In Ethan's office, sitting behind his desk, he swirled his liquor glass while listening to Shen Bao's report.
"I sent out scouts. There are fifteen people wearing robes suspiciously indicative of cultivators. According to the stamp on their clothes, they belong to the Xuan family. They mainly operate in the Black Rock City and are one of the four main families. Their primary business is mining and selling spiritual artifacts."
"Any information on their strength?" Ethan asked.
"According to the gathered information, they are considered a family within the Qi Cultivator realm. Their patriarch is at the seventh level, while the Grand Elder reaches the ninth level. However, the exact difference in their strengths is unknown. We also can't compare them to the Dark Wolf we hunted last time," Shen Bao shook his head.
Although they had killed the demonic beast, its exact strength level remained a mystery, and comparing it to human cultivators was even more uncertain.
Ethan drummed his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
The strength levels of the cultivators Ethan knew were divided into three main categories: Qi Cultivators, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core. At a higher level, sects spoke of the Nascent Soul, a qualitative transformation in the cultivator's power. However, according to available information, no individual within the Yun Dynasty or its neighboring territories had reached that level. The reason remained unknown.
"We can't act recklessly based on the current information. And we still don't know the performance of the muskets in a direct confrontation against cultivators," Ethan reflected, drumming his fingers on the desk.
But confrontation was inevitable. "They must experience the power they're facing firsthand. Additionally, this could be an opportunity to raise the morale of the Vespers."
"Slaves…" Ethan frowned. As a modern man, he despised slavery, but he couldn't rush to conclusions. He had already heard reports about their treatment, but if they were ruthless criminals or enemies, he would show no mercy. However, if they were innocent civilians… "That would be different. I need to confirm the facts."
He stood up and walked over to the window before giving his order in a firm voice:
"Gather several Vespers to escort me to the Black Rock City. Also, order that the mine remain under strict surveillance until further instructions."
"Understood."
Shen Bao left immediately, while Ethan remained lost in thought.
The next day, on the streets of Black Rock City, a group of six individuals in gray robes and hoods advanced silently towards the city center. Their destination was the cultivator market, where they sought to gather more information about the region's main families and forces, including the Xuan family.
At first glance, the market didn't seem much different from a common one. Improvised stalls with blankets spread across the ground offered various goods, while others, more elaborate, built with wood, displayed their products in the open air. At the end of the street, specialized workshops exhibited more items—refined weapons, medicinal pills, rare herbs, demon beast pelts…
Most of the lower-level cultivators and independent cultivators preferred trading at the street stalls, where they could negotiate better prices and avoid taxes or restrictions imposed by the major families.
As they walked through the market, Ethan observed the wide array of products on display. There were weapons and spiritual artifacts, both offensive and defensive, some in perfect condition and others visibly damaged. He also found unknown medicinal pills, rare herbs of various colors and sizes, unusual-looking minerals, and books with unknown content.
The hustle and bustle of the market was constant. Buyers bargained fiercely, vendors announced their products enthusiastically, and some more discreet merchants whispered offers.
Turning around, he addressed Shen Bao and the other Vespers who accompanied him.
"Watch the surroundings. Gather information about the mine and any movements from the Xuan family."
Shen Bao and the others nodded and moved away.
As Ethan walked through the market, his attention was caught by an unusual stall. Behind a table covered with skins and bones of beasts, a middle-aged man with a cold stare observed the passersby, accompanied by two young men with fierce faces. Cages of various sizes were stacked around him, along with materials that, at first glance, seemed to come from exotic creatures.
Ethan calmly approached, analyzing the place. The middle-aged man looked up and, in a cold voice, said:
"Ask for whatever you want, no haggling."
For a moment, Ethan was surprised by the merchant's harshness, but decided to ignore it. Instead of responding, he began inspecting the cages.
In one of them, four large mountain rats twisted and squealed incessantly, their sharp teeth reflecting the dim light of the market. In another, a small wolf lay silently, curled up in a corner. Its golden, bright eyes, sharp and intelligent, watched him cautiously, evaluating him.
Despite being dirty and malnourished, its silver fur still held some shine. Though it appeared weak at first glance, Ethan recognized an unyielding determination in its posture.
This was the reason he had come.
Dogs have been companions of humans since ancient times: hunters, guardians, explorers, and even weapons of war. In modern forces, they have proven invaluable in tracking, combat, and survival. A wolf raised from a pup could play an even more significant role in this world.
Ethan fixed his gaze on the merchant and, with a firm voice, said:
"I want that wolf. Tell me your price."
Ethan kept his gaze fixed on the merchant, waiting for his response. The man crossed his arms and replied in a dry tone
"Two spirit stones."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. The price was excessive. For a wolf pup, especially one in poor condition, it wasn't worth even a tenth of that.
"That's too expensive." His tone was firm but controlled.
The merchant clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed.
"Too expensive? Do you even know what you're looking at?" He knocked on the cage with his knuckles, making the wolf raise its ears but show no fear. "This isn't just some wild wolf. It's a Silver Moon Wolf. When they grow, they have the potential to reach Level two. A loyal and powerful companion if you know how to raise it well."
Ethan assessed his words. He didn't recognize the name of the species, but immediately understood the sales tactic. "Potential" meant most never reached that level. A common trick among unscrupulous merchants.
Still, the pup had good stature, and its eyes showed intelligence. He wanted it, but not at that price.
"If it really could reach level two, you'd be selling it for much more. You're trying to cheat me."
The young men beside him tensed, but the merchant just snorted. "Take it or leave it."
Ethan sighed and looked back at the cage with the mountain rats. He had another idea.
"Include those rats in the deal, and I'll take it."
The merchant frowned, hesitating. The rats were quite valuable in certain circles for their meat and pelts. However, he seemed eager to get rid of the wolf quickly, perhaps because few wanted to spend on a sickly pup.
Finally, he exhaled in annoyance.
"Fine. Two spirit stones, and you get the lot."
Ethan nodded. He took out the spirit stones and placed them on the table.
The merchant took them with a smile and snapped his fingers for one of the young men to hand him the cages.
When Ethan turned to leave, the merchant's gaze bore into his back.
"Enjoy your purchase." He smiled coldly.
As Ethan exited the market, the two young men accompanying the merchant exchanged looks, and after a discreet signal, they began to follow him through the crowd.
[Alert: After a detailed analysis of the surroundings, it has been confirmed that two individuals have been following your movements. The probability of coincidence is minimal, ruled out at 98%.]
Ethan kept his pace steady, completely ignoring the two young men following him, their presence barely noticeable to anyone not paying attention. As he walked toward the inn, his mind focused on the possible consequences of his purchase.
"If they keep following, they'll have to face the consequences of not staying discreet," he thought.
Upon arriving at the inn, Ethan arranged the rooms for himself and the others, completely ignoring the followers. They wouldn't be foolish enough to act within the city.
Inside his room, after requesting food and milk, he sat on the bed, looking at the small cage where the wolf rested. The pup, still weak and dirty, watched from his corner warily, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim light coming through the window. Ethan approached slowly, making no sudden movements, and carefully opened the cage, not wanting to scare the animal.
The wolf remained still, staring at Ethan as if unsure whether to trust him.
Ethan didn't rush him. He took out a small bowl of milk, placed it near the cage, and watched in silence. The wolf, after a moment of tension, cautiously approached, sniffing the milk, its tongue lightly brushing the rim of the container. When it finally drank, its eyes never left Ethan.
Ethan smiled slightly at the wolf's reaction, understanding that, although cautious, it had already taken the first step toward trust. He left a steak near the bowl, watching the small animal with interest. The wolf glanced at it briefly, then returned to focusing on the milk.
With a soft voice, Ethan murmured: "I'll call you Eclipse."
The wolf raised its head, its eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Ethan slowly approached, extending his hand toward its head, and carefully petted its silver fur. The softness of its fur was impressive.
"Good boy..." Ethan said softly, repeating his stroke. Eclipse finally relaxed his posture slightly, allowing Ethan to pet him. The silent connection between them was immediate, and in that moment, Ethan knew he had made the right decision in taking the wolf.