For the second animal companion, Qi Ping originally wanted an animal companion with high attack and high defense, capable of engaging in frontal combat.
For example, the Barbaric Armor Bear, Crimson Flame Tiger...
Their frontal combat capabilities could very well compensate for Qi Ping's own lack of combat power, and when combined with the Golden Marrow Bees, could produce a terrifying level of lethality.
For instance, the Barbaric Armor Bear could engage and hold the opponent, while the Golden Marrow Bee uses its speed to release venom.
If Qi Ping were luckier and could share the physical or defensive talents of the Barbaric Armor Bear or Crimson Flame Tiger, coupled with the Wood Shield Technique, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance his defense and survival abilities.
However, for Qi Ping, there is a fatal flaw with these kinds of spirit beasts: they are too large in size! And Qi Ping doesn't have a Spirit Beast Bag, so keeping them close is too conspicuous.
It's simply like openly telling tribulation cultivators or others with ill intent: "I have good stuff here!"
Even if the tribulation cultivators don't harbor evil intentions, encountering an enemy would mean such a large pet beast could easily become a target, possibly attracting even stronger enemies.
Therefore, before obtaining a Spirit Beast Bag, Qi Ping is not considering this type of pet beast, unless he encounters one that's very suitable.
A lesser option would be a spirit beast that is easier to conceal in body size yet possesses some frontal combat ability, which is now Qi Ping's best choice.
Qi Ping is currently considering flying-type spirit beasts as the first tier.
Like the Cyan Cloud Crane or Thunder Eagle...
They are not conspicuous in size, yet possess decent frontal combat abilities, working quite well in conjunction with the swarm of Golden Marrow Bees.
If there isn't a suitable flying pet beast, alternatives like the Stone Hedgehog, Thick Shell Turtle, or Starlight Raccoon Cat can also be considered.
"The current situation is too dangerous. I need to contract a second animal companion as soon as possible once my Druid level reaches two, to increase my strength..."
In the future, as the Druid Level increases, there will be more contract positions for animal companions, so not every animal companion needs to be perfect. As long as it's not too bad, getting through the current tribulation cultivator chaos is the priority, especially since the information Lin Chaoyang mentioned about the Secret Realm gives Qi Ping a sense of unease.
Perfect spirit beasts are exceedingly rare, and truly pursuing this might mean Qi Ping won't encounter even one until his death.
Encountering a Divine Beast on a journey is something Qi Ping has never even dreamed of.
...
"What are you thinking about so intently?"
Sister Nan asked, slightly puzzled, as she observed Qi Ping lost in thought.
"Sister Nan, I was thinking about the items I need to buy this time, and also what kind of wine Old Man Zhou wanted..."
"That old guy! Just buy him whatever, maybe drinking less could prolong his life by a couple of years!"
From Sister Nan's remarks, it was clear she was quite familiar with Old Man Zhou, otherwise, she wouldn't speak in such a tone.
"Old Man Zhou just likes drinking, what can we do about it? It's not that we haven't told him, but he says if he can't drink, he might as well have his lifespan run out now..."
"He really is a booze hound... but he's not wrong. Without reaching Foundation Establishment, one's lifespan is less than two hundred years, so happiness is what matters. A few more or fewer years don't make much difference..."
"So let's just let Old Man Zhou do as he wishes..."
"Enough about that old guy, it's getting late, we should sell our stuff quickly and buy what we need. Otherwise, it'll be much more dangerous after dark than during the day!"
"Alright, listening to you, Sister Nan!"
With that, the two wasted no time heading towards the Zhiyuan Trading Company.
Although there were quite a number of small vendors on either side of the road, nothing caught their attention.
At least nothing worth wasting Spirit Stones on according to Qi Ping's judgment.
On the way, Qi Ping even encountered the market's patrol team twice, composed of cultivators from the mid-stage and late-stage Qi Refining.
And these are only the ones on open display, showing the defense strength at the Cyan Stone Marketplace.
Boss Gao's Zhiyuan Trading Company was located in a corner of the east district of Cyan Stone Marketplace, its location not being prominent, naturally leading to fewer customers, thus reducing rent and entry fees accordingly.
Because of this location, Boss Gao of Zhiyuan Trading Company mostly conducts business with familiar customers.
...
When Qi Ping and Sister Nan arrived at the entrance of Zhiyuan Trading Company, they saw Boss Gao enthusiastically sending off a pair of customers.
Upon seeing Qi Ping and Sister Nan, Boss Gao warmly greeted them.
"Sister Nan, Brother Qi, it's been a long time since I've seen you, please come in quickly, I'll make you some tea first!"
A middle-aged man at the sixth-layer of Qi Refining enthusiastically welcoming Qi Ping and Sister Nan inside, you couldn't fault his service attitude.
Because the location of Boss Gao's shop isn't ideal, he relies on retaining old customers to make his money.
After a cup of tea, Sister Nan first took out her thirty Spirit-Storage Fruits that she had prepared.
"Boss Gao, take a look at how much these Spirit-Storage Fruits are worth in Spirit Stones..."
Boss Gao, with a piercing gaze, glanced over them and said:
"Five upper grade Level B, thirteen Middle Grade Level B... Sister Nan's farming skills have improved a lot recently!"
After remarking, Boss Gao gave Sister Nan an astonished glance.
He knew that Sister Nan's cultivation land wasn't even considered Spiritual Land, yet she managed to grow such a large quantity of upper and middle grade Level B Spirit-Storage Fruits.
Even many Level 1 Spiritual Lands might not be able to produce upper grade Level B Spirit-Storage Fruits!
"Boss Gao, you're too kind, it's thanks to you that the spiritual fertilizer materials you found for me are much better than those I could buy myself!"
"When Sister Nan requests it, of course, I do my best to deliver. Generally, this batch of Spirit-Storage Fruits would be priced by large trading houses between 67 to 69 Spirit Stones. How about I offer you 72 here?"
Boss Gao spoke with candor, which was the reason he had so many long-standing customers. He earned Spirit Stones by being open and honest.
"No problem!" Sister Nan readily agreed.
Having grown Spirit-Storage Fruits for so many years, she was quite familiar with their market price, and Gao Zhiyuan indeed hadn't deceived her.
Boss Gao quickly counted and handed over 72 lower grade Spirit Stones to Sister Nan, then put the Spirit-Storage Fruits away.
With Sister Nan's transaction complete, it was Qi Ping's turn.
Without hesitation, Qi Ping took out the eleven bottles of honey he had prepared.
"Boss Gao, please have a look!"
When these eleven bottles of honey appeared on the table, both Boss Gao and Sister Nan exclaimed in surprise.
"Four bottles of lower grade Level A honey? Seven bottles of upper grade Level B honey?"
There was a hint of shock and amazement in Boss Gao's voice.
Neither Boss Gao nor Sister Nan expected Qi Ping to bring out Level A honey.
Producing Level A honey is as challenging as cultivating Level A Spirit-Storage Fruits.
Although not exceedingly precious, producing Level A honey in a commonplace place like Zone D of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range is quite rare.
"Brother Qi, your beekeeping skills have surely surpassed expectation!" Boss Gao praised.
Old Man Zhou, who had been collaborating with him for so long, had only a few instances of producing Level A honey, and Qi Ping managed it today!
"Recently, my beekeeping experience has indeed seen a breakthrough, but it's mainly thanks to Old Man Zhou's teachings and his accumulated knowledge..." Qi Ping modestly replied.
He naturally wouldn't mention the ample supply of Golden Marrow Honey and Spirit Flowers as the reason.
"It's also because Brother Qi has remarkable comprehension, to master the skill so thoroughly in such a short time. I've met many people, yet few match your abilities! Normally, big trading firms offer between 53 to 56 Spirit Stones for this, how about I offer 59 here?"