11: New Neighbors

The morning in the shantytown always carried a hint of spirit grass fragrance. Xu Qi'an pushed open the creaking wooden door and stretched.

After the Rice Rat disaster, many old Spiritual Farmers nearby moved away, and some new Spiritual Farmers came in again.

Spiritual Farmers were like a commodity that could be replaced at any time; once the spring breeze passed, they would grow again.

Xu Qi'an was used to it.

He was about to go to the spirit field when he suddenly heard the sound of furniture being moved from next door.

"Who moved in?" Xu Qi'an frowned, secretly vigilant.

The neighbor next to Xu Qi'an was originally just Old Yan Tou; now there was one more person.

Although the shantytown was simple, it wasn't a place just anyone could live in.

Those who could settle here were either Spiritual Farmers or rogue Cultivators with some connections.

As he was thinking, the door next door creaked open, and a young man wearing an exquisite black robe walked out.

The person looked to be in his early twenties, with a fair face and a scholarly air between his brows, and he was carrying a bamboo basket in his hand.

"Fellow Daoist, are you the new neighbor?" Xu Qi'an cupped his hands, a polite smile on his face.

The young man was stunned for a moment, then smiled and returned the greeting: "Exactly, I am Meng Shuran. I'm new here, please take care of me."

Xu Qi'an glanced at him and found that his cultivation was actually at the fifth level of Qi Refining!

"Someone with this level of cultivation actually came to the shantytown?"

"Isn't he just bored out of his mind?"

"It can't be a Young Master coming down to experience life, can it?"

He was slightly surprised in his heart. Just as he was about to exchange a few pleasantries and leave, he saw Meng Shuran take out a Talisman from the bamboo basket and hand it over.

"This is a small token of my regard, please accept it." Meng Shuran smiled and handed it over.

Xu Qi'an took the Talisman, his heart startled.

This was a first-grade low-level "Clear Wind Talisman". Although its rank wasn't high, its market price was also two or three Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

To get two or three ling stones so casually, in the past, Xu Qi'an wouldn't even dare to think about it.

He looked up at Meng Shuran and found that his expression was calm, as if he didn't think this gift was very valuable.

"Fellow Daoist is too kind." Xu Qi'an smiled and put away the Talisman, but secretly muttered: This person is so generous, could he really have some background?

Meng Shuran didn't seem to notice Xu Qi'an's unusual reaction and continued: "I'm new here and not very familiar with Qingzhu Market. I wonder if Fellow Daoist could give me some pointers?"

Xu Qi'an's heart stirred. Just as he was about to find an excuse to decline, he saw Meng Shuran take out three more ling stones from his sleeve and said with a smile: "Of course, I won't let Fellow Daoist work for nothing."

Xu Qi'an was dumbfounded.

These three ling stones were naturally not worth mentioning to the current Xu Qi'an, but to him before, it would have been a fortune.

Xu Qi'an looked at the three ling stones and weighed it in his heart.

Although he wasn't short of ling stones now, acting too cold would instead arouse suspicion.

He glanced around.

Then, without hesitation, he pretended to be delighted and nodded: "Since Fellow Daoist is so sincere, it would be disrespectful for me to refuse."

Hearing this, Meng Shuran's face showed joy: "Then thank you, Fellow Daoist! When is it convenient?"

"Tomorrow," Xu Qi'an thought for a moment and said, "Today I still need to go check the spirit field."

Meng Shuran nodded in agreement, then bid farewell and left, after which he went to visit others.

Xu Qi'an watched his retreating figure and secretly pondered: What is this person's background? Being so generous yet choosing to live in the shantytown is truly a bit strange.

...

Early the next morning, Meng Shuran came to knock on the door.

Xu Qi'an opened the door and saw him wearing a brand new green robe, carrying a small cloth bag in his hand, clearly prepared.

"Daoist Xu, shall we set off now?" Meng Shuran said with a smile.

Xu Qi'an nodded and led him towards Qingzhu Market.

Along the way, Meng Shuran seemed full of enthusiasm, constantly pointing at roadside vendors and asking questions.

"Daoist Xu, how is the quality of the elixirs sold by these vendors?" Meng Shuran pointed to an elixir stall and asked.

Xu Qi'an glanced at it and said indifferently: "Most of these elixirs are low-grade goods, suitable for Cultivators in the Early Stage of Qi Refining."

"If Fellow Daoist wants better elixirs, you can go to Danding Pavilion. The quality of elixirs there is guaranteed, but the price is much higher."

Meng Shuran nodded, then pointed to another Talisman stall and asked: "What about these Talismans?"

Xu Qi'an took a look and found that the patterns on those Talismans were rough, clearly indicating they were inferior goods.

He shook his head: "These Talismans have limited power and are prone to failure. If Fellow Daoist needs Talismans, you can go to Zhenlu Pavilion. The Talismans there are a bit more expensive, but they are stable."

"However, I see that Fellow Daoist Meng seems to have some talent in crafting Talismans, so you probably don't need them."

Meng Shuran nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, a trace of excitement flashing in his eyes: "Not at all, Daoist Xu is truly knowledgeable!"

Xu Qi'an smiled, then said sincerely.

"The items sold by vendors are either of questionable origin or poor quality. Fellow Daoist Meng, if you buy things from vendors in the future, you must keep your eyes peeled."

"Otherwise, you might get cheated if you're not careful!"

"However, if you're lucky, you might also encounter some good stuff. That depends on personal fortune."

Meng Shuran enlightened upon hearing this, and nodded thoughtfully.

Xu Qi'an walked while secretly observing Meng Shuran's reaction.

Gradually, he found that Meng Shuran really seemed to be just a Cultivator new to the cultivation world, full of curiosity about everything, with no signs of any conspiracy.

Xu Qi'an and the other person walked until they reached an area filled with a fragrant scent.

Xu Qi'an forced himself to restrain his eyes, not looking at the heavily made-up, lightly dressed fragrant women by the windows.

But Meng Shuran looked over curiously.

When they reached near the sign of Mei Chun House, Meng Shuran stopped and pointed at the sign in front of the building, asking: "Daoist Xu, what does this Mei Chun House do?"

Xu Qi'an glanced at it and said with interest:

"Does Fellow Daoist Meng know about piston motion?"

"Piston motion?" Meng Shuran was puzzled, his face full of confusion.

Xu Qi'an was amused. He didn't expect the Meng Shuran in front of him didn't even know about such things!

He carefully observed Meng Shuran's expression and couldn't find any trace of pretense.

He truly was a pure and unblemished blank slate!

Xu Qi'an sighed with emotion and explained.

"This is a famous pleasure spot in Qingzhu Market. If Fellow Daoist is interested, you can go and see for yourself."

Hearing this, Meng Shuran's face showed a hint of embarrassment, his small face turned red, and he quickly waved his hand: "No, no, I was just asking casually."

But the enchantresses inside Mei Chun House had already started calling out in soft voices.

"Young Master, come in and play!"

"We have all types here, it just depends on what you want!"

Meng Shuran was startled at once, his face flushed, and he actually pulled Xu Qi'an away from the place without looking back.

Seeing his appearance, Xu Qi'an's last trace of doubt in his heart also dissipated.

He secretly shook his head: It seems this person is truly a blank slate fresh out of the mountains. I was being overly suspicious.

After touring Qingzhu Market, Meng Shuran still seemed to have not had enough.

He cupped his hands in a salute and said with a smile: "Thank you, Daoist Xu, for your guidance today. I will visit again another day!"

Xu Qi'an, however, waved his hand, repeatedly saying it was no trouble.

Returning to the shantytown, Xu Qi'an immediately went to Old Yan Tou's house and returned the ling stone to him.

Upon returning the ling stone, Old Yan Tou's eyes lit up. He happily smoked a good spirit pipe and shouted at Xu Qi'an.

"Brother Xu, remember to borrow from me again when you have time next time!"