"Oh my, what a handsome cat!"
As the giant eagle landed, its huge wings flapping up and down, the reeds swayed ceaselessly. A big-tailed fox wearing thin gauze robes gradually came into Du ke's view.
This fox was much taller and longer than others of its kind, standing nearly one and a half meters tall when upright. Its lush big tail was clasped in both paws, constantly kneading.
The tail covered its chest and abdomen, only revealing a fox face that resembled both human and fox, with overflowing demonic charm.
A pair of sly eyes narrowed to just two slits, an enchanting gaze seeming to drip water as she smiled charmingly at Du ke.
Du ke frowned as he watched this fox with human clothes but beastly features, its body overflowing with demonic energy - somehow, it looked improper.
"What's the matter?"
Du ke plucked the psychic strings, conveying his thoughts into the fox's mind.
The fox's expression changed as she secretly cursed - how is this kitten so crafty?
Revealing her background right away, making her take back the thoughts she'd had coming here!
After all, the Spirit Cat clan was known for protecting their young. Even those cultivators didn't dare provoke Spirit Cats casually, whether those in Mao City or wandering outside.
If the Spirit Cats of Mao City heard about this, they would at least give her a beating.
Although the Spirit Cat clan was weak in power, those with background knew that an old monster still lived in Mao City.
Even ancestral masters from all sides had to defer to him.
Furthermore, a leader of the Spirit Cat clan was under that White Lord's command. That Spirit Cat also had broad connections.
If she moved against this kitten, the news would spread out. She wouldn't just be skinned and whipped, but also sent by the elders of her clan to the brothels to serve customers.
Still, why was this Spirit Cat not cultivating the Spirit Cat techniques, instead nurturing such demonic energy?
As these thoughts turned, the fox also piled on a smile.
"I really didn't recognize Mount Tai - so you're a young master of the Mao City Spirit Cats! No wonder I heard magpies calling this morning before I went out!"
As the fox spoke, she also stood up. The giant eagle spread one wing, using it like a staircase for the fox to step down.
Clutching her tail, the fox descended the eagle's wing.
Du ke's expression remained unchanged toward this overly familiar fox, still frowning woodenly.
However, Shi San stared at the big fox, blinking.
This thing looks... quite tasty!
"This concubine's name is Hu Caier, paying respects to the young master!"
As the fox calling herself Hu Caier slightly cupped her fists toward Du ke, she also threw him a coquettish glance.
Du ke tutted to himself; why was this fox also putting on human airs?
That coquettish glance just now made him want to vomit.
Seeing Du ke's lack of reaction, Hu Caier also felt somewhat puzzled internally.
Why is this cat unresponsive?
Could he be using some secret technique to call for help!
Thinking of this, Hu Caier couldn't help but feel some regret. Mao City was situated in one corner of Lingzhou, and had always been dominated by the Spirit Cats.
Here, the Spirit Cats were the sky. Whether human, monster, or other - coming here, even dragons had to coil up and tigers lie prostrate.
There were even rumors that a human cultivator passing through Mao City to rest had been thrown out the next day in a sack. Stripped of all his belongings and clothes, with a fist-sized bump left at the back of his head that wouldn't fade for three to five years.
If this cat really was calling for help, Hu Caier couldn't help but shiver, worried she might be skinned for a fox fur coat!
Kneading her own tail, the fox grew increasingly uneasy, also blaming herself for being so greedy as to follow the cat's demonic energy here.
Just as Hu Caier was apprehensive, she suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
Looking toward the sensation, she found the dog under the white cat surveying her curiously.
Surveying while licking its lips, as if it had spotted something delicious.
Noticing the dog's gaze, Hu Caier also silently took a step back.
The dog's eyes were a bit strange!
Why did they seem even hungrier than a greedy jackal?
"What are you doing here?"
Du ke's eyes flashed as he used psychic transmission to convey his intent to Hu Caier.
Hearing Du ke say this, Hu Caier's heart sank, but she quickly responded, "It's a long story."
"Make it short."
Du ke's intent was very brief. He also deliberately put on an unperturbed appearance.
This fox seemed very wary of him, likely because his Spirit Cat background made her deeply cautious.
Du ke had heard from Old Li earlier that Mao City was Spirit Cat territory, with no other cultivators or monsters.
"I was sent by the elders of my clan to deliver invitations to the various clans of Lingzhou. I just delivered one to the bear brothers of Bie Yun Mountain and was about to head back!"
As she spoke, Hu Caier also revealed that she had background - don't get any ideas.
"Invitations?"
Du ke raised a brow. Hu Caier went on, "Young Master Cat, have you heard of the White Lord?"
"Feitian Yecha?"
Du ke had just psychically transmitted this when Hu Caier relaxed with relief. Anyone who knew of Feitian Yecha must know the White Lord too.
Though how did this cat know of a figure like Feitian Yecha? Could he have ties with the White Lord's side too?
"Oh my, Young Master even knows Lord Yecha!"
Hu Caier pulled her tail up to cover her face, leaving only her eyes visible.
"This is really a huge wave capsizing the Dragon King's temple!"
"I'm delivering these invitations for the monster market jointly built by the White Lord uniting the various clans. To spread the word and invite guests."
"Monster market?"
Du ke blinked, this was new to him.
"That's right. Humans are strong while we monsters are weak in this world, so the White Lord is following the example of ancient monster ancestors to unite the various clans and revive the prestige of monsters!"
"The monster market is the first step."
"Humans have trade fairs for communication and exchange, we monsters should also have markets for equal mutual benefit."
Hu Caier smiled as she said this.
"After all, we monsters aren't like humans. Cultivation resources are lacking, and various monsters need resources that often can't be gathered together."
"Eating human flesh and drinking blood can certainly improve cultivation quickly, but..."
Hu Caier pointed to her head, her expression no longer as charming as before, instead revealing a trace of terror.
"The might of Heaven is vast. Who can say for sure that they can definitely overcome the tribulation after eating humans and drinking blood?"
"Furthermore, how many monsters can resist worldly temptations and perseveringly cultivate in the mountains after gaining wisdom?"
"The monster market is to satisfy everyone's needs. There's a saying, 'you do well, I do well, everyone does well.' That's the principle!"
Hearing this, Du ke's eyes also showed understanding.
Monsters were like humans, also having their own emotions, social circles, and social structures.
Just more barbaric and straightforward compared to humans.
With monsters dispersed and resources not interconnected, this monster market was indeed good for them.
He was also cultivating as a monster, so he had to understand this market in case he needed something in the future that couldn't be satisfied elsewhere.
"Where is the monster market?"
As these thoughts turned, Du ke directly asked aloud.
This time, Du ke didn't use psychic transmission, but spoke human words.
"I miss Brother Si Er so much, I want to find him. Since you said the monster market was created by the White Lord, and Si Er works under him, I can look for Si Er if I go to the monster market."
"Oh my, Young Master, you're asking the right monster about this! I'm specially in charge of this matter."
"The Long Life Celestial Dynasty has twenty-eight provinces. Each province has a monster market, even the imperial capital's holy Shengzhou has one.
But ordinary monsters can't find the markets without guidance, since they transcend the mundane world."
"But you're of the Spirit Cat clan, and have ties with Si Er who serves under the White Lord. So we're considered relatives!"
As the fox spoke, she also pulled out a bone chip from her tail.
"This is the invitation to the monster market. No matter which province you're in, you just have to use demonic energy to sound this bone chip, and you can find the market."
Du ke took the bone fragment from Hu Caier's paws, flipped it over in his claws, and then took out a Blood Qi Pellet from behind him and handed it over.
"If you see my four-eared elder brother, please send him my regards and ask him to find some time to come back and visit."
Hu Caier accepted the Blood Qi Pellet, her eyes showing some delight.
She had thought her trip here would be fruitless, and there was even a risk of being skinned or tortured. Who would have expected this cat to have decent manners and follow proper etiquette.
"I will certainly help you get this done."
Hu Caier put away the pellet, hiding it in her tail. She exchanged a few more pleasantries with Du ke, before flying back into the sky on the giant eagle.
Watching the departing fox demon, Du ke's eyelids lowered as his own thoughts churned in his mind.
When traveling outside, strength is important, but you also need a foothold and backing.
Moreover, he would be entering the Monster Market in the future, so he had to secure some insurance for himself.
A single Blood Qi Pellet meant nothing to him.
But this pellet could become a knock on the door. If that fox was smart, she would surely inform the elders of her tribe about this matter.
Foxes are naturally cunning and deceitful. She would probably try to build ties with Si Er through this connection.
Although he had never met Si Er, spirit cats are connected by lineage and branches. That captured fellow would probably feel some kinship for their race.
Even if Si Er didn't care about kinship, it meant nothing to Du ke. All he wanted was that in the future at the Monster Market, he could pull Si Er's banner over himself for protection.
Without strength, one would always just be an ant.
He needed to borrow strength and support from all sides.
In Qingzhou, the Su family and his maid were his strength and backing. Outside, Mao City and the spirit cats were his strength and backing.
So making this move on the chessboard could reap unexpected benefits in the future.
Even if there were no benefits, it was just the loss of one Blood Qi Pellet.
For his current cultivation, the Blood Qi Pellet was purely consumable.
"Let's go, time to head back!"
Du ke called out to the dog, who let out a woof as Du ke said with a laugh: "What, hungry already?"
"Woof!"
"Want two Blood Food Pellets?"
"Woof!"
The dog vigorously shook its head. The cat's eyebrows rose.
"You want meat?"
"Woof!"
"Then let's go eat meat. I can also get some rice and noodles from Old Li, to make up for what I borrowed from him last time."
Du ke rode on the dog's back as it carried him away.
At the same time, Hu Caier sitting on the giant eagle took out the Blood Qi Pellet given by Du ke.
"That cat is reasonable and easy to talk to, not arrogant and unpredictable like other cats."
"However, he wants me to pass on a message, which could be an opportunity for me."
"Although my Hu family belongs to one of the nine fox lineages, foxes are inherently weak. We are playthings to other monster races."
"I can use this chance to build ties with that four-eared spirit cat. I've often heard that four-eared spirit cat is righteous and heroic, with a chivalrous air. I wonder if I can establish this connection."
"If I can build this tie, my standing in the tribe will rise, and my future cultivation will benefit."
"By then, I won't have to bitterly run errands and do hard labor, or worry about being sent to pleasure houses to serve guests."
"Ah, not only is that cat handsome, he is also kind-hearted. In the future if I meet him again, I must serve him well and give him some sweetness to taste."