At the back of the cave, there is a stone well, its water icy and penetrating.
The middle-aged cultivator said, "Although this cave mansion isn’t large, it’s absolutely enough for one person to live in."
"Look at this scenery, isn’t it beautiful?"
The two stood at the cave entrance, gazing into the distance.
The view here was indeed expansive, revealing a gentle slope covered in lush green grass, occasionally dotted with starry pale yellow flowers.
The clouds in the sky were not dense but scattered and leisurely.
The brilliant sunlight spilled through the clouds, occasionally forming beams of light, bright but not glaring.
The majestic mountain wind surged from the horizon, causing their clothes to flutter and giving a refreshing feeling.
The middle-aged cultivator said with a smile, "The layout is transparent, the view is outstanding, and the sunlight is abundant, making it easiest to cultivate a vast aura of righteousness within. At dawn, observe the rising sun, the clouds steaming; at night, pluck the stars, as if you could reach them with your hand."
"The monthly rent is fifty Mid Grade Spirit Stones, though it’s a bit high, the extra cost is for that man-made Spirit Well. Overall, it’s not expensive at all."
Ning Zhuo’s face was calm, nodding slightly, his tone indifferent, "Spirit Wind Slope itself has a sparse Spirit Vein, so the Spirit Well was constructed to transform and produce more Spiritual Energy."
"The scenery here is indeed expansive, but for that very reason, the sweeping mountain wind disperses the Spiritual Energy gathered here like a sieve."
The middle-aged cultivator’s expression stiffened, "Daoist Fellow Ning, your observations are valid."
Ning Zhuo turned to him with a smile, "Just looking at this cave mansion, I know the choice to inspect in person was right. Please continue to lead the way."
The middle-aged cultivator’s expression relaxed, forcing out a smile, "Daoist Fellow Ning, this way please."
The two took a Flying Centipede and left the place, landing at a second spot within a mountain valley.
The mountain rocks were crimson, as if scorched by fiery fire. Before even approaching, a warm heat rushed at them. In the valley, visible to the naked eye, were several slender fire veins flowing slowly between the rocks, rendering the air slightly distorted and suffused with a ruby-like glow.
"This is Fire Split Valley’s Jia Ding Number Cave Mansion." The middle-aged cultivator opened the prohibition and led Ning Zhuo inside.
This cave mansion was carved into a large scarlet rock face.
The entrance was narrow, but inside there was more than meets the eye, divided into two sections.
The outer stone chamber was dry and warm, with a faint spirit light on the stone walls, all of which were Fire Spirit Stones.
In the inner chamber was a naturally occurring fire chamber deep within the earth’s veins. In the center of the floor, there was a neatly carved circular fire mouth, from below which came the muffled pulse of Earth Fire, its heat astonishing.
On the wall, there were Array Patterns and Talismans. The former was used for guiding the flow, and the latter for controlling fire, greatly helping in Alchemy and Artifact Refining.
The middle-aged cultivator pointed at the fire mouth on the ground, his face shining red with the reflection of the light, "Daoist Fellow Ning, look at these fire veins, though not top-tier, they are stable and controllable. The formation of the fire mouth is stable and exquisite, with a little familiarization, the firepower can be precisely controlled."
"With this place’s Earth Fire in hand, the refinement of ordinary Elixir Pills and entry-level magic tools would be twice the result with half the effort! The monthly rent is eighty Mid Grade Spirit Stones, but the price is justified."
Compared to before, his tone was no longer exaggerated, but rather matter-of-fact.
Ning Zhuo circled the inner chamber, his expression faint, "However, the walls leave no space for a formation layout. The Array of the fire mouth merely guides the flow, and the Talismans controlling the firepower can’t conceal the heat spreading all around."
"Therefore, this cave mansion is suitable for fire element cultivators or those with resilient constitutions to reside long-term. Ordinary cultivators living here would inevitably find their minds hot and agitated. Also, being deep in the earth’s veins, the atmosphere is suffocating. Without a deep interest in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, it would turn into an ordeal."
"Uh." The middle-aged cultivator was speechless, having to admit in his heart that Ning Zhuo’s words were reasonable.
The two set out again, taking the Flying Centipede to a small peak.
This place was cool and serene, with towering ancient trees and vines like curtains. The sunlight was blocked by the towering mountain, leaving only clear light filtering through the gaps between the leaves, scattering mottled shadows.
The air was moist, carrying the unique fragrance of flora and soil, along with a refreshing coolness that quickly dispelled the previous heat from the Fire Split Valley.
The middle-aged cultivator swayed his waist token, causing the green vines to rise like a curtain. The prohibition was lifted, revealing the cave mansion.
Upon entering, the light was dim, yet not gloomy, instead giving a deep sense of tranquility.
The cave was deep, the stone walls cool and smooth, chilly to the touch.
Above the stone walls, a clear mountain spring seeped through natural stone crevices, dripping into a small mirror-like stone pool below, the sound of water tinkling melodically.
A circle of moss grew around the pool, clearly infused with Spiritual Wisdom, emitting a faint glow and gentle Spiritual Energy.
The innermost part of the cave mansion was quite spacious, with a flat stone jade bed.
The middle-aged cultivator already knew that Ning Zhuo was amiable yet decisive, so he only gave a brief introduction, "Daoist Fellow Ning, as you can see. This cave mansion is secluded and withdrawn, with a refreshing chill. The arrangement of the spring dripping into the stone pool was constructed according to the terrain, and the melodious water sound aids in concentrating the Meditative Spirit. The monthly rent is thirty Mid Grade Spirit Stones, quite affordable."
He had prepared to be declined, but unexpectedly, Ning Zhuo, for some unknown reason, favored this ordinary cave mansion, saying directly, "Then let it be here."
The middle-aged cultivator was surprised for a moment, quickly taking out a Jade Slip to record, then finalized the contract, having Ning Zhuo pay three months’ rent in advance, "One way or another, Daoist Fellow Ning, I’ll take my leave now."
"Take care." Ning Zhuo saw the middle-aged cultivator out of the cave entrance, then stopped there.
The middle-aged cultivator flew away from the small peak, while Ning Zhuo stood at the cave entrance, gazing into the distance.
Opposite the small peak was another mountain, loftier and more majestic.
On the sunny side of the mountain, there was a small lake, its surface calm and mirror-like. Ning Zhuo knew the lake was named Jasper. At the lake’s bottom was a cave mansion named Shuyu Pavilion, which belonged to his late mother, Meng Yaoyin.
After Meng Yaoyin’s death, her Soul Lamp in the Myriad Images Sect had extinguished. According to the sect’s rules, her possessions, including that cave mansion, must be sealed for a hundred years, reserved for her bloodline descendants or recruited successors.
After a hundred years, the Myriad Images Sect would reclaim the cave mansion.
Of course, this privilege was exclusive to the Golden Core True Transmission.
Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin stated in the Jade Slip that most of her belongings were in the cave mansion, Shuyu Pavilion.
Meanwhile, she had rented another cave mansion on the opposite mountain peak under a different guise. She cleverly opened up the rock, quietly establishing a hidden Transmission Array. This small array could lead directly to Shuyu Pavilion.
The Intelligence Jade Scroll Ning Zhuo acquired clearly explained this. As a successor, if he wished to inherit his predecessor’s cave mansion and relics, he had to undergo the strict verification process of the Internal Affairs Hall.
This verification process was quite complicated and could take a long time.
The successor must prove their identity. Then, the Internal Affairs Hall would transfer the investigation task to the Foreign Affairs Hall. The Foreign Affairs Hall would send cultivators to investigate, who would travel long distances to return the investigation results to the Foreign Affairs Hall. Then it would be transferred back to the Internal Affairs Hall.
Once the Internal Affairs Hall verified it matched the facts, the process for transferring the assets would begin.
This process alone often took half a year. Not to mention the lengthy time delays and unexpected incidents during the external investigation process.
Understanding this, Ning Zhuo decided to sneak in first and retrieve the assets.
He wanted to prevent any Big Snake Scythe movements, which would make Ning Zhuo burn the relics instantly, but Ning Zhuo was still waiting for the Foreign Affairs Hall’s investigation to report back.
Ning Zhuo activated the prohibition, lowered the vine curtain, and completely concealed the cave mansion’s exit.
He entered deeper into the cave, lifting his clothes to reveal the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon tied at his waist, releasing Sun Lingtong, Qing Chi, and Old Chef.
Sun Lingtong, long weary of waiting, jumped excitedly after touching the ground.
Old Chef, steady as always, obtained Ning Zhuo’s permission and left to start cooking in another room.
Qing Chi stayed by Ning Zhuo’s side, staring at him.
Ning Zhuo asked, "Miss Qing Chi, what are you looking at me for?"
Qing Chi’s eyes flashed slightly, "Having been apart from young master for so long, I missed you and wanted to look at you more."
Although she had lost her memory, she retained her previous straightforward and candid style.
Ning Zhuo sighed deeply, "Miss Qing Chi, I’ve already told you the truth, your feelings are just a misunderstanding."