Eternal Tale

Chapter 374: Garbage Recycling Plant

Buzz!

At that moment, the entire small mountain exuded a sharp, powerful aura. The Five Elements' pressure spread faintly, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to ripple outward in waves.

Xiao Chi expanded his body, digging furiously, while Brother Ox summoned formation flags from his primordial spirit. With each motion of his hooves, he sealed the mountain, his every gesture brimming with immense power.

Mo Fuyang took a deep breath, unable to suppress his admiration.

Chen Xun stood still, his expression deep and slightly awkward. They hadn’t bought any cultivation manuals, books, pill recipes, spiritual herbs, or maps. Despite the grandeur of Hunyuan Immortal City, Chen Xun hadn’t ventured into its main districts. Those towering structures, including the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion, were too imposing, creating immense pressure. He realized that his knowledge was still insufficient, and both his strength and financial resources were sorely lacking.

Sister Crane glanced up at Chen Xun. “Big Brother?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you worried about something?”

“Not at all. You’re still too young to understand the struggles of being broke.” Chen Xun chuckled, his gaze profound. “If we had no choice, we’d have to join some sect or faction, but that would mean losing our freedom.”

Sister Crane lowered her head, her long hair swaying slightly, before she looked up resolutely. “Big Brother, it seems cultivation is harder than I thought. Everything requires spirit stones.”

Chen Xun smirked. “Of course. Remember, Sister Crane, observe and think carefully. I’ll earn enough spirit stones to buy you as many books as you want.”

Her face froze instantly. “…”

The mountain base grew quiet once more. Sister Crane sat cross-legged on the ground, engrossed in her reading, her expression serious. She couldn’t afford to waste time—not with Big Brother watching her.

Time passed swiftly, and after three days, Brother Ox and Xiao Chi had completed the construction of the large teleportation array. Their triumphant shouts echoed from the mountain.

Chen Xun turned toward the nervous-looking Mo Fuyang. “Mo, my friend, let’s go.”

“Yes, Senior,” Mo Fuyang replied hastily, following close behind.

The small mountain had undergone a dramatic transformation. Brother Ox had layered numerous formations, creating a maze of illusions and mist. The entire mountain now appeared cloaked in a surreal fog.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Half of the mountain had been hollowed out by Xiao Chi, revealing a massive Five Elements teleportation array within.

Mo Fuyang wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. His limited experience made him marvel at the array’s overwhelming pressure, which even caused his spiritual energy to stagnate. Unlike a standard spatial tunnel, this formation’s stability and complexity were unparalleled.

“Moo~!” Brother Ox stepped forward, activating the array. The once-dim formation began to glow with the radiance of the Five Elements, unleashing a towering aura.

Mo Fuyang found himself struggling to breathe. The formation’s power seemed to dominate the atmosphere, leaving him feeling utterly insignificant.

Buzz!

A deep, resonant hum filled the air as the teleportation array activated. In an instant, they disappeared from the mountain on Lichen Island.

The skies stretched endlessly, and the sea breeze carried with it the familiar stench of the garbage islands.

Emerging from the mountain, the group looked out over the landscape. In the distance, the Garbage Recycling Plant stood like a fortress amidst the sea of waste.

“Senior, we’re back?” Mo Fuyang’s eyes widened as he took in the familiar surroundings. His gaze turned toward Brother Ox. “Senior Ox, your mastery of formations is truly extraordinary.”

“Moo~” Brother Ox snorted proudly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. The stability of the teleportation array was his signature technique, perfected through countless trials.

“Let’s go,” Chen Xun commanded, taking to the air and heading toward the sprawling garbage dump where dozens of figures could be seen scavenging.

In the midst of the garbage dump, a chubby Taoist in a tattered robe was busy scavenging, holding a compass in his right hand. Short and stocky, with bright, cunning eyes, he exuded a sense of rugged determination.

“Seek crystal, find treasure; measure feng shui, balance yin and yang. The world was once formless; who needs immortals to illuminate its clarity?”

The chubby Taoist chanted under his breath while twirling his compass. His voice rose to a shout as he completed his incantation, “Commune with the heavens, split earth and mountains!”

With a loud bang, a section of the garbage heap exploded, revealing a fragment of blackened metal dripping with an unknown liquid.

“Hahaha! A piece of Great Desolate Crow God Crystal! Nothing escapes the Taoist’s grasp!” he crowed, reaching for the fragment. Before his hand could grasp it, a thunderous voice boomed across the dump.

“Fellow Daoists!”

Standing atop a towering garbage mound, Chen Xun cupped his hands in greeting, his voice resonating for miles. Many scavengers jumped in alarm, some even falling from the sky in surprise.

The chubby Taoist stumbled and fell face-first into the trash heap, emerging moments later covered in filth. “Who in the heavens?!” he bellowed, his voice tinged with frustration and fear.

“How dare you, you insolent little Taoist!” Xiao Chi roared, flames flickering around his form as he descended. “You dare shout at my Big Brother?!”

Moo! Brother Ox let out a deep bellow, his imposing presence dominating the air as he stepped forward to back Xiao Chi.

The chubby Taoist’s face turned pale, and his voice quavered as he hastily explained, “Misunderstanding, Senior! It’s all a misunderstanding!”

Xiao Chi landed before him, his fiery mane glowing menacingly. “What’s that in your hand?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing.

“A… a compass for treasure hunting, Senior! That’s all!” The Taoist stammered, hastily hiding the tool. “My family has fallen on hard times… I’m just here to scavenge.”

Xiao Chi raised an eyebrow, unsure of what the Taoist meant but issuing a warning growl nonetheless.

The surrounding scavengers, all at the Nascent Soul stage, stood frozen on their mounds of garbage. Their hands clasped in respectful salutes, none dared to ascend or make any sudden moves, each consumed by unease.

“Fellow Daoists, no need for alarm,” Chen Xun called out, his voice warm and reassuring. “Today, I officially announce the establishment of our Garbage Recycling Plant. We aim to purchase your Great Desolate Crow God Crystal fragments.”

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. “For every four catties of raw fragments, you’ll receive one hundred mid-grade spirit stones. No need to refine them—just bring the raw fragments to the recycling plant.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some scavengers looked ecstatic, while others remained skeptical, silently observing.

The chubby Taoist’s eyes widened. “Senior… is this for real? I have five catties right now!”

Xiao Chi’s fiery gaze bore into the Taoist, silencing any doubts. “Bring it up, then. Big Brother will handle it.”

With trembling hands, the Taoist ascended into the sky, clutching his fragments tightly. As Chen Xun held out his Spirit Mark, the transaction unfolded before the eyes of all. The Spirit Mark’s radiant glow, paired with Chen Xun’s calm demeanor, quickly silenced the remaining doubts of the crowd.