Chapter 30: Settling Down
Chapter 30: Settling Down
"According to the rules of solitary cultivators, the final blow to this demon tiger belongs to you, Brother Fang. You are entitled to a share. What do you say?"
Chen Yi's cloudy eyes swept over Fang Xing and he suddenly spoke up.
"Big brother!"
Chen Hongtian exclaimed, feeling anxious about his words.
They had expended so much effort for this demon beast. How could they give a share to an outsider?
Going back and forth like this would cost them a significant amount of spirit stones!
The Five Virtues of Cangshan, to which they belonged, were not known for their kindness in the cultivation world.
But Chen Yi shook his head, using his eyes to stop his third brother from speaking further.
Instead, it was Hua Feiyue who laughed softly, "That's right... This young brother must have considerable skill to deliver a fatal blow to the demon tiger. May I ask which famous master you studied under?"
She was indirectly probing into Fang Xing's background and origins.
"I have no sect or clan..."
Fang Xing chuckled, "As for the materials from this demon tiger, you can keep them all. I've been delayed elsewhere recently, and I didn't expect the market to have changed so much. I'm curious, what is the situation like in Qinglin City now?"
With his drone for herb gathering, he had no interest in the materials from this first-rank demon tiger.
His main purpose for showing up was to gather information.
"Everything is fine in the city... Just that various supplies have increased in price. The Qingxu Sect elders have issued a 'Demon Hunt Order', and now you can receive extra spirit stones for killing demon beasts..."
Chen Yi exhaled a long breath, his aged face bearing a bitter smile, "We've been feeling the burden, so we ventured out to hunt demon beasts despite the risks..."
"I see..."
Fang Xing nodded in understanding and asked a few more questions. After a while, he cupped his hands and said, "Until we meet again."
His figure flashed and he disappeared into the dense forest, his silhouette vanishing from sight after a few turns.
"Big brother, why be so polite to that kid?" Chen Hongtian's eyes narrowed as he watched Fang Xing's movement, "I don't think he's a cultivator, not even at the Innate stage..."
"Hehe, that's where you're wrong, third brother... Could an ordinary Post-Natal Warrior deliver a fatal blow to a 'Crimson Flame Tiger'?"
Hua Feiyue's voice was soft and alluring, penetrating to the bone.
Meng Yi and Shen Yuhxin approached the Crimson Flame Tiger and took out their daggers to collect the demon beast's materials.
As they turned the tiger over, they exclaimed, "Big brother, look!"
Chen Yi walked over and saw that the tiger's snow-white abdomen was now charred black.
"Is this... Lightning magic? A lightning attribute talisman?"
Chen Hongtian's eyes narrowed.
"No, I fear it's... a blood-forged artifact!"
Chen Yi recalled the silver-robed youth who had been pointing a stick at them, and a chill ran down his spine, "This person... we must not provoke him!"
Blood-forged artifacts!
Even in Qinglin City, they were extremely rare and scarce.
Those who possessed such artifacts were invariably at the peak of the Innate stage, and when combined with the artifact, they could contend with mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators on equal terms.
But now, one had appeared in the hands of a Post-Natal Warrior!
What did this imply?
If the youth hadn't gotten it by lucky chance, then he must have a profound background and was not someone to be trifled with!
And from their previous conversation, it was clear that the youth was not merely lucky or arrogant.
"Big brother and second sister really know how to judge a person..."
Chen Hongtian rubbed the back of his head, "Fortunately, that guy didn't ask for a share of the demon beast meat. Let's quickly gather the materials and leave..."
"Yes, third brother is right. We shouldn't linger here," Chen Yi nodded, directing the four of them to start skinning and butchering the tiger. Each of them carried hundreds of pounds of meat, along with the tiger's hide, bones, and whip-like tail, and quickly departed...
In the distance, Meng Yi's excited voice trailed off, "The materials from this demon tiger are worth at least several dozen lower-grade spirit stones. We've struck it rich this time!"
"Hehe... It's a pity that the recent increase in demon beasts has caused a drop in the price of demon beast meat in the city... Otherwise, we would have made even more."
After they left, the bloody remains on the ground attracted a few hungry wolves, who eagerly licked at the scraps of meat.
Unnoticed, on a treetop, a emerald bird pecked its wings and flew away.
...
"It seems those five people didn't lie to me, nor were they driven by greed..."
Not far away, Fang Xing watched the surveillance footage and nodded.
"Qinglin City doesn't seem to consider this beast tide a major issue. It's worth going there to rent another house..."
He had to admit that his obsession was with houses.
In his previous life, he had always longed to buy a house on Blue Star, but it remained a distant dream.
"If houses are cheap, maybe I can consider buying property in Qinglin City first?"
Fang Xing stroked his chin, deep in thought.
...
Qinglin City.
The place seemed even more bustling than usual, with no noticeable differences.
The likely reason was the array that enveloped the entire city, instilling a strong sense of security in its residents.
As usual, Fang Xing entered the city and made his way straight to an administrative office set up by the Qingxu Sect.
The manager in charge of the shantytown, surnamed Zhang, went by the Taoist name Qingyangzi, and sported a goatee that resembled a mountain goat's. He always wore a smile.
However, when Fang Xing inquired about land prices, his expression turned solemn, "Although our sect has ample land, we do not sell any of it... The houses in the shantytown are only for rent, not for sale!"
"I understand now. I've been too presumptuous."
Fang Xing offered repeated apologies, but inside, he scoffed, 'If they don't sell, then how did the Zheng family acquire such a large estate? Aren't they taking advantage of solitary cultivators like us who are few in numbers and lack influence?'
'However, if I were in their shoes, I'd also want to milk this cash cow for all it's worth instead of selling the goose that lays the golden eggs...'
Solitary cultivators and martial artists who rented houses had to pay a monthly fee, and the turnover rate for tenants was high, with deaths occurring now and then.
During such times, Qingxu Sect could reclaim the houses and profit again.
"What about renting, then?"
Fang Xing asked, settling for the next best option.
"It's good that you asked, my friend. The rental houses in this market town are divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The upper-grade ones are located within the market town, occupying over an acre of land, and are exquisitely built... The middle-grade houses are on the outskirts, filled with lush spiritual energy, and come with a small courtyard... As for the lower-grade ones, they're at the foot of the mountain, and you've already seen those shacks."
Qingyangzi's smile returned as he stroked his goatee. "There's no need to ask about the upper-grade cave abodes. The middle-grade ones cost ten spirit stones per month, and only those at the later stages of Qi Refining or mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators with exceptional skills can afford them..."
As he said this, he glanced at Fang Xing, his eyes holding a hint of challenge.
But Fang Xing maintained a poker face, knowing that if he gave in to his impulses, he would fall into a consumer trap and end up being taken advantage of. "Then I'll take a lower-grade shack."
"The lower-grade shacks are one spirit stone per month, with an additional spirit stone as a deposit. This one hasn't been chosen yet; you can pick it yourself."
Qingyangzi's smile faded a little as he took out a thick book and handed it to Fang Xing. "The ones without annotations in red ink are unoccupied houses. Feel free to choose any of them."
Fang Xing examined the book carefully, comparing the information with the map of the shantytown that he had captured with his drone.
In truth, there wasn't much to choose from, as the environments were all equally dismal and dangerous!
Nonetheless, Fang Xing tried to pick a relatively secluded spot that would be the most convenient for escape. "How about this one?"
"Mhm."
Qingyangzi collected two spirit stones and handed a brass key to Fang Xing, offering a word of advice. "Due to the beast tide, many unruly wild cultivators have also entered the market town. It's not very safe here lately, so you should take care of yourself..."
"Thank you for the warning..."
Fang Xing cupped his hands in gratitude and left the office. 'Well, this Qingyangzi may be greedy... but he doesn't seem like a bad person.'
Holding the brass key, Fang Xing didn't rush to his new house. Instead, he started wandering around the market town.
It didn't take long for him to notice a difference.
"As expected, the prices of various demon beast materials have plummeted... while the cost of living supplies has skyrocketed... After all, the farmers are either fleeing to the market town or being devoured by demon beasts. Who's left to tend the fields or do odd jobs?"
"With most transactions in this market town still based on bartering, I wonder how badly they would be exploited if they encountered financial schemes from the interstellar age? Hmm... that might not be entirely accurate, as some people could flip the table, like those three major forces. They would probably smile indulgently as I earn a lot of spirit stones, only to send their strong cultivators to rob me at the last moment, taking everything for themselves and perhaps even borrowing my head to appease the angry mob."
"Indeed, in this chaotic place, any talk of revitalizing commerce is bullshit. Might makes right."
With that realization, Fang Xing abandoned any thoughts of doing business and making a fortune. He decided to buy a few pounds of spirit rice instead.
However, he soon discovered that due to the large number of abandoned spirit fields, the price of spirit rice had soared to two spirit sands per pound, double the previous price!
"Fck, this is daylight robbery... No, even robbers wouldn't make this much money so quickly."
"I might as well buy some demon beast meat to try something new..."
As Fang Xing wandered among the stalls, his eyes suddenly lit up as he spotted Ding Hongxiu and her grandfather!
The old man and his granddaughter were manning a spirit rice stall. Ding Hongxiu timidly called out to attract customers while Ding Busan lay on the side, occasionally taking a sip from his wine gourd.
'Wait, I'm in my true form now. They won't recognize me...'
Fang Xing's heart stirred as he approached the stall. "How much is this lotus-scented spirit rice?"
"One spirit stone for six pounds!" Ding Hongxiu replied. Solitary cultivators' stalls had to offer lower prices than shops to attract customers.
"That's a bit expensive..." Fang Xing frowned.
"It used to be one spirit stone for ten pounds. If you buy more, I can give you a discount. Otherwise, I might as well just eat demon beast meat myself!"
"A big spender!"
Ding Busan quickly put down his wine gourd and leaned forward, a smile spreading across his drunken face. "If you buy more than fifty pounds, I can give you a special price. How about fifty pounds for eight spirit stones?"
"Alright, let's do that." Fang Xing waved his hand, knowing that was the best deal he would get.
After the transaction was completed, Ding Busan watched Fang Xing's departing figure and said to his granddaughter, "Did you see that? That's what a young, talented cultivator looks like. Just look at his robe; you can tell it's not ordinary. He's also generous with his spending and buys spirit rice, indicating he has plenty of spirit stones... Sigh, Xiao Hongxiu, you need to be more proactive in finding a husband. Look for someone like him in the future and stay away from those poor stall owners..."
(End of Chapter)
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