Renting a Cave Abode

The auction continued, and several more items were added, including high-grade pills, Law Artifacts, and talismans. Upgrading these items in your Ring would generate profit.

Shen Jingchuan didn't make a move. Buying things at an auction would be too conspicuous; there was no need to bid on anything that wasn't special.

The final, most anticipated item is a mid-grade Law Treasure flying sword, the Cold Spring Sword, with a starting bid of six thousand.

Shen Jingchuan was tempted. Once the sword was placed in the Ring, it would become a high-grade Law Treasure, which would be quite profitable.

But the Law Treasure was too conspicuous. It would be too eye-catching for someone at the Qi Refinement Fifth Layer to buy it, and it would be difficult to sell such a high-level item. So he gave up. In the end, it was bought by a VIP on the second floor for 13,800.

Auctioneer Chen made a few polite remarks, and the auction ended. The three of them mingled with the crowd and headed towards the inn.

On the way, Shen Jingchuan thought of the five iron rings in his Storage Ring. He didn't know how many Spirit Stones it would take to repair them, and Xian'er had said they were important to him. So he said to Xiao Mingshu:

"Sister, you take Huan'er back first, I'll go find some more things."

Xiao Mingshu glanced at him:

"Alright, be careful." Since the other party wouldn't dare to act openly in the market, she still gave him a wink.

"I understand." Shen Jingchuan nodded.

After they parted ways, he kept looking behind him as he walked, but didn't notice anything.

Even if it were someone at the Qi Refining Great Perfection, he wouldn't be able to detect it.

The Heavenly Eye Peering into Truth Instruction can only be used on specific individuals; it's useless for tracking or monitoring. He figured he was already being watched anyway, so there was no point in hiding, and decided to give up.

So he openly visited each shop, buying and selling at the same time.

One shop sells elixirs and talismans, but another sells the opposite – one sells talismans and buys elixirs. They would never sell both high-grade and mid-grade goods at the same shop, lest they arouse suspicion.

After going around in circles like this, I made money and replenished a lot of medium-grade goods.

He was busy until dark, then swaggered back to the inn and went straight upstairs to find Xiao Mingshu.

Xiao Mingshu was waiting for him. As soon as he entered, she asked, "You're finally back. Did something happen?"

Shen Jingchuan said, "It's okay, sister. I thought of a way on my way back."

Xiao Mingshu asked, "What method?"

"We're not leaving."

Shen Jingchuan said:

"I don't believe he'd dare to openly make a move in the market. Besides, we're cooperating with Steward Wang now; he'll have to think twice."

Xiao Mingshu glanced at him:

"It doesn't matter whether I go back or not, I'm not in a hurry anyway, but I'm afraid you're eager to go home."

"It's not that none of them are going back."

Shen Jingchuan said:

"I'm thinking of renting a cave abode in the market tomorrow, making it look like I'm staying there permanently. If the people watching us give up, that would be best; if they don't, they'll have to loosen their surveillance when they see we're not leaving, and then I'll find a chance to slip away."

"I can't even carry you, how can you walk by yourself?"

Xiao Mingshu frowned. "They have Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator among them."

"Don't worry about it, sis."

Shen Jingchuan said, "I've already spoken with the Lineage."

Xiao Mingshu felt reassured upon hearing this and nodded.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

The next day, the three of them checked out of their room and, without even putting on makeup, went directly to the market administration office, found Accountant Wu, and said they wanted to rent cave abode.

Upon learning of their idea, Accountant Wu smiled and unfolded a map, "This is a good idea. It's still quite safe in the market. What kind would you like?"

He pointed to a stream in the picture:

"Beneath Spirit Creek Market lies a First-Tier Spirit Vein, right beneath this stream; that's how the market got its name. The cave abode on either side of the stream have the most abundant Spiritual Qi; they're top-tier, costing one hundred Spirit Stones a year."

He then pointed behind him:

"This row is towards the back, with slightly weaker Spiritual Qi; it's grade B, and costs fifty Spirit Stones a year."

"As for the outermost shantytown area, I won't go into detail; you wouldn't be interested anyway."

Shen Jingchuan said:

"Okay, then take us to see the Class A ones."

Accountant Wu looked as if he had just expected it; guests like them naturally deserved better accommodations. He nodded, led the three out of the manager's office, turned a corner, and arrived at the west side of the stream.

He took out a token, stuck it to the barrier beside the door, and with a surge of Spiritual Power, a layer of faint light spread out, and the door opened.

While opening the door, he said:

"This cave abode is surrounded by a first-tier array, preventing Qi Refinement Realm cultivators from getting in. It has an automatic defense function, Qi Refinement Realm cultivators cannot break the barrier for a while. In addition, it also has the effect of gathering Spiritual Qi, which is very helpful for cultivation."

Upon entering, there's a small courtyard. As soon as you step inside, you can feel the difference; the Spiritual Qi is stronger than outside, and it makes you feel very comfortable.

In the corner of the courtyard was a small spiritual field and a pond. Further in were the houses, with a main hall in the center, a bedroom on one side, and the other side empty.

Accountant Wu said:

"You can use this empty room as a training room or for alchemy, it's all fine."

Shen Jingchuan looked around inside and out:

"It's a bit small. Do you have a bigger or better one?"

Yes, it's right next to me.

Accountant Wu locked the door and led them to the next room.

He then took out another jade plaque, placed it on the door, and the gate opened. Upon entering the courtyard, he saw that it was more than twice as spacious as the previous one.

There were two spirit fields, and the pond was also larger, with several koi carp swimming in it. Some spirit medicine that Shen Jingchuan couldn't name were planted in the spirit fields.

Once inside, the layout was similar, but with two more rooms, making the space considerably larger.

Accountant Wu said:

"This place costs 300 Spirit Stones a year. But given our relationship, I don't need to consult Steward Wang; I can make the decision myself and give you a 20% discount, making it 240 a year."

Shen Jingchuan was quite satisfied. It was just right for three people to live there, with one room for each person, and the rest could be used as a training room, Alchemy Chamber, and even a kitchen, making it fully functional.

"That's it."

He counted out 240 Spirit Stones from his Storage Ring and handed them over, then casually took out a High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill and handed it over as well.

With no one else around, Accountant Wu took the jade bottle, opened it, and saw another High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill. Without being coy, he happily smiled and said:

"Young Master Shen is very generous. I, a poor scholar, will not stand on ceremony. In the future, if you need anything, just let me know. If it's within my power, I will do my best to help."

Shen Jingchuan said:

"Don't mention it, we'll be working together for a long time to come."

"Alright." Accountant Wu packed up the things. "Come with me to complete the formalities, and you can move in right away."

Xiao Mingshu said:

"Huan'er, go with Mr. Wu and get the formalities done."

Huan'er nodded obediently and followed Accountant Wu out.

Xiao Mingshu then walked around the cave abode, inside and out, and chose the room she liked best. She sat down on the bed:

"You brat, I never thought I'd be living such a good life following you. Cave abode that costs 300 Spirit Stones a year, I've never stayed in anything like that before."

Shen Jingchuan was taken aback:

"No way, you're from royalty, you've never stayed in a nice place before?"

Xiao Mingshu's eyes dimmed, and she sighed:

"Hey, forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you."

She paused, then said softly:

"Ever since I came to Yuxi Prefecture to do business with you in this market, this period has been the most prosperous time of my life."