Chapter 414: Livelihood and Identity Issues

But the good times didn't last; not long ago, because of her age and cultivation level, she had to leave her family's manor and rent a place on her own. Housing inside Immortal City is exorbitantly expensive, and even renting a tiny room left her scrambling for loans.

Qiu Hu still owes Thus line: Ye Ying three low‑grade Immortal Stones.

Wei Yuning frowned at the words; it seemed that despite Immortal City's grand reputation, its residents' happiness index wasn't very high.

They talked until the dead of night before finally stopping.

The next morning, Thus line: Ye Ying and Wei Yuning went their separate ways to resume work. Her workplace was in the tourist leisure district, the affluent area surrounding Gemstone Lake.

From the outer district to Gemstone Lake wasn't far: just a teleportation array plus fifty li, but the direction was inward, effectively a straight plunge of one hundred fifty li into the canopy.

Gemstone Lake is vast; its roughly circular surface exceeds three thousand li in diameter, and because it lies near the outer district the sunlight is intense, making the pale‑blue water shine like a gigantic gem.

The lake's name isn't merely about its shape; deep beneath its bottom lie actual gems. They came from a meteor that struck a tree branch, the meteor composed of multicolored stones—nothing special to cultivators, but it's meaningful and beautiful.

A lake of this size is essentially a sea, yet the locals habitually call it a lake, and the usage has persisted.

Sunlight, beaches and the sea are pleasant scenery for both mortals and cultivators.

After half a day's rest, everyone grew bored. As cultivators, a night's sleep restores the fatigue of a long trek.

"Lord Wei, you handle the planning—what should we do?" Daoist Lata was the first to fidget. He now lives on free meals and drinks, an old man with a strong sense of urgency, eager to prove his worth.

Now everyone treats Wei Yuning as the leader, even though he doesn't want to manage them; the same goes for Ji Qiuhe, Daoist Shui Yong and Daoist Huo Yun, who are seasoned veterans.

"Now there are two tasks to handle!" Wei Yuning thought for a moment and said.

Everyone perked up.

"The first matter, also our most important, is livelihood. Yesterday I discussed details with Daoist Thus line: Ye Ying and learned that staying in Immortal City or its outskirts guarantees safety, but it isn't free; two main fees are required. Green Forest Guard City is much cheaper than Immortal City, yet still a sizable burden. One is a population tax—each person must pay three low‑grade Immortal Stones per year. Unless you're willing to beg at Starry Sky Teleportation Array Plaza, the Immortal City authorities will collect it."

The second is a household tax, levied on property based on size and location; our two residences each cost fifteen low‑grade Immortal Stones annually.

That adds up to thirty‑four of us, requiring one hundred two low‑grade Immortal Stones in population tax each year, plus thirty for the houses—a total of one hundred thirty‑two low‑grade Immortal Stones.

So even if we eat and drink nothing here, we still have to hand over over a million high‑grade Spirit Stones each year! At our current stock of Immortal Stones, we could survive about three years," Wei Yuning sighed.

The group fell silent at his words, and the girls—Luo Yi, Zhi Hua and the others—who had been snacking found their pastries suddenly unappetizing.

It was only because Wei Yuning and a few old companions from the Spirit Beast World knew he possessed Bixi Island that they felt confident; the other cultivators grew uneasy.

That's the atmosphere Wei Yuning wanted.

He continued solemnly, "Now I'll explain how to solve our livelihood issue; feel free to offer suggestions." Seeing everyone nod, Wei Yuning formally presented his idea: "I plan to open a restaurant, which I've mentioned to you"

We've discussed it a few times. Our advantages are: first, I have gourmet recipes; second, everyone has worked at the Heavenly Fire Stove and is experienced; third, people live by food—delicious dishes always attract customers. What do you think of my proposal?"

Everyone exchanged glances and almost simultaneously gave vigorous nods.

"I agree!"

"I also agree!"

"Let me lead the Fire Head Corps!" Daoist Lata volunteered.

"Opening a restaurant is great; then we'll have food!" Zhi Hua raised both hands in agreement.

Wei Yuning had hoped for some constructive feedback, but faced unanimous approval; reluctantly he asked, "Do you think there's anything else we could do?"

Everyone shook their heads together.

Daoist Huo Yun chuckled wryly, "In Immortal City, whether refining elixirs or forging weapons, we're not masters; we'd waste materials and can't even sell them, so a restaurant is steadier."

Daoist Shui Yong continued, "Originally our Heart‑Sword Sect disciples planned to take on some missions, but we came to Immortal City for safety, so doing missions would contradict our original purpose! This restaurant idea is 100 % my vote. I've found that, compared to fighting, I enjoy using my flying sword to chop vegetables, and this kind of cultivation isn't necessarily inferior to combat."

Sect Leader Wen Lei added, "Comrade Shui is spot‑on; after a stint leading the Fire Head Corps, my fire‑control ability has greatly improved!"

"Then it's settled!" Seeing everyone champion the restaurant idea, Wei Yuning finally made up his mind.

"Alright, now I'll discuss the second matter—General Wan Jun's task for us," he continued.

Zhi Hua snorted, "I didn't expect Deputy General Wei to remember this…"

"Hah, how could that be? This task may be optional, but it's of great significance to us!" Wei Yuning replied.

Ji Qiuhe couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why is that?"

"A few days ago, I chatted with Daoist Qin Wu about it. Though Qin Wu is from Immortal City, he doesn't intend to give up his role as a member of the Immortal Realm Cultivator Alliance's Heavenly Soldier Envoy…"

"This reminded me that General Wan Jun's task has no time limit, so we can remain as Envoy Corps members here, gradually seeking Immortal City's aid or simply hiring mercenaries."

"Principally we're official members of the Immortal Realm Legion, and although Immortal City and the Immortal Realm have strained relations, we still maintain a façade of mutual respect. With this status, tax relief is uncertain, but conscription can be refused in special cases; hence we can just focus on earning money!" Wei Yuning boasted.

Ji Qiuhe, after hearing, couldn't help but praise, "Brilliant, Lord Wei, your quick thinking makes this idea superb!"