At the center of the underground market, on a massive stone platform spanning over a kilometer, Li Lin, following Liu Yishou, arrived at this spot. Around this platform, there were not as many onlookers as at the place where female slaves were being sold. However, Li Lin noticed that among the dozens of onlookers, most had the strength of martial masters, and to his surprise, there were even a few who seemed to possess the aura of spirit warriors.
Although these powerful individuals were concealing their auras, Li Lin could still faintly sense them.
At the moment, there were about a dozen demonic beasts on the platform, each locked in a large iron cage. Among them were the Great Earth Howling Wolf, Bear Wolf, and other demonic beasts. Occasionally, a loud roar would come from one of the beasts, only to be followed by a harsh whip from a middle-aged man.
"Second-stage mid-level Bear Wolf, starting at 3,000 gold coins."
The shout from the big man above rang out. Second-stage demonic beasts were much more expensive than second-grade pills. Pills were consumed in one use, while demonic beasts could accompany you for a long time. If lucky and the beast broke through, it could be sold for several times the price.
"They're all second-stage demonic beasts," Li Lin observed the beasts on the platform. Besides one that was at the early stage of the third stage, the rest were second-stage, with a few even at the first stage.
Although Li Lin was also targeting a second-stage beast, he was looking for a second-stage flying demonic beast, preferably with a good bloodline, so it could potentially break through again in the future. Having a flying demonic beast would allow him to possibly travel to Wudu City.
Li Lin knew it wouldn't be easy to find a suitable flying demonic beast. He couldn't handle one too powerful, didn't want one with a low bloodline, and it had to be a flyer. These conditions naturally meant it wouldn't be easy to find the right match.
Flying demonic beasts were extremely difficult to capture. It's not hard to kill or wound them due to their flying talent, but capturing them was much more challenging. Flying demonic beasts were particularly favored by warriors who couldn't fly themselves. Having such a beast significantly enhanced one's strength and provided convenience over others.
Therefore, the sale and price of flying demonic beasts were always high, and they were much rarer.
"Are there any flying demonic beasts?" Li Lin asked Liu Yishou.
"Flying demonic beasts are rare. Every time one arrives, VIP customers here are notified first, so there are only a few flying demonic beasts available for public sale each year," Liu Yishou replied.
"Find a way for me," Li Lin said, handing over five gold coins to Liu Yishou. "Find me a flying demonic beast, and you'll be well rewarded."
"Okay, I'll go ask my mother's friend's son's cousin and see if he has any ideas. What type of flying demonic beast do you need?" Liu Yishou quickly took the gold coins from Li Lin.
"Any type will do," Li Lin said. Normally, warriors would look for a demonic beast mount that matched their own elemental affinity. For instance, a fire warrior would need a fire demonic beast, and a water warrior a water one.
Matching the warrior's and demonic beast's attributes made it easier to control the beast and could subtly amplify the warrior's cultivation. If the attributes didn't match, it was much more troublesome, requiring a spiritualist to forcibly control the beast, which could also harm the warrior.
Li Lin didn't have to worry about this. Being a multi-elemental warrior, he could handle any type of flying demonic beast, but a wind-elemental one would be best for speed.
"Alright, wait here, I'll go ask for you," Liu Yishou quickly disappeared into the crowd.
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Li Lin looked around nearby, marveling at the scale of the underground market. Such a large operation likely had a powerful backing; otherwise, it would have been swept away by others in this ancient realm. The forces behind this market must be formidable.
"Lord, I've asked around. Recently, many mercenary groups haven't returned from Wudu Mountain Range, so there are no flying demonic beasts. Generally, in the winter, all mercenary groups return, and there might be flying demonic beasts then," Liu Yishou returned to Li Lin after a while, sighing.
"No..."
Li Lin sighed lightly. Did he come here in vain? Without a flying demonic beast, should he just buy any demonic beast to test the Blood Soul Mark?
Lost in thought, Liu Yishou spoke up, "Lord, if you really want a flying demonic beast, I recently heard some news. In Lanling Mountain, a formidable demonic beast has appeared. Previously, there were no beasts in Lanling Mountain, but many strong people have been killed by it, including martial masters. Survivors who saw it said it's a flying demonic beast."
"Lanling Mountain, is it far from here?" Li Lin asked.
"Not far. If you go by horse, it'll take about a day and a half. I know someone who is recruiting warriors to go to Lanling Mountain. They're leaving today and will arrive tomorrow afternoon," Liu Yishou said.
"Is that so?" Li Lin hesitated. A flying demonic beast capable of killing martial masters was likely at least at the third stage, and he feared he might not be able to control it.
"Liu Yishou, I finally found you. Come here!" Just then, a sharp voice called out loudly, and a slender figure appeared before Li Lin.
Almost simultaneously, all the men around focused their attention on this figure.
She was a girl of about eighteen or nineteen, with waterfall-like black hair simply tied at the back, slightly swaying. Her exquisite features and fair skin together were simply perfect, undoubtedly tempting for all men.
The girl's attire was somewhat extravagant. She wore a tight-fitting leather armor, presumably made from the skin of a demonic beast, judging from its color and texture, it was definitely not cheap. The armor was soft and outlined two protruding areas at her chest, tightly wrapping around her slender waist.
Her lower body was clad in an even more provocative manner, wearing short, tight leather pants made from the same material, reaching only to the middle of her thighs and tightly hugging her round, firm buttocks. Underneath the leather shorts, she wore a pair of silk-like leggings that covered her full, long legs. Two beautifully patterned short swords hung at her waist.
Seeing this woman, even Li Lin felt his heart flutter. She was like a temptation that could drive a man to crime. "Whose exquisite beauty is this, causing trouble for everyone?"
"She's a spiritualist, and at the spiritual master level," Li Lin sensed the invisible aura emanating from the girl, feeling a bit surprised.
Her arrival immediately became the focus of all the men, and even the surrounding shouting ceased momentarily. Every man's eyes greedily roved over her, their eyes turning red with desire, as if they wanted to pounce on this enchantress and pin her to the ground.
However, at this moment, Liu Yishou, seeing the girl, turned pale as if he had seen a demon, trembling all over.
"Miss Lv, I was just about to find you. The person you asked me to look for, I've found him. You two talk, I'll leave first?" Pointing to the girl, Liu Yishou said to Li Lin, "Lord, if you're looking for a flying demonic beast, you should ask Miss Lv."
With that, Liu Yishou quickly disappeared into the crowd.
"Are you the person Liu Yishou found for me? Come with me," the girl didn't chase after Liu Yishou but looked carefully at Li Lin before speaking.
"What person…" Li Lin was stunned, confused about what was happening.
"Don't talk so much, just come with me," the girl glared at Li Lin and then pulled him outside.
Immediately, hundreds of men around cast envious, jealous, and resentful glances at Li Lin, wishing they could be in his place, being led by the hand of this woman.
"Hey, miss, where are you taking me?" Li Lin asked as the girl pulled him along, noting that her hand was very soft.
"My name is Lv Xiaoling, you can call me Ling'er. We're in a hurry, or we'll be late," the girl said, pulling Li Lin towards the outside of the underground market. Outside, there was an exquisitely crafted four-wheeled carriage, made from top-quality materials with beautiful carvings on it.
"Miss, can you please explain first?" Li Lin asked again.
"No time, get in the carriage first," the girl didn't listen to Li Lin and pulled him into the carriage.
"Drive..."
As soon as they got on the carriage, before Li Lin could even sit down, the carriage started moving forward.
"Hey, miss, if you don't explain, I'm going to get off the carriage," Li Lin said. This was getting stranger by the moment – being pulled onto a carriage for no reason, and by a beautiful girl at that. Li Lin was now especially wary of beautiful women.
"Didn't Liu Yishou explain to you? I need you to come with me to Lanling Mountain. We're going to catch a demonic beast," the girl took a deep breath, sitting in the carriage. A faint fragrance emanated from her, filling the two-meter space of the carriage with its scent.