Chapter 696 - 549: Grotto Mansion Rental

In the jade token with a verdant hue, there is a red clover pattern, with two five-pointed stars of the same color situated on either side of the clover.

When the jade token makes physical contact with Ji An, the pattern emits a red glow.

When the direct physical contact ceases, the pattern disappears completely, leaving no trace.

Ji An played with the jade token for a moment and then put it away, asking:

"Fellow Daoist, how can I obtain the pill formula for the Spirit Rhinoceros Quenching Essence Pill?"

The Spirit Rhinoceros Quenching Essence Pill is a Golden Core Stage pill auctioned by the sect, and he felt its effects were quite good.

Feiyun Zhenren pondered and said:

"Fellow Daoist needs to take on a task from the association. Upon completing the task, in addition to the originally agreed remuneration, you can earn Contribution Points.

Contribution Points can be used to purchase pill formulas. You need to sign an agreement to not disclose it to third parties. Contribution Points obtained through alchemy can only be exchanged for pill formulas or spirit medicine."

Ji An nodded slowly, thinking it was similar to the talisman maker’s rules, likely using the same template.

Feiyun Zhenren transmitted a voice message:

"Fellow Daoist, the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire has condensed into fire seeds, probably more than one. If you still have any in your possession, you can sell them to me, and you can name your terms."

Her family background was very good, with a great-grandfather at the Nascent Soul Stage, and she lacked ordinary resources, but luck was not on her side. She had never obtained something as rare as Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire.

In her view, for an alchemist, not having Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire was an incomplete life.

So she never missed any opportunity to obtain Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire. Just like now, she knew there was a ninety-nine percent chance it wouldn’t come to fruition, but she shamelessly voiced her hopes.

Ji An showed an apologetic expression, sending a voice message:

"I can’t help you with that."

Feiyun Zhenren showed a disappointed expression and sighed softly.

The significance of Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire was too great. In today’s alchemy process, there were still quite a few flaws, with some materials being handled very roughly during the extraction of Spirit Medicine Divine Essence.

Normally, such actions could never produce a high-quality Golden Core Pill, yet the counterpart successfully did just that.

This was the role of Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire, serving as an endless financial source for alchemists. Spending ten thousand top-grade Spirit Stones was worth it, at least in her opinion.

After a bit more conversation, Ji An took his leave and nodded towards Zhang Jun, who was waiting, asking:

"Is it still possible to rent a Grotto Mansion?"

"Still possible."

...

After Ji An left, the Golden Core Cultivators in the room started a heated discussion.

"The high-quality Golden Core Pill refined with Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire, wonder how many spirit stones it could fetch at auction!"

"I reckon about one thousand three to four hundred top-grade Spirit Stones, hehe, we could make a small profit."

Feiyun Zhenren mildly shook her head; others might not fully understand the significance of Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire.

Compared to high-quality Golden Core Pills refined with Pill Fire, this one can help a cultivator increase their chance of breaking through to the Golden Core Stage by half a percent.

Moreover, its ample medicinal power allows the cultivator to face the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation more calmly.

Not only that, but it also possesses a trace of mysterious properties in the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire, greatly beneficial for long-term consumption during cultivation.

In the eyes of knowledgeable cultivators, this pill’s price could easily reach one thousand seven to eight hundred top-grade Spirit Stones.

...

In the attic of the rental management office, Ding Yuzhen glanced at the sky outside the main hall, instructing:

"Everyone can leave now."

As soon as her voice fell, a shadow flashed into the main hall, and the gentle light from one Luminous Bead on the wall turned into a bright, blazing white.

Ji An smiled amiably, saying:

"Made it in time to rent a Tier Three Middle Grade Grotto Mansion."

Just now, after considering for some time, he decided to compromise and rent a Tier Three Middle Grade Grotto Mansion.

Due to the characteristics of the Gathering Essence Tree, he would stay in the Little World for cultivation in the future, so renting a Top-grade Grotto Mansion seemed wasteful.

To ensure that the Stone Turtle could absorb enough Spiritual Mechanism, opting for a Lower Grade Grotto Mansion seemed too stingy.

In Red Flame Peak, the Stone Turtle could absorb eight kinds of Spiritual Mechanisms, and the quantity was almost the same.

But in other regions, the distribution of absorbed Spiritual Mechanisms by the Stone Turtle was uneven, with some being significantly less.

This aspect pained Ji An the most, as leaving the sect meant losing much Spiritual Mechanism, and he wondered if he could encounter such a treasure land as Red Flame Peak again.

Ding Yuzhen hurried forward with a smile, saying:

"It looks like Senior has completed the authentication, please present your jade token."

Spending just one afternoon to complete the authentication indicated that he didn’t spend much time passing the assessment.

Ji An handed over two jade tokens, and as the bright light inside caught Ding Yuzhen’s eyes, her eyes widened slightly.

She picked up the jade tokens, and the brilliance inside quickly dimmed, proving their authenticity.

She quickly made calculations in her mind, speaking softly:

"Senior, the annual rent for a Tier Three Middle Grade Grotto Mansion is four hundred and fifty top-grade Spirit Stones.

You have a Tier Three Four-Star Talisman Maker Jade Token, which grants a yearly discount of eleven top-grade Spirit Stones; moreover, with a Tier Three Two-Star Alchemist Legacy, you receive an additional discount of seven top-grade Spirit Stones annually.

Thus, your yearly rent is four hundred and thirty-two top-grade Spirit Stones.

Additionally, a deposit of one hundred top-grade Spirit Stones is required to seal the agreement."

The Luminous Bead’s glow indicated that the counterpart’s cultivation level is at the Early-stage Golden Core, which was impressive for someone who managed to become a Tier Three Four-Star Talisman Maker, signifying a very skilled artisan.

Zhang Jun listened from the side, increasingly shocked in his heart. Being both a Tier Three Alchemist and Talisman Maker, such a cultivator must be notably wealthy.

Ji An readily paid the spirit stones and signed the agreement.

Then, he selected his grotto mansion from a magical artifact resembling the Sect’s Map of Mountains and Rivers.

He chose a secluded spot, a Stone Mountain with a thriving Earth Lung Fire Vein, and opened ten acres of Tier Three Lower Grade Spirit Field at the entrance.

Under the moonlight, Ding Yuzhen led Ji An and Zhang Jun to the entrance of the respective grotto mansion, pointing to the woods outside:

"This Spirit Field can be used by Senior himself or rented out, and the Spirit Wood was planted by the Business Alliance. I will send someone to chop it down tomorrow."

She formed a seal to open the Dharma Prohibition and said:

"Senior can check the environment inside."

Ji An didn’t stand on ceremony and carefully inspected it.

Many rooms were opened here, including an Earth Fire Chamber, Beast Taming Chamber, Small Medicinal Garden, etc., and it was very complete.

The Small Medicinal Garden was only half an acre in size, with a finger-thick spring hole on the rock wall, dripping Spirit Water.

A pool built with black stones lay below, where drops of water created a void spirit sound as they fell.

"Not bad, it’s very clean inside, and the concentration of spiritual energy is very satisfying."

"As long as Senior is happy, please keep this Jade Token for controlling the magic array of the grotto mansion.

If any issues arise within the grotto mansion in the future, you can come to the rental office to find me to resolve them."

"Alright, tomorrow when you chop down the Spirit Wood, there’s no need to seek my consent again; I’ll disable the Dharma Prohibition over the Spirit Field outside."

"Understood," after completing the handover, Ding Yuzhen swiftly left.

Ji An took out a piece of Middle-grade Spirit Stone and handed it to the broker. "Guide me again at 7:00 AM the day after tomorrow."

He planned to rest well for two days before starting to integrate into this Immortal City. If this cultivator could fulfill his duties wholeheartedly, he would hire him as his long-term ears and eyes.

"Understood!"

Zhang Jun beamed, as this is what brokers hope for the most—meeting a generous patron.

...

The next day, Ji An woke from sleep, stretched comfortably after sitting up.

He sank his mind into the dantian and connected with the Upper Stone Turtle, and clear words surfaced in his Sea of Consciousness.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: 0]

[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 8635.9, Gen Spirit 92965.4, Zhen Spirit 34124.6, Xun Spirit 246.6, Kun Spirit 38792.8, Qian Spirit 72962.7, Dui Spirit 62885.7, Li Spirit 672.8]

He meticulously compared the changes in Spiritual Mechanism numbers and concluded:

’The Tier Three Middle Grade grotto mansion increases the Gen, Kun, and Li Spiritual Mechanisms the most, while the others are 60% to 70% less, with Qian, Kan, and Zhen being scant.’

Fortunately, the Little World could still provide the eight kinds of Spiritual Mechanism, otherwise life would be hard.

Ji An comforted himself silently and continued reading.

[Magic Technique: Spirit Sealing Technique (Perfection 46%)

Spirit Roar (Perfection 3%)

Silk Thread Spell (Perfection 1%)

Yi Wood God Thunder (Perfection 64%)

Melt Gold Divine Fire Technique (Perfection 53%)

Yi Wood Spirit Stealing Skill (Great Success 42%)]

In recent years, the three Planting Techniques have successively reached the Great Perfection Level, which pleases Ji An the most.

The Magic Intent duration of Planting Techniques has reached fifteen days, allowing him to complete the planting with just two rounds of work a month, making life increasingly comfortable.

After Melt Gold Divine Fire Technique reached the Perfection Level, he would devote time daily to cultivating the Primordial Life Fire, enhancing the efficiency of nurturing magical treasures.

The reason those who entered the Golden Core Stage years ago are powerful is that their Lifebound Magical Treasures are strong.

Ji An relies on the high proficiency of the Melt Gold Divine Fire Technique, enabling faster cultivation of the Primordial Life Fire.

In future cultivation, he will focus on mastering Yi Wood God Thunder, Melt Gold Divine Fire Technique, and Yi Wood Spirit Stealing Skill.

Especially the Melt Gold Divine Fire Technique, the sooner it reaches the Great Perfection Level, the better.

The Yi Wood Spirit Stealing Skill is best used when exploring in the wild, and condensing the Wood Element Spiritual Fiend can nurture the Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner.

Ji An fetched a pot of Spiritual Spring Water from the pool in the Medicinal Garden and lit the Wind Furnace to boil it.

He also extracted Honey Osmanthus Cake and roasted Pine Nuts from the Grotto Void Stone—food prepared in the Little World.

Once the water boiled, he brewed Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea, drinking and eating while contemplating the next steps in his plan.

Improving cultivation is the top priority. Apart from this, he needs to prepare for entering the Five Elements Sect ruins.

Currently, his cultivation is at the Second-Layer Golden Core. He aims to advance to Mid-stage Golden Core before the ruins open.

With a hundred years of preparation time, although he is unsure of breaking through to the Mid-stage Golden Core in the Western Continent, he is somewhat confident in the resource-rich Central Continent.

Since he intends to enter the ruins, he must prepare items for Magical Combat.

Ji An plans to seek a place where celestial thunder frequently falls, to refine the Earth-Departing Flame Banner and Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner to the Magical Treasure level.

These two spiritual artifacts have undergone a Golden Core Thunder Tribulation, and theoretically, it should be easier to refine them into magical treasures.

Additionally, he needs to learn some defensive magic techniques, preferably ones related to the Earth and Metal Elements since their Spiritual Mechanisms are the most abundant.