Chu Xuan lifted his gaze, looking upward where more floors of the market were built within the mountain's belly. The higher one went, the more precious the treasures became, and only cultivators with higher cultivation realms and greater wealth could enter.

Chu Xuan did not linger on the lower levels. Instead, he made his way directly to the upper levels. After walking through three floors, he came to a staircase guarded by two Golden Core late-stage cultivators. He took out the crescent moon jade pendant, and the guards immediately softened their expressions, bowing respectfully to let him pass.

He arrived at the fourth floor. There were fewer people here, and most of them were Nascent Soul cultivators. As soon as he arrived, a graceful female cultivator walked up to him, her steps light and elegant. She smiled charmingly and said, "Senior, my name is Jin Yan. What treasures are you looking for? I can assist you with your purchases."

Chu Xuan glanced at her. She was beautiful, with a slender figure and a Golden Core mid-stage cultivation. To have such a cultivator working at a counter as a guide showed just how vast the Moon Society's influence was.

Chu Xuan's voice was hoarse as he replied, "I'm here to purchase demonic beast flesh, the more life energy it contains, the better."

Jin Yan immediately understood, "Please have a seat, Senior. I will bring the demonic beast flesh for you."

Chu Xuan sat down in the soft chair, and Jin Yan poured him tea before leaving. A moment later, she returned with three large wooden boxes.

Jin Yan opened the first box, revealing a piece of blood meat that shimmered in five different colors.

"This first piece of flesh comes from the Nascent Soul late-stage demonic beast, the Five-Colored Lizard," she explained. "This beast is known for its powerful regenerative abilities, and the life energy within its flesh is substantial."

Chu Xuan only glanced at it, immediately noticing that this meat was far inferior to the Dark Falcon flesh. Naturally, it wasn't something that caught his interest.

Jin Yan was adept at reading people's expressions. Although Chu Xuan didn't shake his head, she could tell from his eyes that he was not satisfied. She quickly opened the second wooden box and said, "This piece of flesh comes from the Nascent Soul late-stage demonic beast, the Purple Star Rhinoceros. This beast can refine its body using the power of the stars, which makes its regenerative abilities even more formidable. I've heard that many cultivators who practice body refinement use the Purple Star Rhinoceros' flesh to strengthen their physical bodies."

Chu Xuan took a quick look, but his expression remained unchanged.

The Purple Star Rhinoceros was indeed decent, but it was only slightly stronger than the Dark Falcon. The difference wasn't significant enough. That meant the time it would take to absorb its life energy wouldn't be much different.

This simply wouldn't do. He was hoping to reach the 41st level of body refinement soon, so that he could use his powerful physical body to help him search for Deity Transformation materials.

Jin Yan noticed that Chu Xuan remained indifferent and could not help but give a bitter smile. She reluctantly opened the third wooden box.

Inside, there was a piece of pitch-black flesh, no bigger than a fist. However, it radiated an unusually potent vitality. Even though it had already been severed from its original body, it still faintly quivered as if alive.

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Jin Yan respectfully spoke, "I'm sure Senior has heard of the Black Magic Whale. This flesh comes from a Deity Transformation demonic beast, the Black Magic Whale. This piece of flesh, the size of a fist, was taken by Moon True Master after injuring a Black Magic Whale that had come to invade Moon Island."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. The waters of the Starshatter Sea were made of a unique, Weak Water, which even Nascent Soul cultivators and demonic beasts could not survive in for long.

Thus, the demonic beasts inhabiting the weak waters were almost always of the Deity Transformation realm. Only a few young demonic beasts, freshly born, might be of the lower realms. However, they were protected by powerful mothers and would not be harmed by the weak water.

The Black Magic Whale was one of the most formidable Deity Transformation demonic beasts. Its young were born at the Golden Core realm, and due to its immense size, few other demonic beasts dared to offend it.

Moreover, demonic beasts in the Starshatter Sea were generally fiercer than those from the outside world. Therefore, cultivators of the same realm in the Starshatter Sea often found themselves at a disadvantage when facing the demonic beasts.

To defeat a Black Magic Whale of the same realm and tear away a piece of its flesh was a testament to Moon True Master's formidable power. Among the Deity Transformation cultivators, his strength was already quite formidable.

Jin Yan noticed Chu Xuan's interest and gave a somewhat awkward smile. "Senior, there is only this one piece of Black Magic Whale flesh. The market will not be able to supply any more. The best demonic beast flesh I could find for you are these three pieces. Other demonic beasts' flesh does not meet your requirements."

Each demonic beast had its own characteristics. Just because a demonic beast had a higher realm didn't mean its flesh contained more life energy. Only those demonic beasts with exceptional regenerative abilities had flesh that met Chu Xuan's needs.

Chu Xuan spoke indifferently, "How much is this Black Magic Whale flesh worth?"

Jin Yan respectfully replied, "The price is set by the True Master himself. The flesh of the Black Magic Whale is thirty great spiritual stones per pound. This piece of flesh weighs ten pounds in total, so it costs three hundred great spiritual stones."

Chu Xuan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Three hundred great spiritual stones? That could buy three high-grade magic treasures. This price was quite steep. While he had some savings, he had to be frugal.

Moreover, although he could use Psionic Cubes to breed the flesh, he couldn't just buy this single piece of Black Magic Whale flesh. It would surely raise suspicion if others found out. How could a body-refinement cultivator buy only ten pounds of demonic beast flesh at a time? He would need to purchase some Purple Star Rhinoceros flesh as well to cover up his tracks. This would, of course, cost him even more great spiritual stones.

Jin Yan quickly added, "If you purchase enough demonic beast flesh, we can offer you a twenty percent discount. For example, the flesh of the Purple Star Rhinoceros is only five great spiritual stones per pound."

Chu Xuan nodded, "I need one hundred pounds of Purple Star Rhinoceros flesh."

Jin Yan smiled, "That meets the discount threshold."

Moments later, Jin Yan handed over a storage pouch, which already contained the Black Magic Whale and Purple Star Rhinoceros flesh for Chu Xuan.

With a bright smile, she said, "Senior, please take care."

Just as Chu Xuan was about to leave, a figure rushed toward them.

"Jin Yan, I've returned alive from Desolate Island! Hahaha! Is that Black Magic Whale flesh still here? I told you to save it! I need it for alchemy!"

Jin Yan was taken aback as she recognized the newcomer. "Senior Tie, you're still alive?"

Chu Xuan also turned his attention to the man. He was an energetic male cultivator, with thick brows, large eyes, and a wide nose. The aura emanating from him indicated that he was a Nascent Soul cultivator at the early stage.

The Tie-named cultivator laughed heartily, "I got lucky! Didn't die out there! Where's the Black Magic Whale flesh? Quickly, bring it out!"

Jin Yan smiled awkwardly, "You haven't been here for twenty years. The spiritual stones you paid could only guarantee it wouldn't be sold for another fifteen years. Unfortunately, the Black Magic Whale flesh has just been sold."

The Tie-named cultivator sized Chu Xuan up with a thoughtful expression.

"Fellow daoist, did you buy the Black Magic Whale flesh?"

Chu Xuan gave a half-smile, "Indeed, I did. Are you looking to take it back?"

From the way things were unfolding, Chu Xuan was well aware of what usually happened next.

The man would likely harbor some malice toward him, leading to a confrontation—perhaps a chase, an ambush, and a counterattack. Having read countless xianxia novels before his reincarnation, he was already well-versed in these common tropes.