Eternal Tale

Chapter 372: Worry

“Senior, please hold on a moment,” Wan Xiangying said, producing a jade token. With a gentle touch, a beam of radiant light descended from above, enveloping their surroundings.

Chen Xun’s eyes narrowed as he observed the phenomenon. The harmony of the five elements, spiritual energy, and celestial essence resonated in subtle waves. “What kind of technique is this…?” he murmured to himself, astonished by its intricacy.

The radiant column dissipated as quickly as it appeared, leaving behind a perfectly formed Spirit Mark on the table. Wan Xiangying retrieved the jade token with a smile. “Senior, here is your Spirit Mark. Please transfer the spirit stones to finalize the process.”

Chen Xun hesitated momentarily. Despite Wan Xiangying’s unassuming cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage, the refinement of this process and the mark’s effortless manifestation intrigued him. Nonetheless, he complied, retrieving a sum of spirit stones from his storage ring and placing them on the table.

“Senior, to activate your Spirit Mark, channel a wisp of your soul and spiritual imprint into it. This mark will then be uniquely tied to you,” Wan Xiangying explained as she carefully gathered the stones into her own Spirit Mark. “If your stored balance reaches the current mark’s capacity, the Myriad Realms Bank will upgrade it to the next tier free of charge.”

Nodding, Chen Xun extended two fingers, exuding a faint ethereal light as he linked his mark. However, the soul wisp he offered wasn’t from his primary essence but one of his five auxiliary primordial spirits. These five supplementary lives provided him an unparalleled edge in situations where others might find themselves vulnerable.

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Over the next incense stick’s time, Chen Xun immersed himself in binding the mark. The glow around the Spirit Mark dimmed as it fully integrated with his auxiliary essence. A moment later, he opened his eyes, the light within them sharper and more focused than before.

“It’s done,” he said, his voice calm but tinged with authority. “Thank you, Lady Wan.”

“The pleasure is mine, Senior Chen,” Wan Xiangying replied with a respectful bow. “Should you have any questions about the mark’s functions, the details are outlined within. I will now take my leave.”

With that, she gracefully departed, leaving Chen Xun alone with his thoughts. As soon as she was out of sight, his expression darkened. His usual warmth was replaced with an air of quiet vigilance, his gaze cold and penetrating.

“Such a seamless process…” Chen Xun mused. “The Spirit Mark’s mechanics are beyond my understanding, but its potential vulnerabilities cannot be ignored. To entrust even a fraction of my essence to an external system… it’s either brilliance or madness.”

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Chen Xun explored the Spirit Mark’s capabilities further. It wasn’t merely a repository for wealth; it was a meticulously crafted artifact that connected to the bank’s vast network. Depositing his remaining 30,000 mid-grade spirit stones, he watched as the mark absorbed them seamlessly, leaving no traceable energy fluctuations.

“This defies logic,” he muttered, rotating the mark in his palm. “No spatial ripples, no detectable transfers… It’s as though the stones vanished into another realm.”

Despite his unease, he recognized the mark’s value. For now, he would rely on it while remaining vigilant for potential flaws.

With a wave of his hand, Chen Xun extinguished the auxiliary wisp used to bind the mark, ensuring no lingering vulnerabilities. He then left the secluded chamber, rejoining his companions outside.

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“Senior!” Sister Crane’s delighted voice rang out as she spotted him. Beside her, Brother Ox and Xiao Chi stood with equally bright expressions.

“It’s done,” Chen Xun announced, his usual warmth returning as he gestured toward the street. “We’re heading to secure a plot of land next. Once that’s settled, we’ll return to the island.”

“Land?” Little Chi tilted his head. “Do we need land? Can’t we just find a good cave and dig in?”

Chen Xun laughed, ruffling the little lion’s mane. “This isn’t the wilderness, Xiao Chi. Here, owning land means security and status. We’ll be establishing a base that no one can contest.”

As they walked, Chen Xun recounted Wan Xiangying’s explanations about the Spirit Mark and the bank’s role in stabilizing the immortal path. Xiao Chi’s eyes widened in awe, while Sister Crane nodded thoughtfully.

“Big Brother,” Sister Crane finally spoke up, her tone cautious. “Do you truly believe the world is as harmonious as she described?”

Chen Xun’s steps slowed. “What do you think, Sister Crane?” he asked, his voice calm but expectant.

Little Crane fidgeted with her sleeves, her eyes darting about nervously. “I think… what she said sounds too good to be true. It’s always better to trust what we see and experience for ourselves.”

A sharp flick to the forehead interrupted her musings.

“Ouch! Big Brother!” she cried, clutching her head.

Chen Xun crossed his arms. “And here I thought you’d learned something. Were you just parroting what I’ve taught you?”

“I-I wasn’t!” she protested, her voice trembling. “I really meant it!”

Xiao Chi and Brother Ox stepped in, laughing nervously as they tried to diffuse the tension.

“Alright, alright,” Xiao Chi said, waving a paw. “Big Brother, let her off the hook. She’s just a kid.”

Chen Xun huffed but relented. “Fine. But next time, think before you speak. We’re in a world where words carry weight.”

Sister Crane nodded furiously, her eyes wide with determination. “I’ll do better, Big Brother!”