Chapter 58: Spirit Spring Bath

Xiao Changqing this time rented exactly the "Yi-10".

Ranking tenth among Yi-level Cave Dwellings, although it doesn't compare to the top three that rival Jia-level Cave Dwellings, it is sufficient for Xiao Changqing to cultivate up to the ninth layer of refined Qi great perfection without needing to change dwellings.

Even ordinary ninth‑layer refined Qi cultivators are not qualified to reside in the top ten Yi-level dwellings.

It's not only the price of Spirit Stones; it's also insufficient status and rank.

Everyone who can live here is a prominent figure of Nanshan Fang, enough to make Foundation Establishment cultivators treat them courteously.

Xiao Changqing was able to move into Yi-10 this time not only because the four major Foundation Establishment families suffered heavy elite casualties, but mainly because his Talisman Path talent is outstanding, giving him great hope of advancing to Second-rank Talisman Master.

"The concentration of spiritual Qi is just too high…"

After inspecting the dwelling, Xiao Changqing went as usual to the Lingfu Pavilion for work.

The moving matters were handed over to the two Lin sisters.

The two ran back and forth several times, and after a long busy period of packing, they finally relaxed and had time to appreciate the various advantages of a Yi-level dwelling.

Although Yi-level and Bing-level differ by only one rank, the difference is as vast as heaven and earth.

Most Bing-level dwellings are still inhabited by scattered cultivators, whereas moving into a Yi-level dwelling truly places one among the upper echelons of Nanshan Fang.

"It feels like we've already reached the threshold of a Second-rank Spirit Vein. No wonder the courtyard's hot spring pool has attained the level of a spirit spring!"

Lin Zixi clicked her tongue in wonder, utterly amazed.

If one doesn't move into a Yi-level dwelling, especially one of the top ten, it's hard to have a firsthand experience.

These are truly the dwellings of cultivators; each spans a vast area, and calling it a small secluded paradise is no exaggeration.

Not only is there a courtyard, but within it lies a sizable hot spring pool shrouded in swirling mist!

Even for their mid‑stage refined Qi cultivation, soaking in the hot spring is not only comfortable but also provides some benefit to their cultivation.

If a mortal were to come here, it would be a holy site! The water in the hot spring, with abundant bubbles, can cleanse their spirit veins and dispel myriad ailments.

The entire dwelling is covered by a formation; although not a high‑level one, it is a genuine entry‑level formation, reaching the First Tier Lower grade.

Its defensive power isn't high, but its alarm effect is excellent, effectively guarding against prying, spiritual perception, and sight.

It ensures that even the strong spiritual awareness and insight of Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot directly discern the interior conditions from outside the dwelling.

If one forcibly breaks the formation, the cultivators inside will immediately sense it.

Thus, living here allows one to soak in the courtyard's hot spring without worry of being spied upon.

"If it weren't for the Lord, the two of us sisters would never in our lives get to live in such a dwelling, right?"

Lin Zixi said, feeling moved.

Lin Ziyu nodded.

In essence, the sisters both harbor ambition and refuse to be idle, yet they have a clear self‑awareness; achieving a great perfection of refined Qi in this life is already quite good.

As for completing Foundation Establishment before the age of sixty, it can only be a beautiful hope; in reality there is no chance at all.

Even if the sisters someday reach the ninth layer of refined Qi great perfection, they still lack the qualification to move into this Yi-10 dwelling.

Lin Zixi gazed at the misty spirit spring pool before her, yearning to dip in for a while to feel its comfort.

But she held back.

The Lord hasn't returned yet, and they haven't bathed; as concubines, how could they indulge first?

Moreover, the main point is that the sisters' status as "concubines" is still unstable, not truly fitting the title.

"Sister, I've decided: from now on I'll be utterly devoted to the Lord, discarding all other thoughts!"

Lin Zixi said seriously.

Senior Baowuji, though good and gave her a very special feeling, has been absent for so long that he never appears in Nanshan Fang, evidently having forgotten this place and also forgotten her.

Perhaps in this lifetime there will never be another chance to meet.

She should be a bit more sober and sensible.

Grasping what's before her is the most important.

"It should have been like this all along," sister Lin Ziyu nodded.

Compared to others, she had long set her mindset, treating Xiao Changqing as the Lord.

Not only because of the oath, but also because during their interactions, Xiao Changqing "conquered" her.

She doesn't even know when her mindset shifted.

Perhaps it's because Xiao Changqing lives a two‑point‑one‑line daily routine, his mind undistracted, focused solely on cultivation and drawing talismans; or perhaps it's the "gentlemanly" demeanor— even after taking the sisters as concubines, he hasn't indulged in women, not even touching them…

Of course, the most important factor is admiration.

In short, even without the concubine title, when Lin Ziyu aspired to become a "Phoenix Lady" in her early years, the best cultivator she could seek was none other than him.

Xiao Changqing perfectly matches her ideal Dao Partner criteria! "Sister, you should hurry. The Lord is a true gentleman, not those lecherous scoundrels without proper conduct; we can't wait for him to act, we must take the initiative ourselves."

Lin Zixi said.

Lin Ziyu's pretty face flushed slightly as she asked, "Why don't you hurry yourself?"

Lin Zixi smiled, "Of course the elder sister should go first, setting an example ahead."

Lin Ziyu retorted irritably, "Now you know I'm the elder sister and want me to be the example? How many times from childhood have you listened to me and followed my instructions?"

Nevertheless, that was what she said.

Lin Ziyu stared at the misty spirit spring pool before her, unsure what she was thinking, suddenly her cheeks flushed, droplets glimmered in her eyes, and she became shy.

……

……

Xiao Changqing returned to his newly moved dwelling, but his spirits were not high.

Because the steward Zhou Changkong has recently started looking for trouble again.

He tightened the requirements for the Symbol Masters in the pavilion, directly increasing the daily workload, and also forcibly demanded each Symbol Master draw those Talisman Scripts, no longer allowing them to ignore them even if they only drew Cleanse Talismans daily as Xiao Changqing once did.

The workload grew and demands increased, but compensation did not rise accordingly.

As a result, the pavilion was naturally filled with complaints; the people who were already dissatisfied with Zhou Changkong had privately begun to consider joining forces to exert counter‑pressure.

The Symbol Masters thought, although they had signed a contract with the Luoxia Sect, they were actually in a cooperative relationship, not the sect's slaves!

Zhou Changkong's current practice is like treating them as mere talisman‑making tools!

If they don't resist, things will probably become even more excessive.

Zhou Changkong couldn't possibly be unaware of the situation below, yet he showed no sign of changing, full of confidence, as if he were waiting for the Symbol Masters to cause trouble.

This time Xiao Zhangqing received no special favor, his workload was increased, and he was assigned to draw several kinds of Talisman Script.

Nevertheless, Zhou Changkong still privately sought out Xiao Zhangqing for a talk today.

The content, however, was asking him whether he would be willing to go to the Luoxia Sect early for advanced study! They said the Luoxia Sect was currently in need of personnel; although Xiao Zhangqing was only a first‑rank middle‑grade Symbol Master, his talent and potential were strong enough to warrant an exception.

Once at the Luoxia Sect, all aspects of treatment would be improved, and the resources would be completely incomparable to what could be had by staying in Nanshan Fang.

But Xiao Zhangqing did not agree.

He sensed that the recent situation seemed somewhat off.

Although Nanshan Fang appeared to have undergone a round of reshuffling, with the Mu and Cao clans calling a truce and restoring calm, the turmoil outside continued unabated, and many scattered cultivators fled to Nanshan Fang each day.

Moreover, Zhou Changkong's oppression of the Symbol Masters of Lingfu Pavilion added to the signs, indicating that a greater crisis seemed to be brewing!

At this point, would going to the Luoxia Sect be a good thing? Especially, Shopkeeper Hong had specially instructed him before leaving that, after he was promoted to second‑rank Symbol Master and had some capital, it would be best not to return to the sect, and he could consider going to Liyang Immortal City instead.

"Perhaps Shopkeeper Hong already knew some insider information long ago…"

Xiao Zhangqing sat in the hot spring, feeling the warm air carry gentle streams of spiritual power into his body, and his mind relaxed considerably as a result.

Suddenly, the mist inside the hot spring shifted, and someone entered.

"My lord, may I attend to your bath?"

(End of chapter)