Chapter 72: Buying Your Lives with Spirit Stones

"We still need to be careful; hunger can lead to many problems."

"Especially those cultivators who are about to starve to death; no one knows what they might do."

"We must be wary of those Robber Cultivators rioting and stealing our food these days."

Zhou Sui said in a deep voice.

Although they currently had enough food and clothing and did not need to worry about food, other cultivators were not in the same position.

In secular dynasties, food shortages could also lead to peasant uprisings and refugees everywhere.

In the world of cultivation, it would likely be even more terrifying.

Because cultivators possess more powerful strength, if they were to riot, it would certainly bring about massive chaos.

One slip-up could lead to the collapse of Miyun City, giving the Youmo Sect an opportunity to invade.

He was constantly vigilant against the riots that could occur at any moment.

"Rest assured, I have already set up a First-tier High-grade Array around the house; if any cultivator dares to break in, we will discover them immediately."

"If they harbor ill intentions, they will also be killed by the power of the array."

Xia Jingyan said with full confidence.

After all, she was a First-tier High-grade Array Master who could easily set up First-tier Arrays, which was enough to deal with most Qi Refining stage cultivators.

Unless a Foundation Establishment Cultivator came, it would be difficult to break through.

In fact, it was not just Zhou Sui who did this; basically, every room where a cultivator lived would have a defensive array set up.

It was just that most were First-grade Low-grade arrays, which could only serve a simple defensive purpose.

However, this was completely sufficient; at the very least, it could serve as a warning.

"Very good."

Hearing this, Zhou Sui was immediately very satisfied; as long as no Foundation Establishment Cultivator came to kill, the place where he stayed was relatively safe, and he did not need to worry about the covetousness of other cultivators.

After all, to prevent turmoil, he had made many preparations in advance, and these preparations were not in vain.

…………

In the afternoon.

Zhou Sui was in the quiet room practicing Alchemy, improving his skills as an alchemist, when he immediately heard a deep, resonant voice from outside the house, which carried across the entire street.

"I am Deacon Fan Ze of the Xianxia Sect."

"All cultivators staying in the houses, come out for me."

Swish! Swish!!

Immediately, the gates of a row of courtyards all opened, and one cultivator after another walked out from inside, including Zhou Sui.

Zhou Sui saw a large number of Miyun City Patrol Guards appearing on the street; most of them were Disciples of the Xianxia Sect, and a small portion were cultivators from the Lu Family.

These two forces combined to become the largest power in Miyun City, basically maintaining the law and order throughout the city.

At the same time, they were also responsible for eliminating the Youmo Sect cultivators outside the city.

The cultivation level of these Patrol Guards was also at least above the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

Seeing that all the cultivators had come out, Deacon Fan Ze of the Xianxia Sect said with great satisfaction: "There is a matter I need to tell you all. Starting from today, your rent will increase by double, and you must pay four Middle-grade Spirit Stones every month. If you have paid in advance, you need to pay the difference for the increased rent; if you are short on Spirit Stones, you must all leave the house for me."

What?!

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the surrounding cultivators changed drastically. Although they had long heard similar rumors that the Xianxia Sect intended to continue raising the rent, and that it would double,

they were still half-doubting before the matter actually arrived.

But now, the Xianxia Sect had actually doubled the rent; this was simply giving them no way to survive.

"Are you all crazy? Four Middle-grade Spirit Stones every month; you are simply robbing us. Where would we have so many Spirit Stones on us?" some cultivators cursed loudly.

Although the Xianxia Sect was prestigious and powerful, they had been pushed to the brink, and they had no choice but to resist.

"That's right, that's right! Not only has the rent increased, but the prices of Spirit Rice and Spirit Meat have also risen, and they are even limiting purchases. I think you in the Xianxia Sect don't want to let us live."

"Although we are Loose Cultivators, we are not to be trifled with. If you push us too far, I will perish together with you."

Many Loose Cultivators were furious, glaring at this group of Xianxia Sect Patrol Guards.

One by one, they wanted to form hand seals and start a great battle.

Many Patrol Guards also began to get nervous; after all, if these Loose Cultivators rebelled, they would likely not fare well either.

"Rebelling, are you bastards trying to rebel, is that it?!"

Hearing this, Deacon Fan Ze of the Xianxia Sect shouted angrily: "You all eat our Xianxia Sect's food, drink our Xianxia Sect's water, and live in our Xianxia Sect's houses. Now that we only need you to pay a few Spirit Stones, you are making excuses.

You must know that the reason you are still alive is because of the protection of our Xianxia Sect. If you don't want to pay the rent, you are free to leave Miyun City. Let's see if those Demonic Sect cultivators will give you a way to live."

He swept his gaze across the many cultivators, looking extremely disdainful.

What?!

Hearing this, the many Loose Cultivators' faces turned extremely ugly; they were left speechless and immediately lost their fire.

Clearly, if they really left Miyun City, they would definitely be torn to shreds by the Youmo Sect cultivators.

Perhaps a few might actually survive, but most of the cultivators would be dead for sure.

Although life in Miyun City was a bit poor, at least they could still live.

If they really left Miyun City, it would basically be a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.

"Of course, we are not forcing you. The reason we are increasing the rent is all for everyone's good."

Seeing that the many Loose Cultivators had calmed down, Deacon Fan Ze of the Xianxia Sect was very satisfied, and his tone actually softened: "After all, our Miyun City's Second-Tier Array requires a large amount of Spirit Stones as energy. If there are no Spirit Stones, the array will inevitably stop operating. When that time comes and Miyun City is breached, you and I will both die.

We are increasing your rent out of necessity. The extra Spirit Stones collected, the extra rent collected, are all used to protect you and to maintain the operation of Miyun City's array. Do you think we want to collect so many Spirit Stones? This is using Spirit Stones to buy your lives; don't you understand this simple logic?"

"This!"

The many cultivators were stunned; they did not know what to say to refute this.

Because if Miyun City were truly breached, every single cultivator present would likely find it difficult to survive.

If paying some Spirit Stones could maintain the operation of the Miyun City Array, then that would not be out of the question.

"Of course, this matter is not without room for maneuver."

At this moment, Deacon Fan Ze of the Xianxia Sect changed his tone and continued: "If you truly cannot afford the expensive rent and have no Spirit Stones to eat, then you can join our Patrol Guard and become a member of our Patrol Guard.

In this way, not only will you receive the right of residence for free, but it will also cover your three meals a day; the Patrol Guard will absolutely ensure you have no worries about food or clothing.

Of course, if you have no Spirit Stones on you and do not wish to become a member of the Patrol Guard, then I am sorry, but Miyun City does not support idlers now, and we can only invite you to die."

His tone contained a deep chill, filled with terrifying killing intent.

Clearly, this was the strategy of the Xianxia Sect.

Either pay money, or put in effort.

Wanting to live in Miyun City for nothing is basically an impossible thing.

(End of this chapter)