"Tch, let's stop it right here. If we fight any more, it'll cause too much destruction to my territory. Consider yourself lucky—I'll let you go," Tigang said, his tone no longer arrogant after realizing the human cultivator was a tough opponent.

"Let me go? But have you asked if I'm letting you go?" Liu Yang replied calmly.

"What do you mean?!" Tigang growled, anger surging. "You don't think you've defeated me, do you?!" He raised his axe again.

"Isn't that obvious? Just look at yourself," Liu Yang said, pointing out Tigang's terrible condition. Blood trickled from the corner of Tigang's mouth, while Liu Yang still appeared unscathed.

"Hmph, that's only because I wasn't serious yet. Otherwise, I could defeat you easily. I haven't even used my strongest move!" Tigang's aura flared, his momentum rising, stronger than before as he prepared to fight again.

"Forget it. I'm not interested," Liu Yang said dismissively.

"Hmph, that's what I thought. Let's just call it a draw," Tigang grumbled, lowering his axe.

"Whatever. I'm rather busy, goodbye," Liu Yang replied, storing his sword in his storage ring as he prepared to leave.

"Wait!" Tigang called out.

"What now?" Liu Yang turned, showing an irritated expression. "Didn't you say I could go? Or do you want to get beaten up again?"

"Hmph, I said you can go, and you can even take what you've gathered from my territory. But in exchange, you must do something for me," Tigang said, slinging his axe onto his back.

"Do what?" Liu Yang asked.

"Tell me why you're searching for Rank-2 slimes," Tigang replied.

"Rank-2 slimes?" Liu Yang echoed, feigning ignorance.

"That's right," Tigang smiled. "Don't pretend in front of me. I know you've been searching for Rank-2 slimes."

He had been secretly following Liu Yang for a while, trying to figure out his intentions. Over the past few days, Tigang noticed that Liu Yang seemed specifically focused on finding Rank-2 slimes. Each time Liu Yang discovered one, his joy was evident, while he remained indifferent when he found Spiritual Herbs.

"Oh... I just happen to be interested in Rank-2 slimes, so I'm searching for them here," Liu Yang said casually.

"What are you going to do with those slimes?" Tigang asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Why should I tell you?" Liu Yang replied.

"They're important to me, and now you're stealing them from my territory. You owe me a satisfactory explanation!" Tigang demanded, his tone sharp.

"Important? What could be so important about slimes? They're just slimes! How could they matter to you?" Liu Yang asked, incredulous.

"Hmph! They are important, okay? If you won't tell me what you're doing with them, then you can't take them. Return them, or else..." Tigang took his axe from his back and raised it, ready for battle once more.

"Go on then, I'll beat you up again! You claim this territory belongs to you, and I'm supposed to believe that? And the slimes—do you think your name is written on them?" Liu Yang retrieved his sword from his storage ring, prepared to fight.

Seeing that Liu Yang wasn't backing down and still refusing to reveal why he wanted the slimes, Tigang growled, "Those slimes must be very valuable, right?"

"Pftt! Valuable? They're just slimes, they're not worth much," Liu Yang retorted.

"Then why are you so interested in them?" Tigang's voice grew louder, his anger rising.

"That's none of your business. I have my reasons," Liu Yang said firmly; he can't tell Tigang that a big shot had requested the slimes.

"You humans are despicable, always greedy and selfish, never willing to share. You even steal from me and won't tell me the truth! Those slimes must be valuable, and you're lying, saying they're worthless! If you're eating the meat, at least let others have the soup!" Tigang accused, his frustration boiling over.

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As a Spirit Beast, Tigang had limited access to outside information and fewer resources than humans. Humans were different. They built societies, established sects, kingdoms, and empires, created cities, and managed vast resources with wide-reaching markets and information networks.

Slimes were widely considered worthless, but seeing this human cultivator so determined to fight over them made Tigang think otherwise. Perhaps Rank-2 slimes had become valuable in the human market, and that's why Liu Yang was collecting them in his territory.

"Are you deaf? I already told you those slimes are worthless. If you don't believe me, go ask other cultivators in the city, or try selling them yourself. For Rank-2 slimes, you'll get a few silver coins at best," Liu Yang said with a shrug.

"What? Really? Just a few silver coins?" Tigang asked, still suspicious.

"Of course. Their body parts are only good for making slime lamp. They have no other use," Liu Yang explained.

"And yet, you're still looking for these Rank-2 slimes..." Tigang began, his suspicion deepening.

"Personal reasons," Liu Yang interrupted, not offering more.

In truth, the Rank-2 slimes were indeed worthless to most, but they were crucial for Liu Yang. Orion had specifically requested the Liu family to find Rank-2 slimes or higher, and Liu Yang was determined to complete the task. If successful, there was a chance he'd be rewarded with precious MSG, and that made Liu Yang even more determined to secure the slimes.

"Grr..." Tigang growled, lowering his axe. "Tch, very well, I'll let you go. But you have to pay me."

"Pay for what?" Liu Yang asked, frowning.

"For the slimes, of course, and the Spiritual Herbs you took," Tigang demanded.

"And if I refuse?" Liu Yang replied, his voice hardening.

Tigang didn't answer. He simply raised his axe again.

"Fine, how much?" Liu Yang asked, clearly annoyed.

"Hmm..." Tigang thought for a moment, then raised one finger.

"One Spirit Stone?" Liu Yang guessed.

"100 Spirit Stones," Tigang replied.

"Bastard! Are you trying to rob me?!" Liu Yang exclaimed, his anger flaring.

"Then return everything you took. Hmph... I still think those Rank-2 slimes are valuable. If you want them, pay up!" Tigang insisted, his tone unyielding.

The two continued bickering and bargaining, occasionally throwing out threats. After a while, they finally reached an agreement. Liu Yang, grumbling under his breath, handed over 17 Spirit Stones. He had caught seven Rank-2 slimes, so it worked out to two Spirit Stones for each slime, and 3 Spirit Stones for the Spiritual Herbs.

Sigh... For such useless slimes, I've spent so many Spirit Stones. If not for Mr. Orion, I definitely wouldn't have done this. It's a total loss for me. Hmm... but if Mr. Orion rewards me with MSG, then it's a huge win! Liu Yang thought to himself, smirking inwardly.

"Here, take it. You're really black-hearted, making me pay two Spirit Stones for Rank-2 slime. Just consider this an act of charity," Liu Yang said with an aggrieved expression, though he was secretly pleased.

"What do you mean, charity?! These Rank-2 slimes are of the highest quality! You got quite a bargain paying just two Spirit Stones each. You should be grateful. I'm the one making a loss here!" Tigang snapped, though he was internally satisfied at the easy profit from the slimes, which were otherwise useless to him.

"Whatever. Goodbye," Liu Yang said as he prepared to fly off.

"Wait!" Tigang called out.

"What is it now?! You keep stopping me," Liu Yang turned, feeling irritated. "Do you want a slap?"

Tigang coughed awkwardly. "Do you still need more Rank-2 slimes? How about this, we can cooperate. I can look for the slimes, and you can buy them from me."

"Oh... interesting idea. What about the price?" Liu Yang asked, intrigued.

"Hehehe, fellow Daoist, why don't you tell me your name first?" Tigang replied, trying to sound casual.

"My name is Liu Yang," he answered.

"Ah, so it's Daoist Liu. About the price, how about..." Tigang proposed a price with a polite smile.

After hearing the price Tigang offered, Liu Yang angrily shouted, then the two resumed their bickering and bargaining, occasionally tossing out threats and almost coming to blows once again. After a while, they finally reached an agreement: Liu Yang would buy Rank-2 slime for 2.5 Spirit Stones.

"You really know how to take advantage of me," Liu Yang complained.

"What do you mean, taking advantage? I'm helping you find those slimes! You've got to pay more for my service," Tigang retorted.

"Tch, fine. Try to get as many Rank-2 slimes as possible, and be careful when handling them. Make sure they're still alive," Liu Yang instructed.

"Hmph, you don't need to tell me that. I'm better than you in this field," Tigang shot back with pride.

"I'll be back in a week. Don't disappoint me, you money-grubbing bull," Liu Yang said coldly.

"Who are you calling a money-grubber, you stupid human? Get lost!" Tigang yelled, anger flaring.

With that, Liu Yang left, his face cold, while Tigang stormed off in the opposite direction, also fuming. However, once they were far apart, both cracked a smile.

"Stupid bull, already happy with a few Spirit Stones. Muahaha! I'll let him do all the hard work and pay him peanuts while I collect the valuable MSG from Mr. Orion," Liu Yang thought gleefully as he flew away.

Now that Tigang was tasked with finding the Rank-2 slimes, Liu Yang decided to head south of Yuezhi Forest, where vast grasslands awaited. His next plan was to capture dragonfly Spirit Beasts.

Besides slimes, Orion had also asked the Liu family to search for dragonfly Spirit Beasts. Liu Yang didn't know what Orion would use them for, but he will try his best to fulfill that request.

"Huahaha! Stupid human, paying Spirit Stones just for slimes," Tigang chuckled as he flew off, beginning his search for Rank-2 slimes. Being more familiar with Yuezhi Forest and the habits of slimes, he was confident he could capture plenty.

As Tigang spread his spiritual sense, scanning for Rank-2 slimes, he started to wonder if he was making a loss. As far as he knew, slimes, even Rank-2 ones, were worthless. Yet Liu Yang had agreed to pay, even when the price was raised to 2.5 Spirit Stones.

Could they be more valuable than I thought? Should I visit a human city and check their market value? Tigang mused internally as he continued his search.