Blood became exasperated when he saw the crystal again.
Its protruding spikes were menacing. Clearly, from the warning his mum gave earlier and knowing full well that the crystal was the main composite of a beast that without which the beast couldn't live for a second.
It couldn't be easily said that the crystal was without toxins.
He scrutinized the crystal as if he could see if the effects had worn off. Moreover, with the relaxed position of his mum, he believed she had an antidote for this even if it stings if not, she wouldn't be so relaxed.
He placed the crystal next to the beast carcass and darted his eyes to his mum.
"How i…"
He couldn't finish when he was cut off.
"The Cobra appeared to be in its 'best' form. How much crystals would it fetch." Ivory said, obviously elated.
"Looking at its decapitated state it only amounts to a little more than a hundred crystals. Of course, if you had retained the body perfectly its worth would have increased." Maria said, a light smirk appearing at a corner of her check.
Blood and Ivory tensed their fists simultaneously. Blood neither know the value of beast carcasses nor their crystals, but he clearly knew his mother was really nabbing him.
If he knew the worth of a complete beast carcass he would have started knitting, even if the one he brought was out of shape.
However, Ivory had a slight idea.
She knew the complete carcass of an Iron realm stage-1 beast was equivalent to about 300 energy crystals. Not to talk of stage 2, generally stage 6 beast should be much higher…
How could she propose that it's a little more than a hundred.
"Khu..Khu"
"There's no way beasts would be this cheap. How do you expect the hunters to live." Ivory looked at her mother completely stunned by the amount she offered. She turned her eyes to her brother and said,
"Since you can't go out for now because of some rules in place, I will go with Kelly and exchange it in no time. The hunter branch isn't far away." she hinted with a straight face as she walked to the carcass.
Blood nodded, clearly understanding the hint.
Maria wore a faint smile. A smile that irks to be called a smile, "Putting our relationship into consideration, the price could be raised to three times the previous amount."
Blood's expression eased a bit when he heard the amount increased by three times. He wanted to readily agree before he was cut off again by someone who appeared to be unsated.
"What beast are you talking about, young woman." Ivory said with curled lips as there appeared to be no beast on the floor anymore. She had stowed it away, undetected.
Blood was perplexed as he raised his hands up, giving his sister a thumb-up. She was the only one in the family that could speak 'evenly' with their parents. And so, they tend to curry favor in her...
Maria narrowed her eyes and looked at her kid with obviously scrutiny, "Haha. What are you so vigilant about? You better bring that carcass out if you don't want to be locked up." she threatened.
"Haa, am not afraid." Ivory retorted with absolute defiance.
Her cherry voice was one to look out for, easily compelling someone to disregard every other thing and submit to her with unwavering loyalty.
"Hmm… Baby, if you continue this way, you're only putting your brother in a difficult position, not me. One word, and the gates are closed. Let's see how you exchange that then." Maria stated. Leaving no room for further discussions. She took her leave.
Ivory's complexion visibly contorted. Her mother was the only oppressor she ever had. Her father was a lot better since she could always do as she wants.
Haa
"2000 energy crystals it is then." she blunted out before her mother could go past the door.
"Hehe, little one. I've already told you how much energy crystals your little beast is worth. Forget about further bargaining. You better let that carcass out, now that you still have the chance and don't think your father will help you out when he returns. Your stubbornness is only delaying your satiated brother." Maria scowled as she took a step…
Ivory unconsciously looked at her brother as if to determining if he was really satiated only to see his contorted expression,
"Wait…" Ivory called, she was really dejected. It was as if she had failed him.
Blood patted her shoulder assuring her it was okay and that she's done enough. His sister loved him more than most anyway, especially because he was at home mostly and spent more of his time with her.
"Mum, can I also get my cultivation resources for the next two months all at once now. I really have a need for them." he pleaded.
"Oh sweetheart, you should know the rules. I won't have you waste your resources in hole digging I see no use. When you have a more concrete reason you may return." she immediately rejected.
This was exactly what he was afraid of. He already knew it was unlikely for him to receive resources wantonly. He wanted to plead more but with a sweep of her hand through the air, he was silenced.
"You'll receive your crystals now." she said as she stretched her hand and energy crystals of precisely a thousand spread free on the glittering tiles. She immediately exited the room.
Blood wide-mouthed when he saw the number of crystals lying on the floor and immediately began collecting the crystals. This many energy crystals would go a long way, though it might not be enough for the whole task.
It seems his mother was benevolent enough and added more to it. Maybe it was to alleviate his sister from worry.
"Hey, little sister. Thanks for your assistance. You should go rest upstairs while I continue my uhh.. project." he said and stood just close to her puppy face while he played with her hair.
"She obviously kept more of the crystals, and you better tell me what this project of yours is all about when you come back. You've been spending too much time in the sun. I'm afraid there won't be any lady for you." Ivory chuckled as she jumped upstairs.
"Hmm, so far as I have you with me, why should I consider others affection." he shouted aloud so she could hear, and directly left to meet his friend.
Maria shook her head. Kids relationship was really one of the best that a person could possibly have.
_____
Blood arrived and Ballock and he immediately got to work. Never know where these few crystals would get them or how they'd get more after this. They just had to do with what they had.
They filled up the crystal-powered shovel and their digging continued.
______
Gallop, Gallop, Gallop..
The earth gave a weak rumble and shifted as the dessert-like sand went into a swirl. Cloud of dust moved along with the linear carriages as they came closer to their destination.
The carriages were knotted to various horses—the Earth-glaze horse, as they huffed and galloped along, to the forest just ahead of them.
The lead coachman who seemed to be the head of the coachmen could already see the outline of people and tents covering the forest especially its tall trees from far away.
This many people are already outside the forest! How many are inside then.
The top treasures might have already been taken completely only leaving scrap for people who came later, like them.
However, who could elucidate what the finest treasures are except a learned one of that particular field. Some crops might appear ordinary but in truth, they were rear resources which are really hard to come across.
They could be easily missed.
So, the alchemist could be said to be on the safe and bright side of this event.
Nevertheless, coming early was actually the best. It's just like having enough gold and shopping for the best goods while leaving the inferior ones for those who arrived late.
The group closest to the particular spot the red mist invaded were the Marble's family except for the cultivators already close to the forest or where inside before the occurrence.
Neighs...
The Earth-glaze horses stopped in their tracks with a huff as the coachman got down to open the door. He had the most important individual on board.
Before he could though, he heard a voice which he knew too well,
"Have we made it already?"
He could hear a lucid voice within the carriage.