sinovels Chapter 77 Strange Movements in the Sea of Consciousness
Chapter 77 Strange Movements in the Sea of Consciousness
After all, Yang Changsheng's purchase price was indeed much higher than the unified buyback price within the pavilion, which was a small extra income for him personally.
"It's alright, Manager Sun, don't worry about it. This was expected." Yang Changsheng waved his hand, his expression calm.
He had anticipated this; once war broke out, resource control would inevitably tighten, and things like discarded pills, which could potentially be exploited, would naturally be the first to be targeted.
Yang Changsheng's gaze, as if drawn by a magnet, once again fell upon the spot in the corner of the counter that had been wiped spotless.
There, a small, green-blue tortoise-shaped wooden sculpture, about a foot tall, sits quietly.
The tortoise shell pattern is simple and natural, and the wood has a deep blue color that exudes vitality, with a subtle, warm luster.
Nine years ago, when he first stepped into the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, this wooden sculpture was there. It exuded a unique aura that resonated faintly with the golden ancient tree imprint deep in his sea of consciousness, instantly attracting him.
This item is carved from the top-grade first-tier spiritual wood, Azure Longevity Tortoise Wood. The material itself is of considerable value, and it also contains a spiritual aura that symbolizes longevity and peace.
He asked the price several times, but Manager Sun declined each time because of its sentimental value.
At this moment, watching Manager Sun about to leave completely, and looking at this wooden carving that had accompanied him for so many years.
Yang Changsheng's heart stirred, and he spoke again, his voice steady but with a hint of probing, saying, "Manager Sun, I have always longed for this Azure Longevity Tortoise wood carving. Now that you are about to retire, I wonder... if you would be willing to part with it? As for the price, I will certainly not let you suffer a loss."
Manager Sun's gaze followed Yang Changsheng's words and fell on the wooden carving that had accompanied him for most of his life.
A complex emotion flashed in his cloudy eyes—a mixture of reminiscence and reluctance—which ultimately turned into a barely audible sigh.
He slowly walked over, stretched out his withered hand, and gently stroked the smooth, cool texture of the tortoise shell, as if caressing a warm time that had long since passed.
"This item..." Manager Sun's voice was deep and resonant, carrying the vicissitudes of time.
"It was something my wife and I found by chance in an unnamed ancient cave when we were traveling. We had only been away for a little over ten years when she passed away unexpectedly... Alas."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
This wooden sculpture embodies his deepest longing for his deceased wife and is the most important spiritual sustenance for him in the latter half of his life.
"Now that my lifespan is coming to an end, it is time for me to... return to my homeland, to guard her grave, and keep her company. This object, though fine, is only gathering dust here."
He raised his head and looked at Yang Changsheng, the hope in his eyes seemingly finding its home:
"Young friend Yang, you have been trading with me for many years, and you are of pure character. You also have a special fondness for this item. Today, I will entrust it to you. Take it for two hundred low-grade spirit stones. I only hope that you will treat this item well."
Two hundred spirit stones! For a top-tier first-order spirit tree, especially given the resource premiums during this war-torn era, this price is practically a steal!
Yang Changsheng was startled. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately counted out two hundred low-grade spirit stones from his storage bag and neatly stacked them on the counter. His movements were swift and decisive: "Manager Sun's kindness will be remembered by Yang Changsheng! This junior will cherish it!"
Manager Sun looked at the pile of spirit stones, then took a deep look at Yang Changsheng, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
He carefully picked up the Qingxuan Longevity Tortoise wood carving and handed it over: "Good, good, longevity... Hehe, longevity, when you really live to my age, you may understand that sometimes, longevity... isn't all that good."
"One by one, the people around me left, and in the end, nothing was left but... an empty... Changsheng."
That soft sigh seemed to contain all the joys and sorrows, the separations and deaths of a 140-year life, like the last leaf of late autumn falling into a cold pool, desolate and empty.
It struck Yang Changsheng's heart heavily, causing his hand holding the wooden carving to involuntarily sink slightly.
The wood carving feels warm and substantial to the touch. The deep blue wood grain seems to come alive, and a cool and gentle aura seeps silently into the body through the palm.
Deep within the sea of consciousness, the ancient and mysterious golden tree imprint rooted in chaos suddenly trembled violently after a long period of silence!
Yang Changsheng used his knuckles to stabilize the wooden carving, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply followed the lead of Manager Sun and gently brushed aside the loneliness he felt towards Changsheng: "Manager Sun has seen through the ways of the world... I have learned a lot from you."
He turned to Sun Nanxing, who was peering curiously from beside the counter. The young man's eyes and brows were full of unpolished vigor, which contrasted sharply with the old shopkeeper's senility.
Yang Changsheng bowed slightly: "Congratulations to the young manager on taking over the family business. With such a young talent in Baicao Pavilion, it will surely have a different look in the future."
Sun Nanxing blushed slightly at the unexpected compliment and hurriedly returned the compliment.
"Go then, young friend. Now that you have found your favorite, it is time for this old man to pack his bags and return home."
Seeing this, the last trace of melancholy in Manager Sun's eyes turned into expectation for his great-grandson, and he waved his hand and said.
"This junior takes his leave."
Yang Changsheng put the wooden carving, which he couldn't put into his storage bag, into his large sleeve pocket and turned around with steady steps.
However, just as he stepped out of the shop, he felt a sudden jolt in his sleeve!
The wood carving seemed to come alive; the tortoise shell patterns scalded and boiled under the fabric, and an incredibly terrifying suction force erupted from the sea of consciousness, frantically tearing at the life force hidden within the wood carving.
He suddenly stopped walking, his left heel barely touching the threshold, using this subtle movement to forcibly steady himself.
Yang Changsheng suppressed the turbulent emotions churning in his mind and nodded slightly in greeting towards the counter before disappearing into the bustling crowd of the market.
The afternoon sun in the market was a bit dazzling, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, haggling over prices, and the cries of mythical beasts mingled into a noisy cacophony.
Yang Changsheng's steps appeared relaxed, but in reality, every step he took was on a taut string.
The tremors inside the sleeve grew more intense, as if the wood carving had transformed into a restless heart, each beat drawing forth the roar of the golden ancient tree imprint.
Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, only to evaporate quickly. The only trace of his suppressed emotions was his tightly pursed lips.
"We must find a quiet place!"
Yang Changsheng's thoughts raced as his gaze swept over the shops along the street.
When the plain blue banner of Shuyu Tea House came into view, he turned and went in without hesitation.
The aroma of tea wafted through the teahouse, and several people sat at tables chatting quietly.
"A quiet room, a pot of the cheapest 'Qingxin Maofeng' tea."
Yang Changsheng walked straight to the counter, tossed out a low-grade spirit stone, and spoke a little faster than usual, but still maintained his composure.
The shopkeeper quickly accepted the spirit stones and handed over a bamboo plaque engraved with "Ding Qi".
Yang Changsheng took the bamboo plaque and turned to walk towards the back corridor.
The vibrations within his sleeves were like the beating of drums; the sharp edges of the wooden tortoise shell rubbed against his skin through his clothing; and the illusory image of the golden ancient tree in his sea of consciousness shone brightly, almost piercing through his body.