All fear stems from a lack of strength.
Zhou You did not agree with this statement.
Because…
He was fearless, yet he also lacked strength.
It was just that when he occasionally thought back to the Heavenly Tribulation, he still felt bewildered and wary.
That thing was truly formidable.
At the same time, he also started to think more about Ji Hao.
This guy…
Although he didn't care about others' backgrounds and didn't have many preconceptions in his heart, a person who could undergo Tribulation truly required him to seriously consider the matter.
For example, should he retreat a great distance?
Or, should he live with his tail between his legs?
“I've grown stronger, but my courage seems to have shrunk.”
Zhou You sat upright on the grass, calculating silently in his heart.
On the mountain, there was not only no concept of time but also no awareness of the world's crises.
Among the myriad living beings, outstanding talents were everywhere.
Who was unrivaled? Who was first?
“I suppose I won't amount to much in this life. I'll just marry, have children, buy some good land, and live out the rest of my days.”
“The affairs of the world are for the strong to intervene in; what do they have to do with a weakling like me?”
Zhou You's mind stirred, and he felt this idea was quite reasonable.
“Second Master, the grilled fish is ready.”
Zhou Chen came over excitedly, while Lu Renjia was busy demonstrating his Family's culinary skills.
The melancholy on Zhou You's face vanished, and he immediately beamed with joy.
In life, only good food should never be let down.
Lu Renjia was very willing this time, completely different from his previous attitude.
Therefore, the taste had also greatly improved.
Even with ingredients sourced on the spot, this guy was a first-rate chef.
Ou Ye, holding a grilled fish, approached Zhou You, “Young Master, about my disaster relief matter?”
“Oh.”
Zhou You said while eating, “I have about three to five hundred Blood Crystal Mines in my hand. I'll take them to exchange for money later.”
Ou Ye's eyes were filled with gratitude; this person was truly frighteningly generous.
If it were the old thief, he wouldn't even spit out one.
Ou Ye whispered, “I want to go as soon as possible. It would be a good thing if Young Master is willing to go together. After all, we have plenty of time, but their time may not be so abundant.”
The old dog beside him frowned, not without heartache. “The way to exchange Blood Crystal Mines for money is quite troublesome, isn't it? Excavating such things itself requires absorbing the Qi of the excavator. Righteous Path Sects definitely won't accept them openly.”
Blood Crystal Mine is a special Ore, and it's not inherently blood-colored.
Everything happens after excavation, when it touches a person and absorbs their Blood Spirit, that's when it becomes a Blood Crystal Mine.
In other words, before excavation, human blood is used to awaken this unique Ore, thereby transforming it into a Blood Crystal Mine, which is a bit more unique than a Spirit Stone.
Therefore, reputable Righteous Path Sects completely forbid the excavation of Blood Crystal Mines openly.
Of course, it's only forbidden openly.
Who does it and who doesn't behind the scenes, who can really know?
Ou Ye was also caught off guard and was stunned after hearing this.
Zhou You, however, didn't care. “Selling Spirit Stones is also fine.”
The old dog's eyes darted around. “I do have channels for selling stolen goods, after all, we thieves… bah, after all, those of us who have been mixing in the common market for years know a few tricks.”
Zhou You chewed the grilled fish, then glanced at the old dog.
The old dog chuckled, “How about I handle it? We said we'd raise one or two million, right? Just taking three to five hundred Blood Crystal Stones can get it done.”
Ou Ye instantly became alert. “You even dare to embezzle this kind of money?”
The old dog reprimanded, “What nonsense are you talking about? Am I not doing this for everyone?”
Ou Ye was annoyed, “Do you think I'm a rookie fresh out of the mountains? Although Blood Crystal Stones are difficult to sell, their value still surpasses Spirit Stones. Furthermore, gold and silver themselves have little value for Cultivators. Often, a single Low-Grade Spirit Stone can sell for a thousand taels of gold. Although Blood Crystal Stones still contain many minerals, their price can absolutely reach twenty thousand taels of gold. Plus, scarcity makes them valuable, so a single Blood Crystal Mine should be worth thirty thousand taels.”
Wealth is meaningless to a Sect.
What they want are Spirit Stones, Spiritual Plants, and spiritual artifacts.
No matter how rich you are, I only need brute force to suppress you.
Strength is the eternal existence; everything else is secondary.
Zhou Chen greatly agreed with this. When she first started to Cultivate, her grandfather almost sold everything they had and begged for favors to spend ten thousand taels of gold to buy a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.
Although there is an endless amount of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, absorbing, transforming, and refining it is not an easy task in itself.
But Spirit Stones are solidified Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and they are of great help in Cultivation.
It's like there's always water vapor in the air, but if you want to collect it directly, it's very difficult. But what if it rained? It would naturally be easier to collect.
The difference between Spiritual Qi and Spirit Stones is like the difference between water vapor and a downpour.
The old dog looked uncomfortable. “Underground transactions always involve price cuts, and besides, the price of Spirit Stones is so high now, it's purely price gouging. In this way, those who own Spirit Stone Mines can empty a small Family with a single stone. This allows them to control the world's wealth with Spirit Stones, which are all conspiracies.”
He then looked at Zhou You again. “Young Master must be very clear about the ins and outs of this.”
Zhou You blinked. I'm clear? When was I ever clear?
Ou Ye snorted coldly, “You old thief, you're just not honest.”
The old dog retorted angrily, “I'm not honest? If I'm not honest, there are no honest people in this world. Besides, what right does a dead swindler like you have to question my character?”
Ou Ye stood up in anger, “I only swindle you guys who have dirty hands!”
The old dog pointed angrily at Ou Ye, “Try saying that again?”
“I'll say it.”
The two started arguing as they talked, and then they started fighting as they argued.
Zhou You continued to eat the grilled fish, unaffected, pondering his two major plans in his mind.
First, to improve his strength as much as possible under impossible circumstances, such as Breaking Through to the Spirit Connection Realm to see his Blood Spirit.
Second, to Cultivate the Zhou Family to protect himself, and at the same time, the Zhou Family needed to extensively reproduce, emphasizing the strength in numbers.
In the latter plan, Zhou Chen was very important.
After all, Zhou Chen now had the complete White Jade Heavenly Profound Skill, so as long as she was cultivated, Zhou Chen would definitely have no problem Breaking Through to the Yin Yang Realm within ten years.
By then, Zhou Chen could hunt Yao Beasts to earn merit points, and then help the Family Genius exchange for Cultivation Techniques, thus forming a virtuous cycle that would continue endlessly.
Zhou You ate the last bite of fish, feeling a sudden sense of ease.
Indeed, only after eating his fill could he think through everything better.
Ou Ye and the old dog's brawl continued. The old dog was experienced, but Ou Ye was, after all, in the Yin Yang Realm, so the hand-to-hand combat was evenly matched.
“Sell the Spirit Stones.”
Zhou You spoke, “I have other uses for the Blood Crystal Stones.”
He felt that Zhou Chen could use them; he always needed to Cultivate a decent person to protect his frail self.