Translator: 549690339 |

This time, Bu Chan was determined to make a delicious meal no matter what.

Wang Ba didn’t oppose it, he casually sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to a cultivator surnamed Yan, planning to invite him over as well.

Unfortunately, it seemed like he had gone to some other base, which was too far away for the Sound Transmission Talisman to reach.

Wang Ba didn’t feel any regret. The reason he had invited him was because the latter had invited him to his Foundation Establishment feast. It was a good opportunity to strengthen their ties.

But since he couldn’t invite him, he simply enjoyed the duo’s world with Bu Chan.

Delicious food and wine, pleasing to the eyes and the ears.

A soft blush rose on Bu Chan’s cheeks.

Her eyes were brimming with a fiery passion.

Even though she was exhausted, she couldn’t help herself in that moment.

In the blink of an eye, the small wooden house began to shake again.

A few days later.

Lingshui Courtyard.

Wang Ba, rubbing his sore waist, took out the Spirit Chicken Essence and a small amount of Spirit Turtle Essence.

He couldn’t help but sigh:

“It’s such a waste of time, these few days were completely wasted.”

“I must not do this again next time.”

After sighing, he closed his eyes and began to consume the Spirit Chicken Essence.

After a while, he opened his eyes with a slight frown.

He looked at the Spirit Chicken Essence, then involuntarily glanced at the Spirit Gathering Array in the room.

“It seems that the density and quality of Spiritual Energy in Class I Cultivation Room can’t keep up with me anymore…”

Now as he stepped into the Foundation Establishment Stage, he could still draw and refine Mana from Class I Spiritual Energy, though it was rather difficult.

But the speed was too touching.

With this speed, he feared that he would only be able to refine a drop of Mana after half a day.

The Spirit Chicken Essence didn’t contain as much dense spiritual energy as he had once felt. He had even eaten ten spoonfuls in a row, and it didn’t feel as fulfilling as having just one spoonful before.

Of course, it wasn’t that the amount of Spiritual Energy in the Spirit Chicken Essence had decreased, but rather his demand for Spiritual Energy, both in terms of quality and quantity, had greatly increased.

So the Spirit Chicken Essence was still usable, he could make up for the lack of quality with quantity. If he generously nurtures it, he could obtain a considerable amount of Spirit Chicken Essence.

But the Lingshui Courtyard here couldn’t meet his needs anymore. It was a waste to use it and a pity to abandon it.

After all, consuming nearly a hundred Spirit Stones here every month was indeed a bit of a waste.

After thinking about it, he didn’t hesitate much he went to find the deacon here, processed the lease termination procedures, and retrieved the remaining Spirit Stones and deposit.

The deacon in charge here, Deacon Hao, had been transferred to another base not too long ago.

The current deacon was a fresh face.

But he was just a Qi Refining cultivator. Even though he was from within the Church, he was shocked to clearly feel the pressure of Foundation Establishment from Wang Ba. Besides the shock, he immediately processed Wang Ba’s procedures.

Furthermore, knowing that Wang Ba needed a Cultivation cave with Class II Spiritual Lineage, he especially pointed out the direction for Wang Ba:

“Most of the spiritual veins in the East Saint base have been gathered behind the old mountain gate. Around this area, only ‘Linggu House’ has Class II houses, but almost all of them have been rented out.”

“If you go, you can take my token, and they will definitely arrange it for you.”

“That would be very kind of you.”

“Oh, no, you’re flattering me!”

Wang Ba habitually prepared to give a few Spirit Stones to the other party, but was refused in alarm.

Only then did he realize that as a Foundation Establishment Competitor, he didn’t need to please an ordinary Qi Refining deacon, who would already have taken care of all your matters obediently.

Nevertheless, he still stuffed the Spirit Stones to the deacon.

Pressuring others with cultivation base might feel good, but it wasn’t his style.

The ordinary deacon was immediately shocked and overwhelmed.

In fact, once the Heresy Cultivator reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage, they are no different from the cultivators within the Tianmen Cult.

After all, Foundation Establishment Competitors basically rely on accumulating merits, enduring tasks, and conscriptions to advance.

After satisfying two mandatory conscriptions, and possessing enough merits, one can easily become a Tianmen Cult cultivator.

And for a Qi Refining deacon, who handles these trivial matters, he basically belongs to the unpopular type within the Church.

As for Wang Ba’s goodwill, he was naturally shocked and flattered.

After hesitating for a while, the ordinary deacon voiced out:

“Senior, if you go to Linggu House to choose a house, try to choose one closer to the north side. The quality of the spiritual energy there is higher compared to the south side. Although it isn’t too obvious, over time, you will be able to feel the difference.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ba was slightly startled, then nodded: “Thanks for the information.”

Having said this, he left the Lingshui Courtyard management office.

He quickly rushed to where Linggu House was located, which was originally occupied by the West Garden market.

After a short flight, he couldn’t help but stop in front of a ruined and dilapidated villa.

Even though the walls of the houses had collapsed, each brick and tile seemed faintly familiar.

This place was once known as Ding 87 Villa, the place he settled in after being accepted into the East Saint Sect, the start of his cultivation journey.

However, unconsciously or intentionally, Wang Ba hadn’t returned here since that drastic change in the East Saint Sect one night.

Now, revisiting this place after more than a decade, his heart was filled with a slight nostalgia.

Yet, this nostalgia only lingered for a moment before he moved on, flying into the nearby Linggu House.

True to its name, Linggu House was a medium-sized mansion nestled within a valley.

It was vaguely divided into three areas: some buildings were densely packed and small, some were spaciously magnificent, and some were just right.

However, it was nowhere near the scale of Shidong House, Mulou House, or Lingshui Courtyard.

The deacon of Linggu House, also a Qi Refining cultivator, immediately greeted Wang Ba with respect when he perceived the clear aura of Foundation Establishment emanating from him.

“Does senior have any instructions for coming here?”

Wang Ba, becoming more accustomed to the respectful attitude displayed by Qi Refining cultivators, stated his request.

“Regarding the immortal caves here, we have three levels. The first level requires 8 middle-grade Spirit Stones per month, the second level 6, and the third level 4.”

Said the deacon.

Upon hearing the price, Wang Ba frowned slightly.

The sales of his Spirit Chickens had been sluggish in recent years, whereas the spirit field operated by Bu Chan was thriving thanks to the excellent cultivation of two first-grade top-grade spiri rice, leading to a steady growth in sales every year. Last year, it even earned him twenty to thirty middle-grade Spirit Stones.

Presently, it wasn’t Wang Ba supporting Bu Chan but the other way around.

However, even the relatively abundant Spirit Stones earned by Bu Chan wouldn’t hold out against the exorbitant rent in Linggu House.

After considering, Wang Ba, left with no other option, asked: “What’s the difference between these three levels?”

“To answer senior’s question, all three have Class II lower-grade Spiritual Energy, the only difference lies in the concentration and cultivation environment.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ba no longer hesitated, “I will take the third level then.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Qi Refining deacon hastily replied, “Will senior be paying monthly or annually…”

“Monthly payment.”

Said Wang Ba reluctantly.

In times of hardship, compromises need to be made.

“Very well, I need senior to pay a deposit and the rent for the first month, a total of 4 middle-grade Spirit Stones.”

“Huh?”

Wang Ba was taken aback, “Four stones?”

Wasn’t it supposed to be eight?

“Correct, it’s four middle-grade Spirit Stones. You are a Foundation Establishment competitor and thus, unlike the ordinary Heresy Cultivators who pay as per the market price. We are offering you our internal price.”

The Qi Refining cultivator spoke with a full smile.

Market price, internal price…

Upon hearing these words, Wang Ba subconsciously seemed to understand.

Obviously, the so-called market price was the price at which the Tianmen Cult exploited the Heresy Cultivators.

The rent was directly doubled.

The internal price, on the other hand, was the normal price for cultivators within the Tianmen Cult.

In this case, the price of Lingshui Courtyard was likely inflated as well.

But the Heresy Cultivators had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept.

Thinking of this, Wang Ba couldn’t help but marvel at the subtlety of those who designed this system in Tianmen Cult, and how they subtly manipulated people’s minds.

The Heresy Cultivators, even if they had grievances against the Tianmen Cult, would immediately become beneficiaries of vested interests upon reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, and naturally stand on the side of the Tianmen Cult.

And those who failed to reach Foundation Establishment, no matter how discontent they were, couldn’t make any waves.

They exploited the Heresy Cultivators to the fullest, yet ensured that those who become Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn’t hold grudges and smoothly become the new blood of the Tianmen Cult.

This was indeed the best of both worlds.

Of course, the will of the Heresy Cultivators wasn’t considered.

The Qi refining deacon soon processed the paperwork for Wang Ba, and then led him to select a room.

There were very few rooms left, so Wang Ba randomly chose a house facing north.

It only had one room.

Its name: Winter House, Room 7.

He casually gave a few Spirit Stones to the other party who, out of surprise and fear, gratefully thanked and left.

Afterwards, Wang Ba felt as though the spiritual energy in the room had become slightly denser. Perhaps it was just his imagination.

Such changes were hard to notice.

Wang Ba took it as a figment of his imagination, and soon after, he began his official cultivation while sitting in the room.