Eternal Tale

Chapter 376: Massive Profits

Time flowed by, and the massive garbage dump remained as chaotic as ever, with foul air rising high into the sky and scavengers endlessly combing through the trash. However, at the base of a desolate mountain, the Garbage Recycling Plant was steadily growing busier.

Mo Fuyang had returned and stood outside the plant, warmly greeting scavengers and making rough calculations of their contributions. Most arrived with just a few catties of material, their expressions hesitant, as if testing the waters.

“Daoist Chu, three catties—that’ll be 75 mid-grade spirit stones,” Mo Fuyang said cheerfully, clasping his hands in greeting before calling over another figure. “Daoist Qing Li, please escort him inside.”

Qing Li nodded with a polite smile and gestured to Daoist Chu. “This way, please.”

Daoist Chu’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, thank you.”

Inside, the recycling plant’s spacious interior was well-organized but largely barren, with scattered piles of discarded materials. Xiao Chi, his red fur streaked with grime, darted about, using his spiritual energy to gather the trash into neat piles. His mane was visibly disheveled, evidence of his hard work.

Qing Li respectfully addressed Xiao Chi. “Brother Chi, we have three catties of Great Desolate Crow God Crystal.”

Still engrossed in his work, Xiao Chi didn’t even glance up. His voice echoed across the plant. “Leave it at the entrance. I’ll process it later.”

“Understood, Brother Chi!” Qing Li’s expression was full of vigor. Ever since joining the recycling plant, he seemed like a man reborn, radiating newfound purpose.

Grasping his spirit stones, Daoist Chu hurried away, his excitement growing with every step. The deal was real! He resolved to return to the garbage dump immediately. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—spirit stones falling from the heavens!

News spread rapidly around the dump. Tales of scavengers earning hundreds of spirit stones in mere days inspired a frenzy. Hesitation turned to determination as scavengers, who once doubted the plant’s intentions, now dove headfirst into the trash heaps, abandoning any thought of refining the materials themselves. After all, who had the lifespan to waste on that?

Nestled in a quiet corner of the plant’s grounds stood a modest straw hut, shielded by protective formations that kept it isolated from the hustle and bustle of the main gates. One strict rule governed the plant: under the light of the moon, operations ceased, and purchases were deferred until the following day.

Mo Fuyang, Qing Li, and Qing Wan meditated outside the main gate, guarding the plant. The area had become a haven of safety, with no one daring to cause trouble. After all, scavengers were simple folk—honest and unassuming.

Inside the straw hut, a fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Gathered around it were Chen Xun, Brother Ox, Xiao Chi, and Sister Crane.

Sister Crane sat on a small stool, holding a ledger. “Big Brother,” she began, her voice tinged with excitement. “This month, we’ve collected 1,132 catties of Great Desolate Crow God Crystal. Our expenses amounted to 28,300 mid-grade spirit stones, while our revenue totaled 113,200 mid-grade spirit stones.”

Her voice faltered as she continued, her hands covering her mouth in disbelief. “That’s a profit of 84,900 mid-grade spirit stones! Big Brother, we’ve struck it rich!”

Xiao Chi’s face contorted with joy, his excitement causing him to yank a tuft of fur from his mane. “This is what efficiency means!” he exclaimed. “In just one month, we’ve tripled what we used to gather in a year. I’ll admit, I could never have come up with a plan like this.”

Moo~~ Brother Ox’s large eyes sparkled with pride as he turned to Chen Xun, mooing in awe.

Chen Xun reclined in his rocking chair, sipping his tea with a serene expression. “I’ve already spoken with Yun Jin. Next time, he’ll deliver resources to enhance our divine sense and bring alchemical recipes for further profits.”

Moo moo! Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun affectionately, silently acknowledging his hard work. Compared to them, Big Brother had been tirelessly running back and forth between the garbage island and Lichen Island.

“Big Brother, we’ve truly struck gold!” Sister Crane’s eyes twinkled as she hugged her ledger to her chest. “We’ll never have to worry about spirit stones again!”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Xiao Chi roared with laughter, his claws carving playful arcs in the air. “Big Brother, your foresight is unmatched. Who would’ve thought that collecting garbage could bring such fortune—and without stepping on anyone’s toes?”

Moo moo! Brother Ox’s tail swayed, his agreement plain to see.

Chen Xun’s lips curled into a faint smile. “This is only the beginning. Just the spiritual herbs and alchemical recipes I need will consume half of our profits.”

He took another sip of tea before continuing. “The Garbage Recycling Plant is still in its infancy. Expand your horizons. One day, we’ll empty the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion’s shelves and claim a Celestial-tier Spirit Mark.”

His voice grew colder, his gaze sharp as a blade. “With a Celestial-tier Spirit Mark in hand, who would dare challenge us? And with vast resources at our disposal, we’ll never have to fight for scraps. Instead, we’ll let the great powers serve us.”

Moo~~! Brother Ox snorted, his admiration for Chen Xun reaching new heights.

Sister Crane clapped her hands in delight, hopping excitedly around Chen Xun’s chair. Xiao Chi joined in, his laughter echoing through the night.

But suddenly, the lively atmosphere grew eerily still. All eyes turned toward the edge of the formation, where a faint disturbance had appeared. Their expressions became stoic, as though the prior revelry had been nothing but an illusion.

Chen Xun’s gaze sharpened, a faint smirk playing at his lips. Brother Ox’s demeanor shifted, becoming grounded and cautious.

Sister Crane raised her head slightly, her eyes glinting with an icy light, while Xiao Chi’s face contorted into a mischievous grin as his sharp eyes scanned the shadows.