Shen Ping felt a deep sense of fulfillment. Being able to reach the breakthrough conditions so quickly was the result of his daily diligent cultivation and the countless nourishing ingredients and supplements he had consumed.
Yet, the moment he looked at the cramped room, this sense of achievement vanished without a trace.
Life was so barren. What was there to be proud of?
He took a deep breath and walked into the partition.
Calming his mind, he set to work crafting talismans... and thus began his fulfilling yet monotonous daily routine.
Because his metal-and-wood dual spiritual roots had upgraded to the middle grade, he now had to set aside extra time each day for seated meditation and cultivation, on top of talisman crafting, dual cultivation, and suppressing the toxins in his body. His already scarce time suddenly became extremely tight.
Consequently, Shen Ping moved one of his afternoon exercise sessions to the night, which meant that after every bout of intimacy, he only had the time to rest for half a cup of tea before he had to resume.
"Once the toxins in my body are purged, I'll be able to save an hour and a half every day."
Shen Ping gritted his teeth and pressed on.
In truth, if he were to give up resting past midnight, his schedule would still be quite flexible. But considering the mental state of his wives and concubines, he dismissed the thought.
Draining the pond to catch fish would only ruin the ecosystem.
Days passed by, one after another. His talisman-crafting experience and metal-and-wood dual spiritual roots continued to improve at a slow pace.
Since the death of that bandit cultivator, the alleys near Redstone River had seen no further incidents, and everyone's lives gradually returned to their former peace.
In mid-June.
A large flying boat belonging to the Jinyang Sect hovered in the sky above the edge of the Cultivation Market. A massive number of cultivators poured off it in a single file; these were recruits gathered from the markets, cultivation clans, and cultivation cities located within the main sect's territory.
Back then, Shen Ping had boarded just such a flying boat to arrive at Yunshan Marsh.
Twenty years of pioneering cultivation.
This region had gradually come under the control of the Jinyang Sect, and almost every five or ten years, several batches of cultivators would be transported here from the main sect.
Naturally, over eighty percent of those who came to Yunshan Marsh were ordinary in aptitude with no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment, just like Shen Ping. The remaining twenty percent either had ambitions to carve out a world of their own, or had come seeking opportunities or wishing to establish a cultivation clan for future development.
The next afternoon.
While Shen Ping was crafting talismans in the partition, he heard a voice imbued with formidable spiritual power echoing from outside.
"I am a Jinyang Sect deacon!"
"Everyone staying inside your houses, come out and show your faces!"
Swish, swish.
The rows of houses in Red Willow Alley swung open one after another.
Shen Ping also stepped out of his doorway, his gaze landing on the Jinyang Sect outer sect deacon not far away. Following closely behind the deacon was a squad of patrol cultivators; anyone capable of serving as a market patrol needed to be at least at the 7th Layer of Qi Refining and possess formidable combat prowess.
After a moment, judging that presumably everyone had come out, the Jinyang Sect deacon spoke. "Starting today, the annual rental fee for properties in Red Willow Alley is increased to fifty low-grade spiritual stones. Those who are short must quickly go to the Market Deacon Hall to make up the difference. For those who have already paid their rent several years in advance, the subsequent deductions will be made based on this new increased price."
"You have a time limit of half a month."
"No late payments will be accepted."
With that, the Jinyang Sect deacon led the patrols to inspect the houses as they walked toward the next alley.
As soon as they left, Yu Yan immediately complained, "That's just too ruthless! Raising it by this much all at once, and Red Willow Alley isn't even next to the main thoroughfare! Half a medium-grade spiritual stone—are they trying to starve us to death?"
Cultivators nearby echoed her sentiments.
"Indeed, it's more than doubled, practically catching up to the alleys near the main thoroughfare."
"Life is going to be even harder from now on!"
"Sigh, this was bound to happen sooner or later. A large-scale flame gold vein was discovered in Yunshan Marsh. Once word gets out, even more cultivators will come swarming in. In other regions, a single vein can sustain tens of thousands of cultivators!"
"Yesterday's batch of cultivators was just the beginning. From now on, there will only be more and more."
Listening to these discussions, Shen Ping furrowed his brow into a deep frown.
If it were a little over a year ago, he would have packed up and moved without a second thought, as he could never afford fifty low-grade spiritual stones a year. But now, this mere expense could be earned with just four protection talismans. Even so, it still filled him with worry.
Because there would be many more cultivators in the market from now on.
And once cultivators became numerous, chaos would inevitably ensue.
Red Willow Alley belonged to the outer perimeter of the market. Even with the rent raised to fifty, the Jinyang Sect would not increase the number of patrols to guard this place.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, would you like to go together to pay the rent?"
At this moment, Yu Yan from next door called out an invitation.
Shen Ping snapped out of his thoughts and nodded quickly. Every time he went out, it felt like a trial of life and death; having a female cultivator at the 5th Layer of Qi Refining like Yu Yan to accompany him made his sense of security soar.
He immediately went back inside to brief his wives and concubines, then closed the door and followed Yu Yan toward the Cultivation Market. Along the way, other cultivators who saw them joined the group as well.
Before even reaching the main thoroughfare, the group had grown to twenty or thirty cultivators.
Several other groups in other alleys were doing the same, all heading out to pay their rent.
Rarely did anyone pay rent for several years in one lump sum.
After all, no one knew on which day they might meet their doom.
Stepping onto the main thoroughfare, everyone's expressions relaxed quite a bit, and some began chatting with one another.
When they reached the Market Deacon Hall, there were numerous cultivators forming a long, winding queue.
Shen Ping and the others had no choice but to wait at the back.
After waiting for well over an hour, nearly dusk, it was finally their turn.
Originally, he had intended to make a trip to Xiuchun Pavilion to sell the talismans in his storage bag and buy some materials along the way, but under these circumstances, he instantly dismissed the thought.
Having paid the rent, they returned to Red Willow Alley, where the group finally dispersed as everyone headed back to their respective rooms.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, Red Willow Alley is on the outer perimeter after all, and it's not as safe as the inner market. Would you consider renting a place together in the market?"
Just as Shen Ping was about to return to his room, Yu Yan spoke up.
His expression froze.
He looked at Yu Yan's moderately attractive face and her rather voluptuous figure.
Involuntary wild thoughts fluttered through his mind.
Yet, he quickly gave a few dry laughs. "Fellow Daoist Yu, this humble person still has wives and concubines to support, so it's truly inconvenient. Besides, housing prices in the market have likely risen quite a bit as well."
With that, he hurriedly pushed open his door.
A disdainful voice immediately drifted into his ears. "What a coward. Even when this lady offers herself to you for free, you don't want it."
Closing the door behind him, Shen Ping let out a secret sigh of relief.
A single widow was truly terrifying.
How could he ever dare to provoke one?
However, since this Fellow Daoist Yu had proposed renting a place together in the market, it seemed she did have some savings and possessions. Perhaps she really was the one who killed that bandit cultivator.
"Husband, the rental prices for houses in Red Willow Alley have gone up. Why don't we move to Muddy Water Alley next year? The prices there are very low."
During dinner, Bai Yuying offered considerately.
Wang Yun also chimed in, "Indeed, Husband. You toil away day after day, and Sister Yuying and I truly cannot bear it. We don't mind living a little simply; as long as we have Husband's company, we are completely content."
Shen Ping held his wives' wrists and said gently, "There is no need to worry. Your husband is a Middle-Grade Talisman Master, and we can still afford to live in Red Willow Alley. Ying'er, you must not let your daily cultivation fall behind either. Whenever you lack spiritual stones, just tell your husband."
Muddy Water Alley was already on the very edge of the Cultivation Market. It was populated almost entirely by low-level Qi Refining cultivators, and chaos reigned there year-round, with murders and robberies happening every single day.
If he were to move there, he might rely on talismans to protect his wives and concubines, but it would likewise attract covetous eyes. There was no telling when, upon stepping out to sell talismans, he might be ambushed and slain by a mob of cultivators.
After the meal, Shen Ping took out a transmission talisman, channeled his spiritual power into it to activate it, and asked, "Manager Chen, what are the current housing rental prices in the market?"