I Tame Beasts by Feeding

「Two days later.」

The Fish Market was abuzz. Flyers for the Odd Demon Pavilion were everywhere, and talk of it filled the streets, alleys, taverns, and brothels.

"Hey, have you heard? The Odd Demon Pavilion has opened, and they’re planning to hold an Odd Demon auction!"

"Who doesn’t know by now? The news is everywhere!"

"According to their promotional materials, they have descendants of the Nine-Colored Phoenix, the Qingqiu Nine-tailed Fox, and the Sun God Bird, the Three-legged Golden Crow. Aren’t all of those Divine Beasts?! Even with just a trace of that bloodline, it’s absolutely mind-blowing!"

"I certainly don’t believe it’s real. After all, if it were, why would they be selling them in a small place like this? But the pictures on their flyers look convincing enough. It might be worth checking out when it happens."

"I heard that a lot of Outer Disciples from the Wanxiang Sect have come for this. Even some of those high-and-mighty Inner Sect Disciples have apparently shown up!"

"Disciples? Forget about them! I bet even some of the Elders are tempted!"

"I wonder what the Odd Demon Pavilion’s background is, for them to just pop up out of nowhere like this."

For a time, the Odd Demon Pavilion became the hottest topic in the Fish Market, drawing everyone’s attention.

「Three days later.」

The auction began right on schedule.

The auction hall, which had been specially set up in the Odd Demon Pavilion’s backyard, was teeming with people. Not a single seat was empty.

"Welcome, esteemed customers, to the Odd Demon Pavilion’s auction. I’m sure you’ve all been eagerly anticipating this."

"Without further ado, let the auction officially begin."

Yu Dahai walked onto the stage. Without any further pleasantries and with a broad smile on his face, he clapped his hands, and the first auction item was brought out.

As they watched Yu Dahai, many in the audience raised an eyebrow, their gazes speculative as they harbored their own thoughts.

’The auctioneer only has a Qi Refining Sixth Level Cultivation?’

’Just a Qi Refining Sixth Layer Cultivator? Is there no Great Power watching over things?’

An undercurrent of tension surged through the crowd. Many were restless, harboring ulterior motives, but no one let it show.

’Let’s just watch for now...’

...

Secretly observing the crowd’s reactions, Yu Dahai maintained his broad smile. His voice was full and resonant as he spoke, and he casually glanced toward certain individuals, sneering inwardly.

Many in the audience had higher cultivation realms than him. There were quite a few at the Qi Refining Peak, and some even felt unfathomably powerful. Yet, despite this, he wasn’t the least bit intimidated.

’I have a Foundation Establishment Cultivator backing me, and not just an ordinary one at that. No matter how restless this crowd gets, anyone who tries something will pay a terrible price.’

"Our first item for auction is a Tier One Sixth Layer Spirit Beast, the Ice Dog!"

"Perhaps you’re all thinking that it’s just an Ice Dog, so what’s the big deal? But I ask for your patience. The Odd Demon Pavilion would never try to fool you with run-of-the-mill goods."

Seeing the crowd’s uninterested expressions, Yu Dahai smiled faintly, clapped his hands, and continued speaking.

"This Ice Dog is, naturally, quite peculiar."

The words had barely left his mouth when an impatient voice from the crowd shot back.

"Alright, alright, cut the crap! Everyone’s time is precious. It’s just an Ice Dog. The most that can be said for yours is that its realm is a little high. What’s so special about that? Just get on with it and bring out something genuinely interesting."

Many people nodded in agreement. They had all come for the Divine Beast descendants; a mere Ice Dog simply wasn’t enough to capture their interest.

Faced with the challenge, Yu Dahai showed no anger. He didn’t interrupt, waiting for the heckler to finish before replying in a calm, unhurried voice.

"The guest makes a valid point. But, what if I told you that this Ice Dog also has mastery of Flame Magic, and even Wind Attribute Magic?"

"Are you kidding me? Don’t make us laugh. Everyone knows the Ice Dog is a classic Water Element Spirit Beast. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Fire Attribute."

"Even if it mutated, water and fire are incompatible. And that’s not even mentioning a Wind Attribute! Are you telling us this Ice Dog is a rare Three-element Spirit Beast? How is that possible?"

"I’m just saying, you’re running a business here! You can’t just spout a bunch of lies. This is outright fraud!"

Scoffs and sneers rippled through the audience; clearly, many shared this sentiment.

Yu Dahai didn’t respond, just smiled. He picked up the Ice Dog, tore a small opening in the Sealing Talisman on it, and gently patted its head.

WHOOSH!!

In the next instant, Demon Power surged from the Ice Dog’s body. A ring of brilliant flame erupted, illuminating the area and causing the temperature to soar to a scorching heat.

The flames then extinguished, and wisps of cold mist began to spread out from the stage. Layers of Ice Crystals rapidly condensed as the temperature plummeted, giving the crowd an immediate experience of both ice and fire.

WOOF WOOF WOOF!!

The Ice Dog opened its mouth and let out a sharp breath. A fierce wind kicked up, carrying tiny Wind Blades within it as it rushed toward the crowd, feeling surprisingly refreshing.

Many in the crowd paled and hastily formed Finger Techniques to resist, but fortunately, it was only a minor display and not a true attack.

"Now, everyone, do you believe what I said?"

Yu Dahai finally asked, speaking slowly and methodically.

The audience was instantly silent, the only sound being sharp intakes of breath.

"It’s... it’s actually real. Is that truly an Ice Dog? Mastery of three attributes... Even though none of them seem very powerful, that fact alone is incredible!"

"Forget everything else, this dog alone made the trip worthwhile!"

"This Odd Demon Pavilion really is something else!"

Hearing the crowd’s murmurs, Yu Dahai’s smile returned, a flicker of self-satisfaction in his eyes.

"As I said, any Spirit Beast our Odd Demon Pavilion dares to put up for auction will naturally have its own peculiarities. Now, let the bidding for the Ice Dog begin! The starting price... one hundred Spirit Stones!"

"One hundred and ten Spirit Stones!"

Almost immediately, someone raised their placard without hesitation!

"One hundred and twenty Spirit Stones!"

"I bid one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones!"

Behind the auction stage, Yu Changsheng watched the scene unfold with his Divine Sense, a wide grin spreading across his face.

’At this rate, my wealth is going to grow exponentially!’

’However, I know I can’t hold auctions like this too often. If Odd Demons show up all the time, it’ll raise too much suspicion. I can only do this occasionally. But even so, I’ll still make a killing!’

In the end, the Ice Dog sold for an astonishing one thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones to a middle-aged cultivator. He appeared to be a disciple from the Beast Taming Peak, though Yu Changsheng had no impression of him.

After paying and collecting the Spirit Beast backstage, the middle-aged cultivator didn’t linger for a moment. He clutched the Ice Dog and left in a hurry, obviously afraid that someone might try to target him. Of course, the other reason was that he had completely exhausted his Spirit Stones.