Chapter 208: Looking for a Cave-dwelling

Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Looking for a Cave-dwelling

’Why is Zong Ziqi at the Black Market?’

Jiang Xu watched Zong Ziqi’s retreating figure but didn’t give it much thought.

Maybe, like Jiang Xu, he couldn’t find what he needed in the regular markets and had to come here.

The Black Market in the Demon Communication Workshop actually existed with the tacit approval of three major players, including the Duo Bao Pavilion. It was just something they couldn’t openly support.

After all, most of the goods on the Black Market were shady. If they openly supported its existence, it would be a bad look for everyone involved.

During the day, the area that became the Black Market at night was just a normal street lined with shops, where pedestrians came and went, buying all sorts of things.

But at night, all the original shops on the street would close, replaced by temporary stalls and small huts shrouded by cloth curtains.

At night, the Black Market was dim and mysterious, with only scattered lanterns or Magical Artifacts emitting a faint glow, illuminating the precious goods.

An Array also activated to envelop and conceal the Black Market. Only those with the right to trade there could enter.

Due to the Black Market’s unique nature, there was little to no official oversight. This meant that order was maintained solely through the deterrence of its own management.

For certain desperadoes, however, such deterrence meant little. They lurked within the Black Market, targeting buyers and stall owners alike, waiting for an opportunity to strike the moment a weakness was exposed.

So, while you could find rare or cheap resources in the Black Market, it always came with a certain degree of risk.

Resources for a Body Cultivator weren’t easy to acquire through normal channels. Jiang Xu figured Zong Ziqi was hoping to try his luck in the Black Market.

Since they had already parted ways and agreed to meet again in seven days, Jiang Xu felt he shouldn’t meddle in Zong Ziqi’s business—just as he didn’t want Zong Ziqi to know what he himself had purchased.

So, Jiang Xu acted as if he hadn’t seen anything and dismissed the thought of entering the Black Market himself.

Leaving the Black Market’s vicinity, Jiang Xu decided to find an inn to stay at for a while.

As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Jiang Xu’s body had been so thoroughly transformed that he could go a full year without sleep and suffer no ill effects. Still, out of habit, he preferred finding an inn to rest.

After Jiang Xu reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, his body’s efficiency in using Spiritual Qi had already surpassed the Qi Cultivation Stage.

Now, Jiang Xu had achieved complete Fasting. His body’s energy needs could be met entirely by Spiritual Qi.

He could survive for years, even decades, by simply refining Spiritual Qi, no food required. In fact, eating common grains would now hinder his Cultivation.

However, this required Gathering Qi and Nourishing Spirit by meditating to absorb and refine Spiritual Qi. And one certainly couldn’t just find a random spot in the Marketplace to meditate; a relatively safe place was necessary.

Jiang Xu searched the Marketplace for a good while, only to find there were no inns to be found.

After asking around, he discovered this place was a clear cut above the Purple Profound Celestial Marketplace.

There were no inns here, only Cave Mansions.

In the Demon Communication Workshop, there was a small Spirit Vein open to the public. The Spirit Vein had rich Spiritual Qi, and many Cave Mansions were carved out on it. These Cave Mansions, like those at the Profound Origin Sect, were divided into multiple levels.

Cultivators in the Qi Cultivation Realm were restricted to Yellow Level Cave Mansions, while Foundation Establishment Cultivators qualified for the Profound Level.

Higher-level Cave Mansions not only had more abundant Spiritual Qi but were also fully furnished and boasted stronger defenses.

The only catch was that the daily rent for such a Cave Mansion was exorbitant.

Even for the lowest-grade Yellow Level Cave Mansion, it still cost 10 Spirit Stones per day.

As for the Mystic-level Cave Mansion suitable for Jiang Xu, it cost 30 Spirit Stones per day.

For most cultivators, this kind of Cave Mansion was too expensive. Only when attempting a Realm Breakthrough, to ensure they wouldn’t be disturbed or to increase their chances of success, would they rent one for a few days.

Today, however, Jiang Xu planned to rent a Cave Mansion to give it a try.

Jiang Xu had just purchased two new Tier Two Techniques. If he wanted to practice them, he couldn’t do it inside the Marketplace—the commotion would be too great and would attract the attention of the patrols. He would have to go outside the Marketplace.

But that would mean paying the entrance fee all over again, not to mention making it easier for others to track him.

Besides, Jiang Xu also needed to test the effects of his Spiritual Materials, which required a private and secure environment.

However, Jiang Xu only planned to rent it for one day, not long-term.

Even though Jiang Xu had plenty of Spirit Stones on hand, there would be many more expenses to come. He wasn’t about to waste them for no reason.

Moreover, Jiang Xu had discovered that while he could still refine his Magical Power to increase its volume, he couldn’t break through his current Realm. He simply didn’t have a Cultivation Technique for the subsequent stage.

As long as Jiang Xu lacked a higher-level Cultivation Technique, he would remain stuck at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, even if he rented a Celestial-level Cave Mansion for several years.

The Cangmu Skill could only take a cultivator to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage at best. Even though his mastery of it had reached the Perfect Level, Jiang Xu found it still couldn’t overcome its inherent limitations.

Jiang Xu had thought the Cangmu Skill might undergo some new transformation after he perfected it, but he felt the chances of it evolving to grant access to a new Realm were slim.

’Finding a new Cultivation Technique is such a pain. The best would be one of those get-it-done-once-and-for-all types, something that could take me straight to the Golden Core Realm, or even the Nascent Soul Realm. That would be ideal.’

...

Jiang Xu arrived before the door of the Cave Mansion he had rented.

Recalling the surprised look in the Steward’s eyes just now, he felt a wave of annoyance.

’That guy has probably never seen a Foundation Establishment Cultivator rent a place for just one day.’

’After all, who at the Foundation Establishment Realm takes less than a week or two for a breakthrough?’

’And for regular Cultivation?’

’Who comes here for regular Cultivation?!’

’Got so many Spirit Stones you’re just burning them for fun?’

’Look down on me, huh? Just you wait. When I’m rich, I’ll buy this whole place. And you know what? I won’t stay a single day. I’ll just let it sit here, empty!’

Jiang Xu took out the Cave Mansion’s Array Token that the Steward had given him. On it was written "Mystic-73".

This cluster of Cave Mansions was quite large, with several hundred in total. The Mystic-level Cave Mansions alone numbered around ninety.

Jiang Xu’s luck was pretty good. It wasn’t peak season, so plenty of Cave Mansions were available. He was able to get one and move in almost immediately.

As soon as the Token was taken out, Jiang Xu aimed it at the Array on the Cave Mansion. A ray of Spiritual Light shot out from the Token and hit the protective shield outside the Cave Mansion. Immediately, the shield melted away, forming a "door" tall enough for a person.

The Cave Mansion looked quite large from the outside. Jiang Xu scanned it with his Divine Sense combined with the Spiritual Eye Technique. After finding no other mechanisms, he walked straight in.