Chapter 1177: Murong Yuyao

They walked inside and were greeted by a grand hall spanning over a hundred acres. A vast array of spirit beasts, spirit insects, and spirit birds were displayed within. The spirit beasts were all confined in black iron cages, and numerous cultivators were busy selecting them.

"Welcome, esteemed seniors, to our establishment. How may this junior assist you?" A young, beautiful attendant quickly approached them and asked enthusiastically.

"Are there any spirit birds or spirit beasts that are particularly fast flyers? It would be even better if they combined speed with other useful abilities." Wang Qingshan asked. The flight speed of flying magic tools was not very fast; second-tier spirit birds, for instance, flew quicker than magic tools. If they could acquire a batch of relatively fast spirit beasts and spirit birds, it would save time for lower-tier clan members during their travels, improve efficiency, and make it easier to escape if they encountered powerful enemies.

"We have over ten types that meet your requirements. Do you have any other requests, senior?"

Wang Qingshan was slightly taken aback. To be honest, he didn't place much importance on spirit beasts or spirit birds and had no experience purchasing them.

"They should be easy to raise, grow quickly, and it's fine if they're a bit weaker in strength, as long as they are fast enough," Wang Tianwen added. "Their primary purpose is for travel."

"We have three types: Tiger Hawks, Ape Vultures, and Wolf Carvings. Which type would you prefer, senior?"

"Why don't you have Lion-Roc Beasts?" Wang Qingshan asked with a frown. It was said that the Murong Royal Clan's protective spirit beast was a low-grade fourth-tier Golden-Winged Thunder Roc, possessing a trace of Thunder Roc bloodline. Its flight speed was even faster than a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Lion-Roc Beasts were descendants bred from Golden-Winged Thunder Rocs and Lion Birds. While their divine abilities couldn't compare to a Golden-Winged Thunder Roc's, their flight speed was very fast, and their attack power was also considerable. On this trip to the Central Plains Cultivation World, he intended to procure a batch of Lion-Roc Beasts, as the Murong Royal Clan was the sole seller of these creatures in the entire region.

"Lion-Roc Beasts are not easy to cultivate, and only our esteemed guests are eligible to purchase them," the attendant explained. "If you spend over one million spirit stones, you automatically become our esteemed guest and can then purchase ten pairs of Lion-Roc Beasts at once. For larger quantities, this junior cannot make the decision; you would need to negotiate with the shopkeeper."

Wang Qingshan nodded and said, "We'll take one pair of each of the three types of spirit birds you mentioned. Additionally, we'd like to purchase some spirit beasts that breed quickly and have a sufficiently large physique."

"Well, who do we have here! It's Fellow Daoist Wang from Azure Lotus Island. This little sister has been waiting for you for a long time." A clear, bell-like female voice suddenly rang out. A fragrant breeze wafted past, and a maiden in a white dress, with skin as fair as snow, appeared beside Wang Qingshan.

The white-clad maiden had a delicate nose, cherry lips, and a picturesque face. She was a Core Formation cultivator.

"Seventh Miss, you've arrived." The white-clad maiden waved her hand, dismissing the attendant. "I will attend to Fellow Daoist Wang. You may withdraw!"

"My name is Murong Yuyao," she said. "Would the three of you fellow daoists be willing to step aside for a private talk?" The white-clad maiden looked at Wang Qingshan and asked politely.

Wang Qingshan nodded, signifying his agreement.

Not long after, the four of them appeared in a private room on the fifth floor. A graceful young woman in a red dress also entered.

"We just received news that Fellow Daoist Wang invited us to meet at Golden Swallow Tower," the red-clad woman said with an apologetic tone. "We didn't expect you to arrive at our Hundred Spirits Palace early. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality." An attendant then entered, carrying fragrant tea. After setting down the tea, she withdrew.

"You two fellow daoists are too polite," Wang Qingshan replied. "Since we're all here, let's proceed with the transaction now! As agreed, you are to sell us a batch of Lion-Roc Beasts and Golden-Backed Rats."

Lion-Roc Beasts had relatively fast flight speeds, making them suitable for travel or escape. Golden-Backed Rats, on the other hand, bred quickly and had a larger physique, making them good blood food for feeding python-type demonic beasts. However, Lion-Roc Beasts were an exclusive possession of the Murong Royal Clan.

Wang Qingshan took out several strings of storage beads and handed them to Murong Yuyao. After Murong Yuyao confirmed everything was in order, she handed the strings of storage beads to the red-clad young woman, who then turned and left.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Murong Yuyao asked enthusiastically, "in half a year, our Murong Royal Clan will host the Hundred Beasts Convention, inviting many fellow daoists to participate. Are you interested in attending?"

"The Hundred Beasts Convention is a grand event hosted by the Murong Royal Clan," Wang Tianwen transmitted, explaining, "It aims to facilitate the exchange of insights on raising spirit beasts, and cultivators will also engage in sparring matches. Even the Imperial Family will send representatives to participate, and the top ten participants will receive generous rewards. Seventh Uncle, this is a great opportunity to connect with other cultivators; the Core Formation cultivators able to attend are not ordinary individuals. This is a great opportunity for the Wang family to expand its social circle."

"In half a year? Where will it be held?"

"It will be held at our Murong Royal Clan's base," Murong Yuyao replied. "If Fellow Daoist Wang is interested, you could travel back with this little sister. The timing is suitable, and you could entrust your business here to others. What do you think?" Murong Yuyao smiled sweetly. Wang Qingshan was a registered disciple of the Carefree Sword Venerable and the nephew of the Azure Lotus Immortals. Bearing such prominent titles, Murong Yuyao earnestly hoped he would attend the Hundred Beasts Convention.

"Very well," Wang Qingshan replied. "Since Immortal Murong has extended such a generous invitation, I shall impose on your hospitality." Wang Qingshan considered it and agreed, thinking he might be able to use this opportunity to overcome a bottleneck in his cultivation.

Not long after, the red-clad young woman entered, holding three strings of azure storage beads.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," she said, "these are the items you requested. Please check if the quantities are correct." Besides the spirit beasts, the Murong Royal Clan also sold the Wang family a batch of ironwood, aged from several decades to several centuries, for crafting puppet beasts. In return, the Wang family sold demonic beast materials to the Murong Royal Clan, ranging from first-tier to third-tier demonic beasts.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, it's rare for you to visit the Central Plains Cultivation World," Murong Yuyao said with a smile, her tone sincere. "Tonight, this little sister would like to host a banquet for you at Golden Swallow Tower. Besides us, many other fellow daoists will also be present. What do you think?"

Wang Qingshan did not refuse and agreed. After a few more casual remarks, they bade farewell and departed.

"I heard the Wang family has a Hundred Spirits Immortal who excels at controlling insects and taming beasts," Murong Yuyao said with a beaming smile, two adorable dimples appearing on her cheeks. "It's a pity she couldn't make it; otherwise, this Hundred Beasts Convention would be even more interesting."

"I heard Wang Qingshan isn't married yet, Yuyao," the red-clad young woman said warmly. "Why don't you consider him? Wang Qingshan has status, good looks, and capability; he's a rare and excellent son-in-law. The Savage Suppression King's heir is also good, but they're all vying for resources, and everyone wants a bigger share. Who knows when a conflict might break out, don't you agree?" The Great Yan Dynasty's territory was limited. As long as the Imperial Family remained strong, the royal clans received limited cultivation resources. While this ensured stability, it also made it particularly difficult to rise in prominence. Therefore, marrying into other forces would benefit the Murong Royal Clan's development and expansion.

"Ninth Aunt, here you go again!" Murong Yuyao immediately refused. "I've told you, I'll either not marry, or I'll marry someone I genuinely like. Wang Qingshan and Li Qinghuan are indeed fine individuals, but they are not whom I like. Please stop trying to persuade me. I refuse to be a tool for political marriage. Our clan has plenty of people; if you need someone for an alliance, find a descendant with a closer bloodline, but not me." Having grown up under strict etiquette, Murong Yuyao strongly disliked political marriages.