"Do you have any Fire-element Demon Beast Essence Blood for sale?"

Lin Changheng asked directly.

The old man had a naturally smiling face and chuckled as he explained, "Although my family specializes in Beast Taming, we do have some Demon Beast Materials for sale."

He then added, "We certainly have Fire-element Demon Beasts. Fellow Daoist, are you looking for one with greater strength, or one with a higher-level bloodline?"

"Oh? There’s such a distinction? Please, Fellow Daoist, enlighten me."

A thought struck Lin Changheng, and he took the opportunity to ask for guidance.

"I wouldn’t dare presume to enlighten you. Hehe, Demon Beasts are different from us Cultivators. Humans rely on their Spirit Root for cultivation, whereas demons rely on their bloodline..."

"The stronger their bloodline inheritance, the higher their starting point and the faster their cultivation. This also signifies their potential!"

"Their bloodline levels have been explored and categorized by great Cultivators since ancient times."

"For example, what we often call a Mixed Grade Bloodline is actually a [Mortal Filth Bloodline]. They are impure and mottled, with turbid Demon Qi. Most are formed when wild beasts of the mountains accidentally come into contact with a Spiritual Mechanism, though some are also the result of a higher-level bloodline degenerating."

"Above that is the [Muddy Evil Bloodline]. They have a certain foundation, but their bodies are full of impurities, making their cultivation slow. They can absorb the essence of the moon, but are easily drawn to the path of malevolence, acting on instinct... Their strength is usually at the Tier One Middle Stage. Few reach the Late Stage, though a small number can break through to Tier Two."

"Even higher is the [Profound Spirit Bloodline]... Ahem, but that type is basically irrelevant to us Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivators."

"So, Fellow Daoist, which kind do you need?"

Lin Changheng listened with great interest. Unlike Human Race Cultivators, the lower limits of Demon Beasts were basically guaranteed.

This was the effect of their bloodline.

Their upper limits, however, were not fixed and could be broken. Of course, the process was bound to be extremely difficult, requiring fortuitous encounters and opportunities.

"Do you have any [Profound Spirit Blood]?"

Lin Changheng asked directly. He also wanted to see what kind of feedback the Primordial Cauldron would give.

"No." The old man shook his head decisively. "[Profound Spirit Blood] can be used for refining Tier Two Pills and is useful for Foundation Establishment Cultivators. It’s a rare sight even in this market district."

"What about the [Blood of Muddy Evil]?"

Lin Changheng asked, though it wouldn’t matter if they didn’t have it.

The [Muddy Evil Bloodline] was a level higher than the [Mortal Filth Bloodline], which was exactly his goal. It would be a good experiment to explore the requirements for ’Metamorphosis’.

The old man said, "We do. As it happens, we have two portions left. They were extracted and refined from two old beasts in my clan that died recently. They are indeed Fire Element, from a [Flame-tailed Spirit Fox], with strength in the upper Tier One Middle Stage."

’Flame-tailed Spirit Fox?’

Lin Changheng naturally thought of how the Liu Family’s residence was "Spirit Fox Mountain." That, combined with the name [Flame-tailed Spirit Fox], led him to speculate that the Liu Family might produce a large number of Spirit Foxes, hence the name.

"What’s the price? If it’s reasonable, I’ll take both portions."

"The prices at my shop are always fair to all, and our reputation speaks for itself. It’s three Spirit Stones per portion. Fellow Daoist, you can ask around, and anyone will tell you the same."

The old man said with complete confidence.

Lin Changheng nodded. The price was within his expectations.

According to ancient records, a Tier One Middle Stage Demon Beast contained two portions of Essence Blood. The term "portion" was determined by the basic amount of Essence Blood required for a single Elixir.

A Tier One Early Stage Demon Beast, in contrast, contained one portion of Essence Blood.

"Please bring them both out."

Lin Changheng smiled and took out six Spirit Stones.

Soon, two bottles of Feihong-colored Essence Blood were brought out.

Lin Changheng opened one to inspect it. The first thing he felt was an extremely potent, bloody scent assaulting his nostrils.

He directly used the [Spirit Detecting Skill]. A hazy, strange light flashed in his eyes. This blood was clearly different from the [Mortal Filth Bloodline] of the Fire Crow and Cyan Wood Snake he’d seen before; he could tell with a single glance.

"Excellent."

After putting away the Essence Blood, Lin Changheng turned to the old man, who was cheerfully stashing the Spirit Stones. "I was wondering, is this blood available on a regular basis?"

The old man first shook his head, then nodded. "Fellow Daoist, only a few Tamed Beasts are sold as Demon Beast Materials. The more valuable ones are kept for Beast Taming, raised, and then supplied to families and Loose Cultivators. However..."

"However what?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"My clan has recently been planning to cull a batch of [Flame-tailed Spirit Fox] whose talent isn’t apparent and whose growth is stagnant. A batch of Essence Blood will be sold to the public at that time. But this is just a preliminary plan. As for when it will be implemented, there’s no specific date. It could be in three to five days, or it could be several months."

He spoke very frankly. As Lin Changheng listened, a thought came to him.

’Now that I have this information, and since the Liu and Xu families are in a honeymoon period of mutual benefit, it might be possible to get in touch with the Liu Family indirectly and purchase the Essence Blood.’

With a potential source for the Essence Blood secured, Lin Changheng felt a sense of relief.

"I understand. I was also wondering if you have any existing Mixed Grade Tamed Beast Essence Blood? My clan requires a large batch."

"We do."

The old man was perfectly suited for business. His old face bloomed like a chrysanthemum. Even if Lin Changheng hadn’t added "my clan," the old man would have guessed as much.

The needs of a clan were often enormous.

He immediately brought out two types of Essence Blood and introduced them:

"This deep red bottle is [Earth Fire Lizard] Essence Blood. It’s Fire Element. We just slaughtered a batch, so we have nearly a hundred bottles remaining."

Saying this, he picked up another bottle. "And this dark green one is [White Spirit Sparrow] Essence Blood. It’s Wood Element. A merchant caravan bought a large batch the day before yesterday, so we have about twenty-odd bottles left in stock."

"The quality of both is excellent, and they haven’t been mixed with ordinary Demon Blood, unlike what some unscrupulous merchants do. On this point, the reputation of our shop is a guarantee!"

Lin Changheng remained noncommittal about the old man’s guarantee, instead picking up the red and green bottles of Essence Blood and holding them up to a light source.

As the light passed through, the [Earth Fire Lizard] Essence Blood revealed fine red threads that floated like delicate silk. The green bottle, meanwhile, glittered with specks of emerald light, like fireflies in the dead of night.

It was quite a beautiful sight.

A strange light flashed in Lin Changheng’s eyes as he used a Skill to confirm the items were genuine.

"If I were to take all of them, could you give me a discount?"

He began to haggle as usual.

"Normally, they are about sixty grains of Spiritual Sand per portion, and the price is non-negotiable. However, since your esteemed clan is buying so many, I can offer you a discounted price of fifty Spiritual Sand. What do you think?"

"If your clan has a similar need in the future, for quantities of a hundred portions or more, you can also purchase them at this price."

The old man from the Liu Family stated the price directly and handed over a Pear Wood Black Token, which bore the insignia of the Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion.

It could be used to get a discount.

"Very well. Then let’s count the goods."

As he spoke, Lin Changheng, who was wearing a bamboo hat, deliberately glanced left and right.

There were other customers and shop assistants coming and going nearby.

The old man instantly understood his meaning and chuckled. "There are too many people and prying eyes here. Please come upstairs to the VIP room to count your items. This way, please."

A short while later, Lin Changheng came downstairs, escorted by the old man. The old man watched until the former disappeared into the crowd before turning back with a smile.

’With major clients like this, why would I ever worry about sales?’

...

「Back at the Immortal Inn」

Lin Changheng had already shut the door tightly and activated the Sound Insulation and Concealment Array he had with him.

He then sensed the hundred and twenty-odd bottles of Essence Blood inside his Storage Bag.

He first took the more numerous bottles of [Earth Fire Lizard] Essence Blood, opened them one by one, and poured them into a basin until it was nearly half full.

The bloody stench was overwhelming.