Both sides feared the other would change their mind; Zhao Linchuan broke through to level twenty

"Fine, let's call it a novelty."

Zhao Linchuan pulled two Silver Soul Coins from his pocket and casually tossed them to the old man.

"I'm taking the item. We're square now."

"Square, square!"

The stall owner took the silver coins, bit them, then squinted at their quality. He grinned so broadly that his eyes nearly disappeared.

"Take care, sir. Walk safely, and don't lose it. If you lose it, I won't refund your money."

"I won't lose it," Zhao Linchuan said without looking back. "And even if I do, I won't come looking for trouble with you."

It seemed both sides feared the other would regret the deal.

One feared the buyer would come to his senses and realize the broken little pouch was not worth two silver coins, while the other feared the seller would suddenly realize he had sold it too cheaply.

The stall owner hurriedly began packing up the miscellaneous goods on the ground, while Zhao Linchuan grabbed Xiao Wu's hand and quickened his pace toward home.

A long while later, at home.

"Brother! Slow down!"

Xiao Wu had been dragged along by Zhao Linchuan and jogged all the way into the courtyard, bending over and gasping for breath.

"Is there a wolf chasing you or something?"

"You didn't even let me catch my breath the whole way!"

"I was afraid someone would regret it."

Zhao Linchuan shut the courtyard gate and slid the bolt into place, then grinningly handed the "sachet" to Xiao Wu.

"Send your Soul Power inside and take a careful look."

"Isn't this just a sachet? It's not like I've never seen one before."

Xiao Wu muttered as she accepted the blue pouch. Half-skeptical, she released a thread of Soul Power and sent it inside.

"Hmm?!"

The moment her Soul Power entered, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. Her pupils widened slightly, and her mouth formed a tiny O.

"This is a... Storage Soul Tool?!"

In disbelief, she tugged open the pouch and reached one hand inside, feeling around for a while.

The pouch did not look large, yet her hand seemed to reach into a bottomless abyss. No matter how far she stretched, she could not touch the bottom.

Suddenly, her fingertips touched something hard.

She grabbed it and yanked it out.

A giant ginseng root as thick as her arm was pulled from that tiny pouch.

Its fibrous roots were dense, and fresh soil still clung to its skin. A rich medicinal fragrance wafted from it.

"There's still stuff inside?!"

Hugging the ginseng, which was thicker than her arm, Xiao Wu said in shock,

"And judging by it... it seems like it was just dug out of the ground?"

"It still has dirt on it!"

"This is called the Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Pouch."

Zhao Linchuan casually took the ginseng from her, his eyes burning as he stared at the blue pouch.

"Like ordinary Soul Tools, it can store things."

"But unlike them, it can store living creatures."

"Wow!"

Xiao Wu cried out and held the pouch in both hands, turning it over and examining it again and again.

"Didn't we just find an incredible bargain?"

"If this were sold outside, it would be worth at least several hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, right?"

"More than that." Zhao Linchuan shook his head, his expression turning serious. "It's far too rare. You could not find more than a few of these on the entire continent."

"It can be said to be priceless, even if there is demand for it."

"You could bring an entire chest of jewels, and no one would be willing to sell one."

"If that old man knew he had sold this for two silver coins, he would probably cough up blood from anger."

Imagining that scene, Xiao Wu could not help giggling.

"Enough about that." Zhao Linchuan slowly headed toward the kitchen. "Let's make dinner. After we eat, we can tend to the fields..."

The seasons passed, and summer came again the following year.

Morning.

The blazing sun hung high, and the air was sweltering.

The jujube tree in the courtyard had grown noticeably taller than last year. Its thick foliage spread overhead like a green umbrella, blocking most of the harsh sunlight.

Cicadas hid deep within the canopy, screeching endlessly as if they wanted to cry out the entire summer.

"Brother—!" Xiao Wu's voice came from the vegetable patch behind the courtyard. "The watermelons I planted are ripe! Come taste one!"

Zhao Linchuan was sitting beside the millstone beneath the jujube tree, holding a sheet covered in writing as he frowned over it.

Hearing her call, he replied without lifting his head.

"I'm here. Keep your voice down!"

"People two streets away can hear you shouting."

"It's so hot. Come have some watermelon and cool off!"

Xiao Wu's voice drew closer and closer.

Zhao Linchuan looked up to see Xiao Wu running over from the vegetable patch, dragging a huge watermelon in one hand and holding a watermelon knife in the other.

"Then cut it open."

Zhao Linchuan set down the sheet in his hand and shifted aside from the millstone. He casually folded the paper covered in gunpowder formulas and tucked it into his clothes.

"I'm a little thirsty too."

"Alright!"

Xiao Wu set the watermelon on the millstone. With one swift motion, her knife came down, and with a crisp crack, the watermelon split in two.

Its bright red flesh was exposed, juice running down the blade. A sweet fragrance instantly spread through the air, making even the heat seem a little cooler.

Xiao Wu held up a wedge of watermelon in both hands and offered it to Zhao Linchuan.

"Brother, hurry and try it..."

A short while later, the sweet and refreshing watermelon had been completely devoured by the two of them.

Xiao Wu rubbed her slightly rounded belly and sat atop the millstone, swinging her legs in the air. She sighed in satisfaction, narrowed her eyes, and said,

"It's so sweet. I've never had watermelon this sweet before. It's even tastier than carrots."

"Because it's the fruit of your labor, it tastes especially sweet."

Zhao Linchuan smiled as he wiped watermelon juice from the corner of his mouth. He glanced at her, then his expression became serious.

"Xiao Wu, your brother broke through to level twenty this morning."

"Tomorrow, come with me to Sunset Forest so we can hunt for my second Soul Ring."

"Hunt for a Soul Ring...?"

At those words, Xiao Wu's swinging legs abruptly stopped.

Her tone became strangely subdued. She lowered her eyes, and her voice softened as well.

"Brother, Soul Beasts have families too. We..."

"Xiao Wu!"

Zhao Linchuan cut her off directly. He spoke over her, "We are humans. We are Soul Masters."

"Soul Masters hunt Soul Beasts to obtain Soul Rings. That is the rule, the order that has governed this continent for countless years."

"Just as rabbits eat grass, and grass absorbs water from the earth."

"Only with death can there be life; only with withering can there be flourishing."

"All things arise from balance. When Source Power is broken, order is lost."

"Do not think that one side's loss is the other's gain; heaven and earth will turn against it, and the skies will collapse."

Xiao Wu's lips moved as though she wanted to say something.

"If you dislike the cultivation rules of Soul Masters," Zhao Linchuan continued, giving her no chance to speak, "then you should work hard at cultivating and change them."

"Instead of standing here with that pitiful face and saying useless things."

"I understand how you feel, but this world will not change its rules because of your tears."

(Correction is necessary; don't be so hostile.)