Eternal Tale

Chapter 357: Garbage Dump

As the words fell, Chen Xun rose, his gaze signaling the others.

Whoosh!

In an instant, the surrounding barriers, formations, and divine sense dissipated. The fragrant scent of flowers filled the air as the bright sun illuminated a grand mountain ahead.

Mo Fuyang took a deep breath, scanning the familiar surroundings. It felt as if an eternity had passed.

“Little friend, are you heading to the garbage site?”

“Yes, senior,” Mo Fuyang replied earnestly.

“I see a spiritual vein here. Is no one occupying it?” Chen Xun’s brow furrowed slightly. Based on the spiritual energy emanating from the site, it appeared comparable to a ninth-grade vein in his small domain. “It seems it should also have an accompanying spirit stone mine.”

He now understood that the density of spiritual energy in the Taiyi Great World far surpassed that of their small domain. Even the herbs’ ages and qualities differed greatly.

From what he had gathered, the medicinal potency of a thousand-year-old herb here could surpass the same-aged herb from the small domain by several levels. This was an entirely new world—prior knowledge could only serve as a vague reference.

Had it not been for the enhanced effects of his system-fueled alchemy and his usage of herbs exceeding the standard age limits, the pills he distributed earlier might have been problematic.

“Senior, it’s normal for low-grade ninth-rank veins to appear at garbage sites like this,” Mo Fuyang explained, shaking his head. “They might still be useful to Golden Core cultivators, but ninth-rank veins don’t produce accompanying spirit stone mines.”

“The cultivators who come here typically have mediocre talents. If they rely solely on such veins without purchasing external resources, their cultivation will stagnate.”

Mo Fuyang’s calm tone carried a hint of honesty. “Only veins of seventh rank or higher might yield accompanying spirit stone mines, but those are far beyond the reach of itinerant cultivators like us.”

Brother Ox snorted, raising a cloud of dust with his hoof. Xiao Chi excitedly chimed in, “Brother Xun, let’s look for a spirit stone mine later!”

Chen Xun chuckled. “Not a bad idea, Xiao Chi.”

Sister Crane’s bright eyes scanned the surroundings, noting how the landmass here was merely an island amidst the vast expanse.

Chen Xun gestured lightly, summoning a small, worn-out ship into existence. It hovered with the faint hum of spiritual energy, powered by spirit stones.

With a single step, Chen Xun appeared on the ship’s bow, smiling. “Little friend, shall we head to the garbage site together?”

“Yes, senior. Thank you, senior!” Mo Fuyang’s gratitude was palpable as he bowed deeply.

Brother Ox, Sister Crane, and Xiao Chi quickly boarded the ship, inserting the low-grade spirit stones to power its flight.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The ship lifted off, soaring over towering mountains and valleys. Sunlight filtered through the mist, casting multicolored rays over the gliding vessel. The sky seemed impossibly high, the clouds ethereal and dreamlike.

Chen Xun stood silently at the bow, his expression contemplative. Mo Fuyang respectfully stood to the side, not daring to interrupt.

Behind them, Brother Ox, Sister Crane, and Xiao Chi buzzed with excitement at the ship’s stern. Their animated chatter filled the air, blending harmoniously with the sea breeze.

“Second Brother, look at that purple flower on the mountaintop!”

“Moo~~!”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Sister Crane, be careful! Don’t fall!”

“Heehee!”

<hr>

For seven days, they traveled through majestic landscapes, occasionally spotting patches of spiritual grass scattered across the land, seemingly newly planted.

At one point, Chen Xun’s hand twitched faintly as they passed.

Finally, a gentle breeze carried them over a coastline. Ahead, the vast sea stretched endlessly under the sun’s radiant glow, exuding a sense of serenity and grandeur.

Chen Xun and the others gazed toward the horizon, where the shoreline had vanished completely. Piles of debris from the Xuanwei Heavens’ cultivation world formed mountainous heaps on scattered islands. The air was heavy with turbid energy, and faint figures darted across the distance.

An indescribable odor wafted through the air, and the surrounding spiritual energy felt noticeably thinner.

“Little friend, why dump waste here? Can it not be destroyed or burned with spiritual energy?” Chen Xun’s gaze swept across the horizon, where the sheer volume of discarded material stretched endlessly.

Sister Crane clutched Chen Xun’s sleeve nervously, while Brother Ox’s sharp eyes scanned the area. Xiao Chi stood at the rear, his gaze cold and vigilant, instinctively shielding Sister Crane in their formation.

“Senior, this is merely the remnants,” Mo Fuyang explained earnestly. “Most waste is destroyed, but what remains is still substantial.”

“Oh?”

“Senior, consider this: with countless sentient beings and innumerable sects, even minor daily discards from Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation cultivators accumulate massively.”

“I see your point.” Chen Xun’s voice carried a measured calm.

Mo Fuyang continued, “If this waste were left to pile up near major sects, it would pollute their spiritual veins and thin the spiritual energy. Sect resources are limited, so they must be managed efficiently.”

“Even I can’t destroy something like the Nine Heavens Celestial Sound Formation Disk if it breaks. It would simply become a burden.”

Chen Xun nodded. “The quality of artifacts in this world is indeed remarkable. Such waste management systems speak to a more advanced cultivation civilization.”

Mo Fuyang added, “The Xuanwei Heavens’ cultivation history is ancient. Any major mishandling of waste would severely harm a sect’s reputation, and the Nine Heavens Celestial Alliance’s system ensures accountability. No cultivator dares to ignore it.”

Chen Xun’s gaze deepened. “Understanding these practices alone reveals the progressive nature of this cultivation world. Those at the apex must operate on a scale far beyond our imagination.”