Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The patrolling guards within the market reacted swiftly. As the blood-red tentacles rampaged, a verdant seed shot out like an arrow, landing around the tentacles.

In an instant, thick vines sprouted from the ground, rapidly extending and dividing, tightly entwining the blood-red tentacles.

The blood-red tentacles struggled fiercely, wrestling with the sturdy vines.

High above, a clear cry resounded.

Lu Xuan followed the sound and saw a colossal firebird floating in the sky, its wings spanned around four to five zhang, creating gentle waves of heat with each flap.

Then, it turned into a streak of red light, surging towards the multitude of tentacles that had split off from the mutated cultivator.

Wherever it passed, the ground turned to blackened char.

"Ah"Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

The mutated cultivator, overtaken by the tentacles, let out a pained wail, turning into black ashes within the raging flames.

The fire raced along the base of the tentacles, burning fiercely and eradicating the blood-red tentacles that spread in all directions.

On the ground, the broken tentacles squirmed, seemingly attempting to invade other cultivators once more.

Unfortunately, the flames caused extensive damage, incinerating all the tentacles thoroughly.

Soon after, a pure white halo emanated from the remains of the mutated cultivator, rippling outward.

Lu Xuan and the other cultivators nearby felt a sense of peace and tranquility as the halo swept over them.

"It's fortunate that this cultivator mutated at a convenient time. Otherwise, with so many wandering cultivators in the market, it could have caused significant disturbance," Lu Xuan thought, observing several mid-level Qi cultivators who had appeared around the remains of the mutated cultivator. They had just finished inspecting for residual malevolent forces and quickly joined forces to deal with the contaminated cultivator.

Their method was simple yet effective. The vines temporarily restrained the tentacles, preventing further casualties. It also provided a brief window for their companions to unleash potent techniques. The firebird incinerated the mutated cultivator completely, while purification methods were used to examine the remains and the surrounding wandering cultivators.

"This is absolutely true. If you're genuinely interested in buying it, I can swear by it," the owner added.

Lu Xuan pondered, deeply contemplating his words. After the stall owner mentioned the possibility of a sworn oath, he believed it to some extent. In the world of cultivators, various kinds of oaths existed, some carrying the risk of dire consequences, even death, if breached.

The way this spiritual species condensed wasn't uncommon. After a wild spiritual plant matured, some continued to grow, aging over time, while some naturally withered. Some, under fortuitous circumstances, condensed into a spiritual species, allowing them to continue their existence in another form.

Despite not knowing what it was, the object before him, with its miraculous form, was likely a rare and uncommon spiritual species.

"If you're willing to make a demonic oath, I might be interested. What's your price?" Lu Xuan asked the stall owner.

"I put a lot of effort into obtaining this spiritual species from a newly discovered secret realm. If you're interested, fifteen spirit stones will do," the owner proposed.

Lu Xuan showed genuine interest, catching a glint of surprise in the owner's eyes. Despite the potential of this item being a spiritual species, few had inquired about it during the days at the market. And those who did were scared off by the price. After all, buying an unidentified spiritual species, unknown in category and cultivation methods, for fifteen spirit stones seemed overly expensive.

Lu Xuan was perceptive, noticing the change in the owner's demeanor. He sighed lightly.

"Friend, your price is too steep, don't you think? For something uncertain as a spiritual species, asking for fifteen spirit stones is enough to buy three or four confirmed first-grade spiritual species."

He shook his head repeatedly, seemingly dissatisfied with the price.

"How about this, seven spirit stones, and I'll take it off your hands. This price is already higher than a regular first-grade spiritual species," he proposed, slashing the price by more than half.

"No, at least ten spirit stones. Look at its form; it could very well be a second-grade or even higher spiritual species," the stall owner argued, red-faced.

"Even if it's a second-grade spiritual species, what use does it have if I don't know how to cultivate it? Am I supposed to keep it in

my storage bag, letting its vitality slowly fade away?" Lu Xuan countered.

"Let's make a deal. I'll take a loss. Eight spirit stones, that's all I have. Add fifty broken spirits, and it's yours," he bargained.

"Deal!" Lu Xuan agreed readily.

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