22: Chapter 22 Choosing a Spirit Beast

Walking closer,

He found it exceptionally crowded.

This entire area was actually packed with Disciples from the Canglang Sect.

Various Sect items from the Canglang Sect were displayed along a full half-mile stretch of the road.

There was a sonic Restriction in front of the stalls.

"Zejiang Wenzhou's largest Sect, the Canglang Sect, has collapsed! That bastard Young Sect Master Li Wei ran off with his sister-in-law after racking up three hundred thousand Spirit Stones in debts from eating, drinking, and gambling!"

The sales pitch repeated in a loop.

"Is it really that melodramatic?"

Xu Changsheng had heard of the Canglang Sect before. Although it couldn't compare to giants like the Chixiao Sect, it had several Foundation Establishment Cultivators and was quite well-known in the region.

He hadn't expected a thousand-year Legacy to end in such a fashion.

Xu Changsheng didn't think much of it and continued forward.

The Disciple standing at the very front handed him an invitation card about an inch long and wide.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The Disciple explained, "To prevent our Sect's Legacy from falling collectively into the hands of evil Sects, each Fellow Daoist can only purchase one item from us. This invitation serves as proof of purchase."

Looking at the invitation card, which lacked any Spiritual Qi,

Xu Changsheng couldn't help but ask doubtfully, "Fellow Daoist, surely you can't see my face?"

The Disciple gave a mischievous laugh. "Fellow Daoist need not worry about that; our Sect has its own ways of differentiation."

Without saying more, he held the invitation and entered the sales area.

He saw a customer who had already put down a Formation Flag. A raspy voice came from beneath a black mask:

"I say, Fellow Daoist, this Formation isn't good enough. I see it only has the power of a First Level Medium Grade."

"Selling it for eight hundred Spirit Stones is not very honest. That's the price for a complete First Level High Grade Formation."

After saying that,

He prepared to turn and leave.

Seeing this,

The Disciple at the stall hurriedly tried to keep him. "Fellow Daoist, don't go!"

"This Formation was originally our Sect's protective array, a pure Second Tier Medium Grade Formation. If Fellow Daoist takes it and finds a Formation Master to repair it, it will surely regain its Second Tier capabilities."

The old man didn't even look back, showing utter disdain. "Bullshit! Where am I supposed to find a Second Tier Formation Master to fix it? Even if I could, the cost wouldn't be small. You'd better keep it as a family heirloom."

Seeing this, Xu Changsheng felt a secret joy in his heart.

He hurriedly stepped forward. "This Formation is decent. I'll take it."

Hearing this,

The old man turned back, surprise flashing in the only part of him visible—his weathered eyes. He couldn't help but comment:

"Fellow Daoist, not to be a busybody, but this Formation can at most exert five percent of its original power. There are plenty of good things from the Canglang Sect further down the street; don't waste your only purchase opportunity here."

Xu Changsheng cupped his hands. "Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist. It's just that I truly need a Formation to protect my residence right now, so I have no choice but to buy it."

"Fine then, I won't try to advise a fool."

The old man left in annoyance.

Originally, he had wanted to wait a bit longer to snag the Black Wave Subduing Flood Dragon Formation when the price dropped further. To be honest, he actually did know a Second Tier Formation Master.

The Disciple at the stall, however, was overjoyed.

He had been assigned to the front of the stalls specifically to sell these hard-to-move goods and hadn't made a sale in days.

"A wise choice, Fellow Daoist!"

He quickly packed all the Formation Plates and Formation Flags neatly and placed them on the wooden table.

"Mm."

Xu Changsheng took out a Storage Pouch. After both sides finished counting, the transaction was complete.

The sales Disciple escorted him all the way out of the stall area,

Flattering him as they walked.

"The Black Wave Subduing Flood Dragon Formation is a Water-attribute Formation with an endless offensive flow."

"It's simple to set up and has amazing power!"

"It has withstood countless attacks from evil Cultivators; it's our Sect's lucky charm. I've heard that Cultivating inside it even increases one's Luck. It truly is a blessed Formation."

It was as if he was afraid Xu Changsheng would regret it.

Xu Changsheng's ears were practically growing calluses from listening. Seeing the man's claims getting more and more far-fetched, he had to dismiss him. "Alright, Fellow Daoist, you can stop here. I know the way back."

He thought to himself: "Increases Luck? Then how did the Sect collapse?"

"Alright."

Having finally seen off Xu Changsheng, the Disciple turned around, his expression instantly shifting into a crafty look.

"Hahaha, I sold it! My commission this month will definitely be the highest. I'm rich!"

He caught a glimpse of Xu Changsheng out of the corner of his eye.

"That blockhead probably has something wrong with his brain. But luckily for me there are idiots like that, otherwise this Formation really wouldn't have sold."

...

Fifteen minutes later,

Seeing that his business in the black market was finished, and having unexpectedly picked up a Quasi-Second Tier Formation for the price of a First Level High Grade one, it was truly a great harvest.

He returned to the entrance of the black market.

He activated the displacement token in his hand.

With a blink of an eye, he returned to the teleportation array in Liuyun Market.

Xie Wantang was sitting on a chair in the corner, holding a classical text and reading.

The two bid each other farewell.

He went directly back to his courtyard residence.

He shut the door tightly.

Following the intelligence description, he dug out the Protective Array Plate from the pile of Formation Plates and broke it without hesitation.

As expected,

A dark green Jade Slip fell to the ground.

He picked it up

And pressed it to his forehead.

After a few breaths,

A First Level Low Grade Formation Legacy was etched into his mind.

He closed his eyes

And began to comprehend it.

...

Three months later,

Inside his residence,

Xu Changsheng rubbed the top of his head.

"The path of Formations is indeed profound."

Even with the 'One Proof Eternal Proof' talent, it had taken him this long to successfully enter the level of a First Level Low Grade Formation Master.

Next, following the modification methods in the Legacy, he set up the Black Wave Subduing Flood Dragon Formation within the courtyard.

Suddenly,

The spirit contract at his waist, signed with Quan Rufan, flashed with light.

Words slowly surfaced upon it: "Fellow Daoist Xu, I have obtained the iron bone pears. Come to my place quickly to select your Spirit Beast!"

Xu Changsheng's face lit up with joy.

He put away his Cultivation Technique.

...

Soon, he arrived at Quan Rufan's shop again.

Quan Rufan was in a very good mood as he led Xu Changsheng to the Spirit Beast room behind the shop.

Many Spirit Beast cages were placed here, each measuring thirty feet in length and width.

"The Spirit Beasts here all possess Medium Grade Bloodlines. You may choose any you like, Fellow Daoist."

Xu Changsheng nodded.

He walked past the cages one by one.

Soon, he identified his target: "That green bat, I want it!"

Quan Rufan gave a thumbs up. "Fellow Daoist has a good eye. This Green-Winged Bat is a wind-attribute Spirit Beast, very suitable for scouting and travel."

The payment was made, and the goods were delivered.

Xu Changsheng returned to his courtyard.

He had spent a total of five hundred Spirit Stones, with the extra two hundred Spirit Stones used to buy a Spirit Beast Bag.

As for the spirit-controlling plaque for contracting the beast, Quan Rufan had simply given it to him for free.

He released the Green-Winged Bat.

"This is your master's house. If you find it dull inside the Spirit Beast Bag, you can come out, but your range of activity is limited to this courtyard."

The Green-Winged Bat flew up and down the yard happily.

Xu Changsheng watched it quietly. "What would be a good name for you?"

"Ink-green in color and hairless all over... I'll call you Ink Shadow."

The Green-Winged Bat possessed a bit of intelligence. Knowing its master had bestowed a name, it stopped obediently and perched on his shoulder.

Ink Shadow had already reached the Peak of the First Level Middle Stage. As long as Xu Changsheng found some evolutionary spiritual items, it could advance to the First Level Late Stage.

That would be equivalent to the Late Stage Qi Refining cultivation of a human Cultivator.

If it could advance, Ink Shadow's wind-attribute abilities would provide Xu Changsheng with immense assistance.

"Thump, thump, thump."

Suddenly,

A knocking sound came from the courtyard gate.

"Hmm? Why are they here?"