Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

The Golden Feathered Eagle let out a panicked screech, sensing the approach of danger.

Through spiritual communication, Ji An commanded the beast to descend, then stored it into the Spirit Beast Bag.

The beast was still quite weak and could not withstand a Chao Origin Stage attack.

Xiong Ba landed on a nearby rock, the swirling yellow cloud immediately dispersed, revealing a smile he thought was friendly, as he cupped his hands:

"Greetings, fellow Daoist.

Seeing your attire, you must be a high cultivator from the Golden Spirit Sect. I would like to propose a transaction, if you are willing?"

Earth Element Demon Beasts are not skilled at flying escape; having refined Demon Beast Essence Blood, he inherited this trait and was better at transforming into a giant bear for ground combat.

For aerial assaults, he relied on the Black Eagle. The duo had been fighting together for years, their cooperation flawless, never missing a chosen prey.

If he were to land directly near the opponent, the latter would surely control the cloud to escape, and his speed would be insufficient to catch up.

Just relying on the Black Eagle alone, it’s hard to find a chance to strike.

The opponent indeed appeared to be a Spirit Farmer cultivator, but the spiritual artifacts of sect cultivators possessed much higher quality than theirs.

If the Black Eagle couldn’t break the opponent’s defense quickly and allowed them to escape, they might never get another opportunity.

According to Chen Xingzhou’s intel, the opponent in front of him was very wary, likely to remain in seclusion for years upon sensing danger.

The vigilance in Ji An’s eyes showed no sign of fading as he replied coldly:

"Not interested. If you have high-tier resources for trade, you can come to the sect for negotiations; our sect wouldn’t covet your belongings."

This desolate mountain doesn’t seem like a good place for trading.

However, he wasn’t particularly tense, as assuming this person had hostile intentions, their cultivation couldn’t be at the Golden Core level; otherwise, they would have attacked directly.

If the opponent was only at the Chao Origin Stage level, not to underestimate cultivators of the world, his current capabilities allowed him to contend with even those at the Fifth Transformation of Chao Origin.

His confidence also stemmed from his Identity Jade Token, which could defend against early-stage Golden Core attacks, and the Profound Yellow Tower Talisman Treasure, defensible against mid-stage Golden Core level assaults.

"Daoist friend, listen to what I have to offer before refusing outright."

Xiong Ba maintained his self-perceived friendly smile, unaware of how his heavy features made his grin look somewhat menacing.

He spoke while approaching, holding a head-sized wooden box in his hand:

"I can give the treasure to you first, Daoist friend. If uninterested, you can return it to me."

He was trying to close the distance as much as possible, inwardly grumbling, ’Just like Chen Xingzhou said, really turtle-like!’

The opponent was surrounded by yellow spirit light and Golden Lotus blossoms, which he recognized as Earth Element Spirit Light.

His opponent had already activated the defensive spiritual artifact before they met, indicative of a severe lack of security!

"Stop. I have no interest in the trade you mentioned. Approach any closer, and I’ll attack."

Ji An’s gaze darkened; the closer distance meant shorter reaction time.

"Alright, I’ll stop. Daoist friend, your reaction is overly intense; I mean no harm."

Xiong Ba halted his steps and retreated a few paces, merely stalling for time until the Black Eagle, circling overhead, took its position.

"Daoist friend, I only wish to exchange for the Earth Element Defense Spiritual Artifact you possess, with a Spirit Medicine boasting a thousand-year medicinal age.

You’re surely aware of the difficulties loose cultivators face; luck might have led me to break through to the Chao Origin Stage for years, yet I lack a suitable spiritual artifact."

The Artifact Refining skills of the Golden Spirit Sect are unparalleled in the Western Continent, and their quality is assured. If you find the offer insufficient, I can add more resources."

He spoke brazenly, observing the Black Eagle rapidly approaching the target from behind, his eyes still serious.

Ji An covertly formed a spell gesture, the opponent’s words riddled with inconsistencies, clearly false.

If they truly possessed a Spirit Medicine with a thousand-year age, bringing it to Cyan Cloud Immortal City could naturally invite the sect’s Artifact Refining Shop for valuation.

A thousand-year-old Spirit Medicine could serve as a supporting ingredient for certain Golden Core Stage pills, invaluable indeed.

Xiong Ba suddenly stepped forward, his head transforming instantly from human to bear-like, his giant mouth opening with a deafening roar.

This sound wave attack method, not the strong suit of cultivator’s spiritual artifacts, greatly disturbed the enemy’s qi and blood.

Sound wave attacks are less effective against Body Cultivators due to their thick qi and blood, resilient internal organs, and strong defense against vibrational damage.

Against Magic Cultivators, it induces disorientation momentarily, at the least causing discomfort by disturbing qi and blood, hindering spellcasting.

As he roared, the Black Eagle arrived and attacked, unleashing a black demon cloud reeking of stench and decay.

Feeling the attack from behind and witnessing the spirit tool-bearing demon cultivator morph into a bear, Ji An cursed in his mind.

’Still too soft-hearted, clearly aware of their ill intentions yet hesitated to act.’

If he had struck first, he wouldn’t be caught under such pressure from both sides.

The roar shook his eardrums, agitated his qi and blood, causing slight discomfort, but didn’t hinder combat.

He activated Wind Control Technique, an invisible airflow enveloping him, dodging to the side as much as possible.

He believed he could endure an attack from a Chao Origin Stage enemy using apricot yellow Banner, Muddy Gold Profound Armor Spell, Pan Mountain Technique, the sect’s Tier Two Magical Robe, along with the Body Refining Technique achieving Great Success in Silver Armor.