Chapter 109: Transaction with the Zhou Family
“Who would’ve thought that the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt from Xuanyin Pavilion would actually possess a Heaven-grade Spirit Root.”
“Indeed. If not for discovering that Lihuo Palace and Shensword Sect had secretly allied, Tianxuan City might have changed hands this time.”
Inside the bustling Juxian Tower, three to five cultivators were excitedly chatting, all marveling at Master Lu’s methods and the chaotic state of Yue Kingdom.
Inside the private room on the top floor—
Lin Chang’an sat in the seat of honor, with Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, Li Erniu, and Wei Buyi seated around the same table.
“In just a few decades, Yue Kingdom has gone from three major sects to four contending powers. Truly, a world full of intrigues.”
“Yes, but I wonder about Daoist Yun!”
When everyone mentioned Yun Yao, they all fell silent.
After all, Lihuo Palace and Tianxuan City were now enemies.
Lin Chang’an remained silent as well. Since Lihuo Palace had retreated, no one knew of their downfall.
“Alright, let’s stop talking about this. Let’s talk about the recent changes in Tianxuan City.”
Shen Lie laughed heartily, shifting the topic, though most of the group still looked towards Lin Chang’an.
After all, only Lin Chang’an among them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and surely knew more news than they did.
Lin Chang’an gently nodded, set down his wine cup, and began to speak about the recent developments in Tianxuan City.
“Right now, Tianxuan City has formed a mutual alliance with Xuanyin Pavilion. The two sides have opened many rare resources to each other—pills, advanced cultivation methods, skill inheritances, Foundation Establishment Pills...
At the same time, for the families and cultivators previously here, those who wish to leave won’t be stopped. Those who choose to stay will also have access to these resources.”
Upon hearing this, everyone grew even more excited. The most difficult thing for drifting cultivators was lack of resources.
Now, with Xuanyin Pavilion and Tianxuan City joining forces, drifting cultivators like them were granted access to such resources as well.
“Tianxuan City is inviting drifting cultivators from all over the world to gather. Especially those bringing family members or clansmen will receive preferential treatment. Everyone knows the meaning behind this.”
At this point, even Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but sigh. Although he knew the dangers involved, countless drifting cultivators still flocked there.
“Brother Lin, drifting cultivators have no roots, and Tianxuan City is like giving them a place to settle. Naturally, it’ll attract many.”
As a drifting cultivator, Shen Lie felt this deeply and couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Although the war hasn’t been publicly announced, everyone knows. The situation in Yue Kingdom is now clear. Shensword Sect and Lihuo Palace have allied, while Xuanyin Pavilion and Tianxuan City have allied.”
It might appear evenly matched, but in reality, it was a strong alliance versus a weaker one, and there was some gap in strength.
Master Lu of Tianxuan City had less than a hundred years of lifespan left. Although Xuanyin Pavilion added a Heaven-grade Spirit Root Core Formation cultivator, rumors said their former Chief Elder was severely wounded and wouldn’t last many years.
Meanwhile, Shensword Sect and Lihuo Palace had six Golden Core cultivators. Their strength was formidable.
“Still, no need to be discouraged. Who can predict the future of the cultivation world?”
Seeing everyone’s downcast mood, Lin Chang’an smiled to comfort them and softly added:
“Besides, once a Core Formation cultivator emerges from Master Lu’s disciples, with the late-third-rank Xuan Shui Turtle stationed, Tianxuan City’s foundation is no weaker than any sect.”
After hearing this, everyone revealed smiles.
Indeed, the deterrent power of a late-third-rank Xuan Shui Turtle was significant—especially with over a thousand years of lifespan, which brought great reassurance.
Under the smiles and raised cups, everyone looked at Lin Chang’an’s youthful face, then at the traces of age already showing on themselves. Their hearts couldn’t help but sigh.
When they had first gathered, except for the Little County Princess Yun Yao, everyone’s cultivation was about the same. In just a few decades, so much had changed.
However, the cheerful drinking and laughter remained unchanged.
After nearly forty years of storms in the cultivation world, for them to still gather like this was truly rare.
“One hundred mu of spirit field is truly enviable.”
Previously, Foundation Establishment cultivators responsible for guarding the marketplace’s stability were all rewarded with one hundred mu of spirit field by Tianxuan City. This was obviously meant to attract them to move their clans here.
Even Shen Lie couldn’t help but envy it. This was the root of founding a clan.
With one hundred mu of spirit field, growing and establishing a cultivation clan in Tianxuan City would no longer be like a drifting weed.
Lin Chang’an, hearing this, smiled at the group and said softly:
“I met a disciple of Master Lu earlier and received a decent share of spirit field.”
Hearing this, although tempted, Shen Lie still shook his head helplessly and said:
“Brother Lin, I still have this business to run, probably won’t have the time to go.”
However, Lu Qingqing, being a quick-witted person, instantly caught the meaning in Lin Chang’an’s words and asked in surprise:
“Brother Lin, did you say a decent spirit field?”
Facing the group’s gaze, Lin Chang’an lightly nodded.
“One hundred mu of high-grade spirit field. I plan to cooperate with the Zhou Family.”
The Zhou Family was known for beast-controlling, and naturally needed spirit fields to grow many spirit herbs and spirit fruits for their spirit beasts.
He didn’t consider talking with Chen Qing, firstly because giving high-grade spirit field to Chen Qing would be a waste, and secondly because their relationship hadn’t reached that level.
As for the Zhou Family, they were an old Foundation Establishment family with a deep foundation and had what he needed.
Moreover, dealing with such families, the Zhou Family knew well the principle of keeping personal and business matters separate.
At the very least, their previous two transactions had been very pleasant.
“One hundred mu of high-grade spirit field, goodness gracious!”
Hearing this, everyone was shocked—even Wei Buyi widened his eyes.
High-grade spirit field, and one hundred mu at that, was an extremely important asset even for a Foundation Establishment family.
Unlike spirit stones which were used up once, spirit fields provided continuous profit and were the foundation of a family’s stability.
“Although the Zhou Family is known for beast-controlling, I’ve also seen them grow spirit herbs and fruits with much experience. It saves wasting the high-grade field.”
Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile. Hiring ordinary cultivators to grow spirit rice in such a high-grade field would be a waste. Only cooperating with a well-established family like the Zhou Family could maximize benefits.
Moreover, he wouldn’t need to worry about much—just collect spirit stones each year.
“Spirit plant caretakers, huh!”
Lin Chang’an put the idea on the table. The group wasn’t foolish; they instantly understood what he meant. Wei Buyi and Lu Qingqing immediately showed gratitude.
“In that case, we really owe Brother Lin a favor.”
Even Li Erniu was extremely excited. The Zhou Family was his clan. If the deal went through, even though it wasn’t directly because of him, the clan would still give him credit.
Lin Chang’an looked at everyone and nodded slightly:
“Spirit plant caretaking is a skill. If you’re interested, you can let Yingying and Shen Fan learn it.”
Wei Yingying, daughter of Wei Buyi, was thirteen this year.
Shen Fan, naturally the son of Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing, was also thirteen.
In the ever-changing cultivation world, as drifting cultivators with limited resources, they naturally didn’t dare have many children.
This was unlike Erniu, who, backed by the Zhou Family, had more children after his cultivation and resources improved.
“Thank you, Brother Lin. My girl really has no talent for alchemy.”
Wei Buyi had devoted all his thoughts to his daughter over the years. Beaming with joy, he had worried about her future.
Spirit plant caretaking was a decent craft. More importantly, managing high-grade spirit herbs, fruits, and flowers could get one into major factions.
It was respectable and not exhausting, with decent status—and didn’t affect cultivation.
“Perfect. I can also ride Brother Lin’s coattails, let my brat and Yingying learn a skill together.”
Shen Lie was also all smiles. Having a skill was always valuable, far more dependable than being a businessman, whose trade could vanish with a shift in the situation.
Especially high-level spirit plant caretakers—they were still welcomed by sects and major families.
Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile. As long as it was within his means, helping his few friends was something he could do.
After all, this business was extremely attractive to any family.
The Zhou Family was merely teaching a few kids some experience in spirit plant caretaking.
After all, back when he was preparing for Foundation Establishment, everyone knew how difficult it was to succeed with a low-grade spirit root.
But even so, everyone privately pitched in to support him—that act, he had never forgotten.
Helping his friends without affecting his own interests—why not?
Besides, his Azure-Horned Bull needed some rare resources from the Zhou Family. He also wanted to use them to see if there were any news about second-rank spirit creatures.
“Come, let’s toast to Brother Lin, and also give our blessings to the Little County Princess.”
“May the immortal path thrive eternally!”
Inside the private room of Juxian Tower, everyone revealed joyful smiles.
Unknowingly, they had already experienced nearly forty years of storms and trials in the world of cultivation.
Everyone was now approaching their sixties.
……
Tianxuan City bustled with excitement.
Countless drifting cultivators wished to settle there, and not a few Foundation Establishment cultivators—some of whom had previously left to avoid trouble or hadn’t participated in maintaining public order—were now filled with regret.
Just the hundred mu of spirit field distributed was enough to make Foundation Establishment cultivators green with envy.
Now, upon returning, they could only pay several times more spirit stones to rent spirit fields.
Indeed, this time Tianxuan City had acquired so many spirit fields from the two major sects. Aside from granting some as rewards, the rest were also available for external leasing.
The gap between the two was substantial. Granted spirit fields required only a small annual payment of spirit stones.
“Old Ancestor truly had foresight. He actually obtained a hundred mu of spirit field—enough for our clan to flourish and spread.”
“It’s all thanks to Master Lu. So broad-minded, treating all equally in Tianxuan City. Even cultivators from the demonic path are treated the same.”
“What demonic sect? Haven’t you heard the news outside? Lihuo Palace used their female disciples as cauldrons to boost cultivation. They’re the real inheritors of demonic techniques. And that Shensword Sect...”
In every street and alley, tales of Master Lu’s legend spread, while Lihuo Palace and Shensword Sect had been branded as demonic sects.
Xuanyin Pavilion and Tianxuan City, on the contrary, were seen as the victims.
At the same time, some families deeply entangled with Lihuo Palace had no choice but to move out. Master Lu did not interfere.
Some families still wavering in the middle had to make a choice—if they wanted Lihuo Palace’s rich resources, they would have to pick a side.
The situation was clear now. With the four powers in Yue Kingdom forming two alliances, it was only a matter of time before war broke out.
Though Xuanyin Pavilion appeared to have yielded many benefits, Tianxuan City’s massive marketplace—now without Lihuo Palace—had captured a significant share of business.
Flourishing Tianxuan City was developing in a new direction.
……
At this moment, Lin Chang’an was inside his cave abode, receiving another visit from the Zhou Family Patriarch.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, forgive me for dropping by uninvited.”
Upon meeting again, this Zhou Family Patriarch, Zhou Renmao, presented a refined and scholarly image. Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—maintaining good relations with others had indeed proven beneficial.
Although last time he’d exchanged another Premium-grade Beast Spirit Pill, the favor exchange left the Zhou Family without any loss.
For Lin Chang’an as well, it made no difference who rented the spirit field—it was still profitable.
“Fellow Daoist Zhou, you’re too polite.”
Lin Chang’an cupped his hands with a smile. The Zhou Family Patriarch had brought along, besides Erniu, his own daughter Zhou Bingyun.
At this moment, Zhou Bingyun and Erniu were respectfully serving tea to the two under the pavilion.
Taking a light sip of spirit tea, both sides—no strangers to transactions—didn’t waste time on excessive formality. Zhou Renmao set down his cup and smiled as he cupped his hands.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, to be frank, when I heard from Erniu that you had a hundred mu of high-grade spirit field, I couldn’t help but be tempted.”
For an old, well-established family like the Zhou Family, high-grade spirit fields held immense appeal.
Just cultivating spirit herbs, spirit fruits, and spirit flowers alone would yield substantial and stable income.
Not to mention feeding spirit beasts and strengthening the clan.
“Indeed.”
Lin Chang’an lightly nodded without elaborating on how the spirit field came about, and Zhou Renmao was wise enough not to ask.
Neither mentioned how the field had been acquired, yet Zhou Renmao internally placed Lin Chang’an on even higher regard.
To have received a hundred mu of high-grade spirit field was surely not something a regular guest cultivator in Tianxuan City could attain.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, I’ll be direct. My Zhou Family wishes to lease the high-grade spirit field.”
With sincerity on his face, Zhou Renmao made his intent clear. At the side, Zhou Bingyun was watching the transaction between her father and Lin Chang’an with wide eyes.
She was stunned. She never imagined that a Second-rank Talisman Master from a drifting cultivator background could actually receive a hundred mu of high-grade spirit field in Tianxuan City.
Lin Chang’an didn’t stand on ceremony either, smiling as he stated his conditions.
“Fellow Daoist Zhou, though my Azure-Horned Bull is a Second-rank spirit pet, I’m not as capable in raising it as your Zhou Family.”
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Lin, this is no trouble. We originally planned to cultivate special spirit fruits and herbs in the spirit field, which are perfect for feeding spirit beasts.”
“Spirit Plant Caretaker—I’ve heard of it before. But among drifting cultivators, so-called Spirit Plant Caretakers are merely glorified farmhands. They’re not comparable to the real ones in major sects or clans. I have two friends’ children...”
“This is not difficult!”
After both parties reached an agreement, they smiled together.
In the end, the one hundred mu of high-grade spirit field would be leased to the Zhou Family at a rate of 50 Mid-grade Spirit Stones per year.
Keep in mind, training two Spirit Plant Caretakers was merely incidental. The Second-rank Azure-Horned Bull was the main factor.
Otherwise, the spirit field alone would fetch seventy to eighty Mid-grade Spirit Stones per year. That bull cost Lin Chang’an over a thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones annually.
Indeed, spirit pets weren’t something the average cultivator could afford—massive money burners. Of course, Lin Chang’an was committed to raising it properly.
A typical Second-rank Low-grade Talisman Master, without hindering their cultivation, might only earn five or six Mid-grade Spirit Stones a month—barely 80 a year.
Yet Lin Chang’an, without doing anything, enjoyed resources equivalent to what a Second-rank Talisman Master earned annually—showing just how valuable this high-grade spirit field truly was.
“A Second-rank wood attribute spirit creature?”
When Lin Chang’an finally asked whether the Zhou Family had any Second-rank wood attribute spirit creatures, Zhou Renmao shook his head.
“My Zhou Family has none. However, three months from now, we families will be inviting some drifting cultivators to hold a trading event. Perhaps Fellow Daoist Lin can find what he needs then.”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an immediately smiled.
“In that case, thank you.”
Thanks to the spirit field deal, their relationship deepened. The Zhou Family, seeking good ties with him, naturally offered to make introductions.
Even among Foundation Establishment cultivators, there were levels.
An old Foundation Establishment family like the Zhou Family naturally had its own social circle—not something a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator like Lin Chang’an could match.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, you’re too kind.”
Zhou Renmao was all smiles. This hundred mu of high-grade spirit field would be enough for the Zhou Family to digest for quite some time.
As for Lin Chang’an searching for a Second-rank wood attribute spirit creature—that was very common in the world of cultivation.
Whether it was for artifact refinement or regular cultivation, capable cultivators always did so.