Vein-Weaver Ascension

The night passed by quietly.

As Madam Eini retired to her lodgings after visiting the shop, Xianlu closed the shop as his Grandfather Daiten strolled with his Uncle Yuhen inside their house. The Tea Shop was an extension of their house, as Daiten had decided to renovate the front of their house into a shop since they did not own any other land properties. During that time, the resources they had were primarily tea herbs, and with the increasing population of the elderly in the clan, Daiten targeted the older generation as potential customers.

True to his prediction, the shop became popular. Daiten, once a renowned Vein-Weaver, carried a respected reputation. All of his customers either knew him personally or revered him from his peak career days. Having lived for 150 years due to his status as a former Vein-Weaver, many mortals in the clan sought out his expertise.

Not everyone had the qualifications to become a Vein-Weaver.

The basic aptitude required was the ability to sense World Qi, and for the Riverscale Clan, the only method to absorb World Qi was through awakening Qi-Veins. However, many mortals were unable to achieve this feat, which is why Daiten took care of Yuhen—not just because of the loss of his first son, but also because of Yuhen's aptitude for cultivation.

When Xianlu closed the shop, instead of retreating to his room, he first checked the earnings for the past couple of days.

Previous Remaining Balance:

45 Copper coins

150 Silver coins

5 Gold coins

1 Gold coin was equivalent to 100 Silver coins, and 1 Silver coin was equivalent to 100 Copper coins. With the school event lasting for a few days, the shop had earned quite a bit recently.

Their main merchandise consisted of five tea blends, each sold at the same price, since their target customers were mortals. By having a consistent price, customers could frequently buy from the shop without growing tired of the tea flavors.

From these five tea blends, each used three common ingredients and one uncommon ingredient. However, Xianlu diluted the effectiveness of the uncommon ingredients so that every one unit of the uncommon ingredient produced 20 tea blends. Despite this, Xianlu and his grandfather had mastered the art of brewing, efficiently using the ingredients to make the most of each herb while saving costs.

1st Blend:

½ Jasmine Petals

3 Black Tea Leaves

3 Green Tea Leaves

1/20 Ginseng Root

2nd Blend:

1/3 Lemon Grass

3 White Tea Leaves

3 Black Tea Leaves

1/20 Lotus Roots

3rd Blend:

1/4 Elderberries

½ Chrysanthemum Petals

1 Chamomile Blossom

1 Earthly Lotus Petals

4th Blend:

2 Black Tea Leaves

2 Green Tea Leaves

2 White Tea Leaves

1/20 Lavender Flowers

5th Blend:

1/20 Velvet Rose Petals

1 Lemon Grass

1 Chrysanthemum Petal

1 Jasmine Petal

Xianlu sat in the small room, reviewing the ledger and noting the steady growth of their wealth. The delicate balance between tradition and efficiency had always been a challenge in their family, but with each passing day, Xianlu refined the methods of their tea business—making it more than just a source of income, but a symbol of his ambitions.

Storage:

Common------------------------------------

20x Jasmine Petals

Cost - 50 Silver coins per 100 petals

10x Chrysanthemum Petals

Cost - 20 Silver coins per 10 Petals

150x Black Tea Leaves

Cost - 10 Copper coins per 100 leaves

200x Green Tea Leaves

Cost - 10 Copper coins per 100 leaves

150x White tea leaves

Cost - 10 Copper coins per 100 leaves

60x Chamomile Blossoms

Cost - 20 Silver coins per 10 Petals

20x Lemongrass

Cost - 1 Silver coin pet 500 grass blades

10x Dried Elderberries

Cost - 20 Silver coins per 10 pieces

Uncommon---------------------------------

3x Ginseng Root

Cost - 50 Silver coins per root

4x Lotus Roots

Cost - 35 Silver coins per root

65x Earthly Lotus Petals

Cost - 10 Silver coins per 100 petals

25x Lavender Flowers

Cost - 10 Silver coins per 50 flowers

5x Velvet Rose Petals

Cost - 100 Silver coins per 10 petals

From the previous stock, Xianlu carefully restocked the common ingredients until all of the uncommon ingredients were exhausted, allowing him to blend a total of 125 tea blends. After tallying the income and subtracting the cost of raw materials for restocking, Xianlu meticulously recorded their earnings in the ledger.

New Remaining Balance:

14 Gold Coins

45 Silver Coins

45 Copper Coins

Xianlu planned to restock for 20 tea blends of each of the five types of tea blends they sold, which meant setting aside 83 Silver and 9 Copper coins.

"With the due monthly amortization of 4 Gold coins for the debt, 1 Gold coin for the monthly rent, and one month's worth of daily necessities costing 50 Silver coins, plus the restock price of 83 Silver and 9 Copper coins, how much will remain?" He asked himself.

He did the calculations in his head as the figure settled into the ledger with precision.

Final Remaining Balance:

8 Gold Coins

12 Silver Coins

45 Copper Coins

Xianlu leaned back, resting his hands on the worn wooden desk. It wasn't much, but it was enough—for now. Each coin accounted for, every purchase carefully considered. Despite the exhausting routine, Xianlu's mind was sharper, focusing not on immediate survival, but the broader vision. Every blend, every customer, every detail was a step toward something more—something he would not leave to chance.

Xianlu then opened another ledger, reviewing the figures detailing their total debt. For seventeen long years, his grandfather had struggled tirelessly to pay off their obligations. Now, the final debt stood at 50 Gold Coins. After deducting this month's payment, they still needed to pay 46 Gold Coins.

"That's roughly one more year of payments…" Xianlu murmured with a sigh of contentment.

He glanced out the window, his mind racing as he contemplated what more could be done to earn. Then, a thought came to him—an old story told by Madam Eini about rare herbs found deep within the Riverscale Valley, each costing around 10 Gold Coins. If he could gather at least five of these elusive herbs, he could settle the remaining debt immediately! But as quickly as the idea surfaced, he recalled the dangers Eini had described.

The Riverscale Valley was a perilous place, filled with monstrous beasts and deadly traps set to guard its most valuable treasures. Yet, the temptation of such wealth tugged at him—a way to break free from the chains of debt that had bound his family for so long. Still, the risk was not lost on him.

"Even if the reward is tempting," he thought, "the cost may be too great."

---

The next morning, Xianlu rose with the sun, starting his usual routine. He cleaned the house meticulously, prepared the necessary fire to heat water, and helped his grandfather and uncle brew their morning tea. The aroma of jasmine and black tea filled the air as they gathered around the small wooden table, exchanging quiet words of gratitude.

After seeing them settled, Xianlu took his leave early, heading toward the bustling Clan Marketplace. His goal was simple: to haggle with the shopkeepers and save whatever coins he could. Today, he managed to save 1 Silver Coin from the expected restock cost of 83 Silver and 9 Copper Coins. His success stemmed from the refined interpersonal skills he had learned from his Grandfather—an essential trait that had served him well throughout his life.

As he carried the supplies back home, his mind began to wander. The weight of his responsibilities was always present, but today something else caught his attention. A figure lay slumped against the wall of a narrow alleyway. The person was dirty and frail, barely clothed in tattered garments that barely shielded him from the cold.

Xianlu's brows furrowed as he approached the young man. His gaze softened when he noticed the person's gaunt, hollow expression. A flicker of recognition crossed his mind as whispers of past conversations echoed—a distant memory of the tribes outside the clan, the Transformation Beast Tribes, whose members bore mutated bloodlines and unpredictable abilities.

Many of them awakened their bloodlines at an early age, but with little control. These powers were unstable, dangerous not only to those around them but often to the user themselves.

"They escaped," Xianlu thought, his heart aching deeply. "The beasts ravaged their homes, tearing through everything they held dear, leaving nothing but ruin in their wake." The images of those helpless families fleeing for their lives haunted him, their desperate cries echoing in his mind.

Xianlu had heard these stories from the elder customers in their shop, their voices trembling as they recounted the horrors they had witnessed from afar. They spoke of entire villages consumed by the rampaging beasts, bloodlines gone wild, and the helplessness of those who couldn't control their power. Xianlu had never seen it personally, but the vivid descriptions painted a scene far worse than any nightmare he could imagine.

He could already picture it—homes reduced to ashes, loved ones lost to uncontrollable rage, and the constant fear that accompanied every step those afflicted took. The very thought of such devastation made his chest tighten, a gnawing sense of injustice stirring within him. How many had suffered silently, how many had been cast aside to fend for themselves, never given the chance to reclaim what was lost?

Xianlu knew the clan's system was far from perfect. While it offered protection within its borders, it did little to address the underlying issues of those who couldn't conform to its strict rules. He saw how the Transformation Beast Tribes were treated—pushed into the shadows, abandoned by the very system that was meant to support them. And in the end, those who couldn't adapt, who couldn't control their powers, became nothing more than outcasts, discarded like useless tools.

He sighed deeply, his thoughts tangled in a web of frustration and resolve. No one should have to endure such suffering alone. No one should be cast out because of their bloodline. And yet, that was the harsh reality that many faced.

Seeing the disheveled young man, Xianlu sighed deeply. He pulled out the silver coin he had saved earlier and looked at it for a moment. "Might as well give this to him," he mused, knowing it was meant to be spent either way.

Nearby, there was a small shop that sold dried goods—meat, bread, and water. Xianlu purchased a few bags of dried meat, a couple of loaves of bread, and a jug of water. The cost wasn't much—just a few copper coins—but Xianlu intended to offer the remaining change to the young man as well.

With his arms laden with food, he approached the slumbering figure. Gently, he woke the man, who stirred sluggishly at first, his movements sluggish as though his body was unused to such kindness.

The young man blinked tiredly at Xianlu, and when his eyes met Xianlu's, the latter paused. "So deep…" Xianlu murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He was taken aback by the intensity of those dark eyes—eyes like black holes, unyielding yet mysterious.

The young man's hair was short and messy, casting his face in shadows, but Xianlu could still make out faint scars along his skin, stretching to his neck and arms. It was clear he had seen far too much.

Xianlu paused, his brow furrowed in quiet contemplation. He didn't recognize the young man before him, his face a stranger's in the dim light. Yet, something about the state of desperation in those tired eyes struck a chord within him. With a deep breath, Xianlu reached into his pocket, pulling out a crisp handkerchief. Gently, almost tenderly, he began to wipe away the grime and dirt that marred the young man's face, his touch steady and compassionate. Despite the uncertainty, his virtues guided him — in moments like this, helping was the only choice that felt right.

"Here," Xianlu said softly, handing the food and water. "Food."

The young man's lips parted, and for a moment, no words came. His expression flickered between suspicion and curiosity. He shifted uncomfortably, eyeing the food in Xianlu's hands warily.

"I'm Xianlu," Xianlu said, his voice steady and calm. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. But I'm here, and I won't harm you."

The young man's tense shoulders relaxed slightly at Xianlu's words. After a brief pause, his voice emerged in a hoarse, yet electrifying whisper. "Kai… they called me Kai."

The voice, deep and commanding, resonated like thunder, each word cutting through the quiet air with a sharp, dominant edge. Xianlu felt it vibrate through his core, its intensity striking a chord deep within him—a reminder of power and resolve, fierce and unwavering.

Xianlu nodded slowly. "Kai. I've heard of the Tribes outside the clan," he said thoughtfully. "Your... tribe—?"

Kai's gaze dropped to the ground. His hands clenched, and for a long moment, he said nothing. But eventually, he spoke. His voice was quiet, trembling with emotion. "We were attacked… by beasts we couldn't fight. My parents… they didn't survive." His voice wavered, and for a brief moment, Xianlu could sense the weight of the trauma in his heart.

"You were strong enough to fight?" Xianlu asked, his tone gentle, though he already suspected the answer.

Kai's lips pressed into a thin, pale line. Silence hung heavy between them, broken only by his subdued words. "I had a mutated bloodline… awakened early, but it wasn't strong enough. Not strong enough to defend my tribe, to protect my family. I fought until I couldn't anymore. Until my body gave out, and everything went dark."

His voice faltered, growing softer with each word. "When I woke up, I was carried here. Alone. The others—they had no means to teach me, no means to guide me. No one to support me. Everything I once knew, everything I once fought for—gone."

A bitter, haunting sorrow flickered in his eyes as he stared past Xianlu, into a past too painful to revisit. The weight of loss clung to his words, a reminder of a life shattered by circumstances beyond his control, a story of survival born from tragedy and emptiness.

Xianlu's fingers tightened around the food. He understood. Without a proper teacher, without resources, even the most promising cultivators could be stifled by poverty and loss. And in Kai's case, it had been an unforgiving reality.

"You're lucky to have survived," Xianlu said, his voice steady yet soothing.

Kai blinked slowly, his vision still hazy, but when he focused again, his breath caught. The face before him was striking—delicate features framed by long black hair that cascaded down like a waterfall, and eyes as dark as the deepest night, shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance. They reminded him of the cold, serene moon resting against an inky sky—a beauty both haunting and calming.

Kai's gaze locked onto Xianlu's, searching deeply. There was a faint glimmer of gratitude in his expression, but it was tempered by the weight of his past—a burden far heavier than his physical exhaustion. "Thank you," he said, his voice a whisper, raw with emotion. "Thank you for helping me."

Xianlu offered a gentle, understanding smile. "No need for thanks," he murmured softly. "First, you need to eat. You're still weak."

Kai accepted the offered food with a quiet nod, his hands trembling slightly. They sat in silence as the streets around them settled into a hushed calm. The world seemed distant, insignificant. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Kai found a fleeting moment of peace—a sensation foreign, yet oddly welcome. A stillness he couldn't quite comprehend.

Kai suddenly realized something as he stood there, his gaze shifting between the well-dressed passersby who moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural. Their clothes were of fine quality, clean and unblemished, just like Xianlu's. Yet, not one of them paused to offer a helping hand.

His mind began to churn with thoughts, turning over possibilities and probabilities.

'Could this be a chance?' Kai thought, his breath hitching in his throat.

He turned his gaze back to Xianlu, who watched him with a mixture of curiosity and astonishment. Kai swallowed, his heart pounding as he prepared to take a risk far greater than he'd ever considered.

"I am an awakened Vein-Weaver at 5% Resonance," Kai said, his voice steady but trembling beneath the surface. "I can be of help in many ways—you just need to give me a roof over my head and food. No need to pay me. Can I follow you?"

Xianlu was caught off guard. His mind raced with thoughts of how he could assist Kai—how he could help someone who had clearly endured hardship. Yet, the words left him speechless.

Here he was, someone already burdened with poverty and little resources. His grandfather worked tirelessly to make ends meet, and his uncle, despite his crippled condition, had devoted himself to educating the next generation, all for Xianlu's future. To take in another burden, a stranger with no guarantees of stability or control, was a risk Xianlu hadn't been prepared to face.

Still, something in Kai's calm, steady gaze made Xianlu pause. There was no desperation in his eyes—only a quiet resolve. Xianlu studied him closely, searching for signs of instability, for traces of the uncontrollable Vein-Weaver that had plagued his childhood fears. But there were none. Kai's presence exuded calmness, his aura controlled, no hint of the chaotic mutation often associated with Transformation Beast Tribes.

After a moment of hesitation, Xianlu finally nodded, his decision made. "Come," he said, leading Kai away from the crowded marketplace.

Together, they walked back toward the tea shop. Xianlu didn't speak much along the way, lost in thought. It wasn't until they reached the small, modest shop that he paused.

"You wait here," Xianlu said softly, motioning for Kai to stay by the entrance. "I'll speak with my grandfather and uncle first."

Kai nodded silently, watching as Xianlu entered the shop. The door shut behind him, leaving Kai alone on the street once more. He leaned against the wall, breathing in the cool air, his thoughts turning inward. The sounds of the shop inside were muffled, but Kai could hear the faint hum of Xianlu's voice—the steady cadence of someone in control, someone with purpose.

A faint smile touched his lips, his resolve growing stronger with each passing moment. Whatever the outcome, he would face it with everything he had.

He thought back to Xianlu's calm, composed presence—the way he seemed to carry himself with the grace and brilliance of the moon. There was a quiet strength in him, as though he had been forged by the night itself, his essence as steady as the moon's light against the vast, shadowed sky. Just as the moon draws dragons from the depths of the mountains with its luminous pull, Xianlu seemed to possess a magnetic calm that drew hope and purpose into even the darkest corners of their lives.

In moments of despair, when the weight of debt and duty pressed heavily, Xianlu's presence was like the first silver crescent—a beacon shining through the haze of uncertainty. It was in his quiet confidence that Kai found a glimpse of possibility, like a promise whispered by the winds that even the most fragile flame could endure in the darkest night.

The door to the shop opened, and a warm, radiant smile greeted Kai as Xianlu stepped outside. His eyes shimmered with a quiet confidence, and as he approached, he spoke with a calmness that seemed to carry the weight of the entire world:

"Come, they agreed!"

Kai's breath caught for a moment as the words sank in. He recalled the stories his parents once told him—how, when a Black Dragon meets the Moon, the celestial body becomes more than just a physical presence in the sky. It symbolizes transformation, cycles, and rebirth. The moon waxes and wanes, shifting through its phases until it reaches its peak, illuminating the world with radiant splendor.

In that moment, Kai felt his own purpose shift. The unseen pull of the moon guided him toward something greater. Each interaction with Xianlu was no longer a mere encounter—it became a step toward revelation. A rising tide that pulled him from the depths of despair toward something luminous, something worth fighting for.

Dragons, too, were drawn to the moon—ancient, wise creatures who sought more than its beauty. They sought the way it illuminated the path to understanding the mysteries of the universe. In Xianlu's presence, Kai felt that same magnetic pull—a journey toward growth, mastery of his destiny, and a future where his struggles were met with resilience, not surrender.

In his silence, Kai found a newfound purpose—to rise, not just to endure, but to flourish, like the ocean drawn by the unyielding pull of the moon's gravity.

No matter what the future held, Kai knew he would repay this debt a thousand times over. For Xianlu had shown him a glimpse of a world where hope could bloom even in the darkest of nights.