Chapter 86: Night Demon
The thing is, this Talent Awakening Fruit was useless to him because he had already consumed one and awakened a Cultivation Talent.
Consuming another Talent Awakening Fruit would have no effects on him.
'I wanted to give it to my father or mother after they become a cultivator.'
Currently, his parents might not even have a Spirit Root; however, Ethan was planning to help them sooner or later. So, if he had enough Spirit Stones, he would have bid for it.
Nevertheless, he was not too disappointed in not getting the Talent Awakening Fruit as he would have many chances to buy one in the future.
"1.5 Million Low-level Spirit Stones."
Soon, the middle-aged cultivator wearing the armour made the highest bid and successfully bought the Talent Awakening Fruit.
"Are you guys ready for the final item of the Host's Specials?"
After the second transaction, Galen asked all the cultivators with a mysterious smile on his face.
"We are ready, Disciple Galen."
Although they were unable to buy many items, so far, the Cultivator's Gathering didn't disappoint them…especially the last two items.
Moreover, it was a known fact that the best item was always kept for the last.
Hence, they were looking forward to the final item of the Cultivator's Gathering with excitement.
"The final item is a Special Item that was refined by my Elder Brother, who is not only a Golden Core Realm Cultivator but also a Rank 5 Puppet Master."
While explaining, Galen removed the cloth from the third item, revealing a beautiful woman dressed in a delicate robe, with a blank expression and lifeless eyes.
'A Rank 4 Puppet? She looks just like a regular human?'
'Did that Senior turn a human into a puppet?'
'Isn't that considered demonic?'
.
.
.
Murmurs spread through the crowd as cultivators stared at the beautiful woman standing beside Galen, their expressions filled with shock and unease.
Turning fellow cultivators into puppets was a forbidden practice—one that fell under the path of Demonic Cultivation. Those who dared to walk that path were hunted down and eliminated without hesitation.
Yet, Galen openly claimed that the puppet before them was refined by his own brother—a Golden Core Realm Cultivator and a Sect Elder of the Greenfire Sect.
The weight of that statement sent a ripple of uncertainty through the gathering.
However, no one dared to ask Galen any questions about the puppet on the stage.
"I know what you all are thinking."
Galen could easily guess what everyone was thinking as he hurriedly explained, "My brother indeed refined her into a puppet; however, she is not a human but a demon…to be more exact, a Night Demon."
"A half-demon?"
"No wonder the sect elder refined her into a puppet."
"He is very righteous."
.
.
.
Hearing Galen's explanation, everyone felt there was nothing wrong with the puppet and they could use it without any problem.
"Show what you can do."
With a single word from Galen, the beautiful woman on the stage walked into a corner and disappeared without a trace.
"Open your eyes now."
With another command from Galen, the Night Demon Puppet opened her eyes, which shone with a bright red colour, giving chills to everyone below the stage.
"Senior has made a great contribution to the human race by turning a Night Demon into a puppet."
With Galen showcasing the abilities of the Night Demon Puppet, everyone felt that it was the right thing to turn a Night Demon into a puppet.
"This beautiful Night Demon was once a level 7 Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, but now, she is nothing more than a puppet. My Elder Brother has sealed her will using the Soulforged Command Insignia. Whoever possesses it will have complete control over her."
Galen took out a small purple-coloured token and gave more details on how to control the Night Demon Puppet.
"Disciple Galen, what is the price for this Rank 4 Night Demon Puppet?"
"I am going to buy it at any cost."
"You... do you think you can afford it?"
.
.
.
Although the Night Demon Puppet was not very powerful, it was good to have.
Many cultivators felt that by having that puppet, their status among the loose cultivators or even among the disciples would greatly increase.
So, everyone who thought they could buy it hurriedly asked Galen about the price.
"Let's go, Felix."
On the other hand, Ethan was not interested in the Night Demon Puppet; instead, he felt pity for her.
She might be a Night Demon who must have harmed many humans, but turning her into a puppet… was too cruel.
Of course, Ethan was not a hero who would go out of his way to buy her and free her by destroying the puppet.
He was neither rich nor powerful. So, all he could do was turn around and leave the hall to avoid looking at the Night Demon Puppet.
'Ding,
A Choice-based New Mission has been generated. Please check it.'
Just as he turned around, Ethan received a system notification that Ethan could more or less guess what it was about.
'Check.'
Nevertheless, he quickly checked it, making him bitterly smile.
'Ding,
Mission Name: Demon Hater.
Mission Details: You feel the Night Demon is serving her punishment by becoming a puppet. Just walk away without bothering.
Reward: 100 Life Points.
'Ding,
Mission Name: Free the Night Demon.
Mission Details: Whether it is a human or a demon, it is truly cruel to turn them into puppets. Destroy the Night Demon Puppet and free the trapped Night Demon Soul inside.
Reward: Random High-level Life Card and 1000 Life Points.
Penalty: None.
'Ding,
Please make your choice between the two missions.'
'High-level Life Card?'
After reading both missions, Ethan's eyes were attracted to the 'High-level Life Card' and he thought he should pick the second mission.
A High-level Life Card definitely had good effects, and Ethan felt that he should get that card at any cost.
'But, the problem is I don't have any Spirit Stones to buy the Night Demon Puppet.'
Ethan didn't choose immediately but started thinking about whether he could find a way to buy it.
'I have a Mystic Earth Fruit which can be exchanged, and there is also this Primal Beast Blood.'
Ethan thought about the things he could exchange to get the Night Demon Puppet until he heard Galen's voice, which made him feel surprised.
"I am not going to sell this puppet but give it away for free to one of you."
Galen responded to the cultivators who wanted to buy the Night Demon Puppet at any cost.
"What? Disciple Galen wants to do a Free Giveaway?"
Everyone was shocked, and those who couldn't afford to buy the Night Demon Puppet became excited, including Ethan.
"Since it is my first time hosting the Cultivator's Gathering, I wanted to do a Free Giveaway."
Galen revealed a generous smile as he explained the giveaway, "Although the Night Demon was converted into a puppet, she still has a bit of consciousness left in the puppet that lets her follow the commands of its owner."
"So, I will let the Night Demon Puppet pick its owner. Whoever she picks can take her home."
After explaining this, Galen didn't wait for the cultivators' reaction before he ordered, "Go and select your new owner."
'Swiish'
Receiving the command from Galen, the Night Demon Puppet's eyes shone with a red light, and she walked forward.
'Please pick me.'
'I will take good care of you.'
.
.
.
Everyone started praying and hoping to get picked by the Night Demon Puppet; however, she walked straight to Ethan and said, "I choose you."