Settling Down (Please Bookmark)

"By the rules of rogue cultivators, Brother Fang, you landed the final blow on this Demon Tiger, so you are entitled to a share. What do you think?"

Chen Yi's somewhat clouded eyes swept over Fang Xing as he suddenly spoke.

"Big Brother!"

Chen Hongtian could not help growing anxious upon hearing this.

How much effort had they spent on this Demon Beast? How could they give a share to an outsider?

That was a great many Spirit Stones gained or lost!

The Five Heroes of Cangshan had survived in the Cultivation World for years; they were hardly charitable people!

Yet Chen Yi shook his head, stopping his third brother with a look and telling him not to speak.

Hua Fei Yue, on the other hand, let out a charming laugh. "Exactly... This little brother killed the Demon Tiger in a single strike, so his skills must be formidable. May I ask which renowned master you studied under?"

She was subtly probing Fang Xing's origins and background.

"I have no sect or school."

Fang Xing chuckled. "As for the materials on this Demon Tiger, I can take none of them. I was delayed outside for some time and never expected the market to have become like this. I wonder what exactly is happening in Green Forest Market now?"

With his Drone gathering herbs for him, he had no interest at all in the materials from this first-rank Demon Tiger.

His main purpose in showing himself was to gather information.

"Everything in the market is fine... It is just that all sorts of supplies have become somewhat more expensive. An elder of the Qingxuan Sect has issued a Demon Hunting Decree. Killing Demon Beasts now earns an additional share of Spirit Stones..."

Chen Yi let out a long breath, a bitter smile appearing on his slightly aged face. "We simply could no longer bear the burden, so we came out to take the risk of hunting Demon Beasts..."

"I see..."

Fang Xing nodded in understanding and asked several more questions. A moment later, he cupped his hands. "The mountains are high and the rivers long. Until we meet again!"

His figure flashed, and he disappeared into the dense forest. After several turns, he vanished from sight.

"Big Brother, why be so polite to some brat?" Chen Hongtian's eyes flashed as he watched Fang Xing's movement technique. "I do not think he is a Cultivator. He is not even Innate..."

"Hehe, Third Brother, you have misjudged him... Could an ordinary Postnatal Martial Artist kill a Crimson Flame Tiger in one strike?"

Hua Fei Yue's voice was soft and seductive, seeping into the bones.

Meng Yi and Shen Yuxin went over to the Crimson Flame Tiger, taking out daggers and other tools to collect the Demon Beast materials.

When they flipped the Demon Tiger over, they cried out in alarm. "Big Brother, look!"

Chen Yi walked over and saw that the Demon Tiger's snowy white belly had been scorched black.

"This is... Thunder Method? A Thunder Attribute Talisman?"

Chen Hongtian's gaze narrowed.

"No, I fear it was... a Blood Refined Magic Item!"

Chen Yi recalled the rod that the silver-robed youth had kept pointed at them. A chill ran through him. "That person... must not be provoked!"

A Blood Refined Magic Item!

Even in Green Forest Market, such items were exceedingly rare.

Without exception, their owners were peak Innate experts. With a Blood Refined Magic Item, even ordinary Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivators would treat them as equals.

Yet one had appeared in the hands of a Postnatal Martial Artist!

What did that mean?

Either he had gotten lucky and found it on a corpse, or he had an immensely powerful background and was exceptionally difficult to provoke!

And judging from their conversation just now, that youth was certainly not some lucky, arrogant fool.

"Big Brother and Second Sister really do know how to judge people..."

Chen Hongtian scratched the back of his head. "Fortunately, that man did not take any Demon Beast meat. Let us collect the materials and leave immediately..."

"Yes, that is the most sensible thing you have said, Third Brother. We should not linger here." Chen Yi nodded and directed the four of them to skin and butcher the Crimson Flame Tiger. Each carried over a hundred pounds of meat, along with tiger hide, Tiger Bone, tiger whip, and quickly departed...

From afar came Meng Yi's slightly excited voice. "The materials from this Demon Tiger alone are worth at least several dozen Low-Grade Spirit Stones. We have struck it rich this time!"

"Hehe... Too bad there are more Demon Beasts now, and the price of Demon Beast meat in the market has fallen recently... Otherwise, we would have earned even more."

After they had all left, the bloody remains scattered across the ground attracted several hungry wolves, which eagerly licked at the leftover scraps of meat.

On an unnoticed treetop, a kingfisher pecked at its wings before flapping away.

"It seems those five did not lie to me, nor were they blinded by greed..."

Not far away, Fang Xing looked at the surveillance feed and nodded.

"Green Forest Market does not seem to consider this Beast Tide much of a problem. Then it is worth going there to rent another place..."

It had to be said that Fang Xing was obsessed with housing.

His predecessor had always dreamed of buying a home on Blue Star, but it had remained hopelessly out of reach.

"If houses are cheap, perhaps I can first buy some land in Green Forest Market?"

Fang Xing rubbed his chin, pondering the matter.

Green Forest Market.

This place was much the same as usual, with little difference, though it seemed somewhat livelier.

The reason was likely the formation covering the entire market, which gave people a strong sense of security.

Fang Xing entered the market as usual and headed straight for an office established by the Qingxuan Sect.

The Qingxuan Sect steward in charge of the Slum Area was surnamed Zhang, with the Daoist name Qing Yangzi. He wore a small goatee and always smiled warmly at everyone.

But when Fang Xing asked about land prices, his expression became unusually serious. "Although our sect has abundant land, not a single plot is for sale to outsiders... The houses in the Slum Area are for rent only, not for sale!"

"I see. I was presumptuous."

Fang Xing apologized repeatedly, though inwardly he complained, Not for sale? Then what about that huge estate belonging to the Zheng Family? Are they not simply bullying us rogue cultivators because we are weak and isolated?

Still, with such good business, I would want a steady stream of income too. I could not sell the hen that lays golden eggs...

Rogue cultivators and martial artists who rented houses had to pay every month, and tenants changed quickly. Who knew when one might die?

Then the Qingxuan Sect could reclaim the house and make another profit from it.

"Then what about renting a house?"

He settled for the next best thing and asked.

"Let me explain, young friend. The rental houses in this market are divided into superior, middle, and lower grades. Superior residences are within the market itself, covering over a mu of land and beautifully built... Middle-grade residences are at the edge of the market, rich in spiritual energy and equipped with small courtyards... Lower-grade ones are at the foot of the mountain. You have seen those shacks."

Qing Yangzi resumed his smiling expression and stroked his beard. "There is no need for you to ask about a Superior Cave Dwelling. Middle-grade cave dwellings cost ten Spirit Stones per month. Usually, only Qi Refining Late Stage experts or Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivators with a specialized skill can afford them..."

As he said this, he looked at Fang Xing with a seemingly provocative gaze.

But Fang Xing remained expressionless. He knew that if he got carried away, he would fall into a spending trap and become a sucker. "Then I will take a lower-grade shack."

"A lower-grade shack costs one Spirit Stone per month, plus another Spirit Stone as a deposit. These are the ones that have not yet been chosen. Pick one yourself."

Qing Yangzi's smile faded considerably as he took out a thick booklet and handed it to Fang Xing. "Any house without a vermilion brush annotation belongs to no one. Choose whichever you like."

Fang Xing studied it carefully, comparing it one by one with the map of the Slum Area captured by his Drone.

In truth, there was nothing much to choose. The environment was all the same! Equally terrible and dangerous!

Still, Fang Xing chose a relatively secluded spot where it would be easiest to escape. "This one."

"Mm."

Qing Yangzi accepted the two Spirit Stones and handed Fang Xing a brass Key. He also warned him, "Because of the Beast Tide, some untamed rogue cultivators have also entered the market. The market is not peaceful these days. Take care of yourself..."

"Thank you for the warning..."

Fang Xing cupped his hands and left the office. This Qing Yangzi may be greedy for money... but he does not seem like a bad person.

Holding the brass Key, he did not hurry to his new house. Instead, he first wandered around the market.

After this stroll, Fang Xing immediately noticed the differences.

"Sure enough, the prices of all kinds of Demon Beast materials have plummeted... while daily necessities have surged in price... After all, farmers have either fled into the market or been eaten by Demon Beasts. Who is left to farm or do odd jobs?"

"With most of the market still operating on a barter economy, I wonder how badly they would be harvested if they encountered financial methods from the Interstellar Age? Uh... perhaps not. After all, some people can simply flip the table. The three major powers, for example, would probably smile as they watched me earn piles of Spirit Stones, then send out experts at the end to rob me outright. They might even borrow my head while they were at it to quell public resentment?"

"Sure enough, in a place of chaotic warfare like this, talk of revitalizing commerce is bullshit. A big fist is the only truth."

With that thought, Fang Xing gave up all notions of making a fortune through business and prepared to buy a few pounds of Spirit Rice.

Then, helplessly, he discovered that because large amounts of spirit farmland had been abandoned, the price of Spirit Rice had risen drastically to two pieces of Spirit Sand per pound—double its previous price!

"Fucking robbery... No, even robbery does not make money this fast."

"Rather than that, I might as well buy some Demon Beast meat and try something new..."

Fang Xing wandered among the stalls when his eyes suddenly lit up. He spotted Ding Hongxiu and her grandfather!

The grandfather and granddaughter were tending a Spirit Rice stall. Ding Hongxiu timidly called out to customers, while Ding Bushan lay off to one side, occasionally taking a sip of wine.

No, I am in my true appearance now. They do not recognize me...

Fang Xing's heart stirred, and he approached the Spirit Rice stall. "How much is this Lotus Fragrance Spirit Rice?"

"Six pounds for one Spirit Stone!"

Ding Hongxiu replied. The prices at rogue cultivator stalls were naturally somewhat cheaper than those in shops, or they would not attract customers.

"That is a little expensive..."

Fang Xing frowned. "It used to be ten pounds for one Spirit Stone. I will buy more, so give me a discount. Otherwise, I might as well buy some Demon Beast meat instead!"

"A big deal!"

Ding Bushan immediately tossed aside his wine gourd and hurried over, a smile spreading even across his red nose. "If you buy fifty pounds or more, this old man can give you a discount. How about fifty pounds for eight Spirit Stones?"

"Fine, that will do."

Fang Xing waved his hand, knowing there would be no further discount.

After the transaction was completed, Ding Bushan watched Fang Xing's departing back and said to his granddaughter, "See that? That is what a fine young man looks like. Just looking at that robe tells you it is no ordinary item, and he spends generously. He even buys Spirit Rice to eat, so he must have plenty of Spirit Stones... Sigh, little Hongxiu, keep your eyes open. When you find your grandfather a grandson-in-law in the future, find someone like that. Do not get involved with poor stallholders like the one last time..."