The journey took a little over two days.
Mo Shen chose not to rush, traveling by carriage along the main road that led toward Blackstone City.
The road itself was far from quiet, filled with other cultivators heading in the same direction, some alone, some in groups, their robes marking them as disciples from different sects, while others hid their identities completely.
No one caused trouble, which was a relief for Mo Shen.
By the time the outline of Blackstone City appeared in the distance, the sun was already beginning to set, casting a dull orange glow over the land.
The city walls rose high, built from dark stone that gave the place its name, standing firm and heavy like a silent beast guarding its territory.
At the gates, disciples of the Beast Taming Sect stood watch, their gazes sharp as they inspected those entering, making sure no one brought in unnecessary trouble.
Mo Shen stepped down from the carriage and joined the line.
When his turn came, he showed his token without hesitation. The guard gave it a glance before nodding, stepping aside to let him pass.
The moment he entered, the atmosphere and even their seemed to have changed.
The streets were alive.
Vendors lined both sides, their stalls filled with cages of all sizes, some holding small, restless creatures that chirped or hissed, while others contained larger beasts that stared out with wary, intelligent eyes.
The air was thick with sound.
Roars, growls, screeches, and human voices mixed, creating a constant noise that never fully settled.
"This one has a trace of a flame wolf bloodline! Only two hundred spirit stones!"
"Freshly captured mountain beasts! Strong bodies, easy to tame!"
Mo Shen's gaze moved slowly across the surroundings.
The Beast Festival was in full swing.
In the open areas, cultivators tested beasts against each other, observing their strength before making deals, while in other sections, auctions were being held, drawing crowds around raised platforms where rare creatures were displayed one after another.
"…So this is the Beast Festival," Mo Shen whistled in surprise.
"It's quite grand, indeed..."
He started looking around and instantly spotted many different kinds of beasts guarded in cages, some taller than others.
"I should look for a beast that fits me, and since my strength is average, against opponents, my thought process and schemes are what's important."
He mumbled in thought.
"...A poisonous beast would be the most fitting... one that can also hide itself with some kind of stealth ability. So maybe... something that isn't too big nor small."
Mo Shen adjusted his direction and stepped deeper into the festival, his eyes moving from stall to stall as he searched.
He stopped at one where several dark-scaled lizards clung to the inside of a wooden cage, their eyes cold and their bodies tense, as if ready to spring at any moment.
The vendor noticed him at once.
It was an older man with a thin beard and sharp eyes, his smile quick and practiced the moment he saw a potential buyer.
"Young master, you have a good eye!" the man stated, leaning slightly forward.
"These are Black Marsh Lizards, raised with care for three years straight. Their bodies are strong, their speed is quick, and their bite carries poison strong enough to numb a Qi Refining cultivator in a few breaths."
Mo Shen crouched slightly, calmly observing the.
"They seem quite aggressive," he stated calmly.
The vendor chuckled.
"A beast without aggression is useless, young master. These little ones are born killers. Once you release them, they will latch onto the enemy without fear."
'...That sounds troublesome. I need my beast to be a little cautious, or just be completely obedient, which these don't seem at all.'
Mo Shen watched one of the lizards snap its jaws at another inside the cage.
"They attack directly?" he asked.
"Of course," the man replied, spreading his hands slightly. "What better way to kill than with speed and force? Their poison will finish the rest."
'...Only high strength?'
Mo Shen remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke again.
"Can they conceal themselves?"
The vendor paused briefly, then waved his hand.
"Concealment? That is not their strength, but with proper training, they can hide in mud or shadows. Young master, you should not think too much about such details. In a real fight, what matters is whether your beast can kill."
Mo Shen slowly stood up.
"I understand."
The vendor's smile widened slightly, sensing hesitation.
"If the young master is worried about the price, we can discuss it. For someone like you, I can offer a fair deal. These lizards are not easy to come by, but I am willing to let them go for one hundred and eighty low-quality spirit stones."
Mo Shen shook his head lightly.
"They are not suitable for me."
Without waiting for further persuasion, he turned and left.
"Tsk!"
The vendor's smile stiffened slightly, but he did not chase after him, only clicking his tongue softly as he turned to call out to another passerby.
Mo Shen continued walking.
After some time, he stopped again.
This time, it was a stall filled with insects.
Inside a glass container, several beetles crawled over each other, their shells dark and glossy, their mandibles sharp enough to reflect the light.
The vendor was a younger man, his eyes bright and full of energy.
"Brother, take a look!" he called out quickly. "Poison Fang Beetles, freshly bred! Their venom is fierce, and their shells are harder than iron at this level!"
Mo Shen stepped closer and glanced inside.
"They look sturdy."
"Sturdy?" the vendor laughed.
"Brother, you are too modest with your words. These little fellows can block blades and deliver poison at the same time. Raise them well, and they will become your greatest weapon."
Mo Shen observed them for a few breaths.
"They rely on close combat?"
"Of course," the man replied without hesitation. "What use is poison if it does not reach the enemy? Once they latch on, the venom spreads quickly."
Mo Shen's gaze remained calm.
"And their concealment?"
The vendor blinked once, then smiled again.
"They are small. Is that not concealment enough? In battle, who would notice such tiny creatures?"
Mo Shen did not answer immediately.
Instead, he reached out slightly, as if measuring their size and movement with his eyes.
"They are too noticeable," he said after a moment. "Their shells reflect light, and their movements are not subtle enough."
The vendor's smile faltered for a split second, but he quickly recovered.
"Brother, you are thinking too narrowly. In a real fight, no one has the time to observe such details. Strength is what matters."
Mo Shen shook his head.
"For me, those details really do matter."
He straightened and stepped back.
"I'll pass."
The vendor opened his mouth as if to say more, but Mo Shen had already turned away, leaving him standing there with a slightly stiff expression.
After that, Mo Shen continued moving through the festival.
He visited many more stalls, asking similar questions each time, listening to the vendors praise their beasts with confidence and skill, each one trying to convince him that what they offered was rare, powerful, and worth every spirit stone.
Some beasts had strong poison but lacked subtlety.
Others could hide well but had no real lethality.
A few seemed promising at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they revealed flaws that made them unsuitable for his needs.
Time passed slowly as he moved from one place to another.
Yet in the end... he found nothing.
"...Am I too picky?" he couldn't help but wonder.
"No, not really... if it's a bond beast, I need it to be perfect enough to satisfy my needs." Mo Shen shook his head, reassuring himself.
"I don't have to find that beast today, maybe tomorrow I'll get luckier. And if I don't find any suitable beast... well, I can wait for another festival to happen or find one in the wilderness."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"Maybe I could read the Beast Records in the Sect's Library, maybe there I'll find a suitable beast for me."
With that, he continued walking through the festival, his pace slower now, his attention drifting as his thoughts sank deeper into planning.
The noise around him faded into the background.
The shouts of vendors, the growls of beasts, the movement of the crowd… all of it blurred together as his mind focused elsewhere.
Thud...!
"Agh!"
Mo Shen groaned as his body lost balance, falling straight onto the ground, the impact sending a dull ache through his back.
"…Damn it…"
He muttered under his breath as he pushed himself up quickly, brushing off his robe. But the moment he stood, a faint, almost imperceptible aura brushed past him.
It was a really strong aura, meaning that the person he bumped into had a cultivation level leagues above his own!
His entire body stiffened.
In an instant, his expression changed.
All traces of irritation disappeared, replaced by calm respect as he cupped his hands and lowered his head slightly.
"This one was careless and failed to watch his path. Please forgive the offense."
"Oh?"
A familiar voice reached his ears.
"Junior disciple Mo… I did not expect to run into you here."
Mo Shen froze for a second.
'That voice…?'
Before he could react, a thin trail of smoke drifted toward him, carried lightly by the air.
It reached his nose in the next instant.
The scent was faint, yet distinct, carrying a soft sweetness with a trace of orchids that was difficult to mistake.
His pupils shrank slightly, and his body almost stiffened on the spot.
Slowly, he raised his head.
And there she was... with that familiar expressionless face.
The person he had just bumped into...
Was none other than his new Martial Aunt.