Fatty Lambu wiped sweat from his forehead as he stared at the long list in his hand — the one Mo Han had given him days ago. The parchment fluttered in the dry market wind, the ink shimmering faintly under sunlight.

He looked up from it, expression twisting between frustration and disbelief. Before him stood a merchant stall piled high with spirit beast parts — fangs, scales, claws, horns, and feathers, all emitting faint spiritual resonance. The air smelled of oil and dried blood.

"How much did you say again?" Fatty asked, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace.

The merchant, a lean old man with sharp eyes and too many rings on his fingers, smiled thinly. "For a man of taste like you? Only three hundred aura stones for one Golden Boar tusk dust jar. Freshly ground. Guaranteed from a fifth-rank beast."

"Three hundred?" Fatty nearly dropped the parchment. "For dust?"

The old man spread his hands. "Not ordinary dust. Spirit dust. Do you want it or not? Prices go up every hour."

Fatty's face turned red. "Up every hour? What, do your boars grow new tusks every lunch break?"

The merchant's smile vanished. "Do not mock my wares, customer. I can sell to the alchemy guild instead."

Fatty puffed out his cheeks and stepped aside, muttering curses under his breath. "Robbers… all of them! If Mo Han ever learns I'm bleeding aura stones for these things, he'd better make me immortal later."

He moved to the next stall, then another, and another. Every single item on the list — Blood Horned Viper scales, Earth Python gall, Spirit Hawk feathers — was ridiculously priced. Half the merchants hiked the price just hearing the words Eternal Night Mansion.

By the time the sun dipped low, Fatty's coin pouch felt painfully light. His mood was darker than the evening sky.

"Five more days, he said…" Fatty grumbled, slumping onto a bench near the market square. "Ten rare beast parts in ten days. What am I, a walking treasury?"

Dambu, the tiny fire chicken perched on his shoulder, chirped sympathetically and pecked his ear.

He sighed. "You're the only one who understands me, Dambu."

Just then, a familiar voice called out. "Master Lambu?"

He turned to see a man dressed in fine blue robes, bowing politely. "You're the friend of Young Master Mo Han, correct? From the Eternal Night Mansion?"

Fatty blinked suspiciously. "Who's asking?"

"I serve the Wood family. Lady Rose Wood heard about your... difficult shopping."

At that, Fatty's whole demeanor changed. He straightened, eyes bright. "Oh! Rose Wood? The kind lady with the smile that could melt spirit ice? Yes, yes, that's me — her friend! Her very good friend!"

The man hid a grin behind a bow. "The young lady wishes to help. She's already sent word to the Beast Market's main supplier. You'll receive the items through her trade routes — at a fair price."

Fatty nearly hugged him. "Bless that woman! I knew good karma would save me someday!"

The next two days were blissfully easier. With the Wood family's influence, the Beast Market opened doors that even money couldn't. The family's merchants arranged direct deals with beast hunters and alchemists, reducing costs by half.

By the end of the second day, all ten items on Mo Han's list were sealed, labeled, and delivered in spirit pouches. Fatty looked at the collection proudly. "Heh, and they said Fatty Lambu can't handle big missions!"

Dambu chirped triumphantly, flapping his tiny wings.

He spent that night happily at a street inn, eating roast duck and sipping sweet lotus wine. The debt of aura stones still hurt, but at least the impossible task was done.

While Fatty celebrated his small victory, events elsewhere were moving quietly.

At the Fan Family Estate, a new visitor had arrived.

Tang Zin stepped out of her spirit chariot, the soft rustle of her crimson robes drawing the attention of every servant nearby. Her eyes scanned the estate as if weighing every corner for secrets.

A steward hurried forward and bowed deeply. "Lady Tang Zin of Elder Park Garden. Welcome to the Fan Family."

She inclined her head gracefully. "I heard rumors of a man training here... a disciple from the Eternal Night Mansion. I came to verify them."

The steward's polite smile faltered slightly. "Ah, yes. The guest — Mo Han. He's currently in closed practice within the Resonant Chamber. The young mistress has ordered that no one disturb him."

Tang Zin's eyes narrowed subtly. "Closed practice? For how long?"

"We… are not certain, my lady. He's been using the chamber every day, and the formation responds only to his aura signature now."

Her gaze flickered, thoughtful. "Interesting."

She walked slowly through the corridor, her eyes lingering on the faint shimmer of spiritual energy that leaked from behind the sealed silver doors. The aura was thick, rhythmic — grounded, powerful.

A beast's energy... she thought. He's mastering something dangerous.

Her lips curved into a faint smile. "So, Mo Han, you're not just a healer after all."

She turned back to the steward. "Inform your mistress I'll visit again soon."

When she left, the servants exhaled quietly, grateful the tension went with her.

-

Back at the Eternal Night Mansion...

The patriarch had summoned the elders once again. The tournament was less than three weeks away, and urgency thickened the air like storm clouds.

In the Grand Hall, Elder Mei stood before a wide stone table as the patriarch spoke gravely. "We cannot send weaklings. If we are to defend the legacy of the dual cultivators, we must choose warriors, not scholars."

Elder Yuan added, "I propose opening the Inner Herbal Forest."

A murmur rippled through the chamber. The Inner Herbal Forest — a sacred section of the sect — was filled with both precious herbs and deadly beasts. It was forbidden except for trials of the highest rank.

Elder Mei nodded. "That will separate the capable from the weak. Let them compete for the five places."

The patriarch's eyes gleamed with approval. "Very well. The trial begins in two days. Send word through the entire mansion."

Within hours, the announcement spread like fire through the sect.

The Inner Herbal Forest would open for the first time in decades. The five best disciples who survived and brought back the rarest herb within its depths would represent the sect in the Elder Rank Tournament.

Excitement, fear, and ambition rippled through every disciple. Training grounds erupted with activity; weapons were sharpened, formations practiced, alliances whispered in shadows.

By the third evening, as twilight fell across the Eternal Night range, Mo Han returned to his stone house.

For the first time in days, he looked almost relaxed — his posture composed, his aura stable, his expression unreadable. The wind carried the faint smell of pine and dust as he stepped into the small courtyard.

Chi Kai and Jia Kai were waiting. They had clearly been training; their robes were marked with sweat and dirt.

"Senior Brother!" Chi Kai called, holding a folded parchment. "Elder Mei sent this for you."

Mo Han took the note, breaking the seal quietly. The faint scent of sandalwood and ink rose from it — Elder Mei's usual writing habit.

His eyes scanned the contents quickly.

"Mo Han, the Inner Herbal Forest trial opens in two days. All core disciples must participate for selection. Your presence is required. — Elder Mei."

He folded the note carefully, slipping it into his sleeve.

Jia Kai, curious, asked, "What does it say, Brother?"

"The elders have opened the Inner Herbal Forest," he said softly. "They're choosing who will fight in the tournament."

Chi Kai's eyes widened.

-

Thank you for Power Stones!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.