Chapter 99
Chapter 99
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Settling in Qinghe
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Another one!"
Chen Jianghe arrived at the city gate, watching a Foundation Establishment cultivator fly over and enter Qinghe Market City.
He had only paused for a moment.
But he had already seen three Foundation Establishment cultivators fly into the city.
Looking at the late-stage Qi Refining cultivators entering through the gate, he guessed that the Foundation Establishment cultivators were not bound by such restrictions.
The ancient city gate exuded a heavy, profound aura.
On either side stood a squad of guards, led by a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, with the rest at the middle stage.
Chen Jianghe strode inside.
He wasn't stopped and asked for spirit stones to enter, which was different from what was recorded in the "Yun Clan Magazine."
The "Yun Clan Magazine" stated that one had to pay a spirit stone to enter Qinghe Market City.
Perhaps that rule had existed before, but things had changed, and the "Yun Clan Magazine" hadn't been updated.
Thus, the reality was a little different.
Stepping into Qinghe Market City, he was greeted by the sight of a wide, bluestone-paved street, lined with all sorts of cultivation resource shops.
The street was crowded with cultivators, bustling with noise and activity.
Surprisingly, some cultivators were hawking their wares on the street like mortal vendors, a rather bewildering sight.
"Senior, is this your first time in Qinghe Market City? For just ten grains of spirit sand, I can be your guide for the day."
A petite young girl with large, sparkling eyes approached Chen Jianghe and spoke.
Chen Jianghe wasn't surprised that the girl could tell it was his first time here.
The moment he entered, he had been looking around, full of curiosity.
It would have been strange if it wasn't his first time.
Senior?
A faint smile appeared on Chen Jianghe's face. After thirty-eight years of cultivation, he had finally become a senior in the path of immortality.
It made sense. After all, he was a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
"Alright, thank you."
Chen Jianghe took out ten grains of spirit sand and handed them to the girl, who was only at the third layer of Qi Refining.
Before entering the city gate, he had looked down from above and seen that Qinghe Market City was ten times larger than Mirror Moon Market City.
He definitely needed a guide.
Otherwise, it would take him at least seven or eight days to figure things out on his own.
"My name is Jiang Ruxu. I'm happy to be your guide." Jiang Ruxu's sweet voice was clear and pleasant.
She was delighted to receive the spirit sand. It had been five days, and she finally had a customer.
"My surname is Chen."
Chen Jianghe was dressed simply in a light cyan robe, looking modest and unassuming.
"Senior Chen, shall we stroll around the market city first? I can explain things as we go."
"That's fine. Thank you for your trouble."
"Hehe~ No need to be so polite. I did take your spirit sand, Senior." Jiang Ruxu let out a silvery laugh.
She then led Chen Jianghe down the main street, explaining as they walked.
"Qinghe Market City was established seven hundred years ago by the Core Formation expert, Perfected Qinghe. There is a second-tier, high-grade spirit meridian beneath it."
"The section of the Wandering Immortal River that flows through the market city was also named the Qing River because of him."
"The street we're on is called Qing Street. It's one of the two main streets in Qinghe Market City, running directly from the south gate to the north gate."
"The other main street is called He Street, which runs from the east gate to the west gate and connects to the Wandering Immortal River outside."
"At the intersection of Qing Street and He Street is where the Hundred Treasures Pavilion is located."
"..."
Jiang Ruxu's explanation was very detailed, covering everything from the establishment of Qinghe Market City to its current state and the main groups of cultivators within it.
As the largest cultivation market city within a three-thousand-li radius, Qinghe Market City had a complex population of cultivators, encompassing almost every type.
All the hundred arts of cultivation were represented here.
Apart from the two main streets, which were lined with shops, all other streets in Qinghe Market City were residential and did not permit any commercial establishments.
Moreover, these two main streets conveniently divided the city into four quadrants, each housing different groups of cultivators.
The northwest quadrant had the thinnest spiritual energy, only at the level of a first-tier, high-grade spirit meridian, and the rent was cheap.
It was inhabited by demon hunters, short-term laborers (like those who raised silkworms or quenched metals in refinement workshops), and other groups with unstable or low incomes.
The southwest quadrant had slightly richer spiritual energy, reaching the level of a second-tier, low-grade meridian.
Most of its residents were skilled cultivators or cultivation families who had moved to Qinghe Market City to make a living.
Of course, the cultivation families who moved here all had some savings; otherwise, their expenses would quickly outstrip their income.
The northeast quadrant was more of a wealthy district, with rich spiritual energy at the level of a second-tier, mid-grade meridian.
Only artisans with first-tier, high-grade skills could afford the rent here.
The southeast quadrant was for the rich and powerful, mostly housing second-tier artisans or Foundation Establishment cultivators.
This was because the spiritual energy here was the densest, reaching the level of a second-tier, high-grade spirit meridian.
If one purchased a Foundation Establishment Pill, the seclusion chambers provided by Qinghe Market City were located in the southeast quadrant.
Although Qinghe Market City appeared to have few restrictions on the surface.
Once the evening curfew began, any cultivators not residing in the city had to leave.
Otherwise, they would be driven out by the guards.
If they resisted, they would be punished by the guards, and could very well lose their lives.
As the largest market city in a three-thousand-li radius, Qinghe Market City was not to be trifled with.
It was guarded by three Foundation Establishment cultivators, two of whom were at the late stage, not to mention their spirit beasts.
Therefore, even Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't dare to cause trouble here.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang, what's the rent in the northwest quadrant?" Chen Jianghe asked.
He wanted to stay in Qinghe Market City long-term, so rent was a major concern he needed to clarify.
"The courtyards in the northwest quadrant have one to five rooms, and the prices vary."
"A single-room courtyard is four spirit stones a year, a two-room courtyard is eight, and a three-room courtyard is twelve."
"A four-room courtyard is fifteen spirit stones a year."
"A five-room courtyard is eighteen spirit stones a year."
"However, the single and two-room courtyards are in high demand and are almost never available. If you want to live here long-term, Senior, the best you can likely get is a three-room courtyard."
Listening to Jiang Ruxu's explanation, Chen Jianghe realized it matched what Zhou Miaoyun had written in her letter. It seemed the Zhou Clan had rented a five-room courtyard in the northwest quadrant back then.
However, Zhou Miaoyun, a mid-grade Talisman Master, couldn't support her entire clan's expenses in Qinghe Market City on her own.
Eighteen spirit stones a year was enough to cover the annual stipend for two direct descendants of the Yun Clan.
"Rent a three-room courtyard?" Chen Jianghe frowned. How could one person live in three rooms?
Seemingly sensing his thoughts, Jiang Ruxu said softly, "You can share courtyards in Qinghe Market City."
"For example, for a three-room courtyard, you can find two other fellow daoists to share with. For a five-room courtyard, you can share with four others."
"I see."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
As they continued their tour, Chen Jianghe noticed a problem: neither of the two main streets had shops selling grain.
If they didn't sell grain, how did people eat?
They couldn't possibly go to restaurants every day!
"Why haven't I seen any shops that sell rice?" Chen Jianghe asked.
Jiang Ruxu gave him a surprised look before explaining, "Senior, are you referring to Spirit Marrow Rice and Immortal Spirit Rice?"
"Qinghe Market City doesn't sell Spirit Marrow Rice. Besides, cultivators are not allowed to cook with open flames, except in restaurants."
"Huh?! If we can't cook, what do we eat?"
"Fasting pills, of course. They not only fill your stomach but also aid in cultivation. Most importantly, they prevent your body from expelling impurities."
Jiang Ruxu pursed her lips and smiled faintly.
"Uh~"
Chen Jianghe was a bit speechless.
To think that settling in Qinghe Market City came with such an unreasonable requirement. No bodily waste? Was this how a major market city asserted its uniqueness?
Even if they didn't allow the sale of mortal grains, they should at least permit the sale of Spirit Marrow Rice.
Relying solely on fasting pills would be such a waste.
One would need a gourd of fasting pills for a year, and a gourd cost eight spirit stones.
In contrast, a year's supply of Spirit Marrow Rice would only cost three spirit stones at most.
"Senior, if you plan to stay long-term, you could rent a room in my courtyard. There's one available."
"Oh? How many rooms does it have?"
"Five."
"Uh..."
Chen Jianghe instantly lost interest.
If it were a two-room courtyard, he might have considered it. He could have discussed partitioning the yard with Jiang Ruxu.
After all, he wasn't alone.
He had Xiao Hei and Maoqiu.
Especially Xiao Hei. He couldn't keep him in the spirit beast space all the time; Xiao Hei needed to cultivate too.
Therefore, a single-room courtyard was the most suitable option for him.
"If you prefer peace and quiet, Senior, you could inquire about the southwest quadrant when you're looking to rent. A single-room courtyard might be available, but it's expensive, costing eight spirit stones a year."
Jiang Ruxu suggested.
"Alright, thank you, Fellow Daoist Jiang."
Before he knew it, the sun was setting, and the evening curfew was approaching.
If Chen Jianghe didn't rent a place, his only options were to spend the night at an inn or leave Qinghe Market City.
It wasn't safe outside at night.
Chen Jianghe subtly asked Jiang Ruxu to take him to a relatively cheaper inn.
Comfort was secondary; the most important things were safety and affordability.
Jiang Ruxu told him that every corner of Qinghe Market City was extremely safe.
Although Perfected Qinghe had passed away, his spirit beast was still alive, left to his descendants. It was a third-tier spirit beast, comparable to a Core Formation expert.
Therefore, not even a Core Formation Perfected would dare to act recklessly in Qinghe Market City.
On Jiang Ruxu's recommendation, Chen Jianghe went to the Clear Spring Inn. He thanked her and they parted ways.
The inn was indeed affordable. The cheapest low-grade room cost only ten grains of spirit sand. Satisfied, Chen Jianghe paid and checked in.
When he got to the room, he discovered it was a twelve-person dormitory.
In a room less than fifteen square meters, there were twelve meditation beds.
Why call them meditation beds?
Because that's literally what they were.
Beds only large enough for meditation. Even so, there were already ten cultivators in the room. Including Chen Jianghe, it was just one person short of being full.
Staying at an inn was much more expensive than renting.
Even for this lowest-grade room, a year's stay would cost thirty-six spirit stones. Clearly, the rules of Qinghe Market City encouraged long-term renting and settlement.
Most cultivators who stayed at inns were either there for a short time or were in transit, waiting for a flying vessel.
Chen Jianghe went to his meditation bed and sat cross-legged. He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but he was actually analyzing the viability of living in Qinghe Market City.
"With three Foundation Establishment cultivators, two of them at the late stage, and a third-tier spirit beast, safety is absolutely not an issue."
The only question was privacy.
And the market's buyback price for talismans, as well as the cost of talisman-crafting materials. He would have to inquire about these tomorrow before making a decision.
Especially the single-room courtyards. He would first check for single or double-room courtyards in the northwest quadrant. If there were none, he would ask about single-room ones in the southwest.
If he couldn't rent one, then Qinghe Market City was not a suitable place for him to settle.
A night of meditation left him feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
As soon as he left the inn, someone approached him.
"Senior, are you planning to take a flying vessel? I have cheap tickets here."
It was a scruffy-looking boy in tattered clothes, but his face beamed with a sunny smile.
Chen Jianghe took one look at his attire and his third-layer Qi Refining cultivation and knew the grimy appearance was intentional.
He shook his head and turned to leave.
He had just arrived in Qinghe Market City. Why would he be leaving on a flying vessel?
The next moment, the boy caught up to him again.
"Immortal Gate Market City, Cloud Peak Market City, White Lotus Market City... I have tickets to all these major market cities."
Chen Jianghe said nothing and quickened his pace.
The boy's tickets were probably real, but Chen Jianghe had no plans to leave Qinghe Market City.
At least, not before he had fully assessed the place.
He first made his way to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
The five-story pavilion looked much more magnificent than the one in Mirror Moon Market City, but it wasn't as ornate.
After all, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Mirror Moon Market City was built with gilded crystal.
In terms of opulence, it was likely second to none.
Upon entering, he found that the first floor wasn't a sales area but a scenic corridor through which the Qing River flowed.
Many cultivators were gathered there, admiring the view and chatting.
However, he was in no mood for such leisurely pursuits.
If he couldn't make a decision today, he would have to spend another ten grains of spirit sand on the inn.
It wasn't that he was pained by the expense.
The main issue was that the room was too crowded.
Besides, he was truly short on spirit stones now. He only had nineteen spirit stones and fifteen grains of spirit sand left in his storage pouch.
If he decided to settle in Qinghe Market City.
He would need to buy a gourd of fasting pills and then pay a year's rent. A single room in the northwest quadrant was manageable at four spirit stones a year.
But if it was in the southwest quadrant, it would be eight spirit stones.
He also needed to buy talisman-crafting materials, so nineteen spirit stones might not be enough. He might even have to sell that Frost Talisman.
He went up to the second floor of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which was just like the one in Mirror Moon Market City—a general goods area.
Chen Jianghe walked straight to the talisman counter and bluntly asked about the buyback prices. Then he went to the materials counter to inquire about the cost of talisman-crafting supplies.
The talisman buyback price was the same, eighty-five percent of the retail price.
The materials were also mostly the same price, except for the spirit ink, which was a bit expensive at two spirit stones per box.
The spirit ink produced at Mirror Moon Lake was made from the blood of the spirit beast, the Green Scale Fish, and cinnabar.
However, the spirit ink in Qinghe Market City was made from spirit fox blood and cinnabar. Spirit foxes were more spiritual and were second-grade, high-tier bloodline spirit beasts.
Using spirit fox ink to craft talismans could slightly increase the success rate.
Of course, the increase was minimal, probably not even half a percent. It might even just be a marketing gimmick.
It might not have any enhancing effect at all.
"The talisman buyback and material prices are acceptable. Now it all depends on whether I can find a suitable courtyard."
With this thought, Chen Jianghe left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and headed for the city's housing agency.
The housing agency was on the northern section of Qing Street.
Before long, he arrived. There were quite a few cultivators there, and he had to wait in line.
However, things moved much more efficiently in the cultivation world than in the mortal realm. Although there were over thirty cultivators ahead of him, it was his turn in less than a quarter of an hour.
"Fellow Daoist, are you here for a new rental or a renewal?" a female cultivator at the sixth layer of Qi Refining asked with a faint smile from behind the crystal counter.
"A new rental."
"Do you have a preferred area, Fellow Daoist?"
"Are there any single-room courtyards left in the northwest quadrant?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"Uh~ No, there aren't."
"What about two-room courtyards?"
"Sorry, none of those either. There is a three-room courtyard available, would you like to rent that?"
The three-room courtyards rented out by the agency were the entire property. After renting one, you could find others to share it with.
"Are there any single-room courtyards in the southwest quadrant?" Chen Jianghe asked, holding on to his last hope.
"There is one in the southwest quadrant, but it's not available for long-term rental."
"Why is that?"
"Because that courtyard is already rented. The tenant has gone on a long journey and will be back in about five years. He paid a reservation fee, so whenever he returns, you will have to move out."
"However, when he returns, he won't disturb you directly. He will come to the agency, and we will notify you to move out. If your rental period isn't over, we will refund the remaining rent."