Chapter 1960: Succubus, Ten Thousand Ghost Valley, Tiger Roars in the Sky

Wang Changsheng's expression changed, and he quickened his pace. Wang Ruyan seemed to sense something and followed him.

Soon after, they stopped in front of a small stall. The vendor was a burly man in a golden robe, with thick eyebrows and large eyes. A golden flame pattern adorned his forehead, and golden hairs covered his arms, making him look quite peculiar. Judging by his aura, he was clearly a Soul Transformation mid-stage cultivator.

The stall displayed various items: ores, spirit medicines, spirit treasures, beast bones, demon cores, and more.

Wang Changsheng's gaze settled on a palm-sized black gourd. A fierce ghostly pattern was carved onto its surface, and when lightly shaken, it seemed as if something alive was inside. The small characters "Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd" were visible. This was a spirit treasure, but it had over a dozen tiny cracks on its surface, indicating severe damage.

Wang Changsheng's spiritual sense swept over it, detecting a biting chill and strong Yin energy, clearly identifying it as a ghost-type treasure.

From the vendor's appearance, he seemed to be a member of the Golden Flame Tiger clan.

"Fellow Daoist, how much is the Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd?" Wang Changsheng asked, knowing that the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada's consumption of ghost spirits would aid its advancement. Fifth-order demon beast spirits were available in the market, but their high price prevented bulk purchases. When Wang Changsheng approached the stall, the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada became agitated. It was clear the Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd contained something it desired. As its name suggested, the gourd held ghosts, and the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada preferred to devour ghosts, especially high-level ones.

"This treasure is for trade only, not for sale," the man in the golden robe announced in a booming voice. "It requires at least five spirit treasures, or fewer if they are a set."

"Just one spirit treasure for a set of spirit treasures?" Wang Ruyan countered, bargaining. "Your item is severely damaged; repairing it won't be easy."

"Inside, there's an early Soul Transformation stage succubus, though it's severely wounded," the golden-robed man explained. "If you carefully tend to it and repair this treasure, its power will certainly not disappoint you."

"A succubus?" Wang Changsheng's eyes narrowed, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

Succubi are unique ghostly entities, skilled in enchantment. The illusions cast by high-level succubi are terrifying. However, succubi are difficult to cultivate and typically appear in forbidden areas with dense Yin energy. Their numbers are dwindling, but for cultivators practicing ghost arts, succubi are a significant asset.

"I'd like to inspect the item, if that's permissible!" Wang Changsheng said deeply.

The golden-robed man removed the gourd's stopper, and a woman's clear, melodious humming, like heavenly music, filled the air. Yet, the content of her song was indistinct. Upon hearing it, some nearby low-level cultivators became dazed, their expressions clouded.

A red light flew out from the Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd, revealing a pale-faced woman in red. She had long ears, small eyes, and a red tail. Black patterns covered her body, making her appear neither human, ghost, nor demon. Judging by the terrifying spiritual energy fluctuations she emitted, the woman in red was clearly an early Soul Transformation stage cultivator, though her condition was poor, evidently having suffered severe injuries.

A golden flame surged from one of the golden-robed man's fingers. When the woman in red touched the flame, she let out a painful shriek and retreated back into the Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd.

Wang Changsheng pondered briefly, then flipped his palm. With a flash of red light, three shimmering red command flags appeared in his hand. These flags were items he had found in the bat clan's storage ring.

Just then, a cold, Yin-laden wind swept by, and a shriveled, dark hand reached out to grasp the Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd.

Wang Changsheng frowned. His spiritual sense detected that the newcomer was a late Soul Transformation stage cultivator. It was rare to find something that interested the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada, so Wang Changsheng naturally wouldn't yield. The Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada consuming the succubus would also benefit him personally.

Wang Changsheng's right hand glowed with dazzling blue light. He reached forward and seized the shriveled hand.

"First come, first served," Wang Changsheng stated. He turned to look behind him, seeing a wrinkled old woman in a black robe. Several black skull heads were tied around her waist. She was thin, with deeply sunken eyes, and exuded an astonishingly fierce aura. Judging by her attire and aura, she was likely a ghost cultivator.

"What 'first come, first served'?" the old woman said coldly. "The highest bidder wins." She produced a cyan storage ring and tossed it to the golden-robed man.

The golden-robed man swept his spiritual sense over it, a playful expression appearing on his face as he smiled at Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng frowned deeply. It seemed the item the old woman had offered was not ordinary.

Wang Ruyan understood immediately. She took out a red porcelain bottle and tossed it to the golden-robed man. He uncorked it, and a unique, unusual fragrance wafted out.

The golden-robed man sniffed the bottle a few times, his expression unchanged. He then looked at the old woman, clearly indicating that the highest bidder would take the item.

"The succubus is severely wounded and will take at least a hundred years to recover," the old woman frowned. "What I've offered should be sufficient."

"The highest bidder wins," the golden-robed man replied, unmoved. "This is an early Soul Transformation stage succubus."

The old woman took out a black jade box and threw it to the golden-robed man. He opened it for a quick glance, then promptly closed it again. He looked at Wang Ruyan, a half-smile on his face.

"Since this fellow Daoist has offered a higher price, then forget it," Wang Changsheng said. He stood up, preparing to leave. It was ridiculous to keep raising the price; even if the succubus recovered in a hundred years, that would be considered fast. To him, the succubus was merely food for the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada.

"Wait, Fellow Daoist, the Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd is yours," the golden-robed man quickly said. He placed the Ten Thousand Ghosts Gourd into Wang Changsheng's hand. Evidently, he had been trying to fleece them, but didn't expect Wang Changsheng to be so decisive and not indulge his tactics. The items Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had offered came from the Bat clan, so they didn't feel any regret.

The old woman in black robes flickered, blocking Wang Changsheng. She said coldly, "Fellow Daoist, I can offer a higher price. For the sake of our Myriad Ghosts Valley, please give me face."

Myriad Ghosts Valley was a medium-sized sect with an Integration stage cultivator presiding over it. Its cultivators specialized in ghost exorcism and demon subjugation.

Wang Changsheng chuckled. Unable to outbid him, she resorted to name-dropping to intimidate him? He took out his Zhenhai Palace identity token. Seeing the words "Zhenhai," the old woman shivered and, without a word, turned and left. Myriad Ghosts Valley was far inferior to Zhenhai Palace; she could only concede.

The golden-robed man's eyes flashed with surprise as he witnessed this. He cupped his fists and said, "My name is Hu Xiaotian. How should I address you, Fellow Daoist? If I capture any more succubi in the future, I can prioritize you."

Wang Changsheng pondered briefly and replied, "Wang Changsheng of Zhenhai Palace. Did Fellow Daoist Hu capture this succubus?"

"No, not exactly. Someone tried to scheme against me, and I killed them. I confiscated it from their corpse," Hu Xiaotian explained, his face full of pride.

"I see. If Fellow Daoist Hu acquires any more succubi or similar items, you can find us at Tianhai Tower. We have other matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave."

After saying this, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan departed together.