Chapter 449: Rent the Cave Mansion, Simulation Begins!

Shenxiao Sect, East Garden outside.

Hongyun Merchants.

Afternoon hours.

"Why is it so expensive?"

"I remember it wasn't this exorbitant before?"

Yu Ke stared at the "Cave Mansion" price list posted on the wall: check-in at midnight, check-out at noon the next day.

Equivalent to one full day, it cost a full three thousand spirit stones.

Renting for just one hour cost three hundred spirit stones.

Renting for a full day did save a little.

He chose a mid-tier cave mansion, not the most prestigious or spiritually rich top-tier one.

Even so, the price was staggering.

Renting for half a month—fifteen days—required forty-five thousand spirit stones.

The spirit stones Yu Ke carried could barely cover it, and only if he didn't repay his debts.

Afterward, he wouldn't be able to afford the spirit pills or other treasures needed for Foundation Establishment.

Opposite Yu Ke stood a young female cultivator, politely smiling, handling reception duties.

She had a slender, elegant figure, her pale, jade-like hands folded at her waist, fair skin, well-proportioned features, and a calm, unhurried demeanor.

Her attire bore a clean white trim along the sleeves.

It was the mark of a Shenxiao Sect's laborer disciple uniform.

Typically, those handling "business" outside the outer gate were Shenxiao Sect laborer disciples.

This was also Shenxiao Sect policy: all sect-owned enterprises could hire only sect members.

Laborer disciples all came from poor backgrounds, with no family savings, let alone ancestral cultivators to protect them—no great cultivators in generations past.

After entering the sect, they tended spirit fields or managed herb gardens.

Another type, like this female cultivator.

Yu Ke understood it as "part-time work"—taking odd jobs to fund studies.

In contrast, even the poorest outer gate disciples came from once-noble families, still possessing ancestral wealth, and had enjoyed cultivation resources since childhood.

Still, some outer gate disciples lived frugally, spending little on food, clothing, or daily needs.

But if you wanted to "progress," the resource costs for cultivation were terrifying.

Poor families were still just poor families.

On the path of cultivation, talent came first.

If your talent was excellent, joining Shenxiao Sect meant direct selection as an inner gate disciple, enjoying the sect's abundant resources to ensure an unimpeded cultivation path.

If your talent was average but your family wealthy, you could still be accepted as an outer gate disciple; the sect would provide a platform, and your annual assessment would be your chance to leap from carp to dragon.

If your talent was mediocre and your family had no savings, don't lose heart—Shenxiao Sect would still accept you as a laborer disciple; if you worked hard, you could gradually advance to outer gate disciple, even inner gate disciple.

Tailored teaching, with a clear upward path.

At this moment, Yu Ke suddenly understood: Shenxiao Sect's enduring strength likely wasn't due to possessing the most True Persons across the Three Provinces, or its ancient lineage.

It was because of this perfected system, allowing every disciple to find their place and fulfill their value.

Brilliant! Truly brilliant!

To this day, most renowned cultivators across the Three Provinces had trained at the sect, owing it their enlightenment.

Some with modest cultivation owed it their instruction.

Thus, cultivators across the Three Provinces jointly revered "Shenxiao Sect."

This ancient teaching, weathering ten thousand years of change, had sunk deep roots across the Three Provinces, becoming an unshakable behemoth.

The female cultivator handling reception spoke with a hint of apology:

"I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience. Recently, many cave mansions have been long-term rented, leaving few available."

"Moreover, the number of renters has increased, so prices have risen—many senior sisters are buying spirit weapons and spirit treasures in bulk."

The two had wandered the East Garden for half the day, comparing several merchants—this one offered the best value.

It had the best reputation among outer gate disciples, with Hongyun Merchant Guild operations spanning all Three Provinces.

The pricing was fair.

Xie Wanwan, beside Yu Ke, nodded in agreement:

"Yu Shixiong, it's true. I've heard outer gate prices have risen recently."

Hearing this, Yu Ke instantly understood: it was surely because of Yunxiao Xianzi's opening of her mountain, and the rare triennial outer gate competition.

The outer gate was in an uproar.

Thus, the spirit herbs needed for Foundation Establishment would surely soar in price.

He frowned in thought: would seven days be enough?

After all, Foundation Establishment usually took one to two days.

Add preparation time, fifteen days would be ample.

This was troublesome!

Seeing Yu Ke's troubled expression, Xie Wanwan whispered gently:

"Shixiong, let me pay."

Yu Ke froze—forty-five thousand spirit stones might mean little to the wealthy Xie Wanwan.

But he already owed her over ten thousand; adding new debt felt improper.

"This…" Yu Ke hesitated.

Xie Wanwan smiled warmly: "Don't be formal, Shixiong. Repay me when you're able."

Yu Ke wanted to refuse, but his cultivation had hit a bottleneck—Foundation Establishment was just one step away.

"This cave mansion then—I'll rent it for you."

"Here are fifty thousand spirit stones; the remaining five thousand are the deposit."

Saying this, Xie Wanwan handed her storage bag to the female cultivator, who took it and stepped into the shop's counter.

Yu Ke sincerely thanked her: "Wanwan, thank you so much."

Hearing her name spoken as "Wanwan," Xie Wanwan's cheeks flushed crimson—her Shixiong had never called her that before; a strange joy surged within her.

For her, fifty thousand spirit stones truly wasn't much.

She received two thousand spirit stones monthly from her parents as allowance, and as a mature family member, she earned no less than one hundred thousand spirit stones annually from her family's mine dividends.

Additionally, her elders gifted her red envelopes worth over ten thousand spirit stones each year.

Xie Wanwan beamed and softly said: "Helping Shixiong makes Wanwan truly happy."

Soon after!

The receptionist returned, holding two glowing circular jade tokens.

"You may check into the cave mansion anytime after noon tomorrow. These two caves—one on the left, one on the right—choose whichever you prefer."

"Their interiors are identical: each spans five to six li, with a three-court courtyard, two meditation chambers, and a delicate fish pond."

"When returning the cave mansion, if we confirm no damage after inspection, your deposit will be fully refunded. If damaged, the deposit will be deducted proportionally."

Yu Ke didn't care—he saw no difference between the two, so he picked one at random.

"Here is the key to the cave mansion."

The female cultivator handed one key to Yu Ke.

"Just channel your spiritual energy into it. You also need to register here—renting a cave mansion requires identity and information. Please understand."

Yu Ke infused a thread of spiritual energy into the jade token, then registered his details.

"I'm Mi Die. For the next fifteen days, if you need anything, find me anytime."

Yu Ke nodded slightly, planning to return tonight and pack his belongings from his small courtyard.

For the next fifteen days, he would live in this cave mansion, preparing fully for Foundation Establishment.

The receptionist Mi Die added: "Also, let me add your sect communication token—it'll make future contact easier."

They exchanged communication tokens.

Xie Wanwan felt a flicker of doubt—when she rented a cave mansion before, she hadn't been asked to add a sect communication token.

Mi Die seemed to sense Xie Wanwan's suspicious gaze; her cheeks flushed slightly.

Yu Ke glanced at the darkening sky—he couldn't buy spirit herbs or protective spirit treasures today; he'd have to wait until tomorrow.

Yu Ke and Xie Wanwan left the place.

After seeing them off, Mi Die stepped out of the merchant hall when five female cultivators rushed up and surrounded her.

The girls chattered excitedly.

"Wow, Xiao Die, you really added his sect communication token! Give me his number too!"

"Sister Xiao Die, I want to add him too!"

"I peeked upstairs just now—that outer gate Shixiong was so handsome!"

Mi Die pushed past the girls, sighed deeply—she'd almost been exposed.

All five were Shenxiao Sect laborer disciples; Mi Die had served longest at the merchant guild.

"You girls are smitten, aren't you? See a handsome Shixiong and you can't walk away."

Mi Die teased.

One girl retorted: "Sister Xiao Die, you're just the same!"

Mi Die heard this and merely smiled faintly, offering no rebuttal.

Otherwise, she would not have specifically added the sect's authentication token at the end.

After all, merchant lease cave tokens never required a sect authentication token.

She glanced at the cuff of the senior brother just now; the blue trim there was unmistakably the mark of an outer disciple.

She couldn't help but feel puzzled—such a "spiritually clear and bone-elegant," otherworldly outer disciple?

Among outer disciples, many refused to wear the robes issued by the Shensiao Sect, preferring their own attire instead.

Just as with the laborer disciples, few bothered to wear the laborer uniforms.

In contrast, inner disciples mostly wore the standardized inner disciple robes—this was a symbol of status.

Laborer disciples held the lowest status of all.

All people harbor vanity and self-doubt; this is only natural.

Mi Die looked down at the white trim on her own sleeve—a deliberate choice, meant to constantly remind herself to strive harder and earn entry into the outer sect.

Thinking of this, a thought stirred in her mind: Could this Senior Brother Yu Ke be the same?

In the merchant guild, she had seen inner disciples whom laborer disciples regarded as "unattainable," yet none of them had left such a profound impression on her.

He was merely an outer disciple? She was slightly surprised.

"Could that senior sister just now be this senior brother's cultivation partner?"

"I don't think so."

"Then what's this senior brother's name?"

The girls all picked up the paper Mi Die held, their eyes locking onto the name written upon it.

"Yu Ke!"

They all exclaimed in unison, as if unfamiliar with the name.

The Shensiao Sect's outer disciples numbered in the thousands; not knowing a single name was perfectly normal.

Mi Die paid no mind to her companions' whispered gossip; she hardened her expression and said sternly:

"Stop loitering here chatting!"

"Ignore the other customers!"

Everyone feared Senior Sister Mi Die—several of the girls in the guild had been introduced by her.

She was reliable in both work and character.

Hongyun Merchant Guild not only offered generous benefits, but each month the proprietor also distributed extra spirit stones as a bonus.

Upon hearing Mi Die's order, the girls scattered immediately, each returning to their duties.

Mi Die stared at the sect authentication token in her hand, the name upon it catching her eye; she murmured softly:

"Yu Ke…"

For some reason, she had a premonition that this name would one day rise to fame among the outer disciples, known to all, unmistakable to none.

…

…

Yu Ke and the other returned to the small courtyard.

It was already past dusk.

The bright moon rose above the horizon.

Outside the courtyard gate, the magnificent carriage, "Lei Ze White Tiger," waited quietly.

Sensing someone entering the gate, it slowly opened a pair of translucent, amber-like eyes.

Upon recognizing Yu Ke and Xie Wanwan, it lazily stretched, then settled back, eyes closed once more.

Yu Ke glanced at the carriage's exterior—no Jiao person princess was visible.

He paid it no mind.

Entering the courtyard, the other two rooms remained shut, dark, and silent.

Yu Ke and Xie Wanwan parted ways.

Yu Ke suddenly remembered: yesterday, he had asked Xie Wanwan to add the sect authentication token to Zhou Liang's.

That way, even if they entered the Hidden Immortal Grounds for trial, they'd have mutual support.

Xie Wanwan said: "Senior Brother Zhou didn't agree."

Yu Ke opened his sect communication jade token; yesterday's message to Zhou Liang remained unanswered.

The trial was scheduled for four days from then; only two days had passed.

Yu Ke couldn't help but wonder: Had Zhou Liang already left the sect?

Only by leaving the sect could one become unreachable.

After all, Zhou Liang usually replied instantly.

Could something truly have happened? But within the Shensiao Sect, who would dare act so recklessly?

"Senior Brother, what's wrong?"

Yu Ke shook his head. "Nothing."

He hoped he was just overthinking.

Returning to his door, Yu Ke noticed a storage pouch hanging on it.

He picked it up curiously and found it contained thirty thousand spirit stones—unclaimed, unsealed.

Yu Ke didn't need to guess who had sent it.

Yesterday, he had agreed with Cai Yingzhao on a price of eighty thousand spirit stones; he had already paid fifty thousand, and today's thirty thousand had arrived.

To casually leave thirty thousand spirit stones at the door showed they meant nothing to Cai Yingzhao.

He happily tucked the pouch away, tidied up briefly, and sat back on his bed.

Now, he held exactly eighty thousand spirit stones—but also owed forty-five thousand.

Yu Ke chuckled bitterly: "Truly, the more debt you have, the lighter it feels!"

There was still time until midnight tomorrow.

Yu Ke wasn't in a hurry; he continued his cultivation—the day's practice still lacked one hour.

The night was deep, all sounds silent.

The great cauldron in Yu Ke's heart's mudan palace trembled, emitting a low, mysterious rumble.

Midnight had arrived!

【Cauldron Master: Yu Ke】

【Can reincarnate into the Kun Xu World.】

【Acquiring reincarnation… Acquisition successful.】

【Reading "Identity," "Fate," "Talent"!】

【Proceed with simulation?】

Yu Ke remained calm, completing the final Great Circulation of spiritual energy.

Only then did he sink his spirit into the great cauldron.

Agree!

The cauldron trembled.

"Dong—"

A haze of pale, pure light surged, mingling with swirling chaotic energy.

【Please select your identity?】

Tomorrow, simulation begins—Book Volume Two!





(End of Chapter)