Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

He had already gained insight into the situation within the Business Alliance over these three years. Although the Business Alliance was a large organization, any major group inevitably had factions, and since the Si Shui Commerce Association wasn’t part of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association’s faction, they were naturally excluded.

Without further thought, he followed Wu Yehua to enter the Spirit Beast Garden of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association first.

------------

The Fierce Tiger Commerce Association primarily dealt in the buying, selling, and leasing of spirit beasts, along with supplementary beast pill resources. However, unlike the Beast Taming Liu Family of the Celestial Cyan Domain, their spirit beasts weren’t solely self-cultivated. Less than half were self-cultivated, with the majority being purchased or mortgaged.

This was because the cost and risk of cultivating a high-tier spirit beast were too great relative to their connections and the market they occupied, making it more beneficial to purchase directly from long-term collaborating beast-taming clans and forces.

Precisely because of this, they were considering selling this precious Green Blood Pill.

”Brother Liu, the spirit beasts of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association are renowned far and wide, not only is the variety diverse, but the quality is also excellent. At this Spirit Pet Appreciation Event, there are even Earth-Level bloodline superiors. If Brother Liu is interested in spirit pets, you might want to take a good look; maybe you’ll find one you like.” Upon entering the Spirit Beast Garden, Wu Yehua seemed like he was touring his own backyard, familiar with the layout and every type of spirit beast inside.

Li Ji’an decisively waved his hand.

Raising spirit beasts was not easy. He already had Gugu and had invested too much in it, having spent three lifetimes together and forming a bond; he couldn’t easily give it up.

Raising another would overextend his energy, put financial pressure on him, and mainly, he no longer had the patience of his first lifetime to slowly cultivate a bond.

If the bond isn’t deep enough, during Rejuvenation, it might backfire instead.

”What? Brother Liu disdains the assistance of demon beasts?” Seeing Li Ji’an refuse so decisively, Wu Yehua was taken aback.

”Oh, I remembered wrong. The prodigies of the Celestial Cyan Domain’s Upper Sect indeed don’t focus on external forces.”

Wu Yehua suddenly realized.

Li Ji’an saw through his intentions at a glance; it was just an unconscious way to probe my identity.

After all, his appearance was indeed somewhat abrupt.

And from recent interactions, Li Ji’an had roughly guessed Wu Yehua’s intention to win him over.

Therefore, such probing was reasonable.

Half a day later, all participants entered the Spirit Beast Garden, and the event officially began.

Li Ji’an followed Wu Yehua to sit in the front row, while Yuan Jingzhu and Guo Wanzhi were only arranged in the fifth row.

This stimulated Yuan Jingzhu once again by Wu Yehua.

However, Yuan Jingzhu remained tranquil and elegant, ignoring it completely, not getting provoked.

Soon, the grand chief steward of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association took the stage to host the Spirit Pet Appreciation Event.

A total of twenty different spirit pets were brought to the stage.

”I’m representing the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association to thank everyone for supporting us, and to show our sincerity, all the spirit pets selected this time are being sold at a market price of eighty percent. Please don’t hesitate if you’re interested in any spirit pets...”

After the opening remarks, he began introducing them one by one.

”Although this mink has only a Middle Grade bloodline, it has unexpectedly awakened the Barbaric Ancestor’s Lightning Mink divine abilities, unparalleled escape speed of the same tier, and possesses the Spirit-Devouring Poison. If you can elevate it to the Late Period of the Second Tier, it could threaten a Fake Pill True Man.”

”This is an Upper Grade bloodline Howling Moon Celestial Wolf. Not only is its bloodline excellent, but it also carries the Barbaric Ancestor’s bloodline divine abilities, with potential. However, it wasn’t raised from young, captured mid-way, and its wildness is too great, difficult to tame. If a skilled beast tamer is capable, they could try, and success could yield at least tenfold returns.”

...

”This is the Holy Beast Mountain’s near Celestial Grade bloodline beast egg, heart-wrenchingly parted with. Its bloodline is suspected to be that of the Tier Four Five-Colored Peacock King that dominated the Central Ten Domains back then in the Holy Beast Mountain. However... the Saint Master of the Holy Beast Mountain judged it as likely having prenatal deficiencies, with a success hatching chance of no more than thirty percent. Of course, the price is also thirty percent of the same grade, and if you win the gamble, you’ll be able to resell it at a hundredfold profit.”

...

The twenty spirit pets all had unique qualities, but likewise, all had shortcomings.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t need to rely on such an appreciation spectacle to sell.

Among them, Li Ji’an had some interest, but considering his foundation, he decisively gave up.

However, the other cultivators attending were stirred by the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association’s old steward’s gambling inducement, and within just an hour, all twenty special spirit beasts were sold out.

Surely, there were several major commerce associations showcasing support.

The purpose was clearly to set the stage for the Three-Tier Green Blood Pill at the end.

The other seventeen commerce associations interested in the Green Blood Pill were mostly intending to research its Pill Formula.

Even though they knew if the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association obtained the Green Blood Pill, they would surely want to analyze its Pill Formula first thing, as that’s where the immense wealth lies.

But they all held onto a glimmer of hope, wondering if the Holy Beast Mountain had a special agreement, or if the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association’s Pill Masters lacked comprehension, and so on.

Finally, after all twenty special spirit pets were sold out, the old steward happily presented the day’s highlight item – the Green Blood Pill!

However, only some people got a chance for a close look.

Originally, the Si Shui Commerce Association was excluded from this, but in light of Yuan Jingzhu purchasing the piece that had only a five percent success chance in hatching, and was certain to have congenital damage, the old steward ignored hints from several close commerce associations and granted them qualification.

Soon, those unqualified were asked to leave the Spirit Beast Garden and could only watch from outside.

The qualified ones stepped forward to sense and observe the Green Blood Pill up close.

Li Ji’an, recommended by Wu Yehua with high regard, naturally obtained this qualification.

”The Blood Evil Qi is intense!” Other commerce association participants were either themselves senior Pill Masters or experts in beast pills, and they all brought Pill Masters along.

The Fierce Tiger Commerce Association understood this but didn’t stop them.

”It’s quite different from the common beast pill refining method.”

”It’s more akin to human cultivator pill medicine refining techniques...”

After carefully sensing, many seasoned Pill Masters and beast pill Beast Tamers were at a loss, having no choice but to try sparking some inspiration during discussions.

Guo Wanzhi also stepped forward to study it carefully but achieved nothing.

”Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t need to emphasize the importance of this pill to Holy Beast Mountain, so there are quite a lot of trade restrictions on this pill. I cannot deceive you about it,” the old steward noted after seeing that other commerce associations, especially the Tier Three Pill Master invited by the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, had yielded no results.

”Apart from the known restrictions, are there more?” The hall master of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association frowned, glaring unsightly at the old steward of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association.

”Master Tong, if you have opinions, you can opt-out freely. I won’t have any objections,” the old steward countered with a wry smile.

”Hmph! State all restrictions clearly at once!” The hall master’s face darkened, yelling forcefully, yet showing little regard for the old steward rumored to be able to make decisions on behalf of the leader of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association.

The old steward didn’t get annoyed, speaking slowly, ”The most crucial condition is that if any fellow takes out spiritual resources satisfactory to the Commerce Association for trade, they must let their spirit pet consume it immediately before my eyes, and it cannot leave my sight.”

”What? Consume it on the spot? And it can’t be taken away!”

”What kind of overbearing contract is this? Even with the Green Blood Pill, it can’t ensure a spirit pet’s promotion to Tier Three, it only increases the chance of success, so how can it be consumed so recklessly?”

...

The spectators immediately reacted, and emotions escalated further fueled by the hall master of the Tong Family.

”Heh, gentlemen, please be calm. When Holy Beast Mountain agreed to trade this Green Blood Pill, these were the conditions.

But, I only mentioned that it had to be consumed in my presence; I didn’t specify that it had to be consumed right after the transaction.

As long as after the transaction, you don’t take it away, and it remains in our Commerce Association until your beloved spirit pet is fully prepared, you can come to consume it before my eyes when breaking through to Tier Three.”

”...”

”Old fox, clinking the abacus loudly.”

”This way, isn’t it justified to let the Green Blood Pill remain at the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association for even longer?”

”Holy Beast Mountain must have a deadline for when this transaction must be completed, possibly within three months.”

”No wonder they’re so eager to trade it.”

With everyone discussing, the truth was nearly exposed.

Because Holy Beast Mountain did indeed have a deadline for the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association to complete the transaction.

Thus, many abandoned the idea directly.

After all, their initial purpose was just to trade back and conduct thorough research.

Only a few cultivators genuinely hoping to see their spirit pets advance to Tier Three remained.

Li Ji’an looked at the remaining people, his expression tranquil.

Needless to say, none of the remaining could be considered top-tier forces in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

Even if the Nine Tripods Commerce Association competed with him, he possessed the confidence to gain the allegiance of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association.