"Little Liu, brought people over again, have you?"
A raspy voice echoed through the spacious ice palace, sounding faintly eerie in the open air.
An old woman sat on a reclining chair. Opening her eyes, she cast a fleeting glance over Luo Chen and his two companions.
Xu Xiaoliu pulled his neck in and hurried over.
"Senior Shi, these three are friends of my eldest uncle. They'd like to rent cave dwellings."
The old woman looked toward them.
Luo Chen cupped his hands in polite greeting.
"Oh," the old woman muttered, then called toward the interior, "A'lan, bring out the Hunyuan Sphere."
A sweet reply promptly drifted from within.
"Coming, Granny!"
A young woman came trotting out, cradling a large, spherical magical artifact in her arms.
With practiced familiarity, she set the spherical artifact onto the tabletop.
"Do the three seniors wish to rent cave dwellings?"
"Yes, indeed, they—" Xu Xiaoliu grinned and leaned in.
However, the girl glared at him. "I was asking the seniors. What are you butting in for?"
Xu Xiaoliu smiled sheepishly and retreated behind them, looking not the least bit offended.
Luo Chen glanced at him, then stepped forward.
"What are the particulars regarding the cave dwellings? And what are the rental rates?"
The young woman, Shi Lan, infused a strand of spiritual power into the spherical artifact.
Instantly, lifelike interior environments materialized over its surface.
Some were rustic and natural, others opulent and grand; some clung to cliff walls with sweeping panoramas of the entire city, while others sat beneath tumbling waterfalls that formed curtains of pearlescent mist. Every single cave dwelling had its own distinct character.
"Our Tianlan cave dwellings are situated on Tianlan Peak just behind us," she explained in a sweet, pleasant voice.
"That mountain rests upon a genuine third-order spirit vein! Radiating outward from it, it forms a spirit-abundant realm spanning three thousand li around Tianlan City."
Luo Chen and the others nodded involuntarily.
They had already noticed it when they first entered the city.
The concentration of spiritual energy within the streets certainly matched that of a first-order spirit vein, no less potent than the courtyard back in Dahe Market.
And that was merely the ambient spiritual energy in the open thoroughfares.
One could well imagine how boundless the spiritual energy would be at the core of the primary vein.
"Tianlan Immortal City and the surrounding spiritual hills are mostly first-order spiritual grounds," Shi Lan continued.
"Only atop Tianlan Peak are there second-order and even third-order spiritual grounds! Since the three seniors are all at Foundation Establishment, I recommend renting second-order cave dwellings."
As she spoke, Shi Lan rotated the Hunyuan Sphere, revealing views of various cave dwellings marked with vacant points of light.
None of this was out of the ordinary.
Yet when Luo Chen's gaze settled upon the sphere, a hint of surprise crossed his face.
"Why is it that, even though they are all second-order cave dwellings, the white light appears in three different shades—pale white, pure white, and deep white?"
Shi Lan offered a sweet smile. "Why, because even second-order cave dwellings are divided into different tiers!"
"Oh?"
"Here, we classify every order of spiritual ground into three grades: lower, middle, and upper. The higher the grade, the denser the spiritual energy, naturally.
"On Tianlan Peak, there are first-order upper-grade cave dwellings suited for the Qi Refinement stage, as well as second-order lower-, middle-, and upper-grade cave dwellings suited for Foundation Establishment. In fact, if you wish to rent a third-order lower-grade cave dwelling, that is not out of the question either."
Behind him, Nangong Jin and Li Yixian exchanged glances.
Were even spiritual grounds and cave dwellings categorized in such meticulous detail?
By tacit agreement, neither spoke up.
Throughout their journey, they had long discovered that Luo Chen was far more adept at navigating such matters than they were. Rather than speaking out of turn and offending someone, it was better to leave it to him.
Luo Chen naturally saw through their little calculations, though he paid it no mind.
It was a trifling matter, after all.
"Then how are the rental prices calculated?"
Shi Lan explained patiently, "From first- to third-order, the rates are tallied in hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. Rent is charged monthly and calculated annually. The longer the lease, the better the rate."
This was getting rather complicated.
Nangong Jin's brow furrowed deep into creases.
Li Yixian was equally bewildered, wearing a look of utter confusion.
Only Luo Chen nodded with an air of understanding.
"If I wish to rent a second-order cave dwelling for a single year, what are the respective prices?"
Shi Lan answered without hesitation, "A second-order lower-grade cave dwelling is one thousand low-grade spirit stones a month, or just ten thousand for a full year. A middle-grade dwelling is two thousand a month, or twenty thousand for a year. An upper-grade dwelling is four thousand a month, or forty-eight thousand for a year."
"Wait!"
Li Yixian could no longer contain herself. "Why do the lower- and middle-grade dwellings get two months deducted from the yearly rate, while the upper-grade dwelling offers no discount whatsoever?"
The young woman blinked.
In a perfectly natural tone, she replied, "Because there are plenty of lower- and middle-grade dwellings! There are only twenty upper-grade dwellings in total, and demand usually outstrips supply, so naturally we cannot offer a discount."
Well then.
Li Yixian found herself at a loss for how to refute that.
Or rather, there was no need to refute it; this was simply Ice Fort's pricing. One either accepted it or walked away.
"What about three years?" Luo Chen asked.
Shi Lan replied, "Three years is still based on the same base rate. If you want a steeper discount, the lease must be at least ten years."
Ten years!
Li Yixian felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.
If one were to lease an upper-grade cave dwelling for ten years, wouldn't that cost nearly five hundred thousand spirit stones? Selling off the entire Li family wouldn't yield that much!
Shi Lan looked at the three of them with a warm, sweet smile. "May I ask what grade of cave dwelling the three seniors wish to rent?"
Li Yixian hesitated.
Nangong Jin's gaze wavered between the lower- and middle-grade options.
Then, an abrupt voice sounded.
"Could you take us to view them in person first?"
Shi Lan was taken aback. View the cave dwellings on-site?
A cough came from the side.
"Little Lan, take them to have a look. Do not be discourteous."
Shi Lan nodded hastily. "Seniors, please follow me."
Xu Xiaoliu made to follow, but a sharp glare stopped him in his tracks, leaving him no choice but to wait behind obediently.
Luo Chen watched the two of them with amused interest, shook his head, and stepped outside.
***
A curtain of water stretched between Tianlan Peak and Tianlan Immortal City, seemingly partitioning what had originally been a single continuous landmass into two independent domains.
Looking up at the shimmering water curtain gleaming with iridescent hues beneath the sunlight, Luo Chen's expression grew somewhat solemn.
"A defensive array?"
Li Yixian gasped in surprise as well. "A third-order defensive array?"
The two exchanged a look, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
It was not merely because it was a third-order defensive array, but because the array was kept continuously active!
As everyone knew, arrays consumed an enormous amount of spiritual energy. Unless facing critical moments, even great sects would not keep them running around the clock.
Yet Tianlan Peak maintained a third-order defensive array in constant operation.
Shi Lan walked beneath the water curtain, produced a jade token, and skillfully formed an incantation gesture.
At the same time, she began explaining to Luo Chen and the others, "This is the Tianyi Water-Generating Array. Formed in harmony with the terrain, it generates endless vitality, so its consumption of spiritual energy is not very high.
"Protected by this array, the cultivators residing on Tianlan Peak can enjoy true security. Under normal circumstances, people regularly inspect and maintain the array to ensure nothing goes wrong."
As she spoke, she gestured with her chin toward the side.
An elderly Foundation Establishment True Cultivator was sprawled across a pavilion bench, snoring soundly.
"That is Martial Uncle Wang, stationed here specifically to guard the array. If any cultivator without residency rights approaches, he will drive them away.
"You need not worry, however. If you rent a cave dwelling, you will receive a dedicated identity jade talisman."
With that, she waved the jade medallion in her hand.
Within the water curtain, an opening swiftly parted like a set of grand doors.
"Let us go!"
Luo Chen couldn't resist glancing back at that Uncle Wang.
These days, they even employed Foundation Establishment True Cultivators as security guards?
Still, it was likely a position many would covet. Situated right at the boundary between Tianlan Peak and Tianlan Immortal City, rich in spiritual energy, it was practically equivalent to leeching free cultivation on land hovering between a first- and second-order spirit vein.
The instant he stepped through the water curtain, Luo Chen sensed the change.
Thick, pure heaven-and-earth spiritual energy enveloped him.
Its concentration was undeniably that of a genuine first-order spirit vein. By Shi Lan's grading, it was at least first-order upper-grade!
*Whoosh!*
A streak of escape light descended from above.
Upon landing, the cultivator gave Shi Lan a polite greeting before departing leisurely through the water curtain.
"Flight isn't forbidden in here?" Li Yixian asked.
Shi Lan smiled faintly. "Within Tianlan Peak, flight is permitted."
With a flick of her hand, she brought out a flying sword.
"Seniors, please follow me!"
***
"This is a second-order middle-grade spiritual ground."
Before them stood a modest, unpretentious cave dwelling.
It was divided into three layers, inside and out, encompassing five rooms in total.
The outermost layer consisted of fertile soil suitable for growing spiritual herbs, flowers, trees, or even spirit rice.
The middle layer served as a reception hall, used for hosting guests and discussing the Dao.
The innermost layer was partitioned into a bedchamber, a quiet cultivation chamber, a study, and an empty spare room.
In terms of sheer area, it was exceptionally spacious.
However, after Luo Chen and the others spent a moment sensing the atmosphere inside the quiet chamber, all three furrowed their brows.
"The price doubles, yet the spiritual energy seems to increase by only half compared to a lower-grade dwelling?"
"That is my impression as well. Luo Chen, what do you think?"
Luo Chen nodded.
He had not only tested it by circulating his cultivation technique, but had also compared it to the spirit vein cavern in the depths of Mount Luofeng.
This middle-grade cave dwelling was only equivalent to the level he had experienced after his three-year closed-door cultivation back then.
The three exchanged glances.
"Shall we take a look at an upper-grade dwelling?"
"Alright!"
"Let's check it out!"
Since they wished to see more, Shi Lan naturally did not refuse.
She immediately led them flying toward higher ground.
This time, however, their pace was much slower.
Because they were fully occupied!
It took a long while before Shi Lan managed to open the gates of one cave dwelling using a voice transmission talisman.
"Coming, coming!"
"The lease isn't even up yet—what's the rush to badger me?"
Accompanied by the voice, a tall, slender woman stepped outside, preceded by a rich waft of fragrance.
Luo Chen cast his gaze over her; her mid-Foundation Establishment spiritual power fluctuations were plain to see.
The female cultivator knitted her brows, glancing at Luo Chen with slight suspicion.
*Did she notice?*
Luo Chen's expression remained placid, and he calmly dismissed the thought.
She hadn't detected his probe; she was merely rather sharp-sensed.
He had not used his spiritual sense to examine her cultivation, relying solely on his eyes imbued with the Spirit Eye Art. Between cultivators of the same realm, so long as he didn't actively intensify it, it was exceedingly difficult to detect.
As the woman emerged, Shi Lan flashed a sweet smile.
"Senior Ling, we haven't come to press you for rent.
"These seniors merely wish to inspect the spiritual energy concentration of a second-order upper-grade cave dwelling. The other seniors are either in closed-door cultivation or away, so we had no choice but to disturb you.
"Could you perhaps accommodate us?"
Ling Yuzhi frowned and let out a cold snort.
"Look if you want to look. Who could ever refuse a request from Ice Fort?"
With that, she stepped aside.
However, as she watched the backs of Luo Chen and his companions, a sneer crossed her lips.
Though she said nothing, the contempt in her eyes was palpable.
An upper-grade cave dwelling costing four thousand spirit stones a month was hardly something just anyone could afford!
All three could feel the gaze burning into their backs.
Aside from Luo Chen, who remained utterly composed, the other two looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Being looked down upon like this sat poorly with anyone.
They did not linger.
Before long, the three emerged from the quiet chamber.
"Doubled?"
"Indeed."
"The price is four times that of a lower-grade dwelling, yet the spiritual energy is merely doubled."
Seeing their dissatisfaction, Shi Lan hastened to explain, "Seniors, value cannot be measured in such simple terms!
"It is just like the difference between ordinary pills and top-grade pills. The price may seem disadvantageous, but what you are buying is time!
"For us cultivators, time is the most precious thing of all.
"Cultivating in a lower-grade dwelling versus an upper-grade dwelling might not show a huge difference over a short period. But accumulated day after day, the time saved could amount to several decades of bitter cultivation.
"Who knows? Breaking through to the Golden Core stage might hinge on those very decades."
Luo Chen glanced at her.
She really was an enthusiastic, hardworking housing agent.
Everyone understood the logic she presented.
Yet understanding was one thing; having empty pockets was quite another.
"Fellow Daoist Nangong, what do you think?" Li Yixian asked.
Nangong Jin had already made up his mind. "My primary focus lately is healing my injuries. A lower-grade cave dwelling is more than sufficient for my needs."
Li Yixian lightly bit her lip. "Then I will choose a lower-grade dwelling as well. The improvements offered by middle- and upper-grade are not significant enough."
With that, she turned to Luo Chen. "And you?"
Luo Chen chuckled. "Little Friend Shi Lan, are all the upper-grade cave dwellings occupied lately?"
Shi Lan nodded eagerly. "They are indeed full right now, but several leases are about to expire, and those tenants have no plans to renew. If Senior wishes to rent one, you can place a reservation with me, and I will definitely arrange it for you when the time comes."
"Very well. I will rent a lower-grade cave dwelling for now as a transition. As for the upper-grade dwellings, I'll trouble you to keep an eye out for me."
Shi Lan's eyes lit up, and she promptly noted it down.
With their decisions made, it was time to select their dwellings.
Led by Shi Lan, the three prepared to fly down toward the lower slopes of the mountain to pick suitable places.
Before departing, they offered a polite word of thanks to the female cultivator surnamed Ling.
She smiled and said it was no trouble.
Yet as she watched their retreating figures descend the mountain, she spat contemptuously.
"A bunch of paupers!"
Ten fathoms away, light flared from an adjacent cave dwelling.
A figure flew out from within.
Noticing Ling Yuzhi's sneer, he asked with a chuckle, "What are you doing, Fellow Daoist?"
Hearing his voice, Ling Yuzhi's eyes brightened.
"Fellow Daoist Chu! Are you heading out?"
The man pointed into the distance. "Aye, it's the end of the month. I have to hustle for a bit, or I won't have any spirit stones to spend."
Ling Yuzhi smiled charmingly. "You must be joking. With your skill, Chu Kui, who would dare force you to hustle?"
Chu Kui chuckled and didn't dispute it.
He glanced down at the four receding silhouettes.
"New neighbors?"
Ling Yuzhi curled her lip. "Just a few poor devils from out of town. If you can't afford it, just admit it; yet they insisted on looking anyway, disturbing my peaceful cultivation."
"From out of town?"
"Aye! Especially that pretty boy among them. Clearly unable to afford it, yet he put on airs and talked about reserving an upper-grade dwelling. Truly, all sorts exist these days."
Hearing her acrid words, Chu Kui shook his head.
"Never judge a book by its cover. Perhaps he is a man of means. If I get the chance, I might make his acquaintance.
"Alright, enough talk, I'm heading out!"
With a wave of his hand, ignoring Ling Yuzhi's clear desire to keep chatting, he shot out from Tianlan Peak like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Ling Yuzhi watched his departing back with a sigh of regret.
Then, she shook her head.
Though capable, the man had no real prospects.
He might serve as a stepping stone for a time, but he could never offer lasting stability. Not a man to settle down with!
***
Farther down, below the mountainside.
Luo Chen stood inside his somewhat cramped cave dwelling.
Compared to the spacious upper-grade dwellings earlier, this lower-grade dwelling was considerably shabby.
It was divided into only two layers, lacking any garden for growing spiritual plants.
The interior consisted of just three rooms: a living room, a bedchamber, and a quiet cultivation chamber.
Even so, he felt no dissatisfaction.
At the very least, he, Luo Chen, finally had a place of his own to settle down.
"Next, I must handle the arrangement for the Luotian Association!"
He had no intention of abandoning the Luotian Association.
Leaving aside the fact that it included many close friends, the familiar cultivators whom he knew inside and out were of immense benefit to his pill refinement.
Refining pills alone, even after advancing to Foundation Establishment, yielded an extremely limited quantity.
Only with multiple cultivators assisting could production reach proper scale.
This was precisely why master alchemists in great sects often took on numerous herb boys, pill attendants, and furnace-tending disciples.
However, the Luotian Association was large, and having them stay in the city long-term was unsustainable.
Luo Chen pursed his lips, unfolded the map Shi Lan had left him, and began examining it carefully.
"Unclaimed first-order spirit vein grounds... Mirror Lake, Bamboo Sea, Mount Wutong, Danxia Peak..."
Gradually, Luo Chen's gaze settled upon a single location.
Chapter 226