Spotting their Crimson Bands, his eyes lit up with sudden realization. He turned to Han Cai and elaborated, "Ah, so you esteemed Cultivators plan on a long-term stay! The process is straightforward. You see that structure on Fairy Saint Mountain? If you wish to cultivate, you need to rent a building there. I've heard from fellow Cultivators that a natural spirit vein runs through Fairy Saint Mountain. The higher the building, the richer the Spiritual Qi. Of course, the cost increases accordingly. If you'd rather not rent and prefer a private cave dwelling instead, the expense will be much greater than renting an ordinary residence! Moreover, whether it's a building or a cave, there's a fee due every hundred years. Failure to pay will result in the Prairie Palace reclaiming the property by force."
Han Cai, showing interest, asked, "So, if I have sufficient spirit stones, I could rent a cultivation spot at the highest point?"
Reed Blossom shook his head fervently, responding with an embarrassed grin, "Cultivator, you're kidding, of course. That's not how it works. Each circle of buildings on Fairy Saint Mountain is deemed a layer, amounting to eighty-one layers in total. The first fifty layers are accessible to foreign cultivators for rental, provided they have enough spirit stones. The last thirty layers are reserved for Prairie Palace elders. The very top layer is home to the two Lord Fairy Saints of the Fairy Saint Palace, off-limits to all others."
After a moment's consideration, Han Cai decisively said, "Alright, lead the way! Securing a residence takes priority over everything else."
"Certainly, as per your command, Cultivator. You should head towards the mountain base. The structures there handle these matters."
As he finished speaking, Yongnian, using his Qi, lifted Han Cai and the man, heading towards the massive mountain in the distance.
While the mountain appeared close, it took a brisk quarter-hour flight to reach its base. Guided by Reed Blossom, they landed in front of a grand pavilion.
The area buzzed with activity, as various cultivators either touched down or took off, creating a spectacle of light flashes. After scanning the surroundings, Han Cai led Yongnian and Reed Blossom into the lofty pavilion.
Once inside, Han Cai noticed about a dozen cultivators. Six of them were engaged in discussions with cultivators clad in white, each seated separately at stone desks. The white-clad cultivators seemed rather desolate, with two even pleading pitifully. The scene was quite intriguing, as each cultivator displayed a unique expression.
Han Cai observed the scene quietly.
"Esteemed Cultivator, there's an unoccupied desk over there. Shall we proceed?" Reed Blossom politely suggested after a short while. Han Cai, glancing at the recently vacated stone desk, nodded his approval.
However, as Yongnian led the way this time, Reed Blossom looked slightly confused, having assumed Han Cai to be the master.
"Respected Senior, do you wish to rent a dwelling on Fairy Saint Mountain? The higher the layer, the steeper the price!" The Prairie Palace cultivator scrutinized Yongnian briefly before speaking respectfully.
Apparently, they had a way to discern that Yongnian was a high-level cultivator, which was why Han Cai had asked Yongnian to lead.
"I am interested in a cave dwelling. Are there any available? The higher the layer, the better!" Yongnian stated matter-of-factly.
"Cave dwelling? Senior, you are indeed affluent. Allow me to check." The white-clad cultivator, taken aback by Yongnian's authoritative tone, quickly fetched a jade slip to look through.
"We have availability! There are three caves on the forty-first layer, four caves on the forty-third layer, and two caves on the forty-seventh layer. Here are the prices, floor plans, and features of each cave dwelling." The white-clad cultivator then laid out several jade slips onto the stone table.
Yongnian casually picked up the jade slips and scrutinized them using his spiritual sense.
Han Cai had thought that, given his ample spirit stones and his relative wealth among cultivators, he would be able to afford a cave dwelling. However, on seeing the prices, he felt as though he was being daylight robbed. He could still bear the cost, but what about the others?
The cost of a cave dwelling on the forty-first layer was enough to give Han Cai a jolt, let alone one on the forty-seventh layer. Moreover, these prices were for just a hundred years of occupancy. The price skyrocketed to an exorbitant three hundred thousand spirit stones, an amount that was truly mind-boggling!
Observing Yongnian's silence, the cultivator seemed to anticipate his thoughts. He cheerfully explained, "Honored Senior, we may not claim Fairy Saint Mountain's spirit vein to be the absolute best in Emerald Wind Grassland, but it is indisputably within the top five. Cultivating at the base of Fairy Saint Mountain yields significantly faster results than the prime spot at a standard spirit vein. And above the thirtieth layer, cultivation speeds are enhanced by an entire quarter. So, the high cost is entirely justified!"
Han Cai merely rolled his eyes in response and asked Yongnian to review the jade slips once more.
"This one, please!" Under Han Cai's direction, Yongnian returned the jade slips, pointing out a particularly impressive cave dwelling on the forty-first layer.
Seeing that Yongnian intended to lease an expensive cave dwelling, the white-clothed cultivator quickly replied with enthusiasm, "Understood, that will be two hundred and fifty thousand seven hundred spirit stones!"
Yongnian nodded, handing the cultivator a storage ring.
"Here is your authority medallion for the cave dwelling. It grants you free access to the cave dwelling, but it will be invalidated after a hundred years. Please, guard it with care." After receiving the spirit stones, he produced a yellow medallion and presented it to Yongnian.
Yongnian, without a word, received the medallion, turned around, and exited the building. Han Cai and Reed Blossom, who had been holding their breath, followed closely behind him.
"Such a staggering price! It cost that many spirit stones just to secure a cultivation spot." Upon stepping out of the pavilion, Han Cai let out a long sigh before murmuring to himself. While he wasn't short on funds, he disliked unnecessary expenditure.
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We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure.
If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters.
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