Chapter 681: Renting a Cave Dwelling

A moment later, Unlike Ning Zhuo parted ways with Shen Xi and Su Lingkou outside the hall.

Looking at Unlike Ning Zhuo's back as he flew away from this place, Su Lingkou stood beside her cousin and asked in confusion: "Cousin, you are the genius and hope of our clan; this time joining the Myriad Phenomena Sect, the goal is the position of a true disciple."

"What virtue or ability does this person have to make you lower your status to associate with him?"

Shen Xi said: "Didn't you see? Fellow Daoist Unlike Ning Zhuo traveled with another cultivator and came here together by teleportation array. And although that person's aura was restrained, only leaking some Confucian cultivator aura, he did not pay for the teleportation array."

"This makes me think that the Myriad Phenomena Sect has this policy. Any cultivator who possesses the status of a true disciple, upon returning to the sect headquarters, does not need to pay."

Su Lingkou said: "So that's how it is."

"But the situation of not needing to pay is not just this one, right?"

"And, even if the person he traveled with is a true disciple, the relationship might not be close, right? Perhaps it was just a chance encounter on the road."

"Cousin, think about it, if he really had an elder in the Myriad Phenomena Sect, why would he need to buy such expensive information?"

Shen Xi nodded: "You are right, all these are possible."

Su Lingkou showed a look of anger: "This Unlike Ning Zhuo is also a bit ungrateful. Cousin, you took the initiative to invite him to rent a cave dwelling together and travel together, but he refused. If this were in our Jiugong Xiancheng, I don't know how many cultivators would swarm over, and be grateful to you, Cousin."

Shen Xi's brows furrowed slightly, becoming serious: "Cousin, this kind of arrogance is not allowed."

"My aptitude and strength, although among the best in the Jiugong Xiancheng, this is the Myriad Phenomena Sect!"

"Every Flying Cloud Assembly is a gathering of sages, where geniuses appear. Cultivators who are similar to my situation, or even stronger than me, will all come here, putting on their strongest posture to strive for a high-position entry into the Myriad Phenomena Sect."

Su Lingkou stuck out her tongue, took Shen Xi's arm, shook it gently, and said with an admiring tone: "Even so, I still believe that you, Cousin, are still the most dazzling one among these geniuses."

"You." Shen Xi shook his head slightly, sighed dotingly, and stopped blaming his cousin.

He gazed into the distance at Unlike Ning Zhuo disappearing into the clouds, a clear light flashing in his pupils: "Fellow Daoist Unlike Ning Zhuo, although dressed plainly, has his own bearing, and when communicating with us, he is calm and leisurely."

"Even if he is not from a super family, he should not be from a small household."

Su Lingkou recalled it and did not refute it this time: "Indeed."

Unlike Ning Zhuo stepped on a flying cloud and walked slowly at a high altitude.

This technique of riding clouds and mist was something he had created on the spot by referring to the scene before him.

The cloud element and the water element were closely related, and Unlike Ning Zhuo's five-element realm was profound, so doing this was not difficult.

At first, his speed was slow, and more of his attention was placed on observing the surroundings.

In the Myriad Phenomena Sect's headquarters, mountain peaks stood tall, halls were numerous, and countless people shuttled between the clouds, appearing chaotic but containing conventional traffic rules.

With the content of the jade slip in hand for reference, Unlike Ning Zhuo adapted quickly.

Sometimes he turned out of a side road and walked alone. Sometimes he merged into the crowd and walked on the main road.

In a moment, he dispersed the cloud head and landed on the top of a broken peak.

The mountain top was directly cut into a flat ground, and a palace stood there.

The palace body was made of black stone, with spirit patterns flowing hiddenly; gold talismans guarded the door, solemn and majestic.

The palace specification was not large and could not be compared with the Commerce branch hall just now, but the flow of people was dense, and people entered and exited the palace entrance endlessly.

This was a branch hall of the Internal Affairs Hall.

Unlike Ning Zhuo entered it, and not long after, was led away by a middle-aged cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Unlike Ning Zhuo, do you have a riding object?" Arriving at the cliff, the middle-aged cultivator asked.

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head, pinched finger seals, and formed a cloud mist under his feet.

The middle-aged cultivator directly opened the beast-taming bag and summoned a four-winged flying snail from it. Several rows of seats were arranged on the snail's back.

He beckoned to Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Your cloud mist is slow; come and sit on my flying snail."

Unlike Ning Zhuo cupped his fists: "Then many thanks, Senior."

The middle-aged cultivator hurriedly said politely: "You and I are both Foundation Establishment cultivators; I cannot be called Senior."

Unlike Ning Zhuo chose a seat and sat down; the middle-aged cultivator kicked his foot, and the flying snail spread its wings and flew high; it was indeed very fast.

The middle-aged cultivator kicked his foot again, and the formation patterns on the seats lit up, forming a light shield to block the mountain wind and clouds rushing toward them.

He explained: "On the eve of every Flying Cloud Assembly, the headquarters will be flooded with a large number of cultivators, and they will all come to rent cave dwellings."

"During this period, I am already busy with a headache, but the tasks are increasing."

"Therefore, the time for traveling must also be saved as much as possible."

"If Fellow Daoist Ning takes a fancy to one, you must rent it as soon as possible. It is very likely that the next moment, this position will be snatched by others. Not everyone will conduct field inspections; some people make decisions directly after browsing the jade slips in the hall."

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly thanked him for his reminder and then stuffed ten medium-grade spirit stones to him.

The middle-aged cultivator was immediately a bit more enthusiastic, and his smile was much more sincere than before.

In a moment, the flying snail landed, and the two arrived at the first cave dwelling.

"This is Spirit Wind Slope, with a total of eight cave dwellings. What we see is the most luxurious one among the eight cave dwellings."

The middle-aged cultivator pointed to the cave at the very top, then shook his token to open the cave entrance restriction.

The cave entrance was quite open, without any cover, and sunlight poured in in large handfuls, illuminating the inner stone walls as warm as jade. The two entered the cave.

The cave was quite dry and clean, with stone tables and stone stools, and there were several shallow natural stone niches on the wall, which could be used to place books and utensils.

At the back of the cave, there was a stone well, and the water was ice-cold to the heart.

The middle-aged cultivator said: "Although this cave dwelling is not large, living alone is absolutely enough."

"Look at this scenery, how good it is."

The two stood at the cave entrance and looked into the distance.

The view here was indeed open, and what came into view was a gentle slope, with green grass like a carpet, occasionally dotted with goose-yellow flowers like stars.

The white clouds in the high sky were not dense, but scattered and comfortable.

The brilliant sunlight spilled down through the clouds, occasionally forming beams of light, bright but not dazzling.

The mountain wind was mighty and surging, rushing from the horizon, blowing people's sleeves to rustle, making one feel refreshed.

The middle-aged cultivator said with a smile: "The layout is transparent, the view is excellent, the sunlight is sufficient, and it is best for cultivating the noble spirit in the chest. Watching the sun rise in the morning, clouds steaming and mist glowing; embracing the stars at night, it feels like you can pick the stars."

"The monthly rent is fifty medium-grade spirit stones; although it is a bit high, the cost that is high is all in that man-made spirit well. Calculated overall, it is not expensive at all."

Unlike Ning Zhuo's expression was calm, nodding slightly, his tone flat: "Spirit Wind Slope itself has thin spirit veins, which is why the spirit well is built to convert more spirit qi."

"The scenery here is indeed open, but precisely because of this, the mighty mountain wind is also like a sieve, constantly blowing away the spirit qi gathered here."

The middle-aged cultivator's expression stiffened: "Fellow Daoist Ning's comments are reasonable."

Unlike Ning Zhuo turned to smile at him: "Just looking at this one cave dwelling, I know that the choice of field inspection was correct. Please continue to lead the way, fellow Daoist."

The middle-aged cultivator's expression eased, and he squeezed out a smile: "Fellow Daoist Ning, please this way."

The two took the flying snail, left this place, and the second stop landed in a valley.

The mountain rocks were red, as if burned by a raging fire. Before they even got close, a warm heat rushed toward them. In the valley, one could see several thin fire veins flowing slowly between the mountain rocks, illuminating the air slightly distorted, nitrogen-glowing with ruby-like halos.

"This is the A-Ding number cave dwelling of Rift Fire Valley." The middle-aged cultivator opened the restriction and led Unlike Ning Zhuo in.

This cave dwelling was chiseled into a giant red rock wall.

The cave entrance was narrow, but inside there was another world, divided into two sections.

The outer stone room was dry and warm, and the spirit light on the stone walls was hidden; they were all fire spirit stones.

Inside, there was a natural fire room deep into the earth veins. A regular circular fire mouth was chiseled in the center of the ground, and the dull pulse of the earth fire came from below, with amazing heat.

Formation patterns and talismans were set on the wall. The former was used for diversion, and the latter was used for fire control, which was very helpful for pill refining and artifact refining.

The middle-aged cultivator pointed to the fire mouth on the ground, the red light illuminating his face: "Fellow Daoist Ning, look at this fire vein; although it is not top-tier, it wins in being stable and controllable. The formation method of the fire mouth is stable and exquisite; after getting familiar with it, you can accurately control the firepower."

"With this earth fire in hand, refining ordinary pills and quenching introductory magic artifacts will get twice the result with half the effort! The monthly rent is eighty medium-grade spirit stones, but expensive has its reasons."

Compared to before, his tone was no longer so exaggerated, but seeking truth from facts.

Unlike Ning Zhuo walked around the inner room, his expression faint: "There is no formation layout on this wall. The formation method of the fire mouth is only for diversion, and the talismans control the firepower, but it is difficult to hide the overflow of heat."

"Therefore, this cave dwelling is suitable for fire-attribute cultivators or those with tough physiques to live in for a long time. Ordinary cultivators living here will inevitably feel irritable. And being deep in the earth veins, the atmosphere is scorching and stuffy. If there is no heart to study pills and artifacts, it will become a torment."

"Uh." The middle-aged cultivator was speechless, having to admit in his heart that what Unlike Ning Zhuo said was reasonable.

The two set off again, sat on the flying snail, and flew to a small peak.

This place was cool and quiet, with ancient trees towering into the sky and vines like curtains. The sunlight was blocked by the towering mountain body, leaving only clear light passing through the gaps in the forest leaves, spilling mottled light and shadow.

The air was moist, carrying the unique fragrance of grass, trees, and mud, and a trace of refreshing coolness, quickly clearing away the heat the two had felt in Rift Fire Valley.

The middle-aged cultivator shook his waist token, making the emerald vines rise like a curtain. The restriction was eliminated, revealing the cave dwelling.

Entering inside, the light was slightly dim, but not gloomy; instead, it gave people a sense of deep tranquility.

The cave was deep, the stone walls were cool and smooth, and touching them felt cold.

Above the stone walls, clear mountain springs seeped out along natural stone cracks, dripping into a small, mirror-smooth stone pool below, the sound of water clinking like ringing jade pendants.

By the pool grew a circle of moss, clearly spirit plants planted by humans, emitting faint light and faint spirit qi.

The deepest part of the cave dwelling was quite spacious, with a flat stone jade bed.

The middle-aged cultivator already knew that Unlike Ning Zhuo treated people easily, but had his own ideas, so he only made a simple introduction: "Fellow Daoist Ning, you have also seen it."

"This cave dwelling is quiet and secluded, the coolness is refreshing, and the arrangement of spring drops into the stone pool is adapted to local conditions; the sound of dripping water can help condense the mind and meditate. The monthly rent is thirty medium-grade spirit stones, which is quite affordable."

He was prepared to be rejected, but unexpectedly, Unlike Ning Zhuo, for some reason, took a fancy to this ordinary cave dwelling and said directly: "Then it is here."

The middle-aged cultivator was surprised, hurriedly took out a jade slip to register, set a contract, and let Unlike Ning Zhuo pay three months' rent: "More will be refunded and less will be made up; Fellow Daoist Ning, I will leave first."

"Walk slowly and don't send me off." Unlike Ning Zhuo sent the middle-aged cultivator out of the cave entrance and stopped his steps.

The middle-aged cultivator flew away from this small peak, while Unlike Ning Zhuo still stood at the cave entrance and looked into the distance. Opposite the small peak, there was also a mountain peak, but it was taller and more magnificent.

On the sunny side of the mountain peak, there was a small lake, the lake surface calm and waveless, like a jade mirror. Unlike Ning Zhuo knew the lake name was Jade Green. At the bottom of the lake was a cave dwelling named Shu Yu Zhai, which was the cave dwelling of his mother, Meng Yao, before she died.

After Meng Yao died, the soul lamp she left in the Myriad Phenomena Sect had extinguished. According to the rules of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, her property, including this cave dwelling, had to be sealed for one hundred years, waiting for her blood descendants, or successors recruited from outside.

After one hundred years, the Myriad Phenomena Sect would take back the cave dwelling.

Of course, this treatment was only available to Golden Core true disciples.

The Buddha-Doctor Meng Yao explained in the jade slip that most of her belongings before she died were in the cave dwelling Shu Yu Zhai.

But at the same time, she also rented a cave dwelling on the opposite mountain peak under another name. And she used clever means to dig open the mountain rocks and quietly built a secret small teleportation array. The small array could go directly to Shu Yu Zhai.

The information jade slip Unlike Ning Zhuo purchased had a clear explanation. As a successor, to inherit the predecessor's cave dwelling and relics, one needed to go through a strict review by the Internal Affairs Hall.

This review process was quite cumbersome and would take a long time.

The successor must prove their identity. Then, the Internal Affairs Hall would transfer the investigation task to the External Affairs Hall. The External Affairs Hall would dispatch cultivators to investigate, the cultivators would travel long distances, and the investigation results would be returned to the External Affairs Hall. Then it would be transferred by the External Affairs Hall to the Internal Affairs Hall.

The Internal Affairs Hall would find that it matched the facts, and only then would it start the process of transferring assets.

This process alone often took more than half a year. Not to mention the process of sending people to investigate, how much time it would delay, and what accidents would occur.

After understanding this point, Unlike Ning Zhuo decided to sneak in first and get the assets into his hands before talking.

To prevent the Great Snake Sickle from moving, Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately burned the relics, but Unlike Ning Zhuo was still waiting for the investigation results from the External Affairs Hall.

Unlike Ning Zhuo opened the restriction and let down the vine curtain, making the cave dwelling exit completely covered.

He entered the depths of the cave, lifted his clothes, revealed the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon tied to his waist, and released Sun Lingtong, Seeing Qing Chi, and Chef Lao.

Sun Lingtong had long been bored, and after his feet touched solid ground, he jumped up excitedly.

Chef Lao was steady, and after asking Unlike Ning Zhuo for permission, he went to another room and started to cook.

Seeing Qing Chi stayed by Unlike Ning Zhuo's side, staring at him.

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Miss Seeing Qing Chi, why are you looking at me?"

Seeing Qing Chi's eyes flashed: "I have been separated from you for a long time, and I miss you quite a bit, so I want to see you more."

Although she had amnesia, she still maintained her previous direct and open style.

Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed deeply: "Miss Seeing Qing Chi, I have already told you the truth; this feeling of yours is just a misunderstanding." ===== CHAPTER 682 =====