Chapter 536: The Deal
Chapter 536: The Deal
"A standard Bronze-rank cub, if released, might even tempt many Black Iron-rank Soul Beast Riders..."
Fang Xing examined the appraisal results from the Bronze Heart Oracle and nodded in agreement.
For those Soul Beast Riders whose Heart Beasts were only of Black Iron-rank, it didn't mean they were destined to remain stuck at the Warrior Rank.
Although their Soul Beasts couldn't advance to the General Rank without a significant opportunity, any other Heart Beasts they tamed, as long as they were of Bronze-rank, could naturally help them break through the Warrior Rank.
Of course, there were certain risks involved.
When a Rider controlled an external Heart Beast, they primarily relied on their own Soul Beast to subdue it.
If the Soul Beast was weaker than the external one, and the latter suddenly rebelled, not even the Guardian Aura could protect the Rider, and they might be killed in a single strike!
Therefore, taming an external Heart Beast stronger than their own Soul Beast was an extremely dangerous endeavor for a Rider.
However, if it was a cub they had raised from a young age, the bond might be strong enough that, aside from being unable to share the Guardian Aura, it wouldn't be much different from their Soul Beast.
The Guardian Skill was unique to the Soul Beast.
These later-tamed Heart Beasts, no matter how harmonious they were, were unlikely to provide an additional layer of Guardian Aura for their master.
Nevertheless, if they possessed other defensive skills, they could certainly be applied to the Rider.
In any case, this Earthshake Bear cub could still fetch a decent price.
Many Warrior-rank and General-rank Riders would surely be tempted by it.
"Alright, let's go."
Fang Xing closed the Bronze Heart Oracle and mounted Pipi Dog. "It's time to leave..."
His primary purpose for this trip was to scavenge for resources and, in the process, find a Heart Beast that suited his preferences.
Unfortunately, he hadn't come across any particularly appealing species, so he had no choice but to visit the Heart Shrine.
Not long after Fang Xing's departure, a gust of wind blew through.
Amidst the gale, a ferocious beast emerged.
It resembled a white tiger but had two long, sharp fangs, identifying it as a Lord-rank Ferocious Saber-toothed Tiger!
Once a Heart Beast reached the Lord rank, it developed an extremely strong sense of territoriality.
This Saber-toothed Tiger was clearly agitated by the disappearance of several Heart Beasts from its territory in recent days.
This signaled the arrival of a predator, and in such situations, a confrontation was inevitable, with only one likely to survive.
The Ferocious Saber-toothed Tiger, with its seven hundred years of cultivation, was no match for Pipi Dog.
Despite its exceptional quality, the vast difference in cultivation was challenging to overcome.
Fortunately, Fang Xing was aware of this, and he had no intention of promoting Pipi Dog to the Lord rank just yet.
Although Pipi Dog's quality was high, it had just broken through to the General Rank, and promoting it with ninety years of cultivation would be pushing it. It needed time to digest this advancement.
Thus, he decided to leave, also avoiding the attention of Lord-rank Heart Beasts.
It must be said that Fang Xing's decision was spot-on.
Otherwise, if he had encountered the Ferocious Saber-toothed Tiger, even if he managed to escape, he would have undoubtedly suffered a humiliating defeat.
...
Green Grove City.
The Heart Shrine.
As Fang Xing returned to this place, his emotions were mixed.
He entered the shrine, gazing upon the tall glass dome, the towering stone pillars, and the statue of the 'Heart Lord'.
According to the doctrine, the 'Heart Lord' represented the myriad aspects of the heart and had no fixed form.
As a result, the statues crafted by worshippers were often abstract, and here, a white sphere, resembling a dumpling, was enshrined.
"Greetings, young Rider."
Dugu Fang, dressed in clerical robes, smiled and asked, "How may I assist you today?"
"I have come to make an offering to the Heart Lord and wish to enter the trading area at the back of the shrine."
Fang Xing produced a piece of gold, weighing about five taels.
"May the Heart Lord bless you."
Dugu Fang smiled slightly, accepting the believer's offering, and a priest led the way.
Fang Xing reached the back of the shrine, where a plaza stood.
Along the plaza were several solemn buildings, and some Riders had set up stalls, although there were few traders.
'Most of them are Warrior-rank, and even General-rank Riders are rare...'
Fang Xing glanced around, and before entering Green Grove City, he had instructed Pipi Dog to conceal its cultivation, making it appear as a Warrior-rank Rider.
After a quick scan, he first entered a building with a golden coin plaque.
This was a money house that also acquired valuable resources related to Riders.
"Welcome, esteemed Rider. How may we at the Grand Channel Bank be of service to you?"
A cashier greeted Fang Xing with a bow and a warm smile.
"I have some resources to sell."
Fang Xing placed his bamboo basket and took out a few items.
"This is... 'Blood Orchid'? 'Starry Iron'? And 'Jade Honey'?"
The old cashier rubbed his left eye, behind which he wore a monocle.
Noticing Fang Xing's gaze, he smiled, "Forgive this old man's Soul Beast, Arc Light Mirror. Although it's not strong in combat, it's quite useful for appraisals... This Blood Orchid is ninety years old and worth one hundred taels of gold. The Starry Iron weighs three and a half pounds and can be sold for eighty taels of gold. And finally, the Jade Honey, how about ten taels of gold per bottle?"
"The price is fair enough," Fang Xing nodded, indicating his approval of the deal.
In truth, he had these resources in his possession, having held back a large portion of the jade honey, and it was unlikely that he would trade all of it in one place.
Moreover, finding bronze-quality dog food was more challenging, and the jade honey could temporarily suffice.
"Alright, that's two hundred and twenty taels of gold. Would the esteemed guest prefer gold coins or gold notes?" The old shopkeeper smiled.
Fang Xing knew that in Green Forest City, one tael of gold was worth ten taels of silver, and one tael of silver could buy a hundred catties of rice.
These two hundred and twenty taels of gold would be a significant amount, even for the Fang family in Three Mountains Town.
The more skilled the Caster, the more money they make, and the more they spend.
"I'll take the gold notes..." Fang Xing replied, "Your Grand Channel Money House has branches in the City of the Heart, and your reputation is quite reliable."
The old shopkeeper's smile widened as he handed over twenty-two gold notes to Fang Xing.
These gold notes were worth ten taels each, and their surface had a faint golden hue. The paper was thick and rigid, giving it a unique texture when touched.
Fang Xing even sensed a special power, likely an anti-counterfeiting mark.
To have money houses spread across the Heart Realm, the Grand Channel Money House must have some formidable backing.
Even a Ten Thousand Year Sovereign Rank might not be enough.
"By the way, I heard that you have extensive connections. Can you reserve some powerful Heart Beast cubs or eggs?" Fang Xing casually asked after the transaction.
"Sovereign-quality ones?" The old shopkeeper hesitated, "Sovereign-quality Heart Beasts are highly sought after, especially the cubs. While we accept reservations, this service is only offered to higher-tier partners..."
"Perhaps I could reserve a few Black Iron or Bronze-quality cubs?" The old shopkeeper suggested, knowing Fang Xing's status.
Sovereign-quality Heart Beasts grow up to become Lord Rank.
Even in Green Forest City, they could challenge the City Lord. It's no wonder they're tightly controlled.
Fang Xing nodded, understanding the situation, and left the money house. He stepped out into the square.
"Top-quality battle pet food... all of them are 'Blood Fang Rice', rich in blood energy!"
"Skill books... the 'Rending Claws' skill book from the Heart Shrine, only fifty taels of gold!"
"Heart Beast eggs and cubs... selling cheap Black Iron-quality cubs..."
"Battle robes woven by a Weaver Caster, made from 'Water-Fire Silk', perfect for outdoor adventures..."
...
The square seemed busier now, with more people and vendors raising their voices, slightly louder than before.
Fang Xing checked a few stalls, only to shake his head.
As expected, street stalls rarely had good deals... The quality was often worse than shops, and trying to find bargains could lead to losses.
He stood at a stall selling Heart Beast cubs, observing the lackluster and the poor quality and condition of the cubs. He couldn't help but shake his head.
"So pathetic..."
"Compared to these, the Earthquake Bear I plan to sell has exceptional potential..."
However, a Bronze-quality Heart Beast cub was indeed valuable, almost comparable to all his gains from this trip to the mountain.
"Young Caster, take a look at this 'Bright Spirit Cat'," the sharp-tongued stall owner said, seeing Fang Xing pause. He immediately began praising his Heart Beast as if it would evolve into a King or Emperor, or even a Legendary one...
"And these 'Black Feather Raven Eggs', I got them with great effort from a bird's nest on a steep cliff..."
The stall owner likely knew his goods weren't the best.
"They're Black Iron-quality... and Black Feather Ravens can't carry people in flight..."
Fang Xing understood that in a small town like this, finding top-tier Heart Beasts was unlikely.
Moreover, the Weather Team's concept relied on Pipi Dog as the core.
As long as he could find a flying Heart Beast compatible with the Annihilation Domain, even a Bronze-quality one would suffice. It was just a temporary solution.
However, the scarcity in this small town exceeded his expectations.
"Seems like... I'll have to catch one myself."
"After some preparation, I'll head to Azure Dragon Mountain again... But this time, I must avoid the previous area."
Having read many books in the academy, Fang Xing knew that a mass death of Heart Beasts in one area would trigger a chain reaction, attracting Lord Rank experts.
Just as he was about to leave, another Caster entered the square.
This Caster, in his forties, wore black clothes and a headband. Fang Xing didn't recognize him.
By his side was a One-Eyed Old Wolf.
The old wolf was covered in scars, with one blind eye and grayish fur, looking rather pathetic.
More importantly, when its remaining eye caught sight of Fang Xing, it stared intently.
"Hmm?"
Fang Xing's heart stirred, "This One-Eyed Old Wolf... seems similar to the one that appeared in Three Mountains Town... Fang Lianshan mentioned in his letter that the old wolf was one-eyed and was taken by a passing Caster..."
(End of Chapter)
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