Chapter Sixty-One: Moving House

The Lei Spirit Rice was a specialty of the Qi family eight hundred years ago. At that time, the Qi family’s ancestral land, Tianjue Mountain’s spiritual vein, happened to be within the sphere of influence of the Qingyuan Sect and was close to the Fengming Mountain market. Therefore, it was highly likely the Spiritual Plants Hall kept records of this plant.

However, instead of heading to the Spiritual Plants Hall, Zhou Changwang went once more to the General Affairs Hall.

The same steward with the surname Bai was still in charge of house rentals in the General Affairs Hall. Zhou Changwang asked a few more questions this time and learned his name was Bai Jiuyan.

“Steward Bai, do you know if there are still any vacant residences in the market?” Zhou Changwang gave a polite bow before asking.

“Are you looking for a house with a spiritual field?” Steward Bai clearly remembered Zhou Changwang and asked naturally.

“If the price is right... I wouldn’t say no.” Zhou Changwang calculated the spirit stones he had on hand.

After his previous expenditures, he had seven hundred and eighty-three lower-grade spirit stones left; he’d earned another fifty from helping the Zhao brothers with their pest problem, making it eight hundred and thirty-three. Then, buying the spirit rice and the heart-guarding soft armor cost him two hundred and eighty-three, leaving him with five hundred and fifty lower-grade spirit stones.

With this wealth, he could indeed rent a courtyard with spiritual fields, but he’d be stretched thin afterward. He needed to keep some spirit stones for emergencies.

“You’re aware, I’m sure, that the recent chaos has left more houses with spiritual fields vacant in the market. To encourage tenants, we’re offering discounts compared to before. For instance, those two courtyards I introduced you to previously—Master Chen the spiritual planter’s place originally rented for four hundred and fifty lower-grade spirit stones a year, but now you can have it for four hundred. Senior Li’s courtyard, which used to be six hundred and twenty a year, is now only five hundred and fifty. The prices have dropped quite a bit. Aside from those two, we’ve had seven or eight more with spiritual fields become available recently—the cheapest is only two hundred and fifty, though it only comes with three mu of spiritual farmland...”

Steward Bai began introducing them one by one, concluding, “As you know, you get what you pay for. The higher the rent, the more spiritual fields you get, and the denser the spiritual energy.”

Zhou Changwang nodded. That was indeed the case.

The entire Fengming Mountain market was built on a relatively flat mountain. The so-called outskirts were at the foot of the mountain and were sometimes called the shantytown, a byword for filth and disorder.

The true trading area was located halfway up the mountain: the wandering cultivators’ market, the commercial streets, and the inner residential districts of the market. The courtyards Zhou Changwang planned to rent were all in this area, varying only in whether they were to the south, west, or north.

Among these, the western area had the weakest spiritual energy, the northern was acceptable, and the southern, due to its elevation, was slightly stronger. Of course, the highest spiritual energy was in the eastern area, at the mountaintop—the core of the market, the source of its spiritual vein, home to the ruling families like the Bai and Chen clans, as well as many high-level cultivators and even Foundation Establishment true cultivators.

Zhou Changwang then requested to view the properties.

This was only natural. Steward Bai ordered an attendant to accompany Zhou Changwang to inspect several courtyards.

They started, of course, with the cheapest one: three mu of spiritual fields, the spiritual energy about the same as the place he’d previously rented at the foot of Changling Mountain, and located near the western foothills, very close to the outskirts. He hesitated briefly and decided against it.

Next was Senior Li the high-level cultivator’s courtyard, located in the southern area, near the Tianxiang Pavilion and Liufang Court commercial districts—no wonder the rent was higher. But for the same reason, on the chaotic night, it had been targeted, its main gate smashed, and all the spiritual herbs from the fields violently harvested, leaving the place in shambles.

Still, the seven mu of spiritual fields were of excellent quality and tempted him greatly. But considering the rent of five hundred and fifty lower-grade spirit stones, he had to let it go with regret. He only had five hundred and fifty in total—renting it would leave him with nothing. Even with bargaining, there wouldn’t be much room for reduction.

Finally, he came to the courtyard formerly occupied by Master Chen the spiritual planter. It was in the farthest corner of the southern district, beyond which stood a cliff about twenty zhang high. Unless one was a Foundation Establishment cultivator capable of flying on magical tools, it was inaccessible to ordinary cultivators. Protected by formations, even if someone managed to climb up, they wouldn’t easily be able to enter the market.

The courtyard’s main gate was intact, flanked by two small stone lions. Inside was a spacious layout reminiscent of a traditional siheyuan, with special rooms for alchemy, talisman-making, and secluded cultivation, as well as three guest rooms and two servants’ quarters.

In the backyard, the first thing that caught the eye was five mu of spiritual fields. Perhaps because they had been left untended for some time, they were overgrown with weeds. In the corners grew some ordinary spiritual bamboo, with the wall behind them.

The real surprise, however, was the small pond in the center of the backyard. Approaching, he saw the water was crystal clear and home to several koi swimming about. In the center of the pond stood a pavilion, perfect for watching the fish.

He fell in love with the place almost instantly.

Moreover, the spiritual energy in the area was not weak—twice as strong as what he’d had out in the market’s outskirts.

He quickly made up his mind.

He returned directly to the General Affairs Hall, found Steward Bai to discuss the lease, and after some vigorous negotiation, managed to get a small discount. In exchange for agreeing to a five-year lease, he secured the courtyard for three hundred and eighty lower-grade spirit stones per year, with rent paid annually.

After signing the contract and handing over the spirit stones, he looked at his storage pouch—just a hundred and seventy lower-grade spirit stones left. His heart ached at the sight.

“But at least one major matter is settled,” he thought. “Now I can cultivate in peace, without having to be on guard every day against rogue cultivators or demonic practitioners.”

Zhou Changwang was pleased with the outcome.

He returned home smoothly.

As night fell, he decided to move the next day.

Early the following morning, he rose in high spirits and began packing. He threw out what needed to be discarded, put the smaller items in his storage pouch, and in the end, everything fit on a small handcart.

“Before leaving, I should say goodbye to Qian Xiaoyue. After all, we’ve faced danger together twice.”

Zhou Changwang valued old friendships. Just as he was about to knock on her door, Qian Xiaoyue unexpectedly stepped out, carrying a large satchel on her back and two small bags in her hands.

Another female cultivator followed her, helping with her luggage.

“Fellow Daoist Qian, are you moving?” Zhou Changwang was taken aback and asked, curiosity in his voice.