Antonio clapped his hands together. “All right, enough talk. Let’s clean the game and take it to town before dark.”
Then, turning to the gathered villagers, he added, “From now on, don’t go to town unless absolutely necessary, and don’t leave the village without a good reason. I don’t know what’s gotten into the Demon Seal Alliance lately, but they’ve been looting and pillaging without restraint.”
His gaze then shifted to Percy. “Percy, how’s the pill coming along?”
Percy hesitated. “I… I haven’t had any success yet.”
For days now, he had been trying to refine medicine, using herbs that the village chief and the other hunters had gathered. They never let him go into the mountains himself. But after all this time, he still hadn’t managed to produce anything, and he felt embarrassed.
Antonio chuckled and patted Percy’s shoulder.
“No need to rush. Alchemy isn’t easy. But once you succeed, our whole village will benefit.”
Percy’s eyes burned with determination. “I won’t let you down, Mr. Antonio!”
“Suddenly, the sky trembled as a brilliant white light flickered through the void.
Everyone turned their eyes upward in shock. Figures slowly materialized from the dazzling light.”
“That’s Jared! Jared’s back!” Percy was the first to recognize him, his voice ringing out in excitement.
“Grandma?” Emily’s whole body trembled as she saw the elderly woman beside Jared.
The villagers could hardly believe their eyes. Only someone truly powerful could move through the skies like that.
As Jared and the others descended into Rock Village, Ira suddenly pulled her hand free from his grasp and ran toward Emily. “Emily! My Emily!”
“Grandma!” Emily ran toward her, throwing her arms around the elderly woman as tears spilled down her face.
“Jared, we were just talking about you, and now you’re really here!” Percy ran up, hugging Jared tightly.
Jared laughed and ruffled Percy’s hair. “You’ve gotten taller, Percy.”
“Jared, y-you’re back,” Antonio said, stepping forward and gripping Jared’s hands.
Jared smiled warmly. “Yes, Mr. Antonio. I’ve come back to see all of you.”
The villagers crowded around, welcoming him with beaming smiles. Even though Jared hadn’t spent much time in Rock Village, they had long since considered him one of their own.
“Grandma, I thought you were dead. H-How are you here?” After the tears had settled, Emily stared at Ira in disbelief.
“Oh, it’s a long story…” Ira gently explained everything to Emily.
“All right, everyone, let’s not overwhelm them,” Antonio finally said. “Jared and the others have traveled a long way. Let’s give them some time to rest.” He led them to a small courtyard. Though the place was simple and worn, it was kept spotlessly clean.
Percy returned not long after, carrying a handful of spiritual plants. “Jared, these are from Mr. Antonio. You must be tired from traveling, so you should eat something.”
Jared looked at the herbs and smiled. He knew these were the best Rock Village had to offer. “Percy, tell the chief we brought our own supplies. He doesn’t need to worry about us,” Jared said, giving the boy a reassuring pat.
Percy nodded and ran off.
Orion, meanwhile, examined the spiritual plants in disbelief. “D*mn… after all these years, I had no idea there were places this poor in the Ethereal Realm. What is this? Even a dog wouldn’t eat these…”
The powerful Ultimate Realm Level Nine cultivators had never seen such a humble lifestyle before. Their understanding of the world had been completely turned upside down.
