C14 One Egg

"Ha, this must be the Storage Ring, right?" Zhang Yu exclaimed in surprise as he removed a ring from the deceased Tu Hong's hand.

"I've only read about these in books before, but now I'm finally holding one in my hand. It's said that the ring can only bond with a new owner after the original owner's death. I'm curious to see if that's true. Let's give it a try."

With that, Zhang Yu bit his finger and let a drop of his blood fall onto the ring.

"It actually worked!" Feeling the incredible connection between himself and the Storage Ring, Zhang Yu couldn't contain his joy.

"Let's see what kind of surprises are in store for me." He sent his divine sense into the Storage Ring and was greeted by a meticulously stacked pile of Spirit Stones, resembling a miniature mountain. Upon closer inspection, Zhang Yu was thrilled to discover that the majority were Middle and High Grade Spirit Stones, roughly totaling at least a hundred thousand.

On the Vast Dragon Continent, gold and silver were as worthless as dirt to Cultivators; Spirit Stones were the universal currency in circulation. Spirit Stones were categorized into three levels: low, middle, and high. Above these was the rare Spirit Stone Soul Essence, which could only sporadically be found in large veins and was virtually unseen on the market. The exchange rate between the different grades of Spirit Stones was generally about one to a hundred, meaning one Middle Grade Spirit Stone could be traded for a hundred Low Grade ones, and one High Grade Spirit Stone for a hundred Middle Grade ones.

However, while it was easy to trade down from higher to lower grade Spirit Stones, the reverse was much more challenging. High-level martial cultivators only valued high-quality Spirit Stones for their ability to rapidly replenish spiritual energy; they had no interest in the lower grades.

In a small locale like Yishui Town, only minor Low Grade Spirit Stone veins existed, and their yield was meager. Consequently, most transactions in the market were conducted with gold and silver. Typically, members of the Zhang family would rely on absorbing the spiritual energy from nature for their cultivation, as Spirit Stones were a rarity. Each family member received a limited number of Spirit Stones monthly, which they conserved for breakthroughs in their cultivation realms.

Spirit Stones are the lifeblood of Cultivators, an essential resource coveted by every faction. Ample Spirit Stones are needed to fuel the cultivation of disciples and forge more formidable warriors. With Spirit Stones in hand, one can acquire a variety of exotic treasures, Medicine Pills, and weapons.

When converted into Low Grade Spirit Stones, Zhang Yu found himself in possession of tens of millions. With the wealth he now commanded, he could easily purchase several Yishui Towns!

The old adage rang true for Zhang Yu: "A horse won't get fat without night grass, and a person won't get rich without a windfall." Indeed, Zhang Yu had become the epitome of a nouveau riche.

Trying to contain his overwhelming excitement, Zhang Yu pressed on with his inventory. He discovered bundles of Level 2 and 3 herbal medicines discarded in a corner as if they were mere garbage. There was also a substantial number of Level 4 herbs, including over a dozen Ice Flame Profound Spirit Fruits, which he had previously obtained at great peril. The more advanced Level 5 and 6 herbs were far less common, each carefully encased in a treasured jade box. Among the collection were some herbs unfamiliar to Zhang Yu, yet their extraordinary nature was palpable.

Among the remaining treasures were a dozen spiritual weapons and a Profound Artifact hammer. Mysteriously, Tu Hong hadn't used them in the recent life-or-death struggle, leaving Zhang Yu to reap the unintended rewards. There was also an assortment of Demon Beast Crystals of varying levels. Oddly enough, there were no high-level Medicine Pills, only basic ones like Qi Condensation Pills, Hemostasis Powder, and White Jade Paste.

The reason for this was that Tu Hong wasn't a local warrior; he was a fugitive who had made enemies and fled to this area. He had already used his high-level Medicine Pills to treat his injuries, and his life's weapon had been destroyed during his escape. In the Demon Beast Mountain Range, he had attempted to refine a Black Snake's egg to boost his power, but before he could succeed, he was discovered, leading to a bloody confrontation that ended with his demise.

Despite the grim tale, Zhang Yu couldn't help but marvel at the wealth of a Martial Ancestor. With a satisfied smile, he slipped the Storage Ring onto his finger.

At that moment, the lifeless body of the Black Snake twitched, startling Zhang Yu into a ghostly pallor. Moments before, the heat of summer enveloped him; now, it felt as though he had plunged into a frigid abyss.

With a guttural sound, the Black Snake regurgitated an egg as large as a millstone, then lay motionless once more.

An egg! What was happening?

Confused, Zhang Yu stood frozen. Eventually, he regained his composure and called out softly, "Elder, elder?" When no response came, he cautiously approached and gently touched the egg. The shell was remarkably hard, emitting a crisp sound when tapped.

"Is this the offspring of the Black Snake? The root of all conflict?" Zhang Yu wondered, intrigued. "But aren't snake eggs usually smaller? Could this be a mutation?"

Despite his lack of understanding, Zhang Yu felt a deep respect for the Black Snake, which, despite its grievous wounds, had protected its egg to the very end. It reminded him of his own father, who had always shielded and nurtured him. Like the Black Snake, in its dying moment, it had prioritized the safety of its offspring.

Aware that a Lord Level Demon Beast's body was a trove of valuable materials for crafting weapons and medicine pills, Zhang Yu had no desire to harvest it. He was moved by the profound paternal love it had shown.

Zhang Yu had blood on his hands, the blood of many, but his ruthlessness was reserved for his enemies. Towards his family, his brothers, and even this Demon Beast he had never known, he maintained a heart full of gratitude. They had brought warmth to his journey through life.

Gathering all the dry wood he could find, Zhang Yu set the Black Snake Beast's body aflame. He also laid Tu Hong to rest, feeling it was the least he could do after receiving so much from the creature. To do any less would weigh heavily on his conscience.

Watching the fire die down and the black snake's body turn to ash within the flames, Zhang Yu offered a deep bow. The significance of his gesture was something he wondered if many could truly comprehend.

Gazing at the peculiar snake egg, Zhang Yu would have believed it to be dead had he not detected a faint, nearly imperceptible life force within. Baffled by its condition, he had no choice but to store it in his Creation Jade Disc, along with the Spirit Stones and other valuable items he had acquired from Tu Hong. The Creation Jade Disc was far more discreet and less likely to be discovered. Should he ever fall into enemy hands, his treasures would be safe from plundering. It's always wise to have a contingency plan.

With everything secured, Zhang Yu was ready to depart.

...

Tapping into the spiritual power he had long repressed, Zhang Yu sealed the entrance to the cave and settled into a meditative posture, ready to advance beyond his current level. With a calm and focused mind, he gathered his energy and effortlessly ascended to the rank of a true warrior in one fluid motion.

For him, this breakthrough was simply the natural progression of his journey.