Blood grew exasperated as he stared at the crystal again. Its protruding spikes looked menacing. He knew full well that without the crystal, the beast could not have lived a second.
He scrutinized it as though he could see whether the venomous effects had worn off. But with his mother's relaxed gaze, he suspected she had an antidote at hand. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so calm.
Blood placed the crystal beside the carcass and darted his eyes toward his mother.
"How i—"
He was cut off before he could finish.
"The cobra appeared to be in its 'best' form. How many energy crystals would it fetch?" Ivory asked, her voice elated as she crouched closer.
"Looking at its decapitated state, it amounts to little more than a hundred crystals." Maria replied, a light smirk tugging at the corner of her cheek. "Of course, had you retained the body perfectly, its worth would have increased."
Blood and Ivory clenched their fists at the same time. Blood didn't know the true value of beast carcasses or their crystals, but he knew one thing clearly—his mother was nabbing him.
If he had known the worth of a complete beast carcass, he would have clenched his teeth, even if the one he brought was already battered.
Ivory, however, had a slight idea.
She knew that the complete carcass of an Iron Realm stage-one beast was equivalent to about three hundred energy crystals. Stage-two beasts were worth even more, and a stage-six beast should have been far higher.
How could her mother propose only a little more than a hundred?
Humph.
"There's no way beasts would be this cheap. How do you expect the explorers to live?" Ivory said, staring at her mother in disbelief. Then she turned her eyes toward her brother and added,
"Since you can't go out for now because of the rules in place, I'll go with Kelly and exchange it in no time. The Hunter Union branch isn't far away." Her tone was straight, as she walked toward the carcass.
Blood nodded, fully understanding the hint.
Maria wore a faint smile—a smile that irked to be called a smile. "Putting our relationship into consideration, the price could be raised to three times the previous amount."
Blood's expression eased slightly at the mention of the increase. He was ready to agree, but before he could, another voice cut in—unsated and sharp.
"What beast are you talking about, young woman?" Ivory asked, lips curled. The floor was empty; the carcass had vanished. She had stowed it away without anyone noticing.
Blood was perplexed, then raised his hand secretly to give his sister a thumb-up. She was the only one in the family who could speak 'evenly' with their parents, and so they often sought to curry favor in her.
Maria narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her daughter. "Haha. What are you so vigilant about? You'd better bring that carcass out if you don't want to be locked up." she threatened.
"Haa, I'm not afraid." Ivory retorted with absolute defiance.
Her cherry voice rang out, compelling, almost enchanting—one that could make someone disregard everything else and submit to her with unwavering loyalty.
"Hmm… Baby, if you continue this way, you will only be putting your brother in a difficult position, not me. One word, and the gates would be closed. Let's see how you exchange that then." Maria stated, leaving no room for further discussion as she rose to depart.
Ivory's complexion visibly contorted. Her mother was the only oppressor she had ever known. Her father was far better. She could always do as she pleased with him.
Haa.
"Two thousand energy crystals it is then." she blurted out before her mother could reach the door.
"Hehe, little one. I've already told you how much your little beast is worth. Forget about further bargaining. You'd better let that carcass out while you still have the chance. And don't think your father will help you when he returns. Your stubbornness is only delaying your satiated brother." Maria scowled, stepping forward.
Ivory unconsciously turned to her brother, as if to determine whether he was truly satiated, only to see his contorted expression.
"Wait…" Ivory called, her voice breaking with dejection. It was as if she had failed him.
Blood gently patted her shoulder, assuring her it was okay and that she had already done enough. His sister loved him more than most, especially since he was at home more often and spent much of his time with her.
"Mum, can I also get my cultivation resources for the next two months all at once now? I really have a need for them." he pleaded.
Maria's expression hardened. "Oh sweetheart, you know the rules. I won't have you waste your resources on hole digging I see no use in. When you have a concrete reason, you may return." Her rejection was immediate.
This was exactly what Blood had feared. He already knew it was unlikely for him to receive resources wantonly. He wanted to plead further, but with a sweep of her hand through the air, he was silenced.
"You'll receive your crystals now." she declared. Stretching out her hand, energy crystals, precisely a thousand soon spread freely across the glittering tiles. Without another word, she exited the room.
Blood was awed when he saw the sheer number of crystals scattered across the floor, immediately bending down to collect them one by one. This many energy crystals would go a long way, though he knew deep down they might not be enough to complete the entire task.
It seemed his mother had been benevolent enough to give more than expected—perhaps to ease Ivory's worry.
"Hey, little sister. Thanks for your assistance. You should go rest upstairs while I continue my uhh… project." he said, standing close to her puppy face while playfully ruffling her hair.
"Mother obviously kept more of the crystals." Ivory said dejectedly. "You better tell me what this project of yours is all about when you return. You've been spending too much time in the sun. I'm afraid there won't be any lady for you." she chuckled as she climbed upstairs.
"Hmm, so long as I have you by my side, why should I consider anyone else's affection?" Blood shouted after her, making sure she heard, before leaving directly to meet his friend.
Maria shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Children's relationships were truly one of the best treasures a person could ever have.
___
Blood arrived, and together with Ballock, they immediately set to work. Neither of them knew how far these few crystals would carry them, nor how they would acquire more once they ran out. But there was no time for hesitation—they had to make do with what they had.
They filled the Crystal-Powered Shovel, its grooves glowing faintly. The sound of confinement slowly being carved away resounded, as their digging continued.
___
Gallop, Gallop, Gallop...
The earth gave a weak rumble and shifted as the desert‑like sand swirled into motion. A cloud of dust rolled along with the line of carriages as they drew closer to their destination.
The carriages were bound to several steeds—the Earth‑Glaze horses—whose huffs and pounding gallops carried them swiftly toward the forest ahead.
The lead coachman, clearly the head among them, could already make out the outlines of people and tents distributed across the forest's edge, clustered beneath its towering trees.
So many are already outside the forest… how many more lie within?
The pleasant treasures might already have been seized, leaving only scraps for those who arrived late, like them.
However, who could truly discern what counted as treasure except one learned in the field? Some herbs might appear ordinary, but in truth they were rare resources, easily overlooked.
Thus, the alchemists stood on the brighter side of this event, their trained eyes ensuring that what others dismissed as common wouldn't escape their notice.
Nevertheless, arriving early had always been the best. It was like stepping into a store with enough gold to choose the finest goods, leaving only the inferior wares for those who came late.
The group nearest to the spot where the red mist had invaded was the Marble family—except for the cultivators who had already been close to the forest or inside it before the occurrence.
Neighs…
The Earth‑Glaze horses halted in their tracks with a heavy huff as the Head Coachman dismounted to open the carriage door. He carried the most important of the alchemists on board.
But before he could, a voice reached his ears. it was a voice he knew too well.
"Have we made it already?"
The words rang clear, a lucid tone drifting from within the carriage.