: Renting a Cave Abode

After a moment, Ning Zhuo parted ways with Shen Xi and Su Lingkou outside the main hall.

Watching Ning Zhuo's departing figure as he flew away, Su Lingkou stood beside her cousin and asked puzzledly, "Cousin, you are the genius and hope of our clan. Joining the Ten Thousand Images Sect this time, your goal is the position of a True Disciple."

"What ability does he have that makes you lower yourself to befriend him?"

Shen Xi replied, "Didn't you see? Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo came with another cultivator, arriving together via the teleportation formation. Moreover, although that person concealed his aura, only revealing a hint of a Confucian cultivator's presence, he didn't pay the teleportation fee."

"This reminded me of a Ten Thousand Images Sect policy. Any cultivator with the status of a True Disciple returning to the mountain sect is exempt from paying fees."

Su Lingkou said, "I see."

"But aren't there other situations besides being a True Disciple where no fee is required?"

"And even if his companion is a True Disciple, they might not be closely related, right? Perhaps they just met on the way."

"Cousin, think about it—if he really had an elder in the Ten Thousand Images Sect, why would he need to buy such expensive information?"

Shen Xi nodded, "You're right, that's all possible."

Su Lingkou showed a hint of annoyance, "This Ning Zhuo is also a bit ungrateful. You invited him to rent a cave abode together and travel with him, but he refused. Back in our Nine Palaces Immortal City, countless cultivators would flock to such an offer and be immensely grateful to you."

Shen Xi frowned slightly, his expression turning serious, "Cousin, that kind of arrogance won't do."

"My aptitude and strength might be top-notch in Nine Palaces Immortal City, but this is the Ten Thousand Images Sect!"

"Every Flying Cloud Assembly gathers many talents and geniuses. Cultivators similar to me or even stronger will come here, showcasing their best to secure high positions in the Ten Thousand Images Sect."

Su Lingkou stuck out her tongue, linked arms with Shen Xi, and gently swayed, saying in an admiring tone, "Even so, I still believe you are the most outstanding among these geniuses."

"You..." Shen Xi shook his head slightly, sighed indulgently, and didn't scold his cousin further.

He gazed into the distance as Ning Zhuo disappeared into the clouds, a clear light flashing in his eyes, "Although Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo is plainly dressed, he carries his own grace and remains calm and at ease when interacting with us."

"Even if he isn't from a super clan, he surely isn't from a minor family either."

Su Lingkou thought for a moment and didn't argue this time, "Indeed."

Ning Zhuo rode a flying cloud, moving slowly at high altitude.

This cloud-riding technique was something he improvised on the spot, inspired by the scenery around him.

Clouds are closely related to the water element, and with Ning Zhuo's high proficiency in the five elements, achieving this wasn't difficult.

At first, he moved slowly, paying more attention to observing his surroundings.

The Ten Thousand Images Sect's main headquarters was filled with numerous peaks and halls, with countless people traversing the skies. It seemed chaotic but followed unspoken traffic rules.

Using the content of the jade slip in his hand as reference, Ning Zhuo quickly adapted.

He sometimes turned onto side paths, traveling alone, and other times merged into the flow of people on the main roads.

Soon, he dispersed the cloud and landed on the summit of a truncated peak.

The mountaintop had been leveled into a flat area, where a palace stood.

The palace was built of dark stone with flowing spiritual patterns; golden talismans guarded the entrance, solemn and majestic.

The palace wasn't large, incomparable to the previous Commerce Branch Hall, but it was densely crowded, with a constant stream of people entering and exiting.

This was a branch of the Internal Affairs Hall.

Ning Zhuo entered and was soon led away by a middle-aged cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, do you have a mount?" the middle-aged cultivator asked upon reaching the cliff edge.

Ning Zhuo shook his head, formed hand seals, and created a cloud beneath his feet.

The middle-aged cultivator directly opened a beast bag and summoned a four-winged flying centipede. Several rows of seats were arranged on the centipede's back.

He waved to Ning Zhuo, "Your cloud is slow; come ride my flying centipede."

Ning Zhuo clasped his hands, "Thank you, Senior."

The middle-aged cultivator quickly demurred, "We're both Foundation Establishment cultivators; I can't be called Senior."

Ning Zhuo chose a seat, and the middle-aged cultivator stamped his foot, causing the flying centipede to spread its wings and take off swiftly.

He stamped again, and array patterns lit up on the seats, forming a light shield that blocked the oncoming mountain wind and clouds.

He explained, "Every time before the Flying Cloud Assembly, the main headquarters is flooded with many cultivators coming to rent cave abodes."

"Lately, I've been so busy I'm dizzy, but the tasks keep increasing."

"So, we need to save as much travel time as possible."

"If you find a place you like, Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo, you should rent it quickly. It might be taken by someone else the next moment. Not everyone inspects in person; some just read the jade slips in the hall and decide."

Ning Zhuo quickly thanked him for the reminder and slipped him ten mid-grade spirit stones.

The middle-aged cultivator immediately became more enthusiastic, his smile more sincere.

Soon, the flying centipede landed, and they arrived at the first cave abode.

"This is Spirit Wind Slope, with eight cave abodes in total. The one we see is the most luxurious among them."

The middle-aged cultivator pointed to the highest cave, then shook a token to open the entrance restriction.

The entrance was quite open, unobstructed, with sunlight pouring in generously, warming the inner stone walls like jade.

They entered the cave.

Inside, it was dry and clean, equipped with stone tables and stools. There were several shallow natural niches in the walls for placing books and items.

At the back of the cave was a stone well with chillingly cold water.

The middle-aged cultivator said, "Although this cave isn't large, it's definitely enough for one person."

"Look at the scenery, it's great."

They stood at the entrance looking out.

The view was indeed expansive, showing a gentle slope with lush green grass dotted with star-like pale yellow flowers.

The high clouds were sparse and leisurely.

Bright sunlight filtered through the clouds, occasionally forming beams of light, bright but not glaring.

The mountain wind swept grandly from the horizon, making their clothes flutter and refreshing their spirits.

The middle-aged cultivator said with a smile, "Open layout, excellent view, ample sunlight—perfect for nurturing a righteous spirit. Watch the sunrise in the morning with clouds and mist; gaze at the stars at night as if you could pluck them with your hand."

"The monthly rent is fifty mid-grade spirit stones. Though a bit high, the extra cost is for that man-made spirit well. Overall, it's not expensive at all."

Ning Zhuo remained calm, nodding slightly, his tone even, "Spirit Wind Slope itself has a thin spirit vein, hence the spirit well was built to convert more spiritual energy."

"The scenery is indeed open, but because of that, the sweeping mountain wind constantly disperses the gathered spiritual energy like a sieve."

The middle-aged cultivator's expression stiffened, "Fellow Daoist Ning's critique is reasonable."

Ning Zhuo turned to him with a smile, "Just seeing this one cave abode confirms that inspecting in person was the right choice. Please lead the way, Fellow Daoist."

The middle-aged cultivator relaxed, forcing a smile, "Fellow Daoist Ning, this way please."

They rode the flying centipede away, landing next in a valley.

The rocks were crimson, as if forged by fire. Even before getting close, a warm heat greeted them. Visible in the valley were several slender fire veins slowly flowing among the rocks, making the air slightly distorted and shimmering with ruby-like halos.

"This is Cave Abode Jia-Ding of Blazing Fire Valley." The middle-aged cultivator opened the restriction and led Ning Zhuo inside.

This cave was carved into a massive crimson rock face.

The entrance was narrow, but inside was surprisingly spacious, divided into two sections.

The outer stone room was dry and warm, with faint spiritual light on the walls, which were actually fire spirit stones.

The inner section was a natural fire chamber extending deep into the earth vein. A neatly carved circular fire vent in the center of the floor pulsed with the dull throb of earth fire below, radiating intense heat.

Array patterns and talismans were set on the walls—the former for channeling, the latter for controlling the fire, greatly aiding alchemy and artifact forging.

The middle-aged cultivator pointed to the fire vent on the floor, the red light illuminating his face, "Fellow Daoist Ning, look at this fire vein. Though not top-tier, it's stable and controllable. The fire vent's array is stable and precise; with a little familiarity, you can accurately control the firepower."

"With this earth fire at hand, refining common elixirs and tempering beginner artifacts becomes twice as effective! The monthly rent is eighty mid-grade spirit stones, but you get what you pay for."

Compared to before, his tone was less exaggerated and more factual.

Ning Zhuo walked around the inner room, his expression neutral, "But there are no arrays on these walls. The fire vent's array only channels the flow; the talismans control the firepower but can't prevent the heat from spreading."

"Thus, this cave suits fire-attribute cultivators or those with robust constitutions for long stays. Ordinary cultivators living here would likely feel restless from the heat. Being deep in the earth vein, the air is stifling and hot. Without a dedicated interest in alchemy or artifact forging, it could become torture."

"Uh." The middle-aged cultivator was speechless, inwardly admitting Ning Zhuo's points were valid.

They set off again, boarding the flying centipede to a small peak.

This place was cool and secluded, with ancient trees reaching the sky and vines like curtains. The tall mountain blocked the sunlight, leaving only cool light filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows.

The air was moist, carrying the scent of vegetation and earth with a refreshing coolness that quickly dispelled the heat from Blazing Fire Valley.

The middle-aged cultivator shook his waist token, causing the green vines to rise like a curtain. The restriction lifted, revealing the cave abode.

Inside, it was slightly dim but not gloomy, instead giving a sense of deep tranquility.

The cave was deep, with cool, smooth stone walls that felt cold to the touch.

Above, clear mountain spring water seeped through natural cracks, dripping into a small, mirror-smooth stone pool below, the sound clear like jade pendants clinking.

Around the pool grew a ring of moss, clearly planted spiritual flora, emitting faint light and spiritual energy.

The deepest part of the cave was quite spacious, with a flat stone jade bed.

Knowing Ning Zhuo was amiable but had his own mind, the middle-aged cultivator simply introduced, "Fellow Daoist Ning, as you can see, this cave abode is secluded and peaceful, cool and refreshing. The spring dripping into the stone pool is arranged to suit the environment; the sound of dripping water aids in concentration and meditation. The monthly rent is thirty mid-grade spirit stones, quite affordable."

He was prepared for rejection, but to his surprise, Ning Zhuo took a liking to this ordinary cave abode and said directly, "Then I'll take this one."

The middle-aged cultivator was startled, quickly made a record with a jade slip, drew up a contract, and had Ning Zhuo pay three months' rent: "Any excess will be refunded, any shortage topped up. Fellow Daoist Ning, I'll take my leave now."

"Take care." Ning Zhuo saw him out to the cave entrance and stopped.

As the middle-aged cultivator flew away from the small peak, Ning Zhuo remained standing at the entrance, gazing into the distance.

Opposite the small peak was another, taller and more majestic mountain.

On the sun-facing side of that mountain was a small lake, its surface calm and waveless like a jade mirror. Ning Zhuo knew the lake was called Jade Lake. At the bottom of the lake was a cave abode named Jade Rinsing Studio, which had been his mother Meng Yaoyin's abode during her lifetime.

After Meng Yaoyin's death, her soul lamp in the Ten Thousand Images Sect had extinguished. According to sect rules, her belongings, including this cave abode, were to be sealed for a hundred years, awaiting her blood descendants or disciples she might have taken outside.

After a hundred years, the Ten Thousand Images Sect would reclaim the abode.

Of course, this treatment was only for Golden Core True Disciples.

The Buddhist Physician Meng Yaoyin had noted in the jade slip that most of her belongings during her lifetime were in the Jade Rinsing Studio cave abode.

But at the same time, under another name, she had rented a cave abode in the opposite mountain. She had cleverly tunneled through the rock and secretly built a small hidden teleportation array that led directly to Jade Rinsing Studio.

The information jade slip Ning Zhuo purchased clearly stated that as a successor, to inherit the predecessor's cave abode and belongings, one must undergo strict review by the Internal Affairs Hall.

This review process was quite cumbersome and time-consuming.

The successor must prove their identity. Then, the Internal Affairs Hall would transfer the investigation task to the External Affairs Hall. The External Affairs Hall would dispatch cultivators to investigate, who would travel long distances and return the results to the External Affairs Hall. Then, the External Affairs Hall would transfer them back to the Internal Affairs Hall.

Only after the Internal Affairs Hall verified the facts would they begin the process of transferring the assets.

This process alone often took over half a year, not to mention how time-consuming the external investigation could be and what unexpected events might occur.

Understanding this, Ning Zhuo decided to sneak in first and retrieve the assets.

This was to prevent any sudden movement from the Great Serpent Scythe forcing him to immediately burn the remains while he was still waiting for the External Affairs Hall's investigation results.

Ning Zhuo activated the restriction, lowered the vine curtain, completely concealing the cave entrance.

He went deep inside, lifted his clothes, revealed the Ten Thousand Miles Wandering Dragon tied at his waist, and released Sun Lingtong, Qing Chi, and Chef Lao.

Sun Lingtong, who had been bored for a long time, jumped excitedly upon touching solid ground.

Chef Lao, being steady, asked Ning Zhuo for permission and went to another room to start cooking.

Qing Chi stayed by Ning Zhuo's side, watching him.

Ning Zhuo: "Miss Qing Chi, why are you staring at me?"

Qing Chi's eyes sparkled slightly, "It's been a long time since we parted; I've missed you a lot and just want to look at you more."

Though she had lost her memory, she retained her previous direct and frank style.

Ning Zhuo sighed deeply, "Miss Qing Chi, I've already told you the truth—your feelings are just a misunderstanding."

(End of )