CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 9: A NEW PATH

Guo Ziyu’s summoning bracelet was not from the ancient summoning family.

In fact, due to the passage of time, the original summoning bracelet had lost its effectiveness by the time it was taken from the summoner family.

The Divine Court spent a great deal of time and effort, and finally, about seven or eight years ago, successfully replicated the first imitation summoning bracelet.

The purpose of the Divine Court in manufacturing imitation summoning bracelets is obvious, as the Divine Court is a powerhouse on the continent, and most of its palace disciples are quite capable. If equipped with a Dark Beast nearly equal to their own strength, it would greatly enhance the power of the Divine Court.

After this imitation bracelet was developed, it was entrusted to Ximing, the most trusted by the Third Hall Elder, to be transported back to the Divine Court.

However, due to unknown reasons, Ximing was ambushed by enemies on the way back to the hall and was severely injured, nearly losing his life, and was fortuitously rescued by Guo Ziyu, a high-level assassin of the Assassin Alliance.

The two, both weary of the life of slaughter, eventually decided to settle down in seclusion on the ridge of Xuan Beast Mountain, running a store together.

As the matter involved the couple’s privacy, Yue Jinghua didn’t inquire further; she simply took note of the distinctive spiritual pattern on the bracelet and returned the bracelet to Guo Ziyu.

Yue Jinghua noticed that when she returned the bracelet, Ximing heaved a sigh of relief. It was clear that there were things about the summoning bracelet that even Guo Ziyu did not know.

Yue Jinghua suddenly remembered that when she first came to the Canglong Continent, she met an old man named Xia Shang running a grocery store in Xuan Beast Valley, who had also collected an ineffective Summoning Treasure Book.

Moreover, in a cave on the cliff, Xia Shang had a conflict with a descendant of the Deep Blue Family, and Yue Jinghua obtained the Holy Beast Star Pendant from them.

Although summoners have disappeared from the continent for many years, descendants of the once-flourishing summoner families are still active here and there on the continent.

Along with the Deep Blue Family, the frequency of Divine Court’s collection of summoners’ relics seems somewhat excessive.

Yue Jinghua secretly thought that it was good she has the Desire Gourd, which could well conceal the aura of the Holy Beast Star Pendant; otherwise, she might also be targeted by the Divine Court.

In dealing with people, one must not be overly hasty, especially since this couple still holds many secrets.

Especially Ximing, who still has a strong vigilance towards Yue Jinghua, who remains composed on the surface.

As for Guo Ziyu after confirming Yue Jinghua’s identity, became more courteous, and voluntarily offered to select a suitable Dark Beast for Yue Jinghua, bringing out his personal collection.

Yue Jinghua did not refuse; every shop has its so-called private goods, only sold to regular customers or special important guests, "hunting" was no exception.

Guo Ziyu then pushed open one side of a wall in the secret chamber, where two shelves over one person high were placed.

Unlike most of the merchandise on the shelves in the shop, which were Dark Beast Cubs, the items displayed here were Dark Beast Eggs, and Xuan Insect Eggs encased in specially made mineral glass.

The identified Dark Beast Eggs and insect eggs, commonly known on the continent as live eggs, semi-dormant eggs, have a high probability of hatching into high-level Dark Beast Insects if carefully incubated.

Of course, the higher the hatch rate, the higher the price.

As the captain of the Assassin Alliance’s Residual Shadow, Xie San naturally has a substantial wealth.

Subordinates are subordinates, Yue Jinghua does not expect Guo Ziyu to give her much of a discount on the price of the Dark Beast Eggs. Thinking of the scarce number of Dark Pills on her Dan Xuan Card, Yue Jinghua smiles bitterly, genuinely considering taking on a few assignments as an assassin.

"All these here are untrained Dark Beast Eggs and Xuan Insect Eggs that have been assessed. Since Lord Xie excels in close combat, I recommend a type of Xuan Insect that naturally carries toxins and tracking abilities," Guo Ziyu suggests to Yue Jinghua one of the evaluated Seventh Rank Dead Bone Butterfly Queens.

This butterfly, rumored to be born on the other side of the Wangling River from dead human bones and glows blue, carries poisonous butterfly powder on its body. It not only accelerates the decay of enemy wounds but also serves as an excellent tracker. Upon reaching adulthood, the Butterfly Queen can summon swarms of Dead Bone Butterflies.

Upon hearing about this magical Dead Bone Butterfly Queen, Shalman also finds the butterfly appealing, but its price is equally impressive, with the partially dormant insect eggs costing up to one million fourth-level Dark Pills. This price immediately deters her from persuading Yue Jinghua to purchase the eggs.

Unlike Shalman’s regret, Yue Jinghua shows little interest in the Dead Bone Butterfly.

For Yue Jinghua, she already possesses the Giant Winged Mosquito King. Although it might not match the Dead Bone Butterfly Queen in rank for the time being, given Death Spring and Dark Hell as breeding grounds, Yue Jinghua believes that given time, her Mosquito King army will far outstrip the flashy Dead Bone Butterfly Queen.

Moreover, she had already invested heavily in the initial reconstruction of Fengdan County. For the sake of developing her territory, Yue Jinghua painfully did not draw profits from the development of Blue Snow Field, making it difficult to break even for a year or two. Fortunately, she was wise earlier and had calculated all expenses of this mission, including food, clothing, and accommodation, on the Yunhu Commerce’s account; otherwise, the cost of living in the expensive Five Saints Town would be a huge expense.

Seeing that Yue Jinghua did not take a liking to any suitable Dark Beasts or Dark Beast Eggs, Guo Ziyu had no other options. Hearing that Yue Jinghua was going to meet other members of the "Second Generation Soldiers," Guo Ziyu did not insist on retaining her.

After promising to inform her as soon as there was any news of Weiwei, Guo Ziyu escorted the two out of the Xuan Beast Store.

At the door, Guo Ziyu seemed to remember something, "Captain Xie, since you’ll be staying here for a while, why not join me some day to check out the features of the Mountain Market at the Xuan Beast Ridge?"

"Mountain Market?"

Indeed, during their recent conversation, the empathetic Guo Ziyu had guessed that Yue Jinghua and her companions might be tight on resources.

Buying directly from the store is expensive and offers very limited variety of Dark Beasts.

However, at the Mountain Market, it is different.

The Mountain Market sells various types of spirit wood and Dark Beasts.

And that’s not all; what the Market is most famous for is its various Spirit Seeds.

The so-called "seed" refers to anything that can be used for propagation, including spirit wood species and Dark Beast Eggs, signifying the seeds of all things.

In the area around Xuan Beast Ridge, large numbers of mercenaries enter the ridge daily, many of whom possess freshly collected spirit wood species or Dark Beast Eggs.

Those who enter the shops through regular channels usually have to pay a batch of taxes and also face the prospect of being lowballed by the shops.

Some mercenaries who are not good at dealing with stores opt for private transactions. Initially, the Mountain Market started as minor private activities, but over time, it has become a major feature of the Xuan Beast Ridge, taking place every few days.

"At the Mountain Market, trading is accepted in Dark Pills, but bartering is also welcome. If you have anything valuable at hand, you might be able to exchange for valuable Dark Beast Eggs," upon hearing Guo Ziyu say this, Yue Jinghua and Shalman both showed interest.