Chapter 221: Second-tier Cave Abode, A Place to Stay

"Little Six, bringing people here again!"

An aged voice rang out, sounding somewhat eerie within the spacious ice palace.

An old woman sat on a recliner, opened her eyes, and cast a glance at Luo Chen and his two companions.

Xu Xiao shrank his neck and leaned in.

"Senior Shi, these three are friends of my uncle. They want to rent a cave abode."

The old woman shifted her gaze over.

Luo Chen cupped his hands to show politeness.

The old woman gave an "oh" and called out toward the back.

"A-Lan, bring out the Hunyuan Instrument."

Soon, a sweet response came from within.

"Coming, Grandma!"

Shortly after, a young girl trotted out, hugging a large, spherical magic treasure.

She placed the spherical magic treasure onto the tabletop with practiced ease.

"Three seniors, are you looking to rent a cave abode?"

"Yes, yes, they..." Xu Xiao chuckled and leaned in.

However, he was glared at by the girl. "I'm asking the seniors; why are you interrupting?"

Xu Xiao gave a sheepish laugh and retreated behind them, though he didn't seem particularly annoyed.

Luo Chen glanced at him and stepped forward.

"Are there any specific requirements for the cave abodes? And what is the rent?"

The girl, Shi Lan, injected a strand of spiritual power into the spherical magic treasure.

Instantly, it displayed vivid, lifelike interior environments.

There were simple and natural ones, opulent and grand ones, ones built against mountain walls with panoramic views of the city, and others with waterfalls cascading down to form pearl-like water curtains.

Every cave abode had its own unique features.

"Our Tianlan cave abodes are located on that Tianlan Peak behind us."

"This mountain is a genuine third-tier spiritual vein! Spreading out from here, it has created a prosperous spiritual land within a three-thousand-mile radius of Tianlan City."

The sweet, melodic introduction reached their ears.

Luo Chen and the others couldn't help but nod.

They had already noticed this when they first entered the city.

The concentration of spiritual energy within the city was undoubtedly at the level of a first-tier spiritual vein.

It was no less impressive than the Sihe Academy back at Dahe Workshop.

And that was just the spiritual energy concentration on the main streets.

One could imagine how abundant the spiritual energy would be at the actual main vein.

"Most of Tianlan Immortal City and the spiritual mountains outside are first-tier spiritual lands."

"Only on Tianlan Peak are there second-tier, or even third-tier, spiritual lands!"

"Since all three seniors are at the Foundation Establishment stage, I suggest you rent a second-tier cave abode."

As she spoke, Shi Lan rotated the Hunyuan Instrument, revealing interior views of cave abodes marked with blank light spots.

This was not a problem.

Luo Chen's gaze fell upon the Hunyuan Instrument, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

"Why, even though they are all second-tier cave abodes, do the white lights displayed appear in three colors: pale white, pure white, and deep white?"

Shi Lan gave a sweet smile. "That is naturally because second-tier cave abodes also have distinctions in quality!"

"Oh?"

"We divide each tier of spiritual land into high, middle, and low grades. The higher the grade, the higher the concentration of spiritual energy, naturally."

"On Tianlan Peak, there are first-tier high-grade cave abodes suitable for the Qi Refining stage, as well as second-tier high, middle, and low-grade cave abodes suitable for the Foundation Establishment stage. It is even possible to rent a third-tier low-grade cave abode if you wish."

Behind them.

Nangong Jin and Li Yixian looked at each other.

Are even spiritual land cave abodes divided so meticulously?

They tacitly remained silent.

Throughout their journey, they had long discovered that Luo Chen was more adept at handling these matters than they were.

Rather than speaking rashly and offending someone, it was better to let Luo Chen handle it.

Luo Chen naturally knew their little thoughts, but he didn't pay much mind to it.

It was just a minor matter.

"Then how is the price of the cave abodes calculated?"

Shi Lan explained patiently, "For tiers one to three, prices are calculated in hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands, rented by the month and billed by the year. The longer the rental period, the cheaper the price."

It was getting a bit complicated!

Nangong Jin's brow furrowed into a 'chuan' shape as he listened.

Li Yixian was the same, looking completely bewildered.

Only Luo Chen nodded, looking as if he understood.

"If I want to rent a second-tier cave abode for one year, what are the respective prices?"

Shi Lan didn't hesitate. "A second-tier low-grade cave abode is one thousand low-grade spirit stones per month, and only ten thousand for a year. A middle-grade cave abode is two thousand per month, and twenty thousand for a year. A high-grade cave abode is four thousand per month, and forty-eight thousand for a year."

"Wait!"

Li Yixian could not help herself, "Why are the rents for low-grade and mid-grade cave dwellings two months cheaper, but there is no discount at all for high-grade cave dwellings?"

The young girl blinked her eyes.

She said quite naturally, "Because there are many low-grade and middle-grade cave abodes, but there are only twenty high-grade ones. They are usually in high demand, so naturally, they cannot be discounted."

Alright then!

She didn't know how to refute this reason.

Or rather, there was no need to refute it; the Ice Fortress simply had this pricing structure.

Either accept it or leave.

"What about three years?" Luo Chen asked.

Shi Lan replied, "Three years still uses this base price. If you want it cheaper, you must rent for at least ten years."

Ten years!

Li Yixian felt a bit unwell.

If she rented a high-grade cave abode, ten years would cost nearly five hundred thousand!

Even if she sold her entire Li family, they wouldn't have that many spirit stones.

Shi Lan looked at the three of them and revealed a sweet smile. "I wonder, what grade of cave abode would the three seniors like to rent?"

Li Yixian hesitated.

Nangong Jin's gaze, however, wandered between the low-grade and middle-grade cave abodes.

An abrupt voice suddenly rang out.

"Could you take us to see them in person first?"

Shi Lan was stunned. See the cave abodes in person?

A cough came from the side.

"Xiao Lan, take them. Do not be slow or disrespectful."

Shi Lan nodded quickly.

"Three seniors, please follow me."

Xu Xiao wanted to follow, but was glared at and had to stay behind obediently.

Luo Chen looked at the two with interest, shook his head, and stepped out.

A water curtain stretched between Tianlan Peak and Tianlan Immortal City, seemingly turning this place, which should have been one, into two independent spaces.

Looking up at the colorful water curtain under the sunlight.

Luo Chen's expression became a bit more serious.

"A defensive formation?"

Li Yixian also said in surprise, "A third-tier defensive formation?"

The two looked at each other, both seeing the surprise in the other's eyes.

It wasn't because of the third-tier defensive formation, but because this formation was in a state of constant activation!

As everyone knew, formations consumed an immense amount of spiritual energy.

Unless it was a critical moment, even large sects would not keep them activated at all times.

Yet, they hadn't expected Tianlan Peak to keep a third-tier defensive formation running at all times.

Shi Lan walked under the water curtain, took out a jade pendant, and skillfully cast a spiritual incantation.

At the same time, she introduced it to Luo Chen and the others beside her.

"This is the Tianyi Water Grand Formation, formed according to the terrain, endless and self-sustaining, so the consumption of spiritual energy is not considered high."

"With this formation guarding, the cultivators living on Tianlan Peak can have true security."

"In normal times, there are also people who regularly inspect and maintain the grand formation to ensure no accidents occur."

As she spoke, she gestured toward the side.

An elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator was sleeping soundly in a pavilion.

"That is Uncle Wang, specifically guarding the side of the formation. If cultivators without residency rights approach, they will be chased away by him."

"But you don't need to worry; if you rent a cave abode, you will have a special identity jade token."

After finishing, she shook the jade token in her hand.

A large gate quickly opened within the water curtain.

"Let's go!"

Luo Chen couldn't help but look at Uncle Wang.

In this day and age, are Foundation Establishment cultivators used as security guards?

However, many people would probably want this job!

Located at the boundary between Tianlan Peak and Tianlan Immortal City, the spiritual energy is dense, almost equivalent to getting a spiritual land between the first and second tiers for free.

Almost the moment he stepped into the water curtain.

Luo Chen noticed something unusual.

Dense heaven and earth spiritual energy filled the air around him.

Its concentration was already at the level of a genuine first-tier spiritual vein.

If divided by the grades Shi Lan mentioned, it was at least a first-tier high-grade!

Swoosh!

A streak of light flew down from above.

After landing, it even greeted Shi Lan before calmly leaving through the water curtain.

"Is flying not prohibited in here?" Li Yixian asked.

Shi Lan smiled slightly. "Flying is not prohibited on Tianlan Peak."

After finishing, she took out a flying sword.

"Three seniors, please follow me!"

"This is a second-tier middle-grade spiritual land."

What met their eyes was a standard, unassuming cave abode.

It was divided into three layers—inner, middle, and outer—with a total of five rooms.

The outermost layer was fertile land where one could plant spiritual herbs, flowers, trees, and even spiritual rice.

The middle layer was a reception hall.

Used for cultivators to interact and discuss the Dao.

And in the innermost part, there were a bedroom, a meditation room, a study, and an empty room.

In terms of area, it was extremely spacious.

However, when the three of them felt the meditation room used for cultivation, they all couldn't help but frown.

"The price has doubled, but the spiritual energy concentration seems to have only increased by half compared to the low-grade cave abode?"

"That's how I feel. Luo Chen, what do you think?"

Luo Chen nodded.

He didn't just use his cultivation technique to feel it; he also compared it to the spiritual vein cave at the heart of Luofeng Mountain.

This middle-grade cave abode was only equivalent to the level he had after three years of seclusion back then.

The three looked at each other.

"Shall we look at the high-grade cave abode?"

"Good!"

"Let's take a look!"

Since the three wanted to see more, Shi Lan naturally wouldn't refuse.

She immediately led them to fly higher up.

However, the speed this time was much slower.

Because they were all rented out!

It took a long time for Shi Lan to knock on the door of a cave abode using a sound-transmission talisman.

"Coming, coming."

"It's not even due yet, why are you here to urge me!"

As the voice came, a tall, graceful figure walked out, and a strong, intense fragrance hit them.

Luo Chen looked over, and the other party's Foundation Establishment mid-stage spiritual power fluctuations were clear at a glance.

The female cultivator frowned slightly and looked at Luo Chen suspiciously.

"Discovered?"

Luo Chen's expression was calm, and then he calmly dismissed this conjecture.

The other party hadn't discovered anything; her perception was just somewhat sharp.

He hadn't used his spiritual sense to probe the other party's cultivation level, only his own eyes' innate Spirit Eye Technique.

Among those of the same tier, it was very difficult to be discovered unless he actively increased his intensity.

As she walked out, Shi Lan revealed a sweet smile.

"Senior Ling, I'm not here to urge you."

"It's just that these seniors want to see the spiritual energy concentration of a second-tier high-grade cave abode."

"The other seniors are either in seclusion or have gone out, so I had to disturb you."

"Could you do us a favor?"

Ling Yuzhi frowned and snorted.

"Look if you want; who can refuse the requests of your Ice Fortress!"

After finishing, she stepped aside.

However, she stared at the backs of Luo Chen and the others and sneered.

Although she didn't say anything.

The contempt was obvious.

A high-grade cave abode at four thousand spirit stones a month is not something just anyone can afford to rent!

Luo Chen and the others could feel the gaze behind them.

Except for Luo Chen, who was extremely calm, the other two felt somewhat unnatural.

Anyone would feel uncomfortable being looked down upon like this.

They didn't delay for too long.

The three soon walked out of the meditation room.

"Double?"

"That's right."

"The price is four times that of the low-grade, but the spiritual energy concentration has only increased by double."

Seeing the three were dissatisfied.

Shi Lan quickly explained, "Seniors, value cannot be measured like this!"

"It's the same as the difference between ordinary elixirs and top-grade elixirs. It seems like the price is a loss, but what you are saving is time!"

"For cultivators like us, time is the most precious thing."

"Cultivating in a low-grade cave abode versus a high-grade one might not show much difference in the short term. But over time, the time saved could be decades of hard cultivation."

"Who knows, breaking through to the Jin Dan stage might just depend on these few decades."

Luo Chen glanced at her.

She was quite an enthusiastic and hardworking real estate agent.

Everyone actually understood the logic she was talking about.

But understanding is one thing, and being short on funds is another.

"Fellow Daoist Nangong, what do you think?" Li Yixian asked.

Nangong Jin had already made a decision. "I am mainly focusing on healing my injuries recently, so a low-grade cave abode is enough to meet my needs."

Li Yixian bit her lip gently. "Then I will also choose a low-grade cave abode! The improvement of the middle and high grades isn't that significant anyway."

After finishing, she looked at Luo Chen.

"What about you?"

Luo Chen smiled. "Little friend Shi Lan, are all the high-grade cave abodes currently full?"

Shi Lan nodded quickly. "They are indeed full recently, but a few are nearing the end of their rental period, and they don't intend to renew. If you want to rent one, Senior, you can make a reservation with me, and I will definitely arrange it for you when the time comes."

"Alright then, I'll rent a low-grade cave abode for now to transition, and as for the high-grade one, I'll trouble you to keep an eye on it for me."

Shi Lan's eyes lit up, and she immediately made a note of it.

Since they had decided, it was time to choose a cave abode.

The three, led by Shi Lan, prepared to fly down to the mountainside to find a suitable cave abode.

Before leaving, he even said "sorry for the trouble" to that female cultivator surnamed Ling.

The other party chuckled and said it was nothing.

However, as she watched the three walk down the mountain, she spat in contempt.

"A bunch of poor ghosts!"

A cave abode ten zhang away flashed with light.

Shortly after, someone flew out from within.

He seemed to have seen Ling Yuzhi's actions and asked with a chuckle, "What are you doing, Fellow Daoist?"

Hearing the voice, Ling Yuzhi's eyes lit up.

"Fellow Daoist Chu! Are you going out?"

The man pointed into the distance. "Yes, it's the end of the month, I have to get busy, otherwise I won't have spirit stones to spend."

Ling Yuzhi smiled gracefully. "You're joking. With your abilities, Chu Kui, who would dare make you busy?"

Chu Kui chuckled and didn't refute.

He glanced at the four figures below.

"Are they new neighbors?"

Ling Yuzhi curled her lips. "Just a few poor ghosts from out of town. If they can't afford to rent, they shouldn't, but they insisted on looking, disturbing my cultivation."

"From out of town?"

"Yes! Especially that pretty boy among them; clearly he can't afford it, yet he put on airs and said he wanted to reserve a high-grade cave abode. These days, you really see all kinds of people."

Seeing her speak so sharply and meanly, Chu Kui couldn't help but shake his head.

"Don't judge a book by its cover; they might be wealthy people. I'll go and get to know them when I have time."

"Alright, enough talk, I'm heading out!"

He waved his hand, ignoring Ling Yuzhi's attempt to continue the conversation, and flew out of Tianlan Peak like an arrow from a bow.

Ling Yuzhi looked at his back with regret.

Then, she shook her head again.

Although the other party was capable, he had no future.

He could be a companion for a moment, but not for long; not a good match!

Somewhere below the mountainside.

Luo Chen stood inside a somewhat cramped cave abode.

Compared to the spacious high-grade cave abode from before, this low-grade one was much more shabby.

It was only divided into two layers—inner and outer—lacking the garden where one could plant spiritual herbs.

The interior rooms also only consisted of a reception hall, a bedroom, and a meditation room.

However, he had no complaints.

At the very least, Luo Chen finally had a place to stay.

"Next, what I need to handle is the settlement of the Luo Tian Association!"

He had no intention of giving up the Luo Tian Association.

Not to mention that there were many friends with close ties to him within it.

Just the fact that those cultivators were well-known and familiar to him would be of great benefit to his alchemy.

Alchemy alone, even after advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, was extremely limited in quantity.

Only with many cultivators helping as assistants could a corresponding scale be formed.

This was also why alchemists in large sects often took in many medicine boys, alchemy boys, and fire-tending disciples.

However, the Luo Tian Association had many people, and living in the city for a long time was not the solution.

Luo Chen pursed his lips, spread out the map Shi Lan had left him, and carefully flipped through it.

"First-tier spiritual vein land, and ownerless. Mirror Lake, Bamboo Sea, Wutong Mountain, Danxia Peak..."

Gradually, Luo Chen's gaze stopped at one place.