Upon hearing the Black Dragon clearly state that this water was drinkable, Ryun immediately raised the gourd without a second thought and took a big gulp.
The moment the spirit spring water entered his mouth, Ryun could distinctly taste a faint, sweet flavor. That taste was very light, but it left an endless, pleasant aftertaste.
The instant the spirit spring water was swallowed, it transformed into an extremely penetrating, cool energy. It spread from his stomach to all his organs, and finally, it coursed through his entire body. The experience was truly marvelous enough to make one exclaim in admiration.
Ryun instinctively wanted to take a second sip. However, noticing his daughter's eager gaze fixed on him, he wiped the gourd's mouth with his rolled-up sleeve and then handed the spirit spring water to her.
Nanaise followed his example, raising the gourd and taking a big, hearty swig.
Ryun vanished on the spot for over ten seconds. When he reappeared, he was holding a glass jar filled with a purple liquid.
"I want the spirit spring water in your gourd. I'll trade you ten liters of this spirit liquid for it."
As he spoke, Ryun handed the sealed jar of liquid to the Black Dragon.
"This is..." When he saw the purple liquid inside the glass jar, the Black Dragon's pupils contracted. He immediately opened the jar.
A surge of purple energy instantly wafted out. The Black Dragon's face couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
"It's actually Earth Vein Spirit Liquid. But why is the energy contained in this spirit liquid... so thin? How strange." The Black Dragon dipped his finger in some of the liquid, his expression both surprised and puzzled.
The liquid in the glass jar did indeed look very much like Earth Vein Spirit Liquid. After all, purple liquids rich in life energy are extremely rare treasures in the world. He shouldn't be mistaken.
The nature of the spirit liquid was indeed correct, but its spiritual essence was far inferior to genuine Earth Vein Spirit Liquid.
True Earth Vein Spirit Liquid is also called Earth Spirit Milk. That kind of treasure is over a hundred times more precious than spirit spring water. It is the true essence of heaven and earth. A single drop of spirit milk can bring a severely injured, dying person back to life. It is a rare spiritual treasure that can be chanced upon but not sought.
The quality of the spirit liquid in the Black Dragon's hand was too low. After all, it was mass-produced in relatively large quantities. But it certainly still had value. Trading about one liter of spirit spring water for ten liters of diluted Earth Vein Spirit Liquid was absolutely a good deal.
The Dragon Vein Spirit Liquid, just by its characteristic of containing life energy, could already be considered a rare spiritual substance.
"Where did you get this thing?" the Black Dragon asked curiously.
"What spiritual objects are there in Ryuchi Cave?" Ryun glanced at him sideways and asked in return.
The Black Dragon looked wary, kept his mouth shut, and didn't answer. At the same time, he was too embarrassed to ask further.
"..."
"I'll give you the spirit spring water." As he spoke, the Black Dragon resealed the glass jar in his hand and handed it to Ryun.
"I am a person who doesn't like to owe favors. If you think it's a fair trade, keep it. If you think it's not, I'll add another jar." Ryun said calmly.
"Do you have a lot of this stuff..." the Black Dragon couldn't help but ask again.
"Not much... but I can't let a good brother suffer a loss."
He didn't have much Dragon Vein Spirit Liquid either. Over in the Ancient Land of Loulan, there was just over half a pool of it...
"Alright... my bad, brother. After I go back, your Dragon Lord will bring you another gourdful..." The Black Dragon looked ashamed. He felt he hadn't been a proper dragon, acting stingy and petty, which seemed unbecoming...
Ryun smiled without speaking, his gaze remaining fixed on his daughter. "Well? Does it taste good?"
"It's delicious. Sweet and refreshing, with an endless aftertaste. And the energy is surging, pure, and extremely easy for the body to absorb. This water is of great benefit for cultivation." Nanaise gave the spirit spring water high praise.
"If it's good, drink more. In a few days, Daddy will go to Mount Myoboku and bring back a lot more for you." Ryun affectionately rubbed her head.
"Mhmm... I'll take what's in the gourd to let Mom and Grandma taste it first." Nanaise smiled as she re-corked the gourd.
His filial, precious daughter filled the old father with gratification. "Good child. It's fine to give some to Mom. But if you give it to Grandma, remember to dilute it first."
Kushina was a Sage, so drinking spirit spring water was fine. But Asuka was just a special 'ordinary person' with Sage blood. To avoid accidents, it was better to be careful, as the spirit spring water contained powerful natural energy.
"Okay, I know." Nanaise hugged the spirit spring water and skipped away.
"I'm leaving too, good brother." The Black Dragon said as he opened his huge maw and swallowed that jar of Dragon Vein Spirit Liquid into his belly. Then he prepared to take his leave.
"Go ahead. I'll visit Ryuchi Cave again sometime." Ryun waved at him.
"Alright."
After saying that, the Black Dragon directly exploded into smoke.
Ryun sat alone on the garden bench, his eyes fixed on the Shadow Mansion's gate, lost in thought.
Not long after, a group of familiar people strolled up to the gate and, with the permission of the guard ninja at the entrance, entered the Shadow Mansion.
There were five visitors in total. They were Minato and his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, along with Sasuke and Naruto.
"Lord Ryun."
When the group saw the man on the garden bench, they couldn't help but feel somewhat nervous, especially the two younger ones.
"Brother Ryun... you two, hurry up and greet him." Asuna promptly nudged the two.
"Uncle Ryun..."
Naruto and Sasuke forced themselves to offer a greeting.
"You've come." Ryun smiled and nodded at the three of them.
"Lord Ryun, today I've brought these two brats to apologize to you. I hope you, as a magnanimous person, will not hold their ignorance and disrespect against them." As he spoke, Minato proactively bowed to Ryun, his posture very, very low.
"As Konoha ninja, fighting for Konoha is a matter of course. Where is the crime in being loyal and fulfilling your duty? Our stances were different. I'm not that petty."
Ryun raised his hand from a distance. Minato's bowing body was immediately straightened by an invisible force.
"Regardless, for this unfilial son to fight with you is unacceptable. I had explicitly ordered him not to participate in that war, not to oppose you. Yet, this unfilial son still sneaked out behind my back." Mikoto had a look of bitter disappointment, her gaze towards Sasuke full of dismay.
"And Naruto is also an unfilial son. Not only did he show no respect upon meeting an elder relative, he spoke arrogantly and even fought with an elder. He truly lacked manners and deserves a beating." As she spoke, Asuna gave Naruto a hard kick. Naruto staggered from the sudden kick, and his face gradually turned red.
"Who isn't a bit reckless in their youth? They're all young. They just need to be more careful in the future." Ryun's face wore a meaningful smile.
Hearing this, both of them involuntarily took a step back, as if remembering something. Their faces turned from red to pale, their eyes revealing a trace of fear.
"I haven't taken those matters to heart. Instead, Naruto and Sasuke, I hope you don't blame Uncle for being too heavy-handed. After all, you were so strong back then, even riding a Nine-Tails. If I hadn't been serious, I might not have been able to defeat you."
Naruto: "..."
Sasuke: "..."
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