Chapter 272: Insect Duel
Layers of shadows appeared on the Treasure Book, and the stone began to transform, with countless purple qi surging around it, gradually becoming transparent.
Clouds, soil, the wind soaring, the rain pouring down fiercely.
It was like a Memory Stone recording scenes, unfolding frame by frame, the grandeur vividly emerging.
Next were the roaring thunder and countless birds and beasts taking flight...
The spirit shadow on the Treasure Book seemed to be able to transform further, but it seemed too distant to see more, and soon the spirit shadow disappeared, turning into an ordinary stone.
No more spirit shadows or any fluctuations could be seen.
"Stone Spirit! Perhaps it's a Grotto Heaven within the stone!" Ye Jingcheng's heart was pounding, barely able to contain his excitement.
Knowing the existence of the Wood Demon, he naturally understood it was clearly a Stone Spirit.
It's just that this Stone Spirit hadn't fully awakened, lacking spirit and consciousness.
For now, calling it an ordinary stone isn't inaccurate.
But seeing what was on the Treasure Book clearly hinted at a Grotto Heaven evolution within the stone.
Inside Ye Jingcheng, the Treasure Book was still flipping pages, and among those Five Poisonous Spirit Insects, there were many gifted ones, but at this moment, he had no interest in paying attention to those spirit insects.
Instead, all his heart spirit was focused on the stone.
Half of the stone was submerged in water, while the other half floated above the surface, where layers of shallow green poisonous moss grew at the water-stone boundary, crawling with numerous spirit insects.
Despite glancing through the gaps, Ye Jingcheng couldn't identify what kind of stone it was.
"My fellow Daoist, could it be the first time you're seeing poisonous insects?" The elder in the pavilion observed Ye Jingcheng constantly looking at the stone in the pond and the Five Poison Insects on it, opening his mouth in surprise.
"Excuse my rudeness!" Ye Jingcheng shook his head, waking up, knowing he was distracted and suppressing his excitement repeatedly.
"Just reminiscing about a deceased friend harmed by a Tier Two Water Centipede, causing some inner turmoil."
He didn't say he was shocked by the dense scene; after all, as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, saying such would be too vague.
Of course, the elder likely thought he was behaving oddly.
But for Ye Jingcheng, those weren't important. The key was how to obtain this stone.
This kind of Spirit Beast or Stone Spirit with a Grotto Heaven, even the Ye Family only had the Turtle Ancestor capable of such.
After all, a Grotto Heaven was different from a Storage Space and unlike the Spirit Beast Bag space.
"That's a pity, but these Demon Insects, while Demon Beasts in the wild, become Spirit Pets in the hands of cultivators, reducing many tragedies when used properly," said a cultivator from the Wan Family, walking out of the pavilion.
With a wave of his hand, several Green Water Scorpions fell into his palm.
"After all, Spirit Pets can sometimes be more reliable than cultivators."
"I wonder how the Green Water Scorpions are sold?" Ye Jingcheng observed the surroundings, continuing to ask.
"A Tier One Middle Grade Green Water Scorpion costs three hundred Spirit Stones each, a Tier One Adult Green Water Scorpion five hundred each, and a Tier Two Green Water Scorpion King eight thousand Spirit Stones each. Of course, if the Daoist can get the spirit insects here to willingly fall into your hands, you can receive a five percent discount!" the elder from the Wan Family calmly explained.
"Furthermore, if the Daoist can surpass me by even a little in sword techniques, you can enjoy a ten percent discount!"
This made Ye Jingcheng smile faintly.
The Wan Family was indeed different.
The treatment for Sword Cultivators and Beast Taming Cultivators was extraordinary.
But he more felt that the other recognized him and added this option as a temporary measure.
After all, the latter said this with a faintly amused smile.
Besides, this time he wasn't wearing the Spirit-Blocking Gauze, keeping his original appearance.
For other families to study him wasn't unusual, as he also studied this elder. This person was the Wan Family's elder stationed at Taichang Market named Wan Hongchang, in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, very seasoned, reputedly unbeatable by anyone.
Moreover, he had killed three or more Foundation Establishment wanted individuals for the Taiyi Sect.
"I do have thoughts of purchasing, but these Five Poison Insects need to be raised in water!" Ye Jingcheng shook his head, then moved aside.
Continuing to look at the Five Poisonous Spirit Insects in the water.
From afar, the pond water seemed normal, but up close, Ye Jingcheng discovered this was no ordinary pond.
It was clearly a special kind of poison, the Five Poisonous Spirit Insects likely highly toxic.
"The Five Poisonous Spirit Insects carry venom and naturally need water. We also sell this Celestial Poison Water formula!" the Wan Family elder spoke again, placing the poisonous scorpions back into the water.
Seeming to have lost some patience.
"Then may I ask, fellow Wan Daoist, what is this stone that can gather so many poisonous insects and snakes?" Ye Jingcheng hesitantly decided to ask.
After all, this Stone Spirit was different from other Spirit Beast Eggs; only he could make it work.
Even if the Wan Family knew it was a treasure, it wouldn't be effective.
It would only end up in this pond, feeding the spirit insects.
The elder was startled by his question, evidently not expecting it.
"It's just an ordinary stone. Does the Daoist want this stone?" The Wan Family elder examined the stone again, his face revealing a hint of curiosity.
He snapped his fingers, and the spirit insects retreated into the water, disappearing.
The entire stone was fully revealed before the two.
The patterns on it were few and very slender, appearing featureless.
Just a bit tougher, more resistant to corrosion.
"To be honest, I have a bit of interest, but I must consider the material and price. If I purchase spirit insects, I naturally need to create a poison pool, and this stone would complement it well."
"The Daoist is quite honest, not afraid that Wan here recognizes you and refuses to sell these Spirit Stones." The Wan Family elder chuckled, clearly understanding Ye Jingcheng's intention.
This smile reassured Ye Jingcheng.
"Wan Daoist's reputation is naturally trustworthy. Besides, business relies on mutual consent. Could I really resort to petty tricks?" Ye Jingcheng responded.
"True enough. If you were like a market vendor trying to swindle me, Wan wouldn't even bother with you. But if you want this stone, we can have a little insect duel."
"As for the price, I definitely sell it as Tier Two Spirit Stone value. We've studied this stone at the Wan Family but to no avail, although that doesn't hinder our position as sellers," Wan Hongchang continued.
Wan Hongchang's straightforwardness surprised Ye Jingcheng, but he quickly smiled in return.
"Then I apologize in advance."
Wan Hongchang seemed aware of Ye Jingcheng's identity, seemingly wanting to compete for the title of the top Beast Taming Clan.
For Ye Jingcheng, having seen so many Five Poisonous Spirit Insects, he also wanted to test the Wan Family's Insect Control Skill.
To see if it was truly so remarkable.
Ye Jingcheng opened his hand, and Five Poison Bees flew out, eventually totaling around a hundred.
Spirit insects generally relied on numbers to enhance their power, and a hundred were not too few nor too many, just right for an insect duel.
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