Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 484: Chapter 263: Lady Qin (Part 2)

Even the relatives of Immortality Cultivators who can’t practice cultivation themselves have to abide by the rental rules, unless they own the property. But if houses are allocated to these ordinary family members, that means less housing for the Immortality Cultivators. That’s why all three districts operate this way, sending descendants without any cultivation aptitude to the South District. The number who get to stay is negligible.

Even if you’re renting, and even with connections, it’s not easy. The price is exorbitant, not to mention the environment isn’t great. A year’s rent there could buy you a nice house in the South District. Plus, you’ll be subject to occasional inspections. Young man, are you sure you still want to rent a place over there?"

Cheng Zongyang was speechless. He never imagined such a rule existed.

He certainly had no masochistic tendencies. Still, he asked, "Lady Qin, since you have the connections to help someone rent a place there, does that mean you’re from one of those districts?"

’That was the only conclusion he could reach. Lady Qin must be connected to one of the Cultivation Immortality Families or Cultivation Immortality Gangs over there. Otherwise, how could she have the ability to find housing for people in those areas?’

But the moment the words left his mouth, he knew he had spoken too quickly and asked something he shouldn’t have.

Lady Qin gave him a wry smile but didn’t answer. Her attitude, however, grew noticeably colder as she said:

"In the other three districts, ordinary people can only rent single rooms. A single room in the West District costs thirty Spirit Stones a month. The North District is fifty, and the East District is eighty. The difference lies in their Spiritual Qi concentration. Living there is beneficial to an ordinary person’s health.

The West District is the primary area for Loose Cultivators, the North District is where the Cultivation Immortality Gangs congregate, and the East District belongs to the Cultivation Immortality Families.

In the South District, however, buying or renting is no problem at all. So, which do you choose?"

Cheng Zongyang was secretly astounded when he heard this.

’Unbelievable. Thirty, fifty, or eighty Spirit Stones a month for a single room? What ordinary person could possibly afford that?’

’At this rate, he figured there were practically no ordinary people living in those districts. Even the descendants of Cultivation Immortality Families couldn’t afford it unless their family was footing the bill.’

’It was a way to treat everyone "equally" while simultaneously barring almost all ordinary people from living there.’

’This fee... it wasn’t a direct refusal, just another way of keeping ordinary people out. But with rent this high, it was practically the same as an outright ban.’

’Of course, that excluded the few wealthy and powerful ordinary people for whom that amount of Spirit Stones was nothing.’

"Then I’ll buy a place in the South District."

Cheng Zongyang needed a permanent residence, a house that was his own, so he could set up a Teleportation Array. Renting was just too risky.

"Deal." Upon hearing this, Lady Qin broke into a smile, revealing a mature charm.

Her smile momentarily captivated Cheng Zongyang. It was only then that he truly noticed that while Lady Qin might be a bit older, she had the appearance of a woman in her early thirties. Even without a trace of makeup, her features were delicate and her aura was one of graceful elegance—the very picture of a sophisticated lady!

’Tsk, tsk. All of them were bonus points in his book.’

’A pity about her station in life.’

Cheng Zongyang quickly said, "Then I’ll have to trouble you to find one for me, Lady Qin. I don’t have many requirements. First, it needs to be secure. Second, I’d prefer a standalone house with a private courtyard, one protected by an Array."

With each requirement he listed, the smile on Lady Qin’s face grew wider.

This meant more Spirit Stones, and a larger commission for her. Her smile bloomed as she said, "That’s not a problem. Although the South District is crowded and short on housing, we still have top-tier properties available that meet your needs. Young man, which part of the South District are you leaning towards?"

Cheng Zongyang wasn’t sure about that, so he asked, "I’ll have to trouble you to explain the details, Lady Qin."

A faint smile flickered in Lady Qin’s eyes. "There are a few things to consider. In the South District, houses near the city gate are the cheapest, prices are a bit higher in the middle section, and the most expensive are near the Zi’an River. Do you understand why that is, young man?"

After a moment’s thought, Cheng Zongyang ventured a guess based on what he’d seen and heard. "It’s noisy and more chaotic near the city gate, and the environment and scenery improve as you get closer to the Zi’an River?"

Lady Qin, who had a rather good impression of this clever young man, explained patiently:

"You’re not just handsome, you’re clever too, young man. You’re right. But there’s a more important factor: the houses near the Zi’an River are also the closest to the other three districts, which means more opportunities to interact with Cultivators."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly, a look of understanding in his eyes. He continued to listen.

Lady Qin continued, explaining the differences between the properties.

"Properties near the West District have Arrays that are mainly for Defense. Those near the North District are mainly for seclusion. Properties near the East District are focused on Spiritual Qi, and these are also the most expensive. Families with Spirit Stones and descendants who possess a Spirit Bone or Spirit Root will almost always choose to buy a house there."

Hearing the term "Spirit Bone" again, Cheng Zongyang’s curiosity was piqued.

Just yesterday in the market, he’d heard many people mentioning things like Mortal Bone, Mortal Root, Spirit Bone, and Spirit Root. He was familiar with the terms Mortal Root and Spirit Root and knew they were related to Cultivators.

But he had truly never heard of Spirit Bone, and he hadn’t been in a position to ask about it then. Hearing Lady Qin mention it now, he couldn’t help but ask apologetically, "I’m not sure what Mortal Bone and Spirit Bone are. How do they relate to Spirit Root?"

He knew a question like that would only make her more suspicious of his identity, but he had to ask.

So, he quickly added an explanation: "I’m from a small village. Back home, almost no one ever talked about the County Town or matters of Cultivation Immortality, so I’m not very knowledgeable."

At this, Lady Qin’s delicate brows knitted together. "Do you really have the Spirit Stones to buy a house? You’re not just here to waste my time, are you?"

Seeing that her concern was about the Spirit Stones, Cheng Zongyang actually felt a sense of relief. He smiled and said:

"Rest assured. A while ago, a Cultivator passed through my village and took a liking to a family heirloom. He paid a great deal of Spirit Stones for it. That’s why I’ve traveled for several days to get to the County Town, hoping to settle down here."

"How much?" Lady Qin asked reflexively.

Cheng Zongyang was at a loss for words, but he managed to say, "It... should be enough to buy a house."

"The prices for houses near the West District are around three thousand, five thousand for those near the North District, and around eight thousand for the East District. Are you certain that’s enough?" Lady Qin asked, her suspicion returning.

"For a single house?" Cheng Zongyang asked, uncertain.

"What else?" Lady Qin rolled her eyes. "And that’s the starting price. It depends on what other features are included."

’Okay, okay, at least they weren’t pricing by the square foot,’ Cheng Zongyang thought, relieved. ’But he also figured there was no way it could be as predatory as real estate in his past life.’

’Still, the prices were far from low. It was practically impossible for the ordinary people of the South District to ever afford their own home.’

"Then I’ll take something near the East or North District, with two or more bedrooms."

"Deal. But my commission is ten percent of the final price. And don’t you think that’s expensive. The places I, Lady Qin, can find for you are ones no one else can, and they’re the best available. More importantly, I can handle all the paperwork and get you an Identity Token within a single day. Even if you’re not from this county. You should know, it’s virtually impossible for an outsider who isn’t a Cultivator to gain residency in this county."

Lady Qin added the last part with a knowing smile.

Her last words were very tempting to Cheng Zongyang. He couldn’t help but ask, "That’s not a problem. By the way, can you do this for anyone from another county who wants to live here?"

Lady Qin scoffed. "An Identity Token signifies permanent residency. It’s not something just anyone can get. If any random person could come and settle in Zi’an County, it would’ve been packed to the gills long ago.

Non-locals living here—with the exception of Cultivators, who aren’t restricted—are all on temporary status without an Identity Token. They have to register every three months, and there’s a fee each time."

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "So that means you have the connections, Lady Qin. If I have friends who wish to settle here in the future, I wonder if you might be able to help? We’ll follow your rules, of course."

"Heh heh..." Lady Qin covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled. "You catch on quick, young man."

Lady Qin didn’t elaborate on the matter. There was no point in talking more about it; when the time came, it would all depend on whether the "sincerity" offered was sufficient.

Besides, she didn’t pay much mind to Cheng Zongyang’s ignorance about Spirit Bones. Plenty of people knew nothing about the affairs of Cultivators. It was hardly surprising. She leaned back in her chair and began to explain casually:

"There’s a saying that everyone is born with a ’root and bone.’ This refers to two pairs: Mortal Root and Spirit Root, and Mortal Bone and Spirit Bone."

"Some people are born with a Mortal Root Spirit Bone, others with a Mortal Spirit Root, some with a Mortal Root and Mortal Bone, and then there are those with a Spiritual Root and Bone. People with a Mortal Root and Mortal Bone are the most common type of person.

The paths they open, however, are somewhat different.

’Mortal Root’ refers to someone who cannot cultivate and enter the Immortal Dao. ’Mortal Bone’ refers to someone who has no Talent for Martial Arts Training;

Having a Spirit Root means you have an affinity for the Immortal Dao. You can cultivate directly through Cultivation Techniques without needing to use Martial Arts to enter the Dao;

Having a Spirit Bone means you can practice Martial Arts and follow the Martial Dao. Through it, you can Promote to the Extraordinary realm and step onto the Immortal Dao."