Chapter 422: When the Glitter Fades, the True Essence Emerges
After dropping off Wang Zai, Mo Yu decisively took his leave.
Although Jiang Chen was the Spirit Cultivator of this Spirit Farm-a man of high status, position, and prestige whom one should strive to court-Mo Yu knew better than to rush things.
With the hound and the golden-furred mother wolf acting as a bridge, there would be plenty of time to cultivate their ties.
Jin Fugui, however, stayed behind. His expression was steeped in mystery; one look was enough to tell he had something to say.
Jiang Chen cast him a thoughtful glance before gesturing toward the door. “Let’s go inside.”
As for Wang Zai, the pup was naturally left in the care of its canine father.
Although the two shared a similar coat of fur, their appearances were distinctly different.
As the pup grew, the yellow vortex pattern on Wang Zai’s head became increasingly pronounced.
More importantly, despite being only a month old, it brimmed with boundless energy. Rather than cowering in an unfamiliar place, it bounded about, exploring every nook and cranny with visible excitement.
When the excitement peaked, it would even lunge forward to bite Da Huang.A genuine, vicious little bite.
One that actually hurt.
This annoyed Da Huang to no end, prompting the older hound to bare his fangs at the unruly pup.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui stepped into the stone house.
The moment the heavy door clicked shut, Jin Fugui produced a Storage Bag. “Old Jiang, this holds the total profits from the Return to Ruins Secret Realm over the last twenty-odd days.
Naturally, I’ve already deducted our costs.”
Jiang Chen accepted the pouch and swept his Divine Sense inside. Seeing the sheer mountain of Spirit Stones, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. “Did the profits actually increase as time went on?”
Normally, the market would begin to stagnate after fifteen days.
Furthermore, the presence of that mysterious figure in the secret realm should have severely impacted their margins.
Yet looking at this haul, they had earned far more than he ever imagined. It was simply unbelievable.
Jin Fugui explained, “Although the incident in the Return to Ruins Secret Realm terrified many into staying away, several core and formal disciples formed massive expeditions to delve deeper. So, while we had fewer individual buyers, the sheer volume of goods they purchased skyrocketed.”
From the first profit split until these last twenty-odd days.
After deducting the costs, their total net profit amounted to 268,658 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.
It was the equivalent of raking in over ten thousand stones a day-a truly terrifying sum.
Jiang Chen asked, “Have you and Old Mo taken your shares yet?”
Jin Fugui waved his hands frantically. “You weren’t here! How could we dare?”
Jiang Chen pondered for a moment before retrieving two smaller Storage Bags.
One for Old Mo, and one for Old Bai.
Then, he began to divide the wealth.
Since he had provided nearly all the Spirit Weapons, Spirit Pills, and medicinal herbs, he naturally claimed the lion’s share.
Jin Fugui and Mo Yu had contributed both funds and legwork, earning them a substantial cut.
As for Old Bai, who only supplied spirit talismans, his share fell short of Old Jin’s but remained higher than Old Mo’s.
Before long, the mountain of Spirit Stones was cleanly divided.
Net profit: 268,658 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.
Jiang Chen’s share: 165,646.
Jin Fugui’s share: 55,825.
Mo Yu’s share: 19,531.
Bai Xiaotian’s share: 27,644.
Staring at his bulging pouch of Spirit Stones, Jin Fugui offered a foolish, wide grin. “Old Jiang, if another opportunity like this ever pops up, you have to count us in!”
He felt that if he went all-in just a few more times, he could buy out the entirety of Beast Mountain.
Then, he would personally oversee the management of every single spirit beast’s dung.
As for those who had once looked down on him… hmph!
Jiang Chen stowed away his own share along with Old Bai’s, then gave a firm nod. “Of course.”
Jin Fugui turned to open the door, tossing a remark over his shoulder. “Winter is fast approaching. I need to buy up some more land to build proper shelters for the spirit beasts, so I’ll head back first.”
Jiang Chen followed him out. “Remember to notify Old Mo early.”
Jin Fugui strode to the roadside, swiftly summoning his camel. “Don’t worry, I’ve already sent word. He’ll definitely be back within the next few days.”
With that, he spurred his camel and sped off into the distance.
Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze, turning his attention back to Da Huang and Wang Zai by the doghouse.
He quickly realized that whether one was human or a spirit beast, raising offspring was a profoundly painful endeavor.
In less than a quarter of an hour, Da Huang had already been driven to the brink of madness by Wang Zai.
The older hound tilted his head, staring pleadingly at his master as if to say, “Hurry up and do something about this!”
Jiang Chen chuckled dryly. “It’s your own pup. Naturally, you manage it yourself.”
Instantly, Da Huang’s eyes clouded over with utter helplessness and despair.
Crack!
Crunch!
At that very moment, Wang Zai began frantically pawing at the earth, managing to carve out a downward tunnel in an astonishingly short span of time.
Jiang Chen blinked in surprise before striding over to peer into the hole.
Good heavens. So young, yet its digging speed already rivaled that of the Dragon-Transformed Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother.
In the span of a few breaths, the pup had burrowed at least three meters deep into the earth.
It twisted and turned through the dirt with effortless grace, completely unhindered by the dense soil.
If this continued, the doghouse would collapse. Jiang Chen raised a hand, his spiritual energy catching the digging Wang Zai and yanking the pup up from the depths.
Disturbed from its work, the little pup let out an unhappy series of barks, its tiny voice carrying a distinct edge of threat.
Da Huang immediately slapped it with a heavy paw. A dull thump echoed out, striking the pup so hard that tears welled up in its eyes.
But the older hound wasn’t finished; he followed up with a series of fierce, guttural growls, his tone brimming with stern warning.
Witnessing this, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but marvel. “It has Da Huang’s sturdy build and the golden-furred mother wolf’s ferocity.
And judging by that digging speed, it must possess an earth-attribute affinity. This little pup’s future is far from simple.”
Yet, the more unruly it was, the more he found himself liking it.
A peaceful life always needed a bit of added excitement, after all.
Time flowed like water, and soon it was noon.
While tending to the stove, Jiang Chen suddenly received a transmission from Elder Mu.
“Little Jiang!”
“Manager!”
“The Red Leaf Valley has been fully vacated. When do you plan to head over?”
“I’ve just finished the harvest on my end, so I’m ready whenever.”
“Go take a look first. Decide on the layout for your residence, the Spirit Farm, and the Formation.”
“Understood!”
The transmission faded, and Jiang Chen set down his Spirit Cultivator token.
Just then, the chaotic sounds of Da Huang disciplining Wang Zai erupted from the yard once more.
It seemed the little menace had stirred up trouble again.
Bowl in hand, Jiang Chen strolled to the doorway, leaning against the frame to enjoy the show.
He watched as one chased, and the other fled.
One pursued with fierce intent, while the other scrambled away in sheer panic.
In its blind flight, Wang Zai accidentally barged straight into Ge Ge’s chicken coop.
The pup likely thought it was just a mere chicken-nothing to fear.
But it never expected the feathered beast to be larger than itself.
Before the pup could even close the distance, Ge Ge lashed out with a powerful kick, sending it flying without a shred of mercy.
The little dog tumbled through the air for over a meter. That strike clearly stung; the moment it hit the dirt, its tail tucked firmly between its legs.
Whimpering pitifully, it scurried back to its father’s side, pressing tightly against the older hound’s flank. It seemed the pup wouldn’t dare act up again anytime soon.
Witnessing this miserable display, neither Jiang Chen nor Da Huang felt the slightest bit of pity. Instead, man and dog both bared their teeth in identical, schadenfreude-filled grins.
…
…
The Red Leaf Valley of today had been stripped of its former bustling clamor.
A heavy, absolute stillness blanketed the gorge.
Even when the wind swept through, the ancient red maples no longer clattered with crisp, lively snaps, but instead murmured in soft, desolate rustles.
The vibrant buildings that once lined the valley had been dismantled, leaving behind nothing but bare, scarred earth and empty streets.
From the entrance all the way to the far exit, the ground was choked with a thick carpet of withered leaves, the faint, pungent scent of rot hanging heavy in the air.
Jiang Chen stood at the valley’s mouth, his gaze sweeping over the desolate landscape. He couldn’t help but sigh. “Truly, when the glitter fades, the true essence emerges!”