corner.

A grayish-white animal bone sign hangs at the entrance of the shop, bearing the three large characters "Ling Shou Ge" (Spirit Beast Pavilion).

There were two iron cages, each about ten feet tall, placed in front of the gate. Inside each cage was a gray-furred monster that looked like a lynx and a strange bird with blue feathers and a short, hooked beak.

Qu Ye paused slightly. He had only just reached the door when he knew he had come to the right place.

He stepped into the shop and found that the layout of the Spirit Beast Pavilion was completely different from that of ordinary spirit material shops.

The first thing you see is not the counter, but rows of animal cages made of fine iron.

The cage contained seven or eight different kinds of demonic beasts, some of which were only the size of cubs, while others were already half the height of a person.

Several of the monsters, upon sensing the approach of strangers, not only failed to become alert but instead curled up and trembled, seemingly terrified.

At this moment, a young monk wearing a brown short-sleeved shirt quickly came to greet them.

This person's cultivation level was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and he had a professional smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist, are you here to buy a spirit pet?"

Qu Ye nodded, his gaze falling on a small, snow-white beast with crimson eyes beside him.

Upon seeing this, the young cultivator immediately began to explain: "To let you know, first-order early-stage demonic beasts are the cheapest, while well-tamed ones are more expensive. If they have considerable abilities or a slightly stronger bloodline, the price will naturally be higher."

"The red-eyed snow ferret cub that you see now is brought from the Hengduan Mountains. It is extremely fast and has very keen senses. If it is properly tamed, it would be quite suitable for finding medicine and exploring the way."

Red-eyed ferret?

Qu Ye leaned closer for a look and asked, "How long do these spirit beasts typically live?"

Without hesitation, the young man replied, "Fellow Daoist, are you worried that its lifespan is not long? Don't worry, this red-eyed snow ferret has a lifespan of around fifty years. It is only one year old at the moment and can accompany you for a long time."

"Fellow Daoist will surely be satisfied."

I'm really not satisfied.

Qu Ye pretended to think for a moment, then shook his head: "Take me to see the other monsters."

"Alright, fellow Daoist, please follow me."

The young man led Qu Ye and began to introduce the monsters in the shop one by one.

"The Black-Scaled Python cub, once fully grown, becomes a mid-grade first-tier demonic beast, capable of spewing poisonous mist that can dissolve metal and iron, and can live for a full seventy years!"

Seventy years? Not even as good as a red-eyed ferret. Next one.

"A well-tamed Ironback Wolf, a mid-grade first-tier demonic beast, possesses excellent defense and is considered a powerhouse among demonic beasts of the same tier!"

Well, putting aside the fact that I've already formed a bond with the Ironback Wolf, how can someone be considered strong when they can be killed by two claws from a Brown Bear?

"The Black-backed Turtle, at its peak, is comparable to a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. It excels in water-based attacks, and its water arrows can pierce through mid-grade defensive magic artifacts!"

You don't mention anything about your childhood.

"Giant Yu, a low-grade first-tier demonic beast. Hmm—though it doesn't live long, its digestive ability is extremely strong, and it's almost immune to toxins. If you encounter any poisonous spiritual creatures and don't want to waste them, you can feed them to it. It's very easy to raise!"

Next—etc.

Qu Ye stopped in front of a shallow pool, watching the black fish swallowing pebbles in the water, and a thought struck him.

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