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Chapter 1,349.
🕑 Added 2025-03-14 19:00:16 +0000 UTCBecome a patron to read ahead.
“Dad, look! Someone’s walking around inside Grandpa Hetcher’s house!”
Beene found his daughter seated at her usual spot in the second-floor window’s culvert. He inwardly sighed at the schoolbook in her lap. It had been passed between multiple families before his father won it playing cards. It had taught two generations of children letters and numbers before reaching Helisent’s hands.
The book looked like exposure to sunlight would reduce it to dust, yet the words on the pages were so faded they could only be read when the sun stood just right in the sky. Beene wished he could replace it, but how could he splurge on that when making it through each winter was a struggle? Maybe it was time to give up on the seed business and try something new. The farmers clearly preferred sowing those damn herbs despite the danger it posed to their health.
“Is it a thief?” the child whispered, shrinking back from the window.
“Any thief would know there’s nothing of value in old Hetcher’s store.” Beene smiled as he walked over.
The Greenworth Trade Street saw mediocre foot traffic since the city moved the eastern gate. Many visitors didn’t even know it existed since it was located away from the main avenues and the major plaza. In return, it was mostly spared the chaos of the hunter’s district that sometimes spilled over into Whitfall’s more flourishing shopping neighborhoods.
“Someone’s cleaning,” Beene muttered. “I guess old Hetcher finally managed to rent out his store.”
“A new neighbor?” Helisent asked, her face now flush with excitement. “We should greet him.”
“Let me talk to him first,” Beene said with an almost imperceptible frown before stepping out of his store.
He’d only caught a few glimpses through the window, but Beene’s years in the trade left him certain this was no ordinary merchant. Beene had felt an almost primal threat even from a distance. It was just like when he joined his father on the caravan and they were attacked by wolves on the way home. Could it be an experienced cultivator? Perhaps a fugitive hiding from his enemies or the law?
His mind full of increasingly wild theories, it took Beene a moment to gather the courage to knock on his neighbor’s door. It wasn’t fully closed, likely to let some fresh air in. It had been more than two years since Old Hetcher retired and moved in with his son, and the building had stood empty since.
“Hello?” Beene hesitated as the door swung open with a groan.
After a short shuffle, his new neighbor came into view. The man would have looked the part of a young hero if not for his slightly sickly aura. There were no obvious wounds on his body, and Beene got the feeling it was a congenital issue. Still, he by no means appeared weak. There was a profound depth in his gaze that eclipsed even the greatest hunters Beene had met over the years. They held a storm that sucked the air out of the room, leaving him breathless.
Like a spell broken, the feeling disappeared. And yet, Beene wouldn’t forget that extraordinary disposition. This was a man with a story, and Beene thankfully didn’t sense any malice from him. Judging by the many scars on his exposed arms, he might simply be someone who’d grown weary of traveling the rivers and lakes. Then again, Beene couldn’t sense a speck of that invisible pressure any cultivator would exhibit.
“Can I help you?” the young man asked.
“Ah, apologizes,” Beene coughed awkwardly. “I’m Beene Peck of Peck’s Seeds.”
“Peck’s Seeds?” the man slowly said before connecting the dots. “Oh, you’re from next door. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Zac Atwood. Then it’s your daughter peeking from the window?”
Beene smiled with relief after seeing the young man hadn’t taken offense. “Indeed. Helisent is my youngest of two. She meant no harm. It’s not often something interesting happens here on Greenworth Trade Street. Most stores have been passed on through generations.”
An unusual flicker appeared in the man’s eyes before he smiled. “It’s not a problem. I heard from Master Hetcher that he lived here for nearly forty years.”
“Indeed. It’s good to see someone bring new life to this store. The more wares Greenworth can offer, the more customers we’ll attract,” Beene said. “May I ask which industry Master Atwood specializes in?”
“What I’m selling?” The young man almost looked surprised by the question, and it took him a moment to answer. “Wooden Carvings.”
“Carvings?” Beene blinked with confusion before forcing a smile. “Lumber is plentiful and high-quality this close to the Whitmont Forest. You can even acquire Spiritual Wood from the Guild, though it’ll cost you a penny. Carvings, huh? I’m sure it’ll add a layer of sophistication to the street, assisting its revival.”
Beene wasn’t nearly as optimistic as he let on. Whitfall wasn't like Proudcrest, a few days’ travel away, let alone the more distant Palimu where the noblemen lived. The township stood at the intersection of the fields and the Whitmont Forest, and the whole city’s economy was centered around the two trades. Farmers and lumberjacks wouldn’t be able to afford carvings.
The skilled hunters braving the forest depths certainly could, but whatever money they saved up went into advancing their cultivation or upgrading equipment. Even if they decided to splurge on an ornament, would they be interested in the carvings of a random storekeeper? No-name artisans would barely make a profit after accounting for materials, rent, and time. There was also the cost of practicing their craft.
It would take a miracle for this Zac Atwood to avoid bankruptcy within a few months. Beene would bet his left hand that Old Hetcher had demanded at least a year’s rent up-front after learning of this man’s business venture.
Zac nodded with a smile. “There’s still much I don’t understand when it comes to running a store. I’d welcome Master Peck’s guidance.”
“My accomplishments are meager, I’m afraid. It might be me who’ll have to rely on Master Atwood in the future,” Beene politely answered.
Beene spent the next twenty minutes going over the informal rules of Greenworth Trade Street and what to take note of when running a store in Whitfall. Zac Atwood was clearly not a local, and Beene didn’t want the courteous young man to fall victim by not understanding the undercurrents.
Life returned to normal, now with Helisent’s occasional update on their odd neighbor. His doors remained closed for business even after a month had passed. It wasn’t the only thing that didn’t make sense. Zac disappeared for days on end every week. He could return at any time of day, sometimes wounded and always exhausted. A few times, he came back drawing a cart or directly lugging pieces of lumber.
Was he sourcing the wood himself? It would certainly save on costs, but it had to be very time-consuming. Where would Zac find the time to make his carvings and sell them? Not to mention the dangers. The Spiritual Beasts of the Whitmont Forest wasn’t the only thing to worry about. The city had plenty of ruthless hunters, and the rule of law didn’t reach the depths of the woods where the valuable trees could be found. Even the Forester Guild was known to cause trouble for unaffiliated lumberjacks.
Months passed this way, with some of the carver’s outings lasting weeks. Beene was starting to believe his initial suspicions were correct. The whole thing about opening a store to sell wooden carvings was a cover for a more unsavory business. The only thing that left Beene uncertain was Zac’s consistent lack of spiritual pressure and sickly countenance.
It wasn’t just Beene and his daughter who took notice. Dissent was growing among the neighbors. Having boarded-up stores wasn’t good for business. It only reinforced the impression that the Greenworth Trade Street was a mercantile hub on the decline. At the same time, they’d all seen Zac return looking like he’d clawed his way out of hell. No one bought his explanation that he was exploring the region for inspiration and good materials, but they also didn’t dare call him on his bluff.
“Look, it’s Grandpa Hetcher! He doesn’t look happy,” Helisent said one day from her perch by the window.
“He’s having a talk with Zac,” Beene said, already knowing what it was about.
Half a year had passed, and the Greenworth Association had decided to tackle the problem from another direction. The Greenworth Trade Street was a designated mercantile district, and using the buildings solely as a domicile went against the rules. This regulation was rarely enforced, but the Trade Council used it to give Old Hetcher an ultimatum.
Fix the problem or they’d take the issue to the City Lord. Zac would be evicted, and there was a decent chance that Hetcher would be fined. So it fell on Hetcher’s shoulders to remind his tenant of their agreement. Beene, remembering Zac Atwood’s grim expression as he returned a few days before, hesitated whether he should act as a mediator.
Beene had developed some rapport with the young man over the months, and he might be able to defuse the situation in case it grew heated. A smiling Hetcher emerged from his storefront before Beene could convince himself, and news quickly spread among the merchants. Atwood Carvings would open in a week.
The day of, Beene prepared a small gift and set out with Helisent on his heels. Beene had tried to keep his young daughter away from this mysterious stranger, but he wouldn’t hear the end of it if she missed out on the grand opening.
Atwood Carvings had opened without fanfare or even a symbolic ceremony for good luck. The only difference was that the storefront’s door stood wide open, and the large sign above the entrance that had appeared during the night. Beene stopped on the street, entranced by the characters carved into the oiled board that retained the natural shapes of the tree it came from.
“Great strokes,” Beene muttered.
The longer he looked, the more moved Beene became. He didn’t understand the fine arts, leaving him unable to articulate why the calligraphy left his heart thumping. The two unadorned words simply held an otherworldly charm. It was as though they were naturally formed by the wood, and looking at them temporarily swept away his chronic fatigue.
“Dad!”
“Sorry, let’s go,” Beene said, suddenly with some expectation.
Beene only took a few steps into the store before finding himself rooted in place. Hetcher’s storefront was equipped with six skylights that provided natural brightness. The old man had them installed during a period when lamp oil had skyrocketed in price. Beene had always envied the design. Unfortunately, their kitchen was right atop his store, making such an addition impossible.
There were only five items for sale in the whole store, each placed on an individual stand beneath a skylight. With no customers except themselves, the venue should have felt empty. It didn’t. Instead, Beene felt like he’d stepped into one of Palimu’s high-end boutiques. Except for the skylights, everything in the store had been replaced.
The counter and stands were newly made and of uniform design, and wooden panels had been added to cover up Hetcher’s faded wallpaper. Every piece oozed quality. On instinct, Beene estimated what it’d all cost. More than his whole inventory of seeds, even if they were bought second-hand. And yet, it wasn’t the understated display of wealth that left Beene shaken.
It was the five carvings put up for sale. Beene felt like he’d been given a glimpse of divinity through their artistry. The statues were far removed from the mundane world waiting outside the empty store. Three of them depicted exalted figures so lifelike they may as well have been alive, the other two mythological beasts.
The fifty-centimeter warrior left Beene quivering. The wooden axe in his hand looked like it could cut through the Heavens themselves, and Beene couldn’t meet the staunch determination in his gaze. The priest next to him seemed to hold Life in one hand and Death in the other, guarding the devout on their final journey.
“Masterpieces,” Beene whispered.
Part of him was afraid of disturbing the tranquility, like his voice would awaken some spirits trapped within the wood. Helisent was oblivious to her father’s inner turmoil. She rushed into the store, gawking at the coiled dragon sleeping on a pedestal before stopping in front of the third human statue.
It was a woman in a dress that would make the local noblewomen green with envy. It flowed around her like drifting clouds as she was captured mid-dance. Whenever Beene blinked, it was as though the fabric moved, touched by an invisible wind. The dancer’s eyes were closed, and a slight smile adorned her divine features.
Beene had never seen such a beautiful woman. He wasn’t sure if the Heavens would allow a celestial fairy like that to walk the earth. Even so, the statue didn’t elicit a feeling of lust or possessiveness. The joyful scene made Beene recall his happiest memories of his departed wife for some reason.
Was this the power of true art? If so, it was no wonder why the noblemen were willing to fork out small fortunes to possess them. The quoted prices beneath the carvings were the equivalent of a year’s good business for Pott’s Seeds, but Beene didn’t think it was excessive. If anything, it was on the lower end. After all, the statues were made from Spiritual Wood, where even the cheapest would cost a small fortune.
“Careful!” Beene wheezed and stopped Helisent as she reached out to touch the statue’s flowing robes.
“Wow!” Helisent gasped as she looked at the statue of the heroic woman. “Is it a goddess?”
It was at that moment that Zac Atwood stepped out from the back room, his hands covered in a fine layer of sawdust. He smiled at Helisent. “A goddess? She is if you think so.”
“Is she real? Did you see her? How else could you make her so real?” Helisent excitably tittered. Beene perked up, equally curious to the answer.
“I did, and I didn’t,” Zac said. “The wood is shaped by both memories and feelings. If I’ve seen the goddess with my Heart, isn’t she real?”
Helisent looked confused, then disappointed, taking the fleeting answer as a no. “Do you think I could become like her when I grow up?”
“Who knows? Life is unpredictable.”
“These are all amazing,” Beene said with genuine awe. With regret, he added. “I’m just afraid Master Atwood is playing the flute for the cows by staying here in Whitfall. Few in these parts are able or willing to part with such wealth for a carving. You’d find more success targeting the nobles of Palimu.”
“I appreciate the suggestion,” Zac said, his smile never wavering. “I enjoy the peace and quiet here at Greenworth. If those customers can’t find their way here, then it wasn’t fated.”
“Do I know any well-off patrons?” Beene muttered. “I could mention your works to Senior Amfrid’s castellan next time he’s in town. He owns one of the larger farms nearby.”
“That uncle’s so stingy,” Helisent pouted. “He’s going to haggle.”
“Hush you. Money doesn’t come easy, so it’s only right to hold onto it tightly,” Beene gently chided while inwardly agreeing.
Old bastard Amfrid was as miserly as they came, demanding wholesale prices while only buying enough seeds to feed his people. The rest of his fields were planted with that blasted Bloodboil Herb. Normal crops couldn't compete with their profitability since they could be distilled into an effective healing poultice. Every single hunter carried those packs of red paste into the forest these days.
“Is something wrong?”
Beene started, realizing he’d drifted off.
“Ah, it’s nothing. I was thinking of my own matters,” Beene hesitated. “I was admiring your sign earlier. May I ask, what would Master Atwood charge to make one like it for Pott’s Seeds?”
“There’s no need to discuss things like payment between neighbors. Master Beene has helped me in many ways since I moved in. I’d be happy to carve the sign for free if you can provide the lumber.
“That’s… Would turning the old sign over work?” Beene asked with some embarrassment, only now recalling just how empty the small lockbox hidden beneath his floorboards was.
“We can take a look after closing.”
Beene and his daughter stayed for another ten minutes, and Zac gave a tour of the connected warehouse he’d turned into a workshop. During that time, a few more shopkeepers stopped by to wish their new neighbor good luck. The problem with the closed shop was solved, and the beautiful sign truly did add some sophistication to their street.
But as expected, Atwood Carvings received no actual customers despite steady foot traffic. It was mostly curious neighbors and regulars who’d overheard the discussions. Word of mouth was certainly spreading, but Beene still didn’t hold much hope it would amount to anything.
A few days later, Pott’s Seeds was graced with a fresh sign. The old sign had some water damage, but sanding dealt with most of it. Zac cleverly covered the rest of the blemishes with a carving of stalks of grain. Beene liked it even better than Zac’s sign.
Weeks later, Beene still started every day by looking up at it. He could almost smell the fresh grains, and it filled him with energy. And it might have been a coincidence, but his store had seen business pick up.
To his shock and delight, Beene was proven wrong in less than a month. Bazz, an experienced hunter who lived in the area, became Atwood Carvings’ first customer. Beene couldn’t believe his eyes when the gruff, middle-aged warrior carried out the carving of the warrior, treating it like it was a priceless treasure.
Never in a million years would Beene have expected Bazz to spend what had to be a sizeable chunk of his earnings on a piece of art. Beene even hurried over to his neighbor’s store to confirm he hadn’t been robbed. Everything was in order, which left Beene even more confused. His bewilderment only deepened when a powerful hunter he’d never seen before bought a second carving just two weeks later—despite Zac nearly doubling his prices.
The customers kept coming, all of them Hunters or local cultivators. There wasn’t more than one or two a month, but each successful sale brought greater profits than most shopkeepers saw over a whole season. The young man was earning money hand over fist while still having enough time to close shop and disappear for weeks on end.
The secret behind the shocking success eventually became known. Master Atwood’s carvings were so marvelous that a few hunters could use them to grasp new insights during their cultivation. Any resource related to cultivation was prohibitively expensive, so the hefty cost of the statues didn’t faze them. After all, some Spiritual Herbs brought out of the forest depths could sell for dozens, if not hundreds, times more than Zac’s statues.
Within a few years, Atwood Carvings had become a fixture among the locals. Surprisingly, Beene never heard of anyone making trouble for the store. Perhaps it was out of fear of retaliation from Zac’s growing network of Hunter friends. Perhaps it was because he’d joined the Forester’s Guild, who’d become his main supplier of Spiritual Wood. It could even be the rumors that the City Lord had visited in disguise to purchase a piece for his study.
It wasn’t only Atwood Carvings who was doing well. One sign after another on the street had been replaced, each with its unique flair. Everyone saw their sales improve every year. After noticing Greenworth Trade Street’s transformation, a retired hunter chose to open a store to sell traps to his old colleagues. The largest storefront was then turned into a clinic, which brought even more rich customers to the area.
Five years after Zac descended like a Patron Saint of Wealth, Beene had almost amassed enough money to purchase Spiritual Grain. Borrowing the rest, Beene successfully transformed his Seed Nursery into one targeting Hunters, drastically increasing his profits. Helisent’s help wasn't enough, and he had to hire two clerks.
One morning, Beene stood on the street with a cup of tea to ward off the cold. Watching his sign as the sun rose had become a ritual. Skipping out left him feeling off for the whole day. Taking a sip, Beene watched as the street gradually stirred from its slumber.
Shaking his head, Beene returned to his store. “Who would have thought my joke would become reality?”
Comments
Emmanuel Achaab
Amazing work
Asterrahl
I loved this chapter. The hidden master opening a humble store among mortals. It's like chocolate! I imagine there will be some bittersweet tragedy towards the end of this journey, but I look forward to it too. Zac has been bouncing from interglactic war to era-spanning plot, always on the edge of ruin. This seems a more traditional cultivator experience, where he will walk the mortal world and deepen his spirituality. I like it a lot!
Ladyhotcomb
I really enjoyed this chapter.
Kirin
Refreshing truly, its worth while to take a break from all the tolling and chaos, no doubt the calm before the storm, but totally worth it.
Michael Corey
Ah yes till the hounds amazing scene and book. Should read the karsa trilogy now that's it's being released
D
Those POVs when the death god manifested to fight that guy at the city. The big convergence. That stuck with me from 15 years ago literally changed me. Malazan is not for the feint of heart. Karsa was always my favorite.
James
This was a surprisingly poignant chapter. Too often we lose Zac in what he has to do as opposed to who he is inside. Brings me back to that young man trapped on his own in a strange new world, trying to survive.
Reno
And you know, this setting right here COULD stand on its own as a side story. That's part of what makes it so great. Not saying we should stop with the main chapters though...
Reno
One of my favourite chapters in a very long time. So wholesome and tied into the main storyline. A perfect different angle.
Michael Corey
Love these switched povs reminds me of Malazan I look forward to your eventual future writing endeavors
Hexodus
Wow, this was a very pleasant read! 😊
coldar
“Do you think I could become like her when I grow up?” “Who knows? Life is unpredictable.” I wonder who Helisent will turn out to be?
Jeff McCulley
Also, Janos specifically told Zac that the travel time would be a month “on the outside”. This is inside. Inside the dream. When he comes out, however long he’s here, it will be a month in real time.
Stolen Hero
I enjoy Zacs carving time. Its a way to connect to the root of his dao. A rare class, a Hatchet man. Whose quest it was to chop down the largest tree he could find. A man and his trailer stuck camping when the world ended. I believe this is what the trial is aiming for. Without your daos, without your skills, without your past, what is it can you do with your own two hands? Through dedication and effort, can you succeed fate, and overthrow destiny? Do you have what it takes to succeed in the face of the courts?
Lex Luther S
Reading this chapter again, I must say, it's nice. It gives us a look at how those from the ancient times used to live in the shallows as well as show how tight nit they can be towards someone that can help with their cultivation. It's also just nice to have no real plot or big bad issue. Zac's had one blade after another start to hang over his head after becoming a flamebearer as well as constantly moving forward to ensure his empire and followers aren't swallowed up by the war and those "allies" that might be eying his wealth and then the countless issues of his mother's mission. His journey as a cultivator and the need to slow down and consolidate his foundations under rava. Here, it's just a nice simple life and that's nice. It must also be why janos said not to get lost in the illusion. Such a life could be tempting to someone that's gone through hell countless times like zac. Which is why he's set everything up to ensure Zachary Atwood does not fade away.
Lex Luther S
I highly recommend you go back and read the previous chapter. His cosmic core is destroyed, nothing but barely functioning chunks leftover and his soul cores are not even a shadow of what they once were. Add in the torture and soul damaging soul scouring techniques used on Everit, to find his hoard of wealth, and he's been reduced to a state weaker than zac on the day he awoke on the integration. The issue is that this illusionary alternate timeline is using the power of Peregrine Ocean, an ocean that can mark even supremacies if they fully submerged into it, so no way zac, a D grade cultivator, can overcome the effects traveling across it will bring. He may have the most busted bloodline and an undying and unyielding body given by his draugr and sindri heritage but none of that matters since zac has literally "become" everit, even commenting that he's being sustained by cosmic energy instead of miasma.
Russ
I think more than him working on his cultivation, is the changes he brings to the cultivation of those around him. Just about everyone who becomes his friend have their destiny transformed.
Jeff McCulley
Ummm…a Peck of Seeds? Both the measure and the pun?
1FantasyFanatic
Seriously love these slice of life chapters and alternate POV chapters.
John
You sound like you’re tacitly jumping on board the Monarchy by the end of Ultom train. It’s been lonely here, but how can you not begin to believe when every other chapter is a mini hyperbolic time chamber training session. I remember reading someone once say they thought it would take Zac 100 years just to jump the next minor stage to Peak Hegemony, lol. Then again him and I might both be right, it will take Zac a long time, we just didn’t account for the author magic of snapping away the majority of that time in small time jumps like this.
Maxim
Beautiful
Dan
Chapters like this are just beautiful. It’s a nice breather from the insanity. Like a little vacation.
Russ
Do the side characters names have a significance? For example, Peck's Seeds - could this influence the rise of the Peck Dynasty? Also, by focusing on carving, and expressing his Dao through art, Zac is able to use the dream to consolidate his experiences without getting lost in the dream. We were also told that reaching Peak Hegemony - Monarchy - should take at least 100 years - and this time allows Zac to consolidate his Dao, his Heart, may be even make breakthroughs in his Soul cultivation - as expressing his Dao should be affective his Soul. We already know that he has more battle experience than most cultivators of his level, even more than some Monarchs, but he never had the time to digest and consolidate that experience. It would also be interesting to find out if this time is real or relative. Also, did Janos lie to Zac about how much time his boat would take to travel - and possibly pointed at a boat that would spend more time in the dream to give Zac this opportunity.
jsw
Without access to the void, can Zac use the heritage of the First People?
Edgar Segura
I 100 percent agree I was just about to type the same thing. Every chapter like this one breathes and expresses it's self as real and it feels organic.
Edgar Segura
This chapter and the end of the last chapter are worth reading twice or 3 times. It's so satisfying.
Jeff McCulley
Also, the other thing Janos said. Don’t get lost in the dream!
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Joshua Little
I don't know about that. He is usually so busy that he doesn't have time to sit and integrate his insights. He might be loving the benefits this is doing for him.
Evan Therrien
This chapter is just proof of what Janos said a few chapters back. “I’m not sure. I’m confident in his ability to subvert all expectations. If you’re looking for change, then he’s your man.” Grants sweeping changes wherever he goes. Even when he’s been crippled.
Owen Stevens
I would like more information on how Everit is crippled exactly. I'm assuming his core was shattered and his pathways are completely broken? Zac's Technocrat heritage gives him very resilient and malleable pathways, but I guess Everit isn't like that.
Owen Stevens
Hmm, maybe Zac can revive Everit's path through crafting. If he garners attention from someone powerful enough, they may even be able to heal him.
Palmer Evans
Amazing that I love this chapter even with the lowered pace of the story progression. Great writing
Alexander Dupree
My guess is he is working through the memories and building up his understanding of his dao through art. No idea if he could get to the point he could start using his First Peoples heritage to craft himself anew and escape.
Alexander Dupree
I could see that but also he's been fighting in a war for a very very long time. 5 years might not seem like too much of a break since he has to integrate all those memories without the cultivation supported mental faculties.
CloudyBall
For as much as I love reading Zac's story, nothing ever makes me feel happier than when I read other people's POVs when they interact with Zac. I don't know how or why, but these chapters are always so full of hope, and they always flow so nicely. I think we are getting small hints or previews of where Zac's Daos are going next, and I am all in for it
Tartlet
Nice to see Zac getting some chill rest time. Bet he HATES it.
Tartlet
Pretty sure it’s Everitt or whatever? Technically te draugr but I’m pretty sure Zack’s literally locked into E’s form
Omiso
The Draugr side, but the Dream Timeline gave Zac Everit's body so technically human.
Michael Kawesa
Is this the human side or the Draugr side?
Mateo Lopez
This chapter has got be my favorite in this series. It came at me like a warm breeze.
Scion
At the start of the chapter he joked with Zack that his shop could turn the street around
Omiso
During his first meeting with Zac Mr. Beene said "Carvings, huh? I’m sure it’ll add a layer of sophistication to the street, assisting its revival.” which is exactly what happened 5 years later.
Omiso
Great chapter, Zac really isn't fated to be poor, and after that miserable start he managed to pour wealth into the neighborhood without causing any trouble. I'm still a bit confused about what purpose he's supposed to achieve here, I doubt this place just showed up at random.
Justin
Really enjoyed!
Tom C
Shaking his head, Beene returned to his store. “Who would have thought my joke would become reality?” What joke? This ending line from the chapter confused me… TFTC!
Andrew
Thank you!
Joseph Land
Really enjoyed this slice of life to convey Zac's use of his time
Porter
Every time I read these alternate POV chapters, it is just incredible. I think we observe Zac so much, intimately, but when we see him through another's eyes, we connect with this other person on such a deep level. That the writing is able to accomplish this is incredible.
James Getgood
This has been an enjoyable turn of pace, good job TFD
Lex Luther S
Well this is interesting. First chapter where we have a POV completely from someone else WITH zac involved, for a whole chapter. Still, pretty smart opening a carving store. Even if he can't give the carvings the great understanding he currently has, even the little bit he can currently pass on through his carvings would be an incredible cultivation opportunity for such low lvl cultivators. Still though, I wonder where this is all heading; it's been 6 years now and zac and this little town are becoming juggernauts so zacs' "opportunity" to pass through this timeline must be coming up soon. Also like this Beene and his kid. Good, kind people. Truly can't wait and really hope we get that bonus chapter this week.
Casper Madsen
I love chapters like this.
Chase C
Thanks for the chapter! I thought it was a really nice change of pace.
sgt_turtle
Have to agree. I normally absolutely hate alternate history/dimensional stuff but I'm hooked on seeing where this goes
Black Rose
Like this hope it goes a few more chapters
Monk
First
