Just as he put away the Mind-Bewildering Bell, Gu An heard Huang Xuan offering twenty spirit stones to trade for the Lightning Summoning Talisman, and Qian Jinbao countered with twenty-one.

Huang Xuan clearly meant to have it, directly raising the price to twenty-five spirit stones, and took the Lightning Summoning Talisman at a premium.

After storing the Lightning Summoning Talisman in his storage bag, Huang Xuan took out a Wind Aperture Stone and introduced it: "A first-grade high-tier spiritual object, the Wind Aperture Stone. I'll trade it for an escape-type Talisman or magical artifact. If it's not enough, I can add spirit stones."

This is also a practitioner of the cautious path!

Having just heard about robber cultivators appearing, he was already thinking of fleeing and resolutely acting on it-he's sure to live a long life.

Gu An silently praised him, strongly approving of such behavior.

Unfortunately, escape-type spiritual objects were everyone's life-saving items, and no one was willing to trade.

Yun Xiuyan did try offering a price of sixty spirit stones, but Huang Xuan didn't agree.

Seeing no one interested in trading, Huang Xuan shook his head in disappointment, put away the Wind Aperture Stone, and returned to his seat.

Next, Gu Feng brought out a first-grade lower-tier magical artifact, the White Profound Sword, but no one even made an offer. Wang Nan didn't produce anything good either, just a first-grade middle-tier spiritual herb, Body-Tempering Grass, which Yun Xiuyan bought for twenty spirit stones.

Gu An recalled that Yun Xiuyan had previously mentioned needing Red Maple Spirit Sap, and now she had also acquired Body-Tempering Grass. It seemed she was consistently collecting Body Refinement spiritual items. A flicker of doubt arose in his mind-hadn't she apprenticed under True Person Qingxiao to learn swordsmanship- Why was she interested in Body Refinement-

No one answered Gu An's question, and the small gathering continued.

When it was Han Geng's turn, he pulled a fox from his waist. Gu An clearly saw it-a Spirit Beast Pouch identical to his own.

Han Geng held the fox up in his hand, and only then did everyone see it clearly. The fox was pure white all over, with soft, smooth fur. Its willow-leaf-shaped eyes were half-open, revealing a hint of moisture, and its pink nose and lips twitched as if it were still unweaned.

Han Geng chuckled, "As luck would have it, Senior Uncle Wang and I were tracking down robber cultivators and traced them to the Beastmaster Sect. We happened to encounter several Beastmaster Sect disciples, killed them, and divided the spoils, obtaining this White Jade Fox."

"Everyone, seize the opportunity-such Spirit Beast cubs are rare."

Having said that, Han Geng raised the White Jade Fox higher and announced loudly, "A first-grade high-tier Spirit Beast, a White Jade Fox cub, in exchange for a first-grade high-tier defensive magical artifact."

Gu An's eyes burned with desire. A first-grade high-tier White Jade Fox mastered the technique Jade Profound Arrow. As an adult, it would reach the late Qi Condensation stage. Raising it from a young age also eliminated the risk of it turning on its master.

Moreover, it was perfectly suited for Gu An's Spirit Source Feedback. Of course, that didn't mean raising it to kill it, but rather signing a spiritual contract and keeping it as a spirit companion.

This was no useless Spirit Beast like the Colorful-Feather Chicken or Black Spirit Fish, which were only fit for the dinner table. The White Jade Fox had formidable combat power and was considered a superior Spirit Beast even within the Beastmaster Sect.

With such a Spirit Beast, one would have a huge advantage in magical combat. The Beastmaster Sect had every disciple raise one or two Spirit Beasts, using numbers to overwhelm opponents in fights, causing many Qingyuan Sect cultivators great distress.

Now that such a Spirit Beast cub was available, Gu An expected a fierce competition. Unfortunately, he had no spirit stones to buy it, so he could only watch the excitement.

Scanning the surroundings, he noticed everyone looked eager, yet few spoke up.

Gu An was puzzled. Had these people all spent their spirit stones- How could they not be tempted by such a fine Spirit Beast-

In truth, he was being a bit presumptuous. Having set his path early-deciding to raise Spirit Beasts to seek longevity-he naturally saw only its merits.

But others were different. They saw the difficulties. Didn't raising a Spirit Beast cost spirit stones- Didn't buying one cost spirit stones- Raising one to adulthood took decades-what use would it be by then- They'd have no hope for Foundation Establishment!

Besides, Han Geng was asking for a first-grade high-tier defensive magical artifact. first-grade high-tier magical artifacts were already expensive, and defensive ones were even pricier. Meanwhile, a White Jade Fox took at least thirty years to mature, even with ample spiritual qi. Ordinary people wouldn't buy such a white elephant.

After some hesitation, Yun Xiuyan spoke first, "Junior Brother Han, a defensive magical artifact is out of the question. Would a regular High-Tier magical artifact do-"

She had a family backing her. Raising it for thirty or forty years would yield a late Qi Condensation combatant, so she was quite interested in this White Jade Fox.

Han Geng quickly shook his head and refused, "No, I'll only trade for a defensive magical artifact."

"I have a first-grade middle-tier defensive magical artifact, the Black Sand Shield, and I'll add two hundred spirit stones. What do you think-" Tan Chengfeng also spoke up. He, too, had a family behind him, though not in Yun Country, so he also wanted to buy it.

Han Geng hesitated. In terms of value, the two were roughly equal. He was a bit tempted, especially since he was only at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, and the Black Sand Shield seemed sufficient.

But Han Geng decided to wait and see if Senior Sister Yun would raise her bid.

Seeing this, Yun Xiuyan grew anxious. Her younger sister had joined the sect last year but had poor talent-only Five Spirit Roots-dooming her to a difficult path ahead.

The two sisters were very close, and Yun Xiuyan couldn't bear it. If she had this White Jade Fox, her sister's path would be smoother.

However, she currently had no first-grade high-tier defensive magical artifact. She did have a First-Grade Top-Tier Green Gauze Umbrella, but that was given to her by True Person Qingxiao and couldn't be offered.

Suddenly, a voice transmission entered her mind.

"Xiuyan, I've already found a Green-Winged Bird for Wanxi. Don't trade for this White Jade Fox."

In the Yun family, only that Foundation Establishment cultivator-her third uncle-could perform Secret Sound Transmission. Naturally, Yun Xiuyan wouldn't object.

After a brief thought, Yun Xiuyan stepped back, signaling her withdrawal.

Han Geng was somewhat disappointed, while Tan Chengfeng beamed with joy. He took out the Black Sand Shield and two hundred spirit stones, exchanging them for the White Jade Fox.

Gu An and the others congratulated Tan Chengfeng on acquiring a fine companion, and Tan Chengfeng replied politely, "Thank you, fellow disciples, for letting me have it."

This was clearly just a courtesy. Aside from Yun Xiuyan, who had shown some competitiveness, no one else had even made a bid.

After the commotion died down, everyone turned their attention to Gu An.

Gu An hesitated, feeling that not offering something might make him seem unsociable. He stepped forward, took out two Purple Cloud Goose eggs, and announced, "Junior Brother's cultivation is weak and my assets are meager. I have nothing good, so I'll offer these two Purple Cloud Goose eggs to make up the numbers. I'll trade for anything."

The others had no conflicts of interest with Gu An, and seeing his decent talent, no one said anything inappropriate. Instead, they offered words of comfort.

Huang Xuan smiled and said, "Junior Brother, at such a young age with this level of cultivation, your assets will gradually grow. How about this- I have two Ice Arrow Talismans here to trade for your Purple Cloud Goose eggs!"

Gu An's eyes lit up. Two Ice Arrow Talismans were worth considerably more than his Purple Cloud Goose eggs-about twelve spirit stones. He cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Senior Brother Huang."

Huang Xuan nodded cheerfully, as if he were the one getting the better deal. The two exchanged the talismans and eggs, then returned to their seats.

Gu An's goodwill toward this senior brother, who had traded at a loss for the Purple Cloud Goose eggs, greatly increased.

Meanwhile, Huang Xuan stared at Gu An, also satisfied, and muttered to himself, "This junior brother Gu has such cultivation at a young age and good talent. I'll just forge a good connection."

Seeing everyone sitting still, Yun Xiuyan hastily announced the end of the fellow disciple gathering. The group took their leave and dispersed.

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