Thirty demon tribes arrived at the protruding river channel together on the agreed transaction day.
In truth, these demon tribes were a little worried,
Fearing that Yang Hong would activate the formation and eliminate them all.
However, Yang Hong clearly had no intention of killing indiscriminately, as he still needed to collect resources.
Especially after learning the Grade Four formation jade slips, he became even less willing to kill.
Those jade slips repeatedly emphasized one point,
Truly high-level formations must be set up using specific spiritual materials, and even magical artifacts.
These spiritual materials include, but are not limited to, spirit iron, spirit wood, spirit ore, and magical artifacts,
And some special formations might even require life to suppress the formation core.
If he wanted to learn and set up higher-level formations, he was destined to trade with more cultivators.
Of course, killing and robbing was the fastest way to acquire resources,
But it was like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, not a proper method.
Therefore, this time he had prepared 29 portions of spirit fish for the trade.
"Senior, I have a few formation jade slips here as gifts for you. Please accept them."
As soon as the spirit fish transaction ended, Mao Kuan eagerly took out a storage bag and placed it on the riverbank.
He had originally intended for Mao Xiu to come, but after this princess cautiously investigated the formations on Yuliu Island, she refused,
Fearing that her appearance might cause a misunderstanding with Yang Hong.
After all, she was also a Seventh-Rank Demon Lord, powerful enough to easily arouse the vigilance of a Fourth-Rank minor demon.
But she was even more worried that Yang Hong might suddenly go mad and destroy her with his formations; the formations here gave her a fatal sense of dread.
"Formations?"
Yang Hong was stunned at first, then overjoyed.
He understood that the deterrent effect of him killing a Seventh-Rank Demon Lord had manifested.
Without any pretense, he immediately collected the storage bag.
The other demon kings outside were also eager, but they held back.
They wanted to observe Yang Hong's reaction before deciding what level of formations to offer.
"Hmm, six Grade Four formations, two Grade Five formations.
And they are all high-level formations that require specific spiritual materials."
After a brief glance at the eight jade slips, Yang Hong was somewhat surprised.
He had expected the cat demon tribe to offer at most one or two Grade Four low-grade formations. He hadn't expected them to be so generous.
Such gifts were certainly not something he would refuse; once they were in his hands, they would not be returned.
Of course, a return gift was also necessary.
With this thought, his divine sense moved, and a wine jar from Yuliu City flew out, scooping from a small lake spanning ten li outside the city.
It was then sent out of Yuliu Island.
"King Mao Kuan is too kind. This jar of spirit wine is my meticulously brewed creation, consider it a return gift."
The wine jar was not sealed, and a faint aura of spiritual energy and wine slowly diffused, not overly strong.
"Heh heh~ Thank you, Senior."
Looking at the wine jar placed before him, Mao Kuan's expression showed a hint of disappointment and anger.
This wine, judging by its spiritual energy, was only Grade Four spirit wine, and Grade Four low-grade spirit wine at that.
And it only weighed about a hundred catties.
Mao Kuan felt his heart bleeding.
His Golden Fur Cat Demon tribe had given six Grade Four formations and two Grade Five formations, and they received only a jar of Grade Four spirit wine?
A loss!
A complete loss!
The most infuriating thing was that he had to accept this jar of wine with a forced smile.
Seeing this, the other demon kings, while privately deeming Yang Hong stingy,
Were all secretly laughing at the cat demon tribe for trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice.
They had communicated beforehand and had a rough idea of each other's gifts.
Now, they were cautiously adjusting the gifts they were about to offer.
Hei Sanwu of the Silver Star Black Fish tribe stepped forward first. He hadn't prepared any high-level formations.
"Senior, I am Hei Sanwu of the Silver Star Black Fish tribe. I represent my tribe in apologizing to you. This is a token of our apology."
As he spoke, he directly placed down a storage bag.
After five transactions, everyone knew that Yang Hong was a straightforward and decisive person.
Decisiveness was the attitude towards handling matters.
Yang Hong did not reply but first collected the storage bag.
The Silver Star Black Fish tribe showed considerable sincerity this time, offering not only 30 Grade Four formations but also 1,000 demon cores, although they were all Fourth-Rank demon cores.
However, Yang Hong appreciated this appeasing attitude.
"My, my, the Silver Star Black Fish tribe is too courteous. From now on, you will also have a trading slot.
In addition, I also have a return gift."
Yang Hong understood the purpose of the Silver Star Black Fish tribe's appeasement. In consideration of the demon cores and formations, he directly presented 20 Grade Four spirit fish.
"Thank you~ Thank you, Senior~"
Seeing the 20 Grade Four Yuliu Wine spirit fish, Hei Sanwu's eyes widened.
These were 20 Grade Four spirit fish!
This was the largest number of Grade Four spirit fish Yang Hong had ever traded at once.
"Hiss~"
"Holy cow~ 20 of them!"
"So many? That's worth 20 million spirit stones!"
"The Silver Star Black Fish tribe has really sacrificed a lot this time!"
The other nearby demon kings, who had not yet left, also widened their eyes and turned red upon seeing the 20 Grade Four spirit fish.
They all speculated about the great cost the Silver Star Black Fish tribe had incurred.
"Senior, I also have a gift. Please see if you like it."
After Hei Sanwu collected the 20 Grade Four spirit fish, another demon king presented a storage bag.
These demon kings had a plan, intending to come one by one to see what return gifts Yang Hong would give.
"Not bad, not bad, I am very satisfied with this gift."
This time it was 10 Grade Four formations, but they were of low quality.
Yang Hong returned 5 Grade Four spirit fish.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Senior."
After collecting the 5 spirit fish, this demon king even tilted his chin upwards and glanced at Mao Kuan, his expression unutterably proud.
Subsequently, other demon kings presented their gifts one after another.
For those who only offered Grade Four formations, he basically gave a 2:1 ratio of Grade Four spirit fish in return;
If there were demon cores, he would give a few more.
If there were Grade Five formations, he would reciprocate with Grade Four spirit wine, the [Ten Fruit Brew].
This was the spirit wine Yang Hong had in the largest quantity and of the poorest quality,
Yet it was also a special spirit wine containing the spiritual essence of creation, which was more than ten times stronger than those spirit fish.
Soon, this transaction ended, and the demon kings left in groups.
"Mao Kuan, wasn't your gift too stingy this time?
How did you manage to anger him?"
Not long after they left, a fox-tribe demon king sarcastically teased Mao Kuan.
"Alas~ our cat demon tribe is poor. We couldn't come up with a decent gift, so we just gave some spirit iron.
It seems that person dislikes spirit iron."
Although Mao Kuan had not carefully examined the spiritual wine, he had already sensed the spiritual essence of creation within it. However, he chose not to say anything,
And pretended to sigh with regret.
"Alas~ me too. I thought since Senior needed to set up formations, he would surely need spirit iron, spirit ore, and the like, so I also gave spirit ore."
"Me too."
Before the fox-tribe demon king could speak, two other demon kings who had received spirit wine had already chimed in.
They exchanged glances with Mao Kuan, surprise flashing in their eyes.
"You guys~ you're too stingy. Remember to bring some good stuff next month. I, for one, gifted a Grade Four formation jade slip."
The fox-tribe demon king felt something was amiss but couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Thinking of the six Grade Four spirit fish he had received, he began to lecture Mao Kuan and the others.
Mao Xiu, who was hidden within the cat demon tribe's procession, did not come out to interrupt but instead mused thoughtfully.
After a round of banter and showing off, they bid farewell and returned to their respective fish farms.
"Quick, take it out and let me see!"
As soon as they returned to the cat demon tribe's ship, Mao Xiu said impatiently.
"Princess! We've struck it rich, we've struck it so rich!"
Crying out, tears streamed down Mao Kuan's face.
As he spoke, the jar of [Ten Fruit Brew] was brought out.
"Hiss~ Spiritual essence of creation!
At least ten times more powerful than Grade Four spirit fish!
Even without drinking it, just cultivating by the wine jar will bring immense benefits!"
"Princess, we gambled right this time."
"Haha~ We gambled right!
I'm going back to the clan now to send this jar of spirit wine back, and also to copy the last two Grade Five formations from the clan!"
With that, Mao Xiu did not wait for Mao Kuan's agreement. She put the spirit wine into her storage ring, shot up into the sky, and disappeared.
"I wish I could drink some, even just a drop would be fine."
Watching Mao Xiu's disappearing back, Mao Kuan had a wry smile on his face, and finally let out a helpless sigh.