Spending Money to Avoid Disaster

Even if only a small group of people crafted the flying car, the patent fees they paid would be enough to make Lu Yang a fortune.

Previously, Lu Yang had always thought that the patent was still under review and the flying car had not yet entered mass production, so he put the matter of patent fees out of his mind.

But with a flying car blazing overhead, you can't exactly say the patent hasn't been approved yet.

"Could it be that the Fifth Elder, though kind-hearted, is actually embezzling my patent fees?"

The idea flashed through my mind and was quickly dismissed.

The Fifth Elder wouldn't stoop to such petty gains.

"Never mind, I'll just ask the Fifth Elder when I see him." Lu Yang stopped thinking about it.

An old horse pulled a cart, taking Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to the foot of the mountain, where a newly built inn stood.

Each Qingzhou Grand Ceremony lasts for seven days. Cultivators cannot simply endure the elements for seven days; that would be improper.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou arrived early, so there were still empty rooms available.

"Give me the two best rooms!"

"Okay, we have two premium rooms. Would you like to book a room for your horse?"

Meng Jingzhou was surprised, wondering if the other party had realized that his old man was unfathomable and wanted to treat him like a human being?

The innkeeper smiled and explained, "Sir, it's like this. Our inn offers free care for spirit beasts, but space is limited. We'll house the spirit beasts in the backyard. However, during the Qingzhou Grand Ceremony, powerful figures often bring high-level spirit beasts. Keeping those high-level spirit beasts in the backyard will affect the other spirit beasts to some extent. If you don't mind your spirit beast being affected, you can have it cared for by us for free."

Meng Jingzhou thought for a moment. Although he didn't know Old Ma's strength, the fact that his Lineage sent him as a protector meant that Old Ma must be of a high level. It would be good enough if he didn't bully others.

However, considering that the old horse has a penchant for seducing young mares, it's best to give it a separate room.

"Then let's get a room for Lao Ma too."

"Alright, three top-tier rooms!"

"Old Ma, tell me the truth, what level are you at? I promise I'll pretend I don't know," Meng Jingzhou asked quietly.

Old Ma glanced at Meng Jingzhou, snorted, and didn't believe Meng Jingzhou's nonsense.

After Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou went upstairs, another group of people checked into the hotel, but they were not as wealthy as Meng Jingzhou.

"Store, here are three herringbone rooms."

"Sorry, we don't have any private rooms available."

The other party was taken aback. "Are the 'Ren' series already sold out?"

He calculated his travel expenses and found he had just enough. "Then let's get two rooms in the 'earth' category."

Two rooms can be squeezed in if you want.

"I'm sorry, sir, we only have the top-tier rooms available."

"What?"

They're only at the Qi Refining stage; how could they afford such a luxurious room?

"Senior brother, let's go stay at another inn."

The innkeeper chuckled, "Excuse my bluntness, but other inns only have the top-tier rooms left."

Their faces darkened. Were they going to have to sleep on the streets on the first day of the grand event?

The innkeeper was unfazed. "It's not what you might imagine. Every year during the grand opening of the festival, fights break out over the top-tier rooms. So, the Qingzhou government informed us to upgrade all rooms to top-tier status, while keeping the price the same as the lower-tier rooms. Any extra cost will be subsidized by the government."

Rather than risk the chaos and disorder caused by cultivators fighting, the Qingzhou government would rather spend more Spirit Stone to nip the risk in the bud.

Meng Jingzhou was unaware that the top-tier room he was staying in was very cheap; he had never had any concept of such small amounts of money.

"Lu Yang, get ready and come out for a stroll. I heard there's a street on the mountain that sells all sorts of antiques and Law Treasure."

"Okay."

Lu Yang had nothing to pack. Exhausted from the journey, he took off his clothes. Since he didn't know the purification spell, he could only use the array in the room to wash his body. He then changed into a clean and tidy set of clothes and went out for some fresh air.

Old Ma had nothing to pack. Exhausted from the journey, he put down the saddle. Because he knew a purification spell, he could wash his body without using the array in the room. He then released his Divine Sense to see if any mare had checked in.

"Foundation Establishment, a Foundation Establishment imbued with pill patterns, guaranteed to help you Foundation Establishment. Full refund if Foundation Establishment fails!"

"Demon Beast pelts, pelts from Demon Beast at the Qi Refining Perfection stage—excellent materials for crafting Law Treasure!"

"Demon Beast barbecue, barbecue made from Demon Beast at the Qi Refining Perfection stage, just got the goods from next door!"

"<The Strengthening Essence Technique>, <The Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship>, <The Pure Sound Secret Manual>... all kinds of Cultivation Method and Law Technique are available!"

"The most complete star chart, meticulously drawn by myself over twenty years of painstaking observation of celestial phenomena. An essential chart for cultivating star-based Cultivation Method!"

"Phoenix Bloodstone, aphrodisiac Phoenix Bloodstone; Thai Pattern Stone, which can improve the quality of swords; Gold Absorbing Stone, which can absorb gold!"

The streets were filled with shouts and noise, creating a lively atmosphere.

Upon entering the market, Lu Yang felt a sense of oppression, not from his cultivation level, but from his Divine Sense.

After all, if you could just scan something with your Cultivation Method Divine Sense to know its contents, what would be the point of the vendors selling it?

"Even the Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship exists?" Lu Yang was surprised. The Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship was created by True Lord Flowing Cloud two thousand years ago. It was extremely rare and not circulated in the market.

In this regard Meng Jingzhou was more knowledgeable than Lu Yang: "Don't believe the Cultivation Method here. Swordsmanship written by True Lord Liuyun can be called 'Liuyun Swordsmanship,' and you can write any Swordsmanship you want and call it 'Liuyun Swordsmanship.' People who buy it have never seen the real 'Liuyun Swordsmanship.' Even if they find problems after buying it, they can't say that they bought a fake."

"After all, new Cultivation Method are created every day, so it's normal for Cultivation Method to have the same name."

Lu Yang suddenly realized that there were so many twists and turns involved.

"Do you have a star chart here?" Lu Yang noticed what the vendor said.

His cultivation Cultivation Method has nothing to do with stars, but you can buy a guessing game to see which stars are Senior Sister's Golden Core.

"Sir, you have excellent eyesight. This star chart was created using a telescopic magic Law Artifact. My own cultivation Cultivation Method is also related to eyesight. I poured my heart and soul into creating this star chart, persevering tirelessly, and finally completed it!"

Can I take a look?

Upon hearing this, the vendor became wary. "No, I can't see through your cultivation level. Even if we can't use our Divine Sense here, you might have opened your spiritual space and be able to memorize the contents of the star chart with just a glance. I won't buy it then."

Lu Yang chuckled; naturally, he had no such thoughts.

"How many Spirit Stones? I'll buy it."

"There's only one copy of this diagram in the world. It costs two thousand Spirit Stone, no bargaining."

Two thousand Spirit Stone weren't expensive for Lu Yang. He was just about to take out his money when he heard a surprised voice from behind him.

"Senior brother, look! There's a star chart here!"

"What?"

The senior brother was overjoyed. He had a True Disciple, a senior sister, who cultivated Cultivation Method related to stars and needed a star chart.

To please my senior sister, the star chart is a must.

Seeing that Lu Yang had a kind face and seemed easy to talk to, he thought to himself, "Senior brother, the Star Chart is a cultivation item belonging to a senior sister I admire. Could you part with it and give it to me?"

Senior brother, the Star Chart is a cultivation item belonging to a senior sister I admire. Would you be willing to part with it and let me have it?

He recited it twice, and feeling that there were no problems with the lines and tone, he suppressed his nervousness, clasped his hands in a fist and said to Lu Yang:

"Senior sister, the Star Chart is a cultivation tool used by a senior brother I admire. Would you be willing to part with it and give it to me?"

Lu Yang turned his head, confirmed his own gender and the other person's gender, and silently took two steps back.