"Senior Xu has finished his retreat?"
"This ti, Senior Xu, you rented the Grade A Cave Mansion for a total of six months and twelve days. The rent is 5,000 Spirit Shells per month... That cos to a total of 32,000 Spirit Shells."
Seeing Xu Xing arrive at the service office, the Deacon of Chongzhen Temple looked surprised and stated this after a quick calculation on his abacus.
"As a gesture from Cuoshan Market, I can waive the odd two thousand from your rental fee, Senior. However... this ti, the spiritual energy you absorbed exceeded the standard... so an additional paynt of 120,000 Spirit Shells is required..."
He hesitated for a mont, then added this.
To prevent cultivators from feigning a lower realm to exploit the market, the market employed array techniques to monitor fluctuations in the spiritual energy of the spiritual veins when renting out Cave Mansions.
This ti, the rate at which Cuoshan Market’s spiritual veins were depleted far exceeded the cumulative total of the past several hundred years.
With such a significant change, Chongzhen Temple suspected that a Nascent Soul cultivator was in retreat there.
However, given the formidable strength of a Dao Lord, they dared not rashly offend one and invite great trouble. If they incurred the hatred of a Dao Lord who then sought revenge, Chongzhen Temple, despite its defensive capabilities, would not fare well. It’s said one can’t guard against a thief for a thousand days.
Therefore, the "100,000 Spirit Shells" ntioned by the Chongzhen Temple Deacon as an additional fee was rely a tactful reminder to Xu Xing that they had noticed his... activities. If it happened again, Chongzhen Temple might not be so accommodating.
After delivering this warning, the Deacon inwardly lanted. He cautiously observed Xu Xing’s expression. Seeing his calm deanor, the Deacon finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He chuckled and said, "Senior Xu, you’ve conducted significant trade in Spirit Pills with our Chongzhen Temple. We can waive this 110,000 Spirit Shells."
Spending money to ensure peace.
Although Chongzhen Temple was not a minor sect in the North Wilderness, like its neighbor, the Starfall Sect, it survived by navigating carefully between greater powers. Pleasing the strong was in its nature.
"I am far from my sect and have few resources remaining," Xu Xing said, his eyes flashing briefly upon hearing the words. After a mont’s hesitation, he chose not to follow Chongzhen Temple’s proposed solution of mutual silence to let the matter drop. Instead, he decided to address it openly. "Therefore... I concealed my realm and deceived your esteed sect. This is my fault."
Even before coming to Cuoshan Market for closed-door cultivation, I knew that renting a Cave Mansion and the disturbance caused by my ditation and cultivation within would not escape the notice of Chongzhen Temple. The spiritual energy absorbed by an ordinary Nascent Soul Dao Lord during a single major circulation of their cultivation thod would far exceed that of more than ten True Monarchs... And I possess not only Mother-Child Twinning Nascent Souls but also an Immortal Body and an Immortal Nascent Soul. The combined spiritual energy intake of dozens of True Monarchs likely couldn’t compare to mine alone. This is also why Nascent Soul Dao Lords must conduct their retreats in blessed lands. There is no other way; ordinary spiritual veins simply cannot withstand the sheer amount of spiritual energy a Nascent Soul Dao Lord draws from the heavens and the earth. My absorption of Cuoshan Market’s spiritual energy to replenish my magic power... if Chongzhen Temple were completely unaware of this, it would be truly strange.
"Senior, this..."
"This is absolutely out of the question..."
Hearing Xu Xing’s admission, the Chongzhen Temple Deacon was aghast and hurriedly tried to refuse his acceptance of bla. Even a sect would not dare to easily offend a Nascent Soul Dao Lord, let alone a re Returning Core Lord like himself.
"I have heard that Xuan Spirit Cave demon cultivators have been active near the Chongzhen Temple area, repeatedly killing cultivators to advance their demonic techniques..." Xu Xing said with a slight smile. "If your esteed sect does not object, how about I retrieve the heads of these demon cultivators for you to clear this debt?"
"Eradicate the Xuan Spirit Cave demon cultivators?"
The Chongzhen Temple Deacon was stunned for a mont. He stared at Xu Xing, then sleeved his hands and bowed deeply. "If Senior Xu is truly willing to do this, our sect would be profoundly grateful. Not only would the debt be cleared, but we would also be honored to offer you so Celestial Instrunts as a token of our appreciation."
In East Huangzhou, the Orthodox and Demonic paths were in constant conflict, with frequent battles. Chongzhen Temple, much like the Starfall Sect, was located on the border of Orthodox and Demonic territories. They were frequently harassed by the demon way and suffered constantly. In recent years, Xuan Spirit Cave demon cultivators had infiltrated the Chongzhen Temple area. They had caused chaos and bloodshed among cultivators and mortals alike, leading to Chongzhen Temple suffering multiple defeats. If Xu Xing could eliminate the Xuan Spirit Cave demon cultivators, it would indeed be a great boon for Chongzhen Temple. Eliminate the external threat! Compared to this, the minor loss from Cuoshan Market’s spiritual veins is naturally not worth ntioning.
"Please allow a few days, if your sect would be so kind," Xu Xing said with a salute.
With that, he flicked his wide sleeve, transford into an Escaping Light, and shot directly northwest. In just a few blinks, he vanished without a trace.
Xuan Spirit Cave was not a demonic sect, but a geographical na in the North Wilderness. This area, under the governance of the Yin Wind Gate, was known as the poorest and most treacherous region. Demon cultivators hailing from this place were referred to as Xuan Spirit Cave Demon Cultivators.
As the saying goes, harsh environnts breed desperate people. Compared to demon cultivators from other regions, those from Xuan Spirit Cave were more brutal, cunning, and difficult to handle.
Guided by fate deduction and with a North Wilderness map for reference, Xu Xing sped along in his Escaping Light. Before long, he discovered the tracks of several demon cultivators near a path in a mountain forest.
These demon cultivators were disguised as traveling rchants, leading several donkeys. The magic power they circulated was of an orthodox school, showing no trace of demonic techniques.
"Is this Daoist friend asking for directions? Just cross this mountain, and you’ll see the boundary marker for Dan Mountain. From Dan Mountain, head north..."
Seeing Xu Xing casually walking towards them, these demon cultivators enthusiastically approached and struck up a conversation.
Even demon cultivators had their own twisted logic when it ca to killing. Those from minor schools and factions typically preyed on cultivators from smaller powers; they wouldn’t dare to recklessly target disciples of Upper Sects.
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