30: Fire Dog

Chen Jiancang looked at Chen Jianyun, knowing that although she was a Mortal, she also had a love for beauty.

Thinking of this, he took out a small jade bottle from his storage bag.

“I have a bottle of Qi Gathering Pill here, which has significant effects on stabilizing the Realm and improving cultivation for early stage Qi Refining Cultivators. I wonder if I can exchange it for your beauty cream?” Chen Jiancang raised the jade bottle in his hand and looked at the female rogue Cultivator.

A hint of surprise flashed in the female rogue Cultivator's eyes. Her cultivation was still shallow, and she was worried about not being able to buy suitable pills to improve her cultivation. This Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill came at the right time.

She took the jade bottle and gently pulled out the stopper. A rich scent of qinghe rice, accompanied by spiritual energy, instantly permeated the air, causing everyone around to turn their heads.

“This Qi Gathering Pill is of high quality and is indeed a good item. I am willing to exchange my beauty cream with you.” The female rogue Cultivator said with a smile and handed the beauty cream to Chen Jiancang.

Chen Jiancang handed the beauty cream to Chen Jianyun, who took it with both hands, her cheeks flushed and her eyes full of emotion and joy.

There were three Qi Gathering Pills in one bottle, worth less than ten spiritual stones, which was nothing to Chen Jiancang.

After the transaction was completed, the atmosphere became even more lively.

Another member of the Chen Family took out a tattered ancient Cultivation Technique scroll: “This was something I stumbled upon in a ruin. Although it is only a tattered scroll, the wood-attribute cultivation method recorded within is quite unique, and it even records a wood cage technique, which is quite rare. I want to exchange it for some high-quality water-attribute spiritual Materials.”

Everyone gathered around, carefully examining the tattered Cultivation Technique scroll.

A rogue Cultivator stroked his chin and mused: “This Cultivation Technique seems to have some depth. I have a piece of thousand-year cold iron here, of excellent quality. I wonder if it can be exchanged for your tattered scroll?”

The Chen Family member's eyes lit up. Thousand-year cold iron was an excellent material for refining water-attribute magic tools. He immediately nodded in agreement: “Deal!”

Immediately after, many more people took out their items for trade.

Just as everyone was immersed in the lively atmosphere of the trade, another person stood up and slowly opened a beast skin pouch, from which he held out a fluffy demon beast cub.

The cub was covered in fiery red fur, with a faint pink tip on its ears. Its eyes were like two black gemstones, looking around at the crowd with curiosity and intelligence, occasionally letting out a few tender whimpers, causing everyone to turn their heads.

“This is a First Order Peak Fire Spirit Dog cub. Don't look at its adorable appearance now, if it can recognize a master, it will become the master's most capable partner and combat assistant! I only want spiritual stones, and the highest bidder gets it.” The person cleared his throat and introduced loudly.

A low murmur immediately arose from the crowd, and many people's eyes showed a fervent light.

Although the Fire Spirit Dog was only a First Order demon beast, its potential was huge, especially for fire-attribute Cultivators. If it could be nurtured from a young age, it would definitely become a powerful combat partner in the future.

“This Fire Spirit Dog has a very pure Bloodline and is considered a leader among demon beasts of the same order.” The seller continued to introduce excitedly, gently stroking the Fire Spirit Dog's head, causing it to comfortably squint its eyes.

“It is naturally endowed with extraordinary control over flames. Even though it is only a cub now, it can occasionally spit out a few small flames.”

Saying that, he took out a dry leaf from his storage bag and placed it in front of the Fire Spirit Dog.

The Fire Spirit Dog tilted its head and looked at it, then wrinkled its nose and “poof” spit out a thin stream of fire, instantly igniting the leaf and turning it into ash.

“An adult Fire Spirit Dog's flames transform, and its demonic fire power can rival Earth Fire, making it the best choice for assisting Alchemists and Artifact Refiners.”

As soon as the seller finished speaking, a gasp of surprise immediately arose from the crowd.

Earth Fire was the flame that Alchemists and Artifact Refiners dreamed of. Its temperature was stable and pure, which could greatly increase the success rate of Alchemy and Artifact Refining.

And the demonic fire of this Fire Spirit Dog after it grew up could actually rival Earth Fire. Its value was self-evident.

A fire-attribute Cultivator in the crowd, wearing a fiery red robe, couldn't hold back and was the first to speak: “I offer fifty spiritual stones!” His voice was full of urgency, as if he was afraid of being snatched up by others.

Chen Jiancang looked over. It was a brother from the Chen Family, Chen Jianyan, who mainly cultivated fire-attribute techniques and had now joined the Chen Family's Artifact Refining Hall.

If he could own this Fire Spirit Dog cub and carefully Cultivate it, it would definitely become a great help on the path of Artifact Refining in the future.

As Chen Jianyan's words fell, another burly rogue Cultivator was unwilling to be outdone and shouted loudly: “Sixty spiritual stones! This Fire Spirit Dog is destined to be with me, and I am determined to get it!”

As he spoke, he squeezed forward, his eyes fixed on the fluffy cub, not shrinking back because Chen Jianyan was a Chen Family member.

“Seventy spiritual stones!” A young rogue Cultivator with a cold face also joined the bidding. He crossed his arms, his expression calm, but the determination in his eyes did not diminish at all.

The price soared, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Chen Jiancang stood aside, watching the fierce bidding scene, and a ripple of emotion couldn't help but rise in his heart.

Although he mainly cultivated wood-attribute techniques, he knew the potential of this Fire Spirit Dog. If he could take it under his wing, it would be a great help in Alchemy in the future.

After all, Alchemy was a skill that consumed a lot of spiritual energy. If the Fire Spirit Dog could provide stable firepower, he would be much more relaxed when refining pills.

Just as he was contemplating, another voice sounded: “One hundred spiritual stones!” Everyone looked in the direction of the voice. It was actually a gentle and elegant female Cultivator. She was dressed in white and her expression was calm, but the storage bag she was tightly holding in her hand revealed her inner tension.

Chen Jiancang did not know this person, but she had been standing with Chen Jianyu before, so she must be his friend.

“One hundred and ten spiritual stones!” The Cultivator in the fiery red robe from before gritted his teeth and raised the price again.

A slight sweat beaded on his forehead, clearly indicating that this was already his limit.

Chen Jiancang weighed the pros and cons in his heart and finally decided to bid.

He took a deep breath and said loudly: “One hundred and twenty spiritual stones!” His voice was firm and powerful, echoing in the venue.

Everyone turned their gaze to him, their eyes full of surprise.

After all, one hundred and twenty spiritual stones was already a considerably high price for a First Order demon beast cub.

Moreover, the cultivation aura that Chen Jiancang revealed was only at the third layer of Qi Refining. Having over a hundred spiritual stones in storage at the third layer of Qi Refining was considered relatively wealthy among young people.

“One hundred and twenty-five spiritual stones.” The female Cultivator in white continued to raise the price. This time she only added five spiritual stones, presumably also short on funds.

“One hundred and thirty.” Chen Jiancang did not hesitate and continued to raise the price.

At this point, the entire place was silent, everyone waiting to see if anyone would continue to bid.

After a moment, no one else bid, and a hint of surprise flashed in the seller's eyes, a satisfied smile appearing on his face: “Since no one else is bidding, this Fire Spirit Dog belongs to this friend!”

Saying that, he handed the Fire Spirit Dog along with the beast skin pouch to Chen Jiancang.

Chen Jiancang stepped forward and carefully took the beast skin pouch.

The Fire Spirit Dog seemed to sense the aura of its new master and affectionately rubbed against his hand, also letting out a few happy whimpers.

Chen Jiancang looked at the fluffy little guy in his arms, and a different kind of warmth surged in his heart.

After the transaction ended, everyone continued to make some small trades.

As the sky darkened, this lively trade fair gradually came to an end.

Everyone left with their desired items, feeling satisfied.

“Jiancang, please stay.”

Just as Jiancang was about to leave with Chen Jianyun, Chen Jianyu came forward with the white-robed female Cultivator who had bid earlier.

Chen Jiancang stopped and turned to look at Chen Jianyu and the white-robed female Cultivator, slightly cupping his hands in greeting: “Chen Jianyu, what can I do for you?”

Chen Jianyu had a faint smile on his face, his gaze falling on the Fire Spirit Dog in Jiancang's arms, and said: “Jiancang, congratulations on finding such a spiritual pet. This dog has extraordinary potential and will surely be of great help to you in the future.”

The white-robed female Cultivator also took a step forward. Although her expression was still calm, the regret in her eyes was hard to hide: “This humble one is Su Yao. I just bid against you for that Fire Spirit Dog, and I apologize for any offense. It's just that this Fire Spirit Dog is extremely important for my cultivation, and I was anxious for a moment. I hope you won't hold it against me.”

Chen Jiancang quickly waved his hand: “Miss Su, you are too serious. Bidding is just a matter of each person's ability. Moreover, this Fire Spirit Dog is destined to be with me, and it is also fate that it ultimately belongs to me.”

Chen Jianyu chimed in: “Su Yao is my good friend. She is quite talented in Alchemy and is currently in need of a spiritual pet to assist in Alchemy, which is why she was determined to get this Fire Spirit Dog. Jiancang, if you are willing to part with it, Su Yao is willing to exchange it for precious Alchemy Materials. You definitely won't be at a disadvantage.”

Chen Jiancang frowned slightly and subconsciously hugged the Fire Spirit Dog in his arms tighter. The spiritual dog had just recognized him as its master, but he only knew how to refine Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill, so other Alchemy Materials were useless to him.

Seeing her brother's troubled expression, Chen Jianyun softly said: “Brother, you finally managed to acquire this Fire Spirit Dog with great difficulty. How can you easily give it to others?”

Chen Jiancang's heart warmed. Just as he was about to reply, Su Yao sincerely said again: “Young Master, I have nothing else here, but I do have a second-order AlchemyExperience, which is of great benefit to improving the success rate of Alchemy. I am willing to offer it as an exchange.”

Chen Jiancang's heart trembled. A second-order AlchemyExperience, this was something countless early stage Alchemists dreamed of. For beginners who were interested in Alchemy, it was simply a priceless treasure.

However, a second-order AlchemyExperience was dispensable for Chen Jiancang. After all, the Chen Family had its own collection, which could be exchanged with contribution points.

After a moment of thought, Chen Jiancang slowly said: “Miss Su, I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in Alchemy either, so this AlchemyExperience is not attractive to me.”

“Moreover, this Fire Spirit Dog has just recognized me as its master, and I really can't bear to transfer it.”

Su Yao and Chen Jianyu exchanged glances, and a hint of disappointment flashed in Su Yao's eyes.