https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-226-Sage-of-Fragrance-Three-Fragrances-and-Four-Flavors/12920573/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-228-Inventorying-the-Spoils-of-War-A-Bountiful-Harvest/12920575/
Chapter 227: Tier 2 Cave Mansion, A Place to Stay
Chapter 227: Tier 2 Cave Mansion, A Place to Stay
"Xiao Liuz, you've brought more people again!"
An aged voice echoed through the spacious Ice Palace, sounding somewhat eerie.
An old woman sat in a reclining chair, opening her eyes to glance at Luo Chen and the other two.
Xu Xiaoliu shrunk his neck and leaned closer.
"Senior Shi, these three are my uncle's friends. They want to rent a cave mansion."
The old woman's gaze followed his direction.
Luo Chen cupped his hands in greeting.
The old woman let out an 'oh' and called out to someone inside.
"A Lan, bring out the Crystal Sphere."
Soon, a sweet response came from within.
"Coming, Granny!"
A girl then emerged, holding a large spherical magical tool and running over.
She skillfully placed the spherical tool on the table.
"Are you three seniors looking to rent a cave mansion?"
"Yes, yes, they..." Xu Xiaoliu chuckled and approached.
But he was glared at by the girl, "I'm asking the seniors, why are you butting in?"
Xu Xiaoliu smiled awkwardly and retreated, looking slightly annoyed.
Luo Chen glanced at him and stepped forward.
"Are there any specific requirements for the cave mansions? And what's the rent like?"
Shi Lan infused spiritual power into the spherical tool.
Instantly, a lifelike indoor environment appeared on its surface.
Some were simple and natural, some were luxurious, some were built into the mountain walls with a panoramic view of the city, and some had waterfalls cascading down, forming pearl-like water curtains.
Each cave mansion had its unique features.
"Our cave mansions in Heavenly Wave Immortal City are located on the Heavenly Wave Peak at the back."
"This mountain is a genuine Tier 3 Spirit Vein Land! The spiritual energy emanating from it has created a thriving spiritual area within a three-thousand-mile radius around Heavenly Wave City."
A sweet introduction followed.
Luo Chen and the others nodded in agreement.
They had noticed it as soon as they entered the city.
The concentration of spiritual energy within the city was undoubtedly on par with a Tier 1 Spirit Vein.
It was no less impressive than the courtyard in Da He Fang.
And this was just the spiritual energy concentration on the main street.
One could only imagine how abundant the spiritual energy would be at the main vein.
"Most of the cave mansions in Heavenly Wave Immortal City and the outer spirit mountains are Tier 1 Spirit Lands."
"Only the Heavenly Wave Peak has Tier 2 and even Tier 3 Spirit Lands!"
"Since you three seniors are at the Foundation Establishment Stage, I recommend renting a Tier 2 cave mansion."
As she spoke, Shi Lan rotated the Crystal Sphere, revealing scenes of cave mansions marked with different white light points.
This didn't seem like a problem.
Luo Chen's gaze fell on the Crystal Sphere, and he couldn't help but be surprised.
"Why do the white lights indicating Tier 2 cave mansions have three different shades: light white, pure white, and deep white?"
Shi Lan smiled sweetly, "That's because Tier 2 cave mansions also have their rankings!"
"Oh?"
"We categorize each tier of Spirit Lands into three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The higher the grade, the denser the spiritual energy."
"On the Heavenly Wave Peak, there are Tier 1 Upper Grade cave mansions suitable for the Qi Condensation Stage, Tier 2 Upper, Middle, and Lower Grade cave mansions suitable for the Foundation Establishment Stage, and even Tier 3 Lower Grade cave mansions if you wish to rent them."
Behind.
Nan Gong Jin and Li Yixuan exchanged glances.
Even the cave mansions in Spirit Lands were categorized so meticulously? They silently agreed not to speak up.
Along the way, they had already noticed that Luo Chen was more adept at handling these matters.
It was better to let Luo Chen handle it rather than risk offending someone with their own words.
Luo Chen naturally understood their thoughts but didn't mind.
It was just a minor matter.
"Then how is the price of the cave mansions calculated?"
Shi Lan patiently explained, "For Tier 1 to Tier 3, the prices are calculated in hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands, respectively. The rent is charged monthly and annually. The longer the rental period, the cheaper the price."
It was getting complicated!
Nan Gong Jin frowned deeply.
Li Yixuan also looked bewildered.
Only Luo Chen nodded, appearing to understand.
"If I want to rent a Tier 2 cave mansion for a year, what would the prices be?"
Shi Lan replied without hesitation, "For a Tier 2 Lower Grade cave mansion, the monthly rent is one thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones, and for a year, it's just ten thousand. For a Middle Grade cave mansion, the monthly rent is two thousand, and for a year, it's twenty thousand. For an Upper Grade cave mansion, the monthly rent is four thousand, and for a year, it's forty-eight thousand."
"Wait!"
Li Yixuan couldn't hold back, "Why is the monthly rent for Lower and Middle Grade cave mansions two thousand less, but for Upper Grade cave mansions, there's no discount?"
The girl blinked.
She explained naturally, "Because there are many Lower and Middle Grade cave mansions, but only twenty Upper Grade cave mansions, which are usually in high demand, so they can't be discounted."
Alright then!
She couldn't think of a way to refute this reasoning.
Or perhaps, there was no need to refute it; the Ice Fortress had set these prices.
They could either accept it or leave.
"What about three years?" Luo Chen asked.
Shi Lan replied, "The base price remains the same for three years. If you want a cheaper rate, you'd need to rent for at least ten years."
Ten years!
Li Yixuan was taken aback.
If they rented an Upper Grade cave mansion for ten years, it would cost nearly five hundred thousand!
Even if he sold his family's assets, he wouldn't have that many spirit stones.
Shi Lan looked at the three of them and smiled sweetly, "I wonder, which grade of cave mansion do you three seniors wish to rent?"
Li Yixuan hesitated.
Nan Gong Jin's gaze shifted between the Lower and Middle Grade cave mansions, undecided.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted.
"Can you show us the actual cave mansions first?"
Shi Lan was taken aback. Visit the cave mansions in person?
A cough sounded from the side.
"Little Lan, take them there, and don't keep them waiting."
Shi Lan nodded hurriedly.
"Senior Fellow Daoists, please follow me."
Xu Xiaoliu also wanted to follow, but a stern glance kept him obediently in place.
Lu Chen glanced at the two of them with interest, shook his head, and stepped out.
...
A water curtain hung between Tianlan Peak and Heavenly Wave Immortal City, seemingly dividing what was once a unified place into two separate spaces.
Looking up, the colorful water curtain shimmered in the sunlight.
Lu Chen's face grew solemn.
"A defensive formation array?"
Li Yixuan exclaimed, "A third-tier defensive formation array?"
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
It wasn't the third-tier defensive formation array that surprised them, but the fact that this formation was in a constantly active state! It was common knowledge that formation arrays consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy.
Unless it was a critical moment, even major sects wouldn't keep them active all the time.
But unexpectedly, Tianlan Peak maintained a constantly active third-tier defensive formation array.
Shi Lan approached the water curtain, took out a jade pendant, and skillfully executed a spirit technique.
At the same time, she introduced the situation to Lu Chen and the others.
"This is the Heaven-Nurtured Water Array, formed by the earth, ever-flowing and inexhaustible. It doesn't consume a significant amount of spiritual energy."
"With this array's protection, the cultivators living on Tianlan Peak can have true security."
"Normally, there will be people regularly inspecting and maintaining the array to ensure no unexpected incidents occur."
As she spoke, she gestured to the side.
An elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivator was snoring loudly, lying in a pavilion.
"That's Wang Shishu, specifically guarding the formation. If a cultivator without residence rights approaches, he'll chase them away."
"But you don't need to worry, if you rent a cave mansion, you'll have a specialized identity jade token."
After saying this, she shook the jade token in her hand.
Within the water curtain, a door quickly opened.
"Let's go!"
Lu Chen couldn't help but glance at the elderly Wang.
These days, are Foundation Establishment Cultivators being used as security guards?
However, many people would probably want this job! Located at the border between Tianlan Peak and Heavenly Wave Immortal City, the spiritual energy was dense, almost like getting a free piece of land between the first and second tiers.
Almost as soon as they stepped through the water curtain.
Lu Chen sensed something unusual.
Dense spiritual energy filled the surroundings.
Its concentration had already reached the level of a genuine first-tier spirit vein land.
According to Shi Lan's classification, it was at least first-tier upper-grade!
Whoosh!
A streak of light descended from above.
After landing, it greeted Shi Lan before calmly leaving through the water curtain.
"Isn't flying prohibited here?" Li Yixuan asked.
Shi Lan smiled slightly, "Flying is allowed on Tianlan Peak."
She took out a flying sword.
"Senior Fellow Daoists, please follow me!"
...
"This is a second-tier middle-grade spirit land."
Before them was a standard, unassuming cave mansion.
Divided into three layers, it had a total of five rooms.
The outermost layer was fertile land, suitable for cultivating spirit plants, flowers, trees, and even spirit rice.
The middle layer was a reception hall.
Used for cultivators and mortals to interact and discuss the Dao.
The innermost layer was divided into a bedroom, meditation chamber, study, and an empty room.
In terms of area, it was quite spacious.
However, after Lu Chen and the other two experienced the meditation chamber, they all frowned.
"The price has doubled, but the spiritual energy concentration seems to have only increased by half compared to a lower-grade cave mansion?"
"That's my feeling too, Lu Chen. What do you think?"
Lu Chen nodded.
He didn't just use his cultivation technique to sense it; he also compared it to the spirit vein cave he had encountered in the depths of Luofeng Mountain.
This middle-grade cave mansion was only equivalent to the level he had reached after three years of seclusion.
The three exchanged glances.
"Let's take a look at the upper-grade cave mansion?"
"Good!"
"Let's go and see!"
As they wanted to see more, Shi Lan naturally wouldn't refuse.
She led them higher, but this time, they flew much slower.
Because all the cave mansions were rented out!
It took Shi Lan a long time to use a telepathic talisman to knock on a cave mansion's door.
"Coming, coming!"
"It's not due yet, why are you here to collect rent so early!"
As the voice sounded, a tall and graceful figure emerged, accompanied by a strong fragrance.
Lu Chen's gaze fell on her, and he could clearly sense her mid-stage Foundation Establishment spiritual power fluctuations.
The female cultivator's eyebrows furrowed, and she looked at Lu Chen with confusion.
"Did she discover us?"
Lu Chen's expression remained calm, and he calmly denied this guess.
She hadn't discovered them; her perception was just exceptionally keen.
He didn't use his spirit sense to probe her cultivation level; he only used the spirit eye technique inherent in his eyes.
Amongst peers, if he didn't actively increase his strength, it would be difficult to detect her.
As she stepped out, Shi Lan revealed a sweet smile.
"Senior Fellow Daoist Ling, we're not here to collect rent early."
"It's just that these senior fellow daoists want to see the spiritual energy concentration of a second-tier upper-grade cave mansion."
"The other senior fellow daoists are either in seclusion or out, so we had to disturb you."
"Could you do us a favor?"
Ling Yuzhi frowned and humphed.
"If you want to see, then see. Who can refuse the Ice Fortress's request!"
After saying this, she stepped aside.
Despite not saying a word, a disdainful chuckle escaped her lips as she watched the backs of Luo Chen and the other two.
It was obvious what she thought of them.
A month's rent for an upper-grade cave mansion cost four thousand middle-grade spirit stones, and not just anyone could afford that!
Luo Chen and the other two could feel the gaze on their backs.
Aside from Luo Chen's unwavering composure, the other two felt somewhat uneasy.
Being looked down upon like this made anyone uncomfortable.
They didn't linger for long.
Soon, the three of them exited the meditation chamber.
"One time the price?"
"Yes, that's right."
"The price is four times higher than the lower-grade one, but the spiritual energy concentration is only double."
Seeing their dissatisfaction, Shi Lan quickly explained, "Senior, value isn't measured like this!"
"It's like the difference between ordinary medicinal pills and top-grade ones. Although the price seems unfair, what you save is time!"
"For us cultivators, time is the most precious thing."
"The improvement in cultivation speed might not be significant in the short term when comparing the lower-grade and upper-grade cave mansions. But over time, the saved time could amount to decades of arduous cultivation."
"Who knows, the breakthrough to the Golden Core stage might just be a matter of those few decades."
Luo Chen glanced at her.
She was indeed a very enthusiastic and hardworking real estate agent.
What she said made sense, and everyone understood it.
But understanding was one thing, and having the financial means was another.
"Daoist Brother Nan Gong, what do you think?" Li Yixuan asked.
Nan Gong Jin had already made up his mind, "I'll mainly focus on recovering from my injuries, and the lower-grade cave mansion is sufficient for my needs."
Li Yixuan bit her lip, "Then I'll choose the lower-grade cave mansion too! The improvement from the middle-grade one isn't significant anyway."
After saying that, she turned to Luo Chen.
"What about you?"
Luo Chen smiled, "Little Friend Shi Lan, are the upper-grade cave mansions all occupied recently?"
Shi Lan nodded eagerly, "Yes, they are all occupied recently, but a few of them are nearing the end of their lease, and they don't plan to renew. If you want to rent one, you can make a reservation with me, and I'll definitely arrange it for you."
"Alright, I'll rent a lower-grade cave mansion for now, and I'll trouble you to keep an eye on the upper-grade ones for me."
Shi Lan's eyes lit up, and she immediately took note of it.
With the decision made, it was time to choose a cave mansion.
Led by Shi Lan, the three of them prepared to fly down the mountain slope to find a suitable cave mansion.
Before leaving, they thanked the female cultivator named Ling Yuzhi.
She smiled and replied, "No problem."
However, as she watched the three of them descend the mountain, she disdainfully spat out, "A bunch of poor ghosts!"
Ten zhang away, a nearby cave mansion glowed with light.
Soon, a person flew out from within.
He seemed to have noticed Ling Yuzhi's actions and asked with a smile, "What are you doing, fellow Daoist?"
Hearing the voice, Ling Yuzhi's eyes lit up.
"Daoist Brother Chu! Are you going out?"
He pointed to the distance, "Yes, it's the end of the month, and I have to work for a while, or else I won't have spirit stones to spend."
Ling Yuzhi smiled, "You're joking. With your skills, Chu Kui, who would dare make you work?"
Chu Kui chuckled but didn't refute it.
He glanced at the four figures below.
"Are they new neighbors?"
Ling Yuzhi pouted, "Just some poor outsiders. If they can't afford it, they can't afford it. Why bother looking and disturbing my cultivation?"
"Outsiders?"
"Yes! Especially that pale-faced guy, he clearly can't afford it, yet he pretends to make a reservation for an upper-grade cave mansion. These days, you see all sorts of people."
Hearing her sharp and sarcastic words, Chu Kui shook his head.
"You can't judge a book by its cover. They might be wealthy. I'll go and get to know them when I have time."
"Alright, enough talking, I'm leaving now!"
Waving his hand, he ignored Ling Yuzhi's attempt to continue the conversation and flew off from Tianlan Peak like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Ling Yuzhi watched his departing figure with a hint of regret.
Then, she shook her head.
Although he was powerful, he didn't have much of a future.
Sacrificing long-term prospects for short-term gains, he wasn't a good person!
...
At the halfway point down the mountain slope.
Luo Chen stood in a slightly cramped lower-grade cave mansion.
Compared to the spacious upper-grade cave mansion he had seen earlier, this one was much more modest.
It only had two levels, and there was no garden for cultivating spirit plants.
The interior consisted of just three rooms: a living room, a bedroom, and a meditation chamber.
However, Luo Chen wasn't dissatisfied.
At least, he finally had a place to call his own.
"Next, I need to find a place for the Luo Tianhui!"
He had no intention of giving up on the Luo Tianhui.
Not to mention the many friends he had within, who were close to him.
Just having familiar and trusted cultivators to assist him in pill concoction would be of immense benefit.
Even a single cultivator, regardless of their advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage, could only produce a limited number of pills.
It was only with the help of numerous cultivators that a pill concoction master could achieve a significant scale of production.
This was why pill concoction masters in major sects often took on many medicine boys, pill boys, and fire-controlling disciples.
However, with the Luo Tianhui's large membership, it wasn't feasible for them to reside in the city long-term.
Luo Chen pursed his lips and spread out the map Shi Lan had given him, carefully examining it.
"A first-tier spirit vein land, unoccupied. Mirror Lake, Bamboo Sea, Paulownia Mountain, Crimson Peak..."
Gradually, Luo Chen's gaze stopped at a particular location.
(End of Chapter)
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