Mo Han finally reached his stone house.

The familiar sound of the waterfall in the distance greeted him, calm and steady, carrying with it the faint fragrance of the spirit trees surrounding the courtyard.

He hadn't realized how much he missed that sound until now.

As he stepped through the gate, his robe still faintly dusted with the golden glow of cultivation energy, the door to his house swung open, and two familiar voices cried out at once.

"Brother Mo Han!"

"You're back!"

Chi Kai and Jia Kai rushed forward, their faces glowing with excitement. They looked far cleaner and brighter than when he last saw them — their hair tied neatly, robes pressed, and eyes full of joy. Behind them, the entire stone house flickered with soft golden light, the aroma of food wafting into the courtyard.

"You both seem unusually energetic," Mo Han said with a faint smile, stepping inside. "Did something good happen while I was gone?"

"Plenty!" Jia Kai said proudly. "But first, sit down! You've been gone three whole days — we prepared something special for you!"

She gestured grandly toward the table in the center of the room. It was covered in dishes — steaming bowls of spirit herb soup, roasted mountain beast skewers, crystal fruit wine, and freshly baked lotus cakes. The rich aroma filled the room, making even Mo Han's refined senses tingle.

Chi Kai smiled sweetly as she poured him a bowl of soup. "We didn't know when you'd come back, but we made sure to keep everything hot. Try this one first — it's spirit bone broth, slow-cooked for twelve hours!"

Mo Han sat down, the warmth of the meal already easing the fatigue from his body. "You two… always one step ahead."

As he took the first sip, the rich flavor of herbs and beast marrow flooded his mouth. His eyes half-closed, savoring the taste. "This is excellent," he said genuinely.

Both sisters beamed like children being praised.

While Mo Han ate, they busied themselves checking on the ox resting outside the courtyard. The giant creature stood calmly near the fence, its emerald fur shimmering faintly under moonlight.

Jia Kai gasped softly. "It's huge! And… are those runes on its horns?"

Chi Kai reached out cautiously, her hand hovering near its face. "Brother, is it… friendly?"

"It's a guardian beast," Mo Han replied between bites. "The Herb Tribe sent it to accompany me back. It won't harm anyone who bears my aura."

The ox snorted softly as if in acknowledgment, then lowered its head so Chi Kai could stroke its fur. "It's warm!" she said, amazed. "I can feel energy moving under its skin!"

Mo Han smiled faintly. "It carries the essence of the forest. Let it rest."

The two sisters exchanged glances, still in awe, before returning to the table.

Jia Kai leaned forward eagerly. "Brother, you must hear what we did while you were away!"

"Oh?" Mo Han raised an eyebrow.

Chi Kai giggled. "We took your advice — well, indirectly. Since we needed more aura stones to support our cultivation, we started learning talisman crafting and herb refining!"

Mo Han set down his bowl, looking pleasantly surprised. "You both decided to work?"

Jia Kai puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course! Why should only you carry the burden? We've already sold two healing talismans and a small batch of vitality potions! Not much, but—"

"It's a start," Mo Han finished for her, nodding approvingly. "That's good. Keep at it. The path of cultivation isn't just about power — it's about survival."

Chi Kai smiled softly, her eyes bright. "We wanted to be useful. We know you won't say it, but you're always thinking of everyone else before yourself. So we decided to help, even a little."

Mo Han looked at them for a long moment, his gaze gentle but firm. "You've both done well. Keep improving. One day, you'll surpass me."

Their cheeks flushed faintly under his calm words, and they busied themselves arranging food again to hide it.

Just as the mood settled into a peaceful hum of laughter and clinking dishes, the front door burst open with a loud bang!

"HA! HA! HA! HA!"

The familiar voice boomed through the entire courtyard.

Fatty Lambu stumbled in, his robes half-untied, cheeks red from excitement, and arms overflowing with glittering aura crystals.

"Brothers and sisters of my heart!" he declared dramatically, nearly tripping over the threshold. "Bow before the newly rich Fatty Lambu!"

He threw open his pouch — and a shower of glowing crystals poured onto the table, clattering and sparkling in a cascade of light.

The sisters gasped, eyes wide. Even Mo Han paused, his chopsticks frozen midair.

Fatty spread his arms like a king. "Nine thousand aura crystals! Nine. Thousand! Ha ha ha!"

Jia Kai blinked. "Fatty… how—?"

"Gambling!" Fatty roared proudly, slapping his chest. "Do you not remember? The great Fatty Lambu placed his divine faith — and his three-thousand-stone weapon — on our dearest Brother Mo Han during the Inner Forest Trial!"

Chi Kai's eyes widened in realization. "You… actually won?"

"Of course!" he said, grinning from ear to ear. "Mo Han came back after three whole days — do you know how rare that is? The odds were one to three on final day! So the heavens showered me with fortune!"

He reached into his pouch again, pulling out another handful of crystals and letting them spill through his fingers like sand. "Ah, the sound of wealth! Do you hear it? That's the melody of success!"

Jia Kai laughed. "You're incorrigible, Fatty!"

"I'm a visionary," he corrected, winking at her.

Mo Han finally smiled, shaking his head. "So, you risked your entire weapon on me?"

Fatty plopped down on a chair, sighing dramatically. "Brother, I wasn't risking — I was investing. And look!" He gestured proudly at the pile. "It paid off!"

Chi Kai smirked. "If you lost, you'd have been weaponless for the rest of your life."

"Bah! Victory was certain! I could feel it in my belly!" he said, patting his stomach confidently. "My luck never fails me when it comes to food or fortune!"

Everyone laughed, the room filling with warmth and energy.

But then, Mo Han's expression shifted slightly.

Without a word, he reached into his storage ring, his aura pulsing faintly as dozens of jade boxes materialized in a flash of light, stacking neatly across the table.

The laughter died instantly.

"What's that…?" Jia Kai whispered.

Mo Han opened the first box — a faint glow filled the room, bathing their faces in soft gold. Inside lay a Golden Flame Lotus, its petals swirling with both fire and frost.

Chi Kai gasped, covering her mouth. "That's… that's priceless!"

Fatty leaned closer, eyes bulging. "That's not all, is it? You didn't… you couldn't have…"

Mo Han opened the next box. A Silver Ash Petal, radiant as moonlight, rested within. Another box — Blood Sun Herb, glowing faintly crimson. Another — Moonshade Lily, soft and fragrant.

Box after box opened, revealing herbs that should not have existed outside of legends. The entire room glowed in colors — gold, blue, red, silver.

Even the ox outside snorted and pawed the ground, reacting to the overwhelming energy in the air.

Fatty's jaw dropped so wide it could've hit the floor. "By all nine realms…" he whispered. "You looted the heavens!"

Mo Han said nothing, simply arranging them neatly. "These are from the Spirit Well," he said quietly. "The Fire Python guarded them. They'll be useful for forging pills, strengthening our group before the tournament."

Jia Kai and Chi Kai stood frozen in awe, unable to find words.

Fatty finally broke the silence, clutching his chest dramatically. "Brother… next time you go treasure hunting, please take me with you. My heart can't handle this from afar."

Mo Han chuckled softly. "If you can keep quiet next time, maybe."

Fatty immediately nodded, eyes gleaming. "Quiet as a mouse! I swear it on my stomach!"

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