The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 18: What a Tiny World

What a Tiny World . . .

As Cha-Eun Xiao pondered these newfound possibilities, he felt a surge of vitality coursing through his veins, igniting his spirit. He took a slow, deep breath to calm the excited energy swirling within him. In that very moment, his eyes seemed to shine with a renewed sense of purpose.

At this point, Cha-Eun Xiao remained blissfully unaware of the true extent of the East-rising Purple Qi's power. Little did he know that reaching the pinnacle of this cultivation technique would elevate him far beyond mere immortality, making him an unparalleled legend in his own right.

Currently, his immediate concern was the return of the unpleasant odor that clung to him. It was a stark reminder that he needed a thorough bath to cleanse the filth that had accumulated on his body. A noxious layer of brown, sticky residue covered him, with large beads of sweat trickling through the impurities. These impurities were typical of any ordinary human and could only be expelled through the process of cultivation.

Cha-Eun Xiao recognized the significance of this state. It marked the critical purification of his muscles and bones, symbolizing his successful breakthrough to the second grade of the Grade of Diyuan. For him, this was an extraordinary accomplishment, as he had now achieved two ablutions of his muscles and bones in a remarkably short span.

As he rose to his feet, Cha-Eun Xiao felt the satisfying sensation of his bones cracking and stretching. He straightened his back and was surprised to discover that he had grown slightly taller overnight.

After indulging in a warm, comfortable bath that washed away the repulsive filth, Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't resist admiring his reflection in the mirror. He couldn't help but mutter, "I am undeniably handsome! The woman I eventually marry must be the recipient of countless generations of her family's good fortune..."

Coincidentally, the steward happened to approach the door and overheard Cha-Eun Xiao's self-praise. The steward's composure wavered for a moment, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes internally. "What a narcissist," he thought, though he refrained from voicing his opinion aloud.

Attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction, the steward commented, "My lord, there were some extraordinary dan beads featured at the Ling-Bao Hall Salesroom auction. I was remarking that those dan beads were indeed quite remarkable."

"Supreme dan beads?" Cha-Eun Xiao raised an eyebrow, recalling his past experiences with such items. He couldn't help but think, "Supreme dan beads, huh? Those are just tools for making money, my dear steward."

Concerned about the current state of affairs, the steward advised, "My lord, it might be wise for you to remain at home in the coming days. The kingdom is currently in turmoil, with various martial sects and noble clans dispatching their core forces to the capital. It will likely be a perilous few months ahead."

He refrained from expressing his more candid thoughts, which amounted to a silent warning: "A young lord like you, who tends to lead a carefree life, could easily become a target in these dangerous times. Trouble will find you, and it won't end well."

Undeterred, Cha-Eun Xiao frowned, his desire for adventure overriding caution. "How can I stay cooped up at home? I'm going out," he declared, determined to explore the world beyond his residence.

The steward, still wearing a worried expression, implored once more, "It would be wiser if you refrained from going out, my lord."

With a furrowed brow, he continued, emphasizing the gravity of the situation, "All the clans in the capital are recalling their fighters from the frontlines. Young lords like yourself are being strictly forbidden by their families to venture outside. Every clan is bracing itself for the arrival of these formidable sects…"

In these turbulent times, stepping onto the streets would be akin to illuminating oneself as a prominent target in the darkness. It was a perilous endeavor, especially for someone of Cha-Eun Xiao's stature.

Cha-Eun Xiao let out a resigned sigh and responded, "Don't worry. I'll do my best to stay inconspicuous." With that, he opened the door and made his exit.

"Please, my lord," the steward pleaded, his voice tinged with concern. He couldn't help but think, "Oh, dear lord, please steer clear of any trouble…"

"Absolutely, without a doubt!" Cha-Eun Xiao's voice echoed back, but by then, he had already ventured quite a distance.

Unbeknownst to both of them, Cha-Eun Xiao had no intentions of staying out of trouble or maintaining a low profile. Instead, he was about to become the central figure in an earth-shattering event.

Strolling casually through the bustling streets, Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't contain his excitement. With newfound wealth, his primary destination was the herbal medicine market. It held a place of utmost importance in his current endeavors.

Above all, after witnessing the capabilities of his sphere, particularly its use in conjunction with herbal medicine, he was eager to explore the market's offerings.

In Cha-Eun Xiao's view, whether in the Qing-Yun Realm or the mortal world, cultivation always remained a top priority. True to his promise, he sought to keep a low profile, showing no interest in provoking any trouble.

As he drew nearer to the herbal medicine market, a potent herbal fragrance permeated the air, invigorating his senses. Cha-Eun Xiao's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and he quickened his pace.

The market stretched along a street spanning over six miles in length. Approximately half of the shops specialized in herbal medicine, while the rest comprised clinics and vendors peddling medical equipment. Most of the pedestrians wore solemn expressions, reflecting the street's reputation.

This renowned street was none other than Hui-Tian Street in Chen-Xing City.

Hui-Tian Street was exclusively dedicated to the sale of herbs, medicines, and medical equipment.

If one suffered injuries, illness, or poisoning, their only recourse was to seek aid in this bustling thoroughfare. Here, one could find remedies or physicians capable of defying death itself. Anything that had the potential to save a life within the mortal realm could be found here. If it wasn't available on Hui-Tian Street, chances of survival were nearly nonexistent.

This was the reason behind the street's name, Hui-Tian, which translated to "Return to the Heavens." It symbolized the ultimate hope for salvation.

Excitement danced in Cha-Eun Xiao's eyes as he wandered from shop to shop. He spent money liberally, purchasing herbal medicines without hesitation, thanks to his considerable fortune of 500,000 silver bars.

Cha-Eun Xiao felt content as he acquired ginsengs and herbal medicines, some several centuries old. However, the cost had already surpassed 150,000 silver bars. It was a small fortune, but he considered it a worthy investment in his cultivation journey.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Cha-Eun Xiao had been quietly discarding his purchases shortly after acquiring them. The moment these herbal medicines touched his hands, their essences were rapidly absorbed by the sphere's space. While individually these herbs were not considered superior treasures, their cumulative medicinal essence was significant.

This time, the sphere absorbed the most vital components of these herbs, leaving behind only their now-depleted shells. Cha-Eun Xiao went about his business discreetly, keeping a few bags in his hands to maintain the illusion that he hadn't parted with his purchases.

No one suspected that he was silently disposing of everything he bought, spending his money with abandon. It was a covert operation that went entirely unnoticed.

As Cha-Eun Xiao was about to visit the last store, a group of individuals heading in the same direction caught his attention. One of them hurriedly slipped into an alleyway to avoid Cha-Eun Xiao's gaze. It was none other than Wang Xiao-Nian.

Wang Xiao-Nian's eyes burned with unrelenting hatred as he cursed inwardly, "Cha-Eun Xiao! You despicable son of a ***! It's as if the heavens have granted me this opportunity. Your reckoning has come."

Beside Wang Xiao-Nian stood a silk-robed youth, followed by a small entourage. This youth was perplexed by Wang Xiao-Nian's reaction and asked inquisitively, "Who is he?"

Wang Xiao-Nian seethed with anger as he replied through clenched teeth, "He is Cha-Eun Xiao!"

"That man is Cha-Eun Xiao?" The silk-robed youth, a man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a prominent Roman nose, fiery eyes, and a robust physique, frowned. His voice was unnaturally deep, exuding a sense of gloom. "The blood ginseng I gifted to your father was extorted by him, correct?"

Wang Xiao-Nian took a deep breath and replied, "That's him! It was this audacious and contemptible black sheep who used his father's reputation to bully and extort us!"

The silk-robed man, Mu Cheng-Bai, had a menacing gleam in his eyes, emitting a palpable aura of impending violence. "It's a small world, indeed. Do not worry," he advised Wang Xiao-Nian with deliberate emphasis, his voice carrying a chilling weight. "Quickly, disappear and find a safe haven. Ensure no one can link you to what is about to transpire."

He spoke slowly, his tone heavy with intent, "A gift from me is not something that can be stolen with impunity. Those who dare to rob me must prepare to pay the price."

Wang Xiao-Nian couldn't contain his delight as he affirmed, "That's right!"

He knew precisely who Mu Cheng-Bai was, which explained his elation.

Mu Cheng-Bai, the silk-robed man, was the elder brother-in-law of the crown prince and hailed from one of the illustrious Eight Noble Clans—the Mu Clan. He had spent his entire life in the capital and, despite holding no official position, was a formidable force no one dared to cross. His actions represented the might of an immensely powerful faction.

The primary reason the crown prince had ascended to his position was largely due to the unwavering support of this influential noble clan. Mu Cheng-Bai had played a pivotal role in selecting the next crown prince.

With someone of Mu Cheng-Bai's stature aiming to confront Cha-Eun Xiao, it appeared that Cha-Eun Xiao's escape would be far from straightforward this time. The tide of events was about to turn against him.