Translator: AnubisTL
The cultivators who had summoned their demon beasts couldn't help but show signs of panic.
Since forming Master-Servant Spirit Contracts with their spirit beasts, this was the first time they had sensed their creatures teetering on the brink of losing control.
"What's going on here?!"
"Unbelievable! My Profound Water Turtle is usually the most docile creature imaginable. Why is it so agitated today?"
"Excuse me, what exactly is this Crimson Crystal?"
Clearly, the sudden agitation of these tamed spirit beasts was entirely due to the irregular red crystal in the hooded figure's hand—the Crimson Crystal.
The crowd was filled with beast tamers who possessed an intimate understanding of various demon beast behaviors. Yet even they were utterly baffled by this unprecedented phenomenon.
Two figures wearing bamboo hats, separated from the crowd, exchanged astonished glances.
"Uncle Fu, what is that thing? How can it incite such intense desire in so many demon beasts?"
The tall, burly Uncle Fu slowly shook his head. "I don't know. Even the finest beast-luring powder concocted by beast tamers couldn't trigger such a reaction in spirit beasts already bound by Master-Servant Spirit Contracts."
"The immortal cultivation world is truly vast and full of wonders! This mysterious crystal is unlike anything I've ever heard of or seen before!"
Hearing that even the well-informed Uncle Fu couldn't identify the Crimson Crystal, the young man wearing a bamboo hat's eyes lit up with curiosity.
On the stage, Li Qing was clearly pleased with the crowd's astonished reactions.
"If you believe the Crimson Crystal's only purpose is to attract demon beasts, you couldn't be more mistaken!"
"This crystal can induce mutations in a demon beast's bloodline. A single crystal can cause a first-tier demonic beast to experience a sudden surge in power, potentially even triggering a breakthrough to the next tier!"
Li Qing declared with unwavering conviction, his voice brimming with confidence in the Crimson Crystal he held.
"That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard! Aside from a few rare natural treasures, nothing else could possibly mutate a demon beast's bloodline!"
"Exactly! A single crystal causing such rapid growth? That's an outrageous claim!"
"I don't believe it either. This is probably just some refined beast-attracting powder."
Several beast tamer cultivators voiced their skepticism, refusing to believe the Crimson Crystal Li Qing presented could possess such miraculous properties.
Li Qing remained unfazed by the skepticism, calmly stating:
"Fellow Daoists, I understand your disbelief. When I first encountered this Crimson Crystal, I reacted similarly."
"Therefore, I will sell the first Crimson Crystal for 300 spirit stones, with one condition: the buyer must administer it to a demon beast on the spot, allowing everyone to witness its effects!"
"Subsequent Crimson Crystals will be auctioned off, starting at 1,000 spirit stones. The highest bidder wins!"
As Li Qing's words echoed through the crowd, the cultivators exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.
Three hundred spirit stones was no small sum, but if the Crimson Crystal truly possessed the power Li Qing claimed—to induce bloodline mutation, grant rapid strength advancement, and even facilitate breakthroughs in cultivation tiers—then even 3,000 spirit stones would be a bargain!
After all, a Second-Tier Demonic Beast was equivalent to a human cultivator in the foundation establishment realm. For such a modest price, one could acquire a combatant of that caliber, fiercely loyal and obedient—an extraordinary deal!
Instantly, the crowd erupted into murmurs and hushed discussions.
"Three hundred spirit stones just for an unknown?"
"It's the black market's opening day, so this claim should have some credibility. Otherwise, they'd be ruining their reputation right away."
"This thing is too sinister, and its malevolent energy is overwhelming. I'm worried about what might happen if a demon beast eats it."
Normally, beast tamers rarely feed their spirit beasts random things, especially items of unknown origin. If a demon beast were to undergo some adverse transformation, it would be disastrous. After all, capturing, taming, and establishing a Master-Servant Spirit Contract with a demon beast requires immense effort and dedication.
"Fellow Daoist, why don't you give it a try? The Profound Water Turtle has incredible vitality. Even if the Crimson Crystal has issues, it won't harm your turtle too much."
Someone urged a late qi refining realm cultivator who owned a Profound Water Turtle.
Profound Water Turtles are renowned for their longevity and extraordinary resilience. Even when severely injured, these turtles can slowly regenerate using their innate water attribute divine abilities. Given enough time, they can fully recover.
"Heh, Fellow Daoist, you jest. While I'd love to test it on my turtle, I certainly don't have three hundred spirit stones to spare," the turtle owner chuckled dryly, clearly unwilling to take such a risky gamble.
Seeing that no one was willing to be the first to try the Crimson Crystal, Li Qing frowned slightly and added fuel to the fire.
"Fellow cultivators, the brave enjoy the world first. I've said all I need to say. If no one is willing to try, then we'll conclude here for today and proceed to the free trading session."
Finally, a hesitant voice rang out.
"Wait! I'm willing to try, but I only have a little over two hundred spirit stones. Can I offer something else as collateral?"
A White-Feathered Snake coiled around the speaker's feet, its vertical pupils locked intently on the Crimson Crystal in Li Qing's hand.
It was clear that if the beast tamer beside it hadn't been holding it back with all his might, the snake would have lunged forward without hesitation.
Just as Li Qing was about to agree, a young man wearing a conical hat called out loudly:
"I'll cover the remaining spirit stones for this fellow cultivator! I'm curious to see if this Crimson Crystal is truly as miraculous as you claim!"
With that, he tossed a mid-grade spirit stone toward Li Qing on the platform without hesitation.
Clack!
Li Qing merely extended two slender fingers and caught the mid-grade spirit stone between them.
"Fellow cultivator, your generosity is truly admirable!"
To be honest, if he hadn't known beforehand, Li Qing would have suspected that the young man in the bamboo hat was a plant deliberately arranged by Shen Ningbing.
Of course, that was impossible. Shen Ningbing had never mentioned this matter to him before and was currently concealed, providing security for the black market.
With her combat prowess approaching the late foundation establishment realm and her ice attribute variant spirit root, Li Qing had complete faith in her abilities.
Soon, another pouch containing two hundred spirit stones was tossed onto the stage.
Two hundred spirit stones plus one mid-grade spirit stone—exactly three hundred!
After confirming the count, Li Qing immediately hurled the Crimson Crystal, which he had been clutching tightly, toward the cultivator who owned the White-Feathered Snake.
Whoosh!
The cultivator hastily caught the crystal, and a crowd gathered around him, scrutinizing the mysterious crimson gem.
The crystal was as clear as glass, yet it emanated a faint, bloody aura, giving it an eerie, otherworldly appearance.
"This White-Feathered Snake is almost breaking free from its spiritual contract! How can it be so powerfully drawn to this thing?"
"Even just for attracting demon beasts, this item is invaluable! Imagine taking it to the Giantwood Forest—we could lure countless beasts!"
"Feed it to the snake already!"
Hearing the crowd's urging and sensing the White-Feathered Snake's desperate eagerness, the cultivator's expression hardened slightly. He then held the Crimson Crystal to the snake's mouth.
Gulp!
In the blink of an eye, the White-Feathered Snake had swallowed the Crimson Crystal whole.
Instantly, the snake stiffened, as if struck by a fatal blow. It froze in place, motionless.
Stiff for life!
"No! Xiao Bai!" the cultivator who owned the White-Feathered Snake cried out in alarm.
Before he could confront Li Qing, the rigid snake began to writhe and tremble violently.
Hiss! Hiss!
The White-Feathered Snake's vertical pupils snapped open, but its once-pale irises had turned a blood-red hue. Its forked tongue flicked incessantly, as if the creature were enduring extreme pain.
Then, one by one, white feathers began to fall from its body, followed by layers of old skin being shed in succession.
"It's molting! How is that possible?" a knowledgeable beast tamer exclaimed, his expression grave and his voice filled with shock. "White-Feathered Snakes shed their skin each time they advance a tier in the first-tier stage."
"But each molt should be separated by at least several decades, or even longer in areas with sparse spiritual energy."
"I've heard that by the third molt, the shed skin can even be used in medicinal concoctions," another cultivator added.
"Brother, how many times has your White-Feathered Snake molted?"
The snake master replied, slightly bewildered, "This should be its third molt. It was already a mid-first-tier Demon beast when I acquired it."
As they spoke, the White-Feathered Snake suddenly burst free from its old skin in one swift motion. Its featherless body appeared remarkably smooth and pale.
A moment later, someone exclaimed in shock, "Look! What's it doing now?"
Whoosh!
All eyes snapped toward the snake.
Strange crimson patterns began to ripple across its pale, smooth body. Then, dark red feathers sprouted from its scales.
!!!
"Red feathers? How is that possible?! Isn't it supposed to be a White-Feathered Snake?"
"Unbelievable! It seems this White-Feathered Snake's bloodline is truly undergoing a mutation."
"From now on, we might have to call it a Red-Feathered Snake!"
After a long while, once the dark red feathers had completely covered the snake's body, this astonishing transformation finally drew to a close.
Boom!
The thin spiritual energy in the underground shelter surged toward the newly metamorphosed Red-Feathered Snake, swirling around it in a dense vortex.
"This snake is now a late first-tier Demon beast, and it's not far from reaching the second-tier!"
Gulp!
Someone swallowed hard, trying to calm their shaken nerves.
(End of the Chapter)
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