Eternal Tale

Chapter 356: Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance

“Yellow-Rank costs a thousand mid-grade spirit stones, Profound-Rank ten thousand, Earth-Rank… hundreds of thousands of high-grade spirit stones.”

When Mo Fuyang mentioned Earth-Rank, his voice trembled slightly. High-grade spirit stones were something he had never even seen. “As for Heaven-Rank… I wouldn’t know, senior. It’s likely priced in supreme-grade spirit stones.”

He noticed the seniors’ stunned expressions and quickly clarified, “The disk I possess is a family heirloom and has been passed down for over three thousand years. I did not purchase it myself.”

Hiss!

Chen Xun and his companions drew in sharp breaths. The quality was undeniable, but so was the expense. High-grade and supreme-grade spirit stones were things they had never encountered before.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Little friend, is its quality truly this remarkable?”

“Senior, this item is produced by the Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance. While it’s costly, the craftsmanship is impeccable. Many of their products are built to last millennia,” Mo Fuyang explained with reverence, gently stroking the disk. “It can even absorb ambient spiritual energy for self-recharge. None dare question the prestige of the Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance.”

“Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance? Just from this item, I’m inclined to agree,” Chen Xun remarked. He marveled at the quality and the convenience the disk provided. “And the information it offers truly benefits cultivators at every level.”

Mo Fuyang hesitated slightly, sensing the sincerity in the senior’s tone but unsure how to respond. Meanwhile, Chen Xun picked up one of the low-grade spirit stones Mo Fuyang had displayed. Though familiar in shape, it contained a purity of energy far surpassing what he was used to.

“Little friend, you’ve nothing to be embarrassed about.” Chen Xun’s voice was steady, laced with genuine warmth. “We all start somewhere. There’s no shame in that.”

Brother Ox mooed in agreement, settling comfortably nearby. Sister Crane, seated with her notebook, blinked attentively, capturing her brother’s words for future reflection.

Mo Fuyang’s heart trembled slightly at the senior’s humility. But the quiet snickering from Xiao Chi’s direction quickly shattered his moment of reverie, leaving him feeling on edge.

<hr>

Chen Xun continued to examine the spirit stone. “This level of energy purity paired with such dense spiritual energy must greatly enhance cultivation speeds.”

“Precisely, senior,” Mo Fuyang replied, his voice tinged with awe. “Low-grade spirit stones deplete quickly, while mid-grade ones sustain longer and offer immense utility beyond cultivation. No cultivator—no matter their status—would ever complain about having too many.”

“I see. Then mid-grade stones must be ideal for Nascent Soul and even Deity Transformation cultivators?”

“Indeed, senior. A single mid-grade stone could sustain me for days and is equivalent to weeks of dedicated training without it,” Mo Fuyang explained, his tone reverent. “These stones serve countless purposes and are universally sought after.”

“If that’s the case,” Chen Xun said with a faint smile, “The pill I gifted you likely equates to a year of cultivation, does it not?”

“Your wisdom is unparalleled, senior!” Mo Fuyang exclaimed, bowing deeply. “This pill is a treasure I hardly deserve.”

<hr>

Brother Ox swished his tail, impressed by Chen Xun’s reasoning. Meanwhile, Xiao Chi tilted his head, whispering a calculation. “A single pill equals a year… that’s remarkable!”

Chen Xun remained calm, though inwardly pleased. “Little friend, now that we understand spirit stones better, can you explain the cultivation hierarchy in this world?”

“Ah? Senior?” Mo Fuyang’s surprise was evident. “You mean… the foundational cultivation levels?”

“Indeed,” Chen Xun replied, his gaze unwavering.

Mo Fuyang swallowed hard, choosing his words carefully. “Cultivation here progresses as follows: Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation, Void Refinement, Integration, Great Ascension, and finally Tribulation.”

He hesitated, then added, “It is said that there are realms beyond Tribulation, but such knowledge is shrouded in mystery. Even the Nine Heavens Celestial Sound Disk rarely mentions them.”

Chen Xun listened intently, his expression thoughtful. Tribulation-level cultivators with lifespans exceeding twenty millennia were a far cry from anything he’d previously imagined. For Brother Ox, however, the discussion of lifespans felt inconsequential. His concern lay beyond mortality—ensuring Xiao Chi’s eventual success in overcoming the barriers of his lifespan.

Sister Crane tilted her head, her innocent eyes sparkling. Lifespan mattered little to her; as long as she could stay with her family, she was content.

<hr>

“And this location?” Chen Xun asked, changing the subject.

“This… is a dumping ground,” Mo Fuyang admitted sheepishly. “We call ourselves ‘Treasure Seekers.’ The ‘Clear Dust Nebula Ship’ arrives every century to discard waste from Xuanwei Heavens.”

“A dumping ground?” Chen Xun repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, senior,” Mo Fuyang confirmed. “This is the renowned garbage field of Xuanwei Heavens. Even spirit beasts avoid this place.”

Brother Ox: “...”

Sister Crane: “...”

Xiao Chi: “...”

Chen Xun chuckled dryly, brushing off the revelation. “It’s as I suspected all along.”