Chapter 039

Chapter 39: Resource Exchange

Survival is Truth: “I have crystal nuclei and crystal-core weapons. Let me make a list for you, and you can check if there’s anything you need.”

Passing Clouds: “Alright.”

Moments later, a private message appeared. Wei Yun Xi opened it and carefully browsed through. She found that these “crystal nuclei” were unique energy sources from Survival’s world. From her vast experience reading novels, Wei Yun Xi suspected this boss must be trapped in an apocalypse. Those shimmering crystals imbued with different properties probably came from zombies’ heads.

Survival had awakened a special power, allowing her to absorb crystal nuclei to enhance her abilities. But Wei Yun Xi hesitated—her own cultivation path differed greatly from physical body refining. After the system updated her cultivation knowledge, she understood clearly that spiritual qi was pure energy from heaven and earth, directly opposite to demonic qi. Crystal nuclei, she guessed, might resemble demonic energies, so she dared not use them recklessly.

As for crystal-core weapons, the cultivation world already offered plenty of suitable substitutes. Thus, there was no real need for her to trade.

She privately replied:

“I’m sorry, but I don’t currently have any use for the resources you’ve listed.”

Survival is Truth: “Ah! That’s too bad. I’m really interested in cultivation manuals, especially since it’s rare to find one compatible with my ability. I genuinely want to trade with you.”

Wei Yun Xi could sense the other’s urgent desire for a suitable cultivation technique. Still, she was a newcomer who had benefited from her ancestor’s good fortune. She glanced at the unopened boxes scattered on the chat group’s ground and then thoughtfully replied:

“Senior, how about this—I’ll share my requirements with everyone. You can also post the resources you have, and maybe someone can help bridge the gap between us, so all three parties benefit.”

Survival is Truth: “Hmm, your idea sounds good. Let’s give it a try.”

Soon, they both posted their needs and available resources openly in the chat, hoping to facilitate a beneficial exchange.

Tribe Warrior: “Survival, I’d like an energy shield. I can offer milk fruit to exchange with Little Yun Xi. This milk fruit is specially used to nourish younglings. It strengthens their bodies without any side effects. In our tribe, all cubs, male or female, consume milk fruit to build their foundations before they can shift freely between human and beast forms. It should help you strengthen your physique and boost your natural strength.”

Survival is Truth: “Perfect, I can trade the energy shield to Little Yun Xi and even supply crystal nuclei needed to activate it.”

Wei Yun Xi was pleased. Through this exchange, all three parties would get exactly what they needed. Now, they just had to agree on specific amounts.

Tribe Warrior generously sent Wei Yun Xi a milk fruit first, letting her test its effects to confirm whether it could truly fortify her physique.

Wei Yun Xi accepted without hesitation. After receiving the milk fruit, she withdrew her consciousness from the spatial chat group.

Opening her eyes inside the meditation room, she glanced at the time etched on the wall. There was still about fifteen minutes left in her two-hour session, so she decided to stay here instead of returning to her quarters—after all, this place was far safer.

She pretended to reach into her storage bag, then took out the milk fruit that Tribe Warrior had sent her.

The milk fruit looked very much like a mango but with a creamy-white skin. It was the size of an adult’s palm, emitting an invitingly sweet aroma like fresh milk.

Wei Yun Xi licked her lips and bit a small opening at the tip of the fruit. A white, jelly-like substance immediately flowed into her mouth, tasting sweet as milk, and filled her senses with its delightful fragrance. A warm sensation gradually spread through her stomach, creating a comforting fullness.

The milk fruit tasted exactly like milk jelly from her previous world, and she could sense the rich energy it contained, perfect for her current stage. Without hesitation, she finished off the entire fruit.

Wiping her mouth, Wei Yun Xi stood just as the session ended. She retrieved the room’s token and went to ask the disciple guarding the meditation rooms if she could extend her time.

The gatekeeping disciple said with slight hesitation, “You’re a new disciple, and this is your first time at the Cultivation Hall, so I arranged a room with denser spiritual qi for you. Unfortunately, an older disciple has already reserved it next.”

Wei Yun Xi immediately understood. The gatekeeper must have received a bribe from this senior disciple and reserved the best rooms for them. To avoid suspicion from the steward elder, he used her as a convenient excuse.

Following her principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble, Wei Yun Xi politely cupped her fists:

“Senior brother, I’m very close to a breakthrough. Please just assign me any available meditation room, regardless of location. The spiritual qi here is already much richer than where I live. I’ll be very grateful.”

Seeing her tactful demeanor, the disciple didn’t press further. He took back her original token and gave her a new one.

“Many thanks, Senior Brother.”

Wei Yun Xi thanked him again and quickly headed to the new meditation room.

Not long after, Wei Yun Qing and Wei Yun Ying came to return their room tokens, intending to head to the dining hall for lunch.

Wei Yun Qing asked, “Should we wait for Yun Ting and Yun Xi?”

Wei Yun Ying shook her head. “No need to wait for Yun Ting. She hates being disturbed during cultivation and usually only joins us for dinner.”

As for Yun Xi, Wei Yun Ying wasn’t sure whether she’d finished yet.

The gatekeeping disciple recognized the girls—all surnamed Wei, clearly from the same clan—and mentioned, “The Junior Sister named Wei Yun Xi just renewed her session for two more hours right before you arrived, so there’s no need to wait.”

Wisely, he avoided mentioning that Wei Yun Xi had switched rooms.

“Thank you, Senior Brother, for the reminder. Then we won’t wait.”

Wei Yun Ying wasn’t worried at all. This was the sect’s Cultivation Hall, supervised by Golden Core Daoist Masters; no one dared cause trouble here, so her younger sister was safe.

Wei Yun Qing bit her lip quietly. Determined, she vowed to herself [I must work even harder than Wei Yun Xi!] The two then left for lunch and later returned to cultivate.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun Xi, once inside her new meditation room, immediately activated the isolation array and reentered the spatial chat group.

Survival is Truth: “Little Yun Xi, you’re finally back!”

Passing Clouds: “Apologies. I just had to switch meditation rooms.”

Tribe Warrior: “We’ve already agreed on the exchange amounts. Now we just need to know how many milk fruits you require.”

Wei Yun Xi considered for a moment and replied, “I still have ten years until adulthood. How many milk fruits can you provide?”

Tribe Warrior hadn’t expected Little Yun Xi to actually be a youngling herself. Still, the tribe’s cubs also relied on milk fruits. Yet, to ensure the safety of his clansmen through the upcoming cold season, he clenched his teeth and responded:

“I can offer you five hundred milk fruits—that’s our absolute limit. If you still need more in the future, we can trade again after the fruitful season.”