Chapter 65 - Mysterious Token (1/2)
The auction continued with the items of the second wave. Here there were many varied disputes with continuous price increases. The medium and large sects were interested in the objects and had the capital to contend it. However, even the small sects didn't give up since each object was fundamental for the growth of their pupils. After all, they could only rely on the younger generation if they wanted to increase their status.
The sect leader and the elders continually talked to each other. They needed to select carefully which resources to buy and which to leave to others. Even if they had a high capital, they had to keep it as much as possible for the next wave's items. With the elders' personal disciples who were approaching the sixth stage, it was better to start preparing for their elemental conversion.
However, the sect leader and the elders didn't know what kind of element their disciples would learn once they reached the sixth stage. Nevertheless, they could make more or less precise forecasts by examining the elements of their closest relatives. Those from the same family all tended to have the same element, although there were exceptions from time to time. But the statistics were favorable enough to take a gamble with such predictions.
As a result, it was predicted that Zan would have the fire element as his father, the first elder. Li the wind element as his brother, the second elder. Mei, the wood element as the sect leader. Cao Su the earth element as his father, the sixth elder. Ying Yue the water element as her grandfather, the seventh elder.
There was also a rumor that elemental essences would be put up for auction. Those would produce a significant increase in the elemental conversion of the martial artist, even increasing their combative power.
Among the items of the second wave, there were also few spirit beasts. Since they were already mature spirit beasts ready to fight, the quarrel between the beast tamers was intense.
Hei ended up buying a Javan Rhinoceros, a Pygmy Hippopotamus, and a pair of birds known as Hoatzin. Among the exposed animals, these had the highest potential, and the couple of Hoatzin, in particular, was sold at a high price since it was male and female, therefore with the possibility of creating a progeny of spirit beasts.
The second wave ended, it was the turn of the third wave, and once again, the atmosphere became heavy. It was time for the highlights of the auction. Each of these objects was considered a treasure for the martial artists of the kingdom. And in fact, the third wave started immediately with a bang, bringing an elemental essence of lightning.
As soon as the auctioneer started the bids, there were waves of increasing offers from the public. Even those who didn't have that particular type of element were interested. After all, elemental essence would still be usable in production jobs or, simply, as exchange objects for an elemental essence of their element.
Hei carefully observed the various objects on display; even if he wouldn't buy any of this, they were still valuable to get his attention. And in the succession of this frenzy, finally came the highlight of the auction as regards the spirit beasts.
”Here is the surprise I mentioned earlier. It is a young spirit beast, but it has already demonstrated that it has awakened its spirit power. But its heritage is the most interesting aspect. Its parents are no less than two second-level adult spirit beasts.” The auctioneer exclaimed in an excited voice.
Upon hearing this, the audience was left speechless. How had the hunters stolen a young elephant from two second-level spirit beasts? It was like kidnapping a personal disciple before two spirit soldiers elders. But the way didn't matter much, what mattered was that it was still young, and with such potential, it would be a great setup that could be easily controlled.
Even the sect leader and the elders of the Flower Sect looked astonished at the appearance of the spirit beast in question. It was a Giant Forest Elephant, a species that was already difficult to tame without spirit power, let alone a specimen of spirit beast. But its power was undeniable. Just a single giant forest elephant spirit beast was enough to cause an uproar in the battlefields.
”This giant forest elephant baby, in addition to having a high potential, comes with an object attached. That is the place where it was captured. The hunter team managed to kidnap the young elephant after enormous efforts, but they failed to kill any of the parents. Although it is impossible to tame such spirit beasts, if you manage to kill the two parents, you will gain a great fortune. I hope you will take this into account during the offers.”
The auctioneer launched another bombshell. Were the parents still alive? If they thought about it with a cool head, it was reasonable that they were alive, given that they were second-level spirit beasts. But all the buyers couldn't help but wonder even more about how the hell the hunter team had kidnapped the baby.
But in any case, the existence of two second-level spirit beasts meant the presence of second-level spirit cores. Every spirit beast possessed within itself a spirit core that represented the very essence that made the animal a spirit beast. And as the level of the spirit beast increases, the spirit core would have more exceptional properties if used in alchemy or the creation of weapons or artifacts, even creating an incredible object in the eyes of anyone.
”Hei, tell me something. Would you be able to tame the parents of that spirit beast?” At a certain point, the sect leader asked with difficulty. Her throat had dried up at the thought of what had come into her head.
Upon hearing the question of the sect leader, the first and second elders couldn't help but blink their eyes and turn to Hei, who didn't appear at all surprised by the question of the sect leader. After a quick consultation with his mother, Hei replied.
”Yes, it is possible. If I were to return their baby and warn them of the dangers they risk and offering them to come with me, I'm sure they would follow me. Although I don't like the word tame, I could get a degree of obedience similar to Shui's, my albino buffalo,” Hei calmly explained, not at all upset that they were talking about second-level spirit beasts.
Hearing his answer, the sect leader and the two elders frowned. Dealing with two second-level spirit beasts would have been difficult even if they had joined forces. Yet Hei was talking as if it wasn't a problem. Even though he had in mind to return their baby, it was still risky. If they didn't have adequate strength, they would risk death. Therefore, he was implicitly saying that the thing that protected him was able to guarantee his safety.
The elders and the sect leader shuddered at the thought, but at the same time became excited. If Hei managed to tame the parents as he said, they would have power comparable to the addition of two elders, and if even his albino buffalo passed to the second level, that number would increase more. It meant that they would acquire a military strength superior to that of the other big sects, equaling the first place sect - the sect of the Mountain Kingdom, the Tremor Sect, which had as ten elders plus the sect leader.
”All right. Then we must buy that spirit beast. Your remaining third level stones will surely not suffice, but the sect will take the remaining sum. Let it be clear, however, that once the parents of the spirit beast are tamed, they will remain in the sect as guardian beasts. It's possible?”
”Yes, it is possible. If explained in the right way and you promise not to hurt them, then I can convince them.”
What he said was enough for the sect leader in preparing herself for the offerings' battle that was about to begin. The price immediately jumped to the stars - all the most influential sects of the kingdom, including the most important military exponents, were interested in the young giant forest elephant. Even those who weren't beast tamers were launching offers; just the information about its parents was a gold mine.