Eternal Tale

Chapter 353: Revelation

“Senior… these things… they’re worthless,” Mo Fuyang stammered, visibly tense. “They’re not spiritual medicines, just ordinary herbs and trees…”

He hesitated before continuing, “These herbs merely purify the environment, absorbing impurities to make spiritual energy cleaner. They’re everywhere—you can’t take two steps without stepping on some.”

Chen Xun’s smile froze, his expression stiffening like a statue anchored in place.

Sister Crane nodded thoughtfully. She hadn’t sensed any exceptional qualities in those thousand-year-old trees; they paled compared to her Crane Spirit Tree.

Brother Ox’s eyes widened. To him, years of planting and harvesting herbs had shown these plants had plenty of uses—surely, they could be refined into medicines.

Xiao Chi’s pupils contracted. He’d carefully collected a trove of these so-called ‘medicinal herbs,’ treating them as valuable treasures.

Chen Xun coughed lightly, regaining his composure. With a flick of his sleeve, he silently reclaimed every ‘medicinal’ herb—even the ones Mo Fuyang was holding.

“Walking the cultivation world requires hard currency,” Chen Xun stated matter-of-factly. “Spiritual stones are the true measure of wealth. I only asked for identification, not to imply pettiness.”

“Of course, Senior. Naturally,” Mo Fuyang replied quickly.

Chen Xun retrieved ten mid-grade spiritual stones from his storage ring. “Take these as payment for accompanying us. Consider it an advance.”

Mo Fuyang hesitated as his gaze fell upon the stones. His expression shifted subtly, prompting Chen Xun to raise an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong?”

“Senior… these spiritual stones are the lowest grade of mid-grade stones. They’re typically used for feeding servant beasts or maintaining rudimentary formations…” Mo Fuyang hesitated, his voice softening further. “They’re not accepted as currency in the cultivation world. Allow me to accompany you freely; I dare not take payment for this.”

<hr>

Silence fell over the group, heavy and unrelenting. Mo Fuyang’s words echoed in their minds, each repetition sounding like a gong striking in their heads.

Brother Ox’s head dipped low, his nostrils brushing the ground as he processed the news. He recalled how Chen Xun had once declared these stones their ‘ticket to fortune’ in the Taiyi Great World.

Sister Crane’s expression turned solemn. These spiritual stones were gathered through countless grueling nights in the Forbidden Sea. Their efforts had been painstaking.

Xiao Chi’s claws dug three inches into the ground, his face twisted in disbelief. Those stones had been salvaged through life-threatening risks—stealing from ancient warships and forbidden relics—and now they were worthless?

<hr>

A few stones slipped from Chen Xun’s trembling hands, clattering to the ground. His eyes widened, and his voice dropped to a murmur. “You’re saying… these are worthless?”

“Senior… these stones are sourced from degraded mid-grade veins. The spiritual energy they contain is too impure for proper cultivation,” Mo Fuyang replied cautiously. “They’re typically discarded or used for menial purposes.”

The earth cracked faintly beneath Chen Xun’s feet. The faint tremors spread outward like fractures in a delicate porcelain vase.

Mo Fuyang swallowed hard, his face pale. He had spoken only the truth but feared for his life nonetheless.

“Are you telling me,” Chen Xun began, his voice dangerously calm, “that my precious, carefully preserved spiritual stones… are worthless? Are you suggesting that my entire fortune amounts to scraps?”

His smile stretched unnaturally, his tone dripping with suppressed fury. “Mo Fuyang, one can choose the wrong path in life, but speaking the wrong words can cost dearly.”

<hr>

Sister Crane tugged on Chen Xun’s sleeve, her soft voice trembling. “Big Brother, calm down. You taught me to stay composed.”

“Moo~~” Brother Ox chimed in, nudging Chen Xun gently in agreement.

“Brother Xun, let it go! This man clearly doesn’t understand spiritual stones!” Xiao Chi added hastily, standing on tiptoe to grasp Chen Xun’s arm.

Mo Fuyang raised his hands in submission, his expression pained. “Senior, I swear I speak only the truth! I would never deceive you!”

Chen Xun’s shoulders slumped. His carefully laid plans—the meticulous ledger in his notebook—all for naught. He felt as though his life’s savings had evaporated into thin air.

<hr>

After a long silence, Chen Xun exhaled deeply, regaining his composure. His voice softened as he addressed Mo Fuyang. “No matter. It seems we were ignorant. Consider this a lesson learned.”

Brother Ox placed a comforting hoof on Chen Xun’s shoulder, his concern evident. Sister Crane clung to Chen Xun’s robes, her small face filled with worry.

“We’ll start again,” she said resolutely. “We’ll earn new spiritual stones, better ones.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Xiao Chi puffed out his chest. “I’ll dig up new veins, Brother Xun! Just give me time.”

Chen Xun’s smile returned, warm and reassuring. “No need for such drastic measures. We’ll adapt.”

<hr>

Reaching into his storage ring, Chen Xun retrieved a bottle of ancient cleansing pills. “Here, take this. Let’s see if it proves useful.”

Mo Fuyang hesitated but accepted the bottle cautiously. Opening it, he was greeted by a potent medicinal fragrance. His expression shifted to astonishment.

“Senior, these pills… they’re extraordinary! My deepest gratitude!” Mo Fuyang exclaimed, bowing deeply.

Brother Ox, Sister Crane, and Xiao Chi gazed at Chen Xun with newfound admiration. Their leader’s confidence radiated once more, his posture commanding and self-assured.

Chen Xun allowed himself a wry smile. In this vast Taiyi Great World, setbacks were inevitable—but the bonds of family and their collective resolve remained unshaken.