“Oh, fellow cultivator, what you need is the blood essence of a beast with strong vital energy and blood? In that case, if you don’t mind the high price, I actually have some things here with even more astonishing vital energy and blood. However, most of them cannot be identified as to their origin, and you’ll have to extract the blood essence yourself after taking them home. No returns will be accepted afterward.” The gray-robed man’s eyes darted around, then he said this with a beaming smile.

“Oh, you have such things? Show them to me.” Grant Sullivan was intrigued upon hearing this.

The gray-robed man said, “Please wait a moment,” and immediately turned to rummage through the shelves. After a while, he brought out three items.

Grant Sullivan looked closely and saw that they were: a withered yellow branch, half a forearm-thick silver bone, and a round, gray stone.

“These are the items with astonishing vital energy and blood you mentioned?” Grant Sullivan glanced sideways at the gray-robed man, his face full of disdain.

Unhurried, the gray-robed man took out a small notebook from his person, carefully checked it, and then nodded affirmatively: “Yes, these are the three items.”

“Every night, this branch emits a blood aura ten zhang high. I believe it has been soaked in the blood essence of some powerful beast—quite miraculous.”

“As for this unknown bone, it is incredibly tough and should be the remains of some powerful beast. Even swords and magical weapons can hardly leave a mark on it. Using special means to look inside, it was found that there is still half a section of marrow containing blood essence.”

“And this stone-like object has an even greater origin. It was discovered by a fellow cultivator in an ancient cave mansion—an ancient beast egg that has turned to stone. Although this dead egg’s origin is unknown, and there is no longer any life inside, the vital energy and blood it contains are still considerable and should meet your requirements.”

Listening to the attendant’s introduction, Grant Sullivan stepped forward and picked up each item, examining them with his spiritual sense.

The first two items were fine. Although Grant Sullivan couldn’t discern much, he did find that the vital energy and blood within them were indeed abundant—enough to condense a bloodline mark.

But when he picked up the so-called beast egg, his mind suddenly buzzed, and a shocking aura surged from deep within his consciousness. His mind became dazed, and he vaguely saw a strange, blurry scene—like a giant white peak, or perhaps a world of ice and snow.

“What is this!” Grant Sullivan was startled, but before he could react, the vision in his mind vanished instantly. He snapped back to himself, deeply shocked.

“Fellow Chen, are you alright?” The gray-robed man beside him blinked, asking with some confusion.

“The vital energy and blood contained in these items are indeed astonishing, but with your shop’s means, you still can’t identify their origins. I’m afraid few would dare to use the blood essence extracted from them. Why don’t you tell me their prices?” Grant Sullivan steadied himself, sensed the vital energy and blood in the items again, and said calmly.

“If you truly fancy them, fellow Chen, the price is, of course, negotiable.” The gray-robed man’s face took on a sly, merchant-like look.

……

Half an hour later, in the back hall of the building.

The gray-robed man was standing in front of a huge bronze mirror, bowing and scraping to a blurry figure inside: “Boss, I’ve sold another one of those petrified beast eggs you collected last time at a high price. Yes, everyone thinks these beast eggs have astonishing vital energy and blood, and they’re sure to be valuable. But when they actually extract the blood essence and find out it’s just the blood of a stone dove—the most useless of all beasts—they’ll probably cough up blood in anger.”

“The stone dove’s greatest ability is its extraordinary vital energy and blood. It lays over a hundred eggs at a time, breeds quickly, and its only innate talent is to cover its body with a thin layer of stone. Since ancient times, it’s been nothing more than food for other beasts. But we’re not really cheating anyone—these petrified eggs are indeed ancient beast eggs, and they really are relics from ancient times.”

After the figure in the bronze mirror nodded and disappeared, the gray-robed man straightened up, cheerfully fished out another round, blood-essence “stone” from the corner, and hummed an unknown tune as he walked out of the back hall.

※※※

“Young master, you’re back! Did you buy anything good this time?” When Grant Sullivan returned home loaded with goods, Warren, who had been waiting there, greeted him at the door with a grin.

“Hmph, while I was gone, did you train properly, or were you slacking off again?” Grant Sullivan looked the page boy up and down, asking with a hint of annoyance.

“How could I, young master? When you’re not here, I train even harder!” The page boy shrank his neck at the question, looking a bit guilty.

“You know, your aptitude is actually better than mine, but your determination is too weak. After following me for all these years, you still haven’t built your foundation. I had hoped to train a capable assistant, but seeing you like this, I guess there’s no hope.” Grant Sullivan said helplessly.

“Young master, it’s not that Warren isn’t trying. It’s just that whenever I meditate to cultivate, I can’t help but fall asleep. I’m really not cut out for cultivation.” The page boy replied, full of grievance.

“Forget it. In the next few days, I’ll be cultivating a spell in the secret chamber. Guard the door well, and unless it’s urgent, don’t disturb me before I come out.” Grant Sullivan shook his head and gave his instructions.