Chapter 73: Three Thousand Spirit Stones: The Value of the Yunxiao Immortal Lady

Feng Ping noticed a hint of contemplation on Yu Ke’s face.

“Young Master Yu, according to current market rates, the monthly rent for an outer sect courtyard is fifty-two spirit stones.”

She spoke slowly, her tone revealing careful precision.

“For a full year, that amounts to six hundred and twenty-four spirit stones, plus the remaining five months.”

Feng Ping’s lips curved slightly, revealing a charming smile like willow branches brushing the lake’s surface.

“I am willing to offer three thousand spirit stones.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Ke was momentarily stunned, a wave of surprise rising in his heart.

Three thousand spirit stones were undoubtedly a vast sum to him, enough to ease his current predicament.

Know this!

The laborer disciples of Shenxiao Sect earn only thirty spirit stones per month, enduring hard labor and a harsh life.

He couldn’t help but recall the family support: his mother’s monthly stipend of one hundred spirit stones was already extremely generous.

Three thousand spirit stones could repay part of his debts.

Think back!

The six ten-thousand spirit stones his former self owed still fell short.

Of that, ten thousand came from his family; the rest was borrowed from friends.

Yu Ke had often thought that if this world had loans like those back home, his former self would have been bankrupt long ago.

Of course!

Even in the cultivation world, private lenders existed—with exorbitant interest rates.

All one could say was—terrifyingly so!

Yet Shenxiao Sect strictly forbade such practices.

But where there is demand, there is a market; many inner sect disciples secretly ran lending businesses.

In Yu Ke’s memory, he seemed to have once borrowed a substantial sum from an inner sect senior sister.

When I think of this!

He felt a wave of exhaustion, as if once again weighed down by the burden of debt.

In his past life, mortgage and car loan payments loomed like mountains over his head.

Every month’s salary and expenses hovered on the edge of survival.

Even treating friends to a meal required caution.

Not to mention singing an improper song with money to spare!

“Truly, a single coin can crush a hero!”

Three thousand spirit stones could indeed resolve part of his current problems.

By year’s end,

his family would send him his usual stipend—about seven hundred spirit stones, enough for half a year’s expenses, with over a hundred extra from his mother’s frugality.

Every time they sent money, it was exact change: last time it was seven hundred and thirty-four spirit stones.

Not eight hundred!

Not seven hundred.

Seven hundred and thirty-four.

Yu Ke sighed softly, a complex emotion rising within him.

“Parents are the only true reliance—everyone knows this.”

Some hope you fall; some hope you suffer.

Only parents wish you well and strive forward.

But!

For the six ten-thousand spirit stones Yu Ke owed, it was still insufficient.

Feng Ping seemed to sense Yu Ke’s hesitation.

She spoke softly:

“Young Master Yu, do not overthink it.”

“I can arrange for you a new cultivation dwelling in the outer sect—though it may not be as refined as the four-person courtyard, an eight-person courtyard is spacious and comfortable, and I will cover the monthly rent myself.”

Feng Ping’s explanation was reasonable.

After all, the four-person courtyards in the outer sect were highly sought-after; as soon as a disciple left and a vacancy opened, others snapped them up instantly—premiums were normal.

Moreover, rumors suggested prices were still rising.

“Of course, if Young Master Yu prefers, you may choose your own residence—every expense will be borne by me.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Ke was again slightly stunned.

He had not expected Feng Ping to consider him so meticulously, even arranging his lodging in advance.

Such terms, for him,

were undeniably highly attractive!

Yet a flicker of doubt arose in his mind:

“What is this woman’s true purpose in renting this house?”

Yu Ke knew well: a concubine from a great family who maintained her position after her husband’s death was no ordinary person.

A fool would not make a clearly losing deal.

Yu Ke raised his eyes, searching the woman’s face for answers.

Her lovely face radiated nothing but gentleness.

He wasn’t in a hurry!

She had come to him first.

In the cultivation world, any benefit carried unknown risks—he decided to hold steady and slowly uncover Feng Ping’s true intentions.

He wasn’t some lecher, dazzled by beauty and losing his composure.

He’d hold his ground first!

Yu Ke’s expression remained calm, showing no excitement—only caution and scrutiny.

“Madam, please clarify your motives—otherwise, I cannot rent.”

Upon hearing Yu Ke’s reply, Feng Ping was slightly surprised, but quickly regained her composure.

She had already investigated!

In the courtyard, aside from one person whose identity was unknown,

the other two:

Xie Wanwan came from the wealthy Xie family of the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty—she certainly had no shortage of spirit stones.

Girls prefer quietness; forcing her to move into an eight-person courtyard would be difficult.

Coercion was out of the question—Shenxiao Sect was a true supreme sect.

Even its Enforcement Hall had three True Persons.

Of the two, only Yu Ke remained!

This collateral branch Young Master of the Luoshui Yu family—over the years, the Yu family had declined, and Yu Ke himself seemed to have accumulated heavy debts outside.

Her beautiful eyes turned again to Yu Ke.

This Yu family Young Master must owe substantial debts; her offer was more than sufficient.

Unexpectedly!

He remained remarkably composed.

Feng Ping smiled faintly, her mind made up.

“Young Master Yu, do not be overly suspicious—I have reason for doing this.”

Yu Ke said nothing, listening attentively.

“Given your status, you must already know that the Shangqing Peak of Shenxiao Sect will reopen, and the Yunxiao Immortal Lady will select disciples from this outer sect.”

Yu Ke nodded.

He had learned of this from the previous banquet.

“I won’t hide it from you—my Yingzhao joined Shenxiao Sect for this very reason.”

“Yingzhao” must be the white-robed youth.

Yu Ke glanced toward the opposite room, beginning to understand.

So the white-robed youth was a transfer student!

The Shenxiao Sect Outer Sect Grand Competition

was an event every outer sect disciple eagerly awaited.

It was not merely a test of strength, but a chance to leap from carp to dragon.

Whether you were a newcomer who had just entered a year ago or a veteran who had struggled in the outer sect for years—if you had confidence, you could enter.

Yet,

most chose to wait six years, accumulating more experience and strength before challenging the competition.

For there was only one chance; miss it, and you might forever lose the path to the inner sect.

For outer sect disciples, joining the inner sect was their deepest desire—only as inner sect disciples could they truly be called Shenxiao Sect disciples.

Only inner sect disciples’ names were recorded in the Shenxiao Sect’s “Shenxiao Register.”

The earlier a name appears on the roster, the higher the status, and the more terrifying the resources one can command.

Feng Ping continued:

“Perhaps the Young Master doesn’t know what those seven characters—Shangqing Peak, Yunxiao Immortal—mean?”

“Or what it signifies to become a disciple of Yunxiao Immortal!”

Yu Ke narrowed his eyes slightly.

For the first time!

He saw ripples in the eyes of this always elegant woman.

The woman’s expression held something inexplicable as she spoke slowly, word by word:

“It means true power!”

“To ascend to heaven in a single step.”

“It is the most critical matter in Shenshao Sect in the past three thousand years—even the sect’s patriarch, who had secluded himself for a millennium, emerged from seclusion ten years early.”

“Not just the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, but countless disciples from the Three Zones have flooded into Shenshao Sect.”

“To join in this grand occasion!”

(End of Chapter)