’This surge of people... it might be an opportunity for me.’

A thought stirred in Lin Changheng’s mind.

More people didn’t just mean a larger crowd; it also meant a corresponding flow of resources.

These resources included those held by individual Cultivators, which might now enter the market, as well as goods merchants had specially gathered and brought in to profit from the occasion.

More diverse and abundant than on any normal day.

The Elixirs and Spirit Stones he currently possessed were worth a total of nearly two thousand eight hundred.

If it weren’t for the considerable expense of his long-term procurement of Demon Beast Essence Blood, that number would have surpassed three thousand long ago.

But Lin Changheng felt no reluctance to part with it. He simply had nowhere to spend it at the moment; otherwise, he wouldn’t have felt the slightest regret spending it all at once on something practical.

Now was a great opportunity to do some spending.

In reality, the amount wasn’t that large when he broke it down. Purchasing a thousand portions of Lantern Grass Essence’s Essence Blood from the Liu Family over five years would cost two thousand four hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones, and that was with a discount!

’I have to balance earning Spirit Stones with spending them.’

...

「Six or seven days later.」

Staring at the entrance to the Ruins District—congested with a tide of people, bustling with carriages, and overshadowed by an endless stream of Flying Ships coming and going high above—Lin Changheng couldn’t help but feel dazzled.

’It was a level of prosperity I’ve never witnessed before!’

Lin Changheng parted ways with the merchant caravan and the Female Cultivator. He paid the Spirit Stone entrance fee with practiced ease and went straight into the Marketplace.

His first order of business was to find an Immortal Inn in the Marketplace to settle in. The recent influx of visitors had long ago exceeded the capacity of the inns inside, and as a result, prices had skyrocketed.

The price was a shocking one Spirit Stone per night! And it was non-negotiable.

Judging by the Immortal Inn’s Shopkeeper’s indifferent expression—a stark contrast to the deferential attitude he’d shown on Lin Changheng’s last visit—it was clear just how much demand for rooms outstripped supply.

He recalled that back in the Purple River Marketplace, a full year’s rent for a residence had only been ten Spirit Stones.

That same amount would only last him ten days in the current Ruins District. ’How outrageous!’

But he couldn’t do what many of the Loose Cultivators and Cultivation Clans did—travel in groups and simply camp outside the Marketplace to avoid the exorbitant cost.

Lin Changheng was different. To ensure his safety and a measure of comfort, he really had no other choice.

After resting in his room for half a day, he changed his disguise and browsed the stalls and shops, picking up a few common resources. He then wandered aimlessly through the Marketplace, only relaxing after confirming he wasn’t being followed.

「Early the next morning.」

Lin Changheng, using a new disguise instead of his usual one, paid another visit to the Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion.

Sure enough, the Liu Family was also prepared; they weren’t about to miss the opportunity presented by the massive crowds.

The variety and quantity of beasts for taming had clearly increased significantly. Previously, a huge Crystal Cabinet might house a single Spirit Beast with plenty of room to move and play; now, it was partitioned into three smaller sections, each containing one animal. The enclosures were much more cramped, and some of the Spirit Beasts even looked sullen.

Clearly, their Spiritual Wisdom was not low.

However, a young beast didn’t have much Essence Blood, so extracting it would be pointless.

’Besides, if I were to absorb the Essence Blood of a rare species and then be unable to find more for subsequent Spirit Stealing, wouldn’t that be a waste of a Species Position?’

It was better to extract the Essence Blood of common Demon Beast species that were available in large quantities.

Lin Changheng was particularly mindful of this point.

He had to adhere to this principle, at least until he reached Foundation Establishment.

’However...’

A thought suddenly struck Lin Changheng. ’Since the Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion has so many types of Spirit Beasts, they must have corresponding information and illustrated catalogues, right? I could use them to help choose Spirit Stealing targets for my Treasure Seeds in the future! The only problem is that people in the Cultivation Realm are notoriously secretive about their knowledge, guarding it jealously. Still, it couldn’t hurt to ask...’

Just as he was lost in thought, Shopkeeper Liu Fengxiu finished seeing a customer off. He then noticed Lin Changheng staring intently at a Spirit Beast Cabinet, lost in thought. He felt a sense of familiarity but couldn’t quite place him, ultimately chalking it up to having seen too many customers and his memory getting muddled.

"Sir, are you looking to purchase a Spirit Beast? Our shop boasts a rich variety and a large number of them. While we can’t compare to a great Beast Taming Family, I am quite confident that we’re at the forefront among the Foundation Establishment Races."

Liu Fengxiu chuckled, his expression animated. He then added, "However, the great Beast Taming Families don’t have shops in this Marketplace, so..."

The implication was clear: if one wished to purchase a Spirit Beast in the Ruins District, his family’s shop was the top choice.

"I understand. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come here,"

Lin Changheng said with a smile, not bothering to argue the point.

"Would you like me to introduce a few to you, Fellow Daoist?"

Liu Fengxiu was full of enthusiasm, showing no signs of frailty and brimming with energy.

Lin Changheng couldn’t help but feel a bit impressed. The Liu Family had certainly chosen the right Shopkeeper; every trade has its master, and this man ran the shop with remarkable success.

"Very well."

Lin Changheng nodded, listening to Liu Fengxiu’s descriptions as they walked and browsed.

"This is an Earth Dragon Beast cub, a Mixed Grade Bloodline Spirit Beast. Raised properly, it has a chance to reach Tier One Middle Stage strength as an adult. It can guard your residence, protect your home..."

"This is a Giant Tongue Python Frog cub, a Mixed Grade Bloodline Spirit Beast. It’s a great helper for a Spirit Plant Cultivator. It can rid your Spirit Fields and Medicinal Fields of pests, greatly lightening your burden and protecting your Spirit Plants..."

"Don’t let this Raccoon Dog Slave’s docile appearance fool you. Its strength is nothing to scoff at, and it’s extremely aggressive. It’s called an Iron Claw Mountain Cat, a Muddy Evil Bloodline Spirit Beast. It can assist a Cultivator in Magical Combat. In my own clan, a member raised two of them to the Tier One Late Stage, and they’ve become a huge asset..."

As he spoke, Shopkeeper Liu continued to observe Lin Changheng’s expression and body language, trying to gauge if his potential customer was showing any interest.

"I was wondering if your shop has any Profound Spirit Bloodline Spirit Beasts for sale?"

Lin Changheng suddenly stopped walking and asked.

’The descriptions of these Spirit Beasts sound impressive, and they might be decent for Extracting Essence Blood,’ he thought. ’But when it comes to actually raising one, they fall short. Their potential is too limited.’

’Never mind the cost in Spirit Stones; if its power couldn’t keep up with my own progress and it ended up as nothing more than a companion, what would be the point of raising it?’

’The true purpose of a Spirit Beast is to provide assistance and be useful.’

Lin Changheng’s mind was as clear as a mirror. His purpose was set, and he remained unmoved no matter how extravagantly Shopkeeper Liu praised his wares.

The Profound Spirit Bloodline, however, was different. It had a high probability of advancing to Tier Two.

This was the equivalent of the Foundation Establishment Stage for the Human Race.

Of course, the resources required to raise one were incomparable to those needed for Mortal Filth or Muddy Evil bloodlines.

But at least their futures were bright, which made them worth raising.

"Profound Spirit Bloodline?"

Shopkeeper Liu didn’t seem surprised, as if he’d heard the question countless times. His smile never wavered as he looked at Lin Changheng. "Many Fellow Daoists who visit my shop ask the same thing. After all, everyone prefers a higher-grade bloodline..."

"So that means you don’t have any?" Lin Changheng concluded.

"We didn’t before, but this time, we do."

Shopkeeper Liu smiled and led Lin Changheng directly upstairs.

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng was surprised. He had asked this very question before and had always gotten a negative answer. He had only asked on a whim this time, thinking that things might be different with the bustling Marketplace. Had his casual question actually yielded a result?

In a private viewing room.

The two had just taken their seats when a Female Attendant brought over a Spirit Beast Bag. Shopkeeper Liu took it, aimed the mouth of the bag toward the floor, and performed a Technique.

A gray mist billowed out, unfurling to reveal a Spirit Beast Egg the size of an infant’s head.