Mortal: My name is Ma Liang, and I also possess a magic brush.

"Fellow Daoist, you may not know this, but this spirit beast accompanied me through my time of crisis. To me, it is more of a friend than a spirit beast."

"I don't ask it to advance to a high level, nor do I hope it will have any special abilities. I only hope that it will be safe from harm when it mutates. I hope you can give me some guidance."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong's smile faded somewhat, replaced by a look of understanding.

Having been in the spirit beast business for a long time, he had seen many cultivators like Ma Liang.

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured, there are several kinds of spiritual materials that are very mild in nature and are most suitable for stabilizing spiritual power during mutation."

He took out three spiritual items from his storage bag.

Eight hundred years of cloud marrow jade, tender lingzhi mushroom, and tranquil tapir essence.

Zhou Tong laid out the three spiritual items one by one, "Just let your spirit beast swallow them directly, and its essence will be suppressed, and there will be no risk of it going berserk."

"However, one thing must be said upfront: the direction of the mutation of a spirit beast will change depending on the nature of the chosen spirit creature."

"But these spirit creatures are too gentle in nature, and correspondingly, their potential for mutation will be very limited."

Ma Liang stepped forward, his gaze carefully sweeping over the three spiritual items. "Fellow Daoist Zhou, if I were to take all three of these spiritual items, I wonder how many spirit stones they would cost?"

"These spiritual items aren't particularly rare. If you want them all, I'll charge you five thousand spirit stones."

Ma Liang sensed the three spiritual items and felt the gentle spiritual energy flowing within them. He considered the price to be fair and, without hesitation, took out five thousand spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them to Zhou Tong.

He then put all three spiritual items into his storage bag.

Just as he was about to ask more details about the mutation of the spirit beasts, there were a few knocks on the door. "Manager, the illustrated guide you requested has been brought over."

"Come in."

Several waiters carried more than a dozen heavy boxes into the private room and neatly arranged them to the side.

Ma Liang stared at the dozen or so heavy boxes, amazed at how many there were.

But I'm thinking about learning more about the world of cultivation in the future.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, how many spirit stones would these illustrations cost?"

Zhou Tong didn't beat around the bush and simply held up one finger, "Exactly one thousand spirit stones, no more, no less."

"One thousand spirit stones?"

Ma Liang frowned instantly. "These are just copied booklets. Fellow Daoist, isn't this price too high?"

Zhou Tong shook his head, walked to a large box, and lifted the lid.

Inside were not the booklet Ma Liang had expected, but neatly stacked jade slips.

He casually took out a piece and handed it to Ma Liang, saying, "Fellow Daoist, please take a look at it yourself. Once you've seen what's inside, you'll know that this price is absolutely worth it."

Ma Liang followed the instructions and probed the jade slip with his divine sense.

It contained a description of a very common level one fish-like monster, but it wasn't just a few words.

The images of the monsters are described in great detail, including their living habits, habitats, innate weaknesses, and even the characteristics of their spiritual energy fluctuations at different growth stages and the parts of their bodies that can be used as spiritual materials.

Ma Liang put down the jade slip in his hand, took out another one from the box, and probed it with his divine sense again.

This was actually a record of a level three demonic beast, and the contents were equally detailed and comprehensive.

He had seen those dozen or so large boxes.

If every jade slip is this detailed, then the thousand spirit stones are well worth the price.

"Okay, I'll take these."

After saying that, he took out a thousand spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them to Zhou Tong.

Zhou Tong accepted the illustrations, saying, "Fellow Daoist, study these illustrations carefully in the future, and you will surely be able to know all kinds of monsters like the back of your hand."

Ma Liang remained noncommittal, then put all the dozen or so boxes of jade slips into his storage bag. He then cupped his hands in farewell and said, "In that case, I have nothing else to buy. Farewell."

Zhou Tong smiled and waved his hand, "Fellow Daoist, please take care. I'll see you off."

After saying that, he led Ma Liang out of the Wanling Pavilion.

The two parted ways again outside the pavilion, and Ma Liang took to the air and flew towards his cave.

As soon as he arrived near the cave, he saw Zi Ling standing at the entrance, looking around.

Has she already made arrangements?

He immediately withdrew his escape light and landed in front of Zi Ling.

When Zi Ling saw him return, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Senior, so you went out. I thought you had been waiting here in your cave for a long time."

Ma Liang waved his hand, removing the restrictions outside the cave. "Come in, let's talk in detail."

Zi Ling quickly responded and followed him into the cave.

As soon as she entered, Zi Ling saw Jingzhe again.

At this moment, Jingzhe was completely listless, only lazily raising her head, looking somewhat listless, before burying her head back down in an instant.

Seeing this, Ma Liang said, "Girl, go to the study and wait a moment. I'll be there shortly."

Zi Ling also noticed that the spirit beast was not in a good state, and quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, senior."

After Zi Ling entered the study, Ma Liang quickly walked to Jing Zhe, took out the three spiritual items from his storage bag, and used his spiritual power to support them, presenting them to Jing Zhe.

"Jingzhe, I know you are currently undergoing a mutation. These three spiritual items are specially found for you. Whichever one suits your taste, consuming it will stabilize your vital energy and help you recover."

After hearing Ma Liang's words, Jingzhe raised her head and sniffed the three spiritual objects one by one.

Its movements suddenly stopped, its nose stopped in front of the eight-hundred-year-old cloud marrow jade, and then with a flick of its tongue, it swallowed the palm-sized jade whole into its mouth.

After swallowing the spirit jade, it did nothing else, lay back down, and closed its eyes to regulate its breathing.

Seeing that Jingzhe had quietly lay down after swallowing the Cloud Marrow Jade, Ma Liang put the remaining two spiritual items into his storage bag.

Fearing that someone might disturb the Jingzhe's mutation, he specially set up four protective barriers in front of it and another illusion array to completely conceal the Jingzhe's figure.

After doing all this, Ma Liang looked at the illusion array, sighed, and then turned and walked towards the study.

Ma Liang entered the study, looked at Zi Ling, and asked bluntly, "How is it, girl? Is everything done?"

"Reporting to Senior, everything has been arranged. Your junior brother has also set up four trapping formations at the ambush site, which should be enough."

Ma Liang nodded. "I hope so."

Zi Ling changed the subject, "However... your junior brother declined the offer to go on this mission and will not be going along."

Ma Liang showed no surprise at Zi Ling's words, which was exactly what Han Li wanted.

Now that he had obtained the Thunder Bamboo, and given that he wasn't entirely confident about this mission, he naturally wouldn't risk taking any more risks, given his cautious nature.

He waved his hand. "It's alright, that's just his personality, very cautious. So when shall we make our move?"

"I have already notified all the relevant personnel, and we will set off for Scorpion Island tomorrow."

"Okay." Ma Liang nodded decisively.

……

The next morning, Ma Liang specially took out a specially made mask and put it on. The mask could block divine sense detection and hide his face and aura.

He did not travel with Zi Ling, but went to Scorpion Island alone. After arriving, he hid in the group of Zhuo You Shi of Miao Yin Sect and waited for the situation to change.