83: Chapter 83 Renting a Cave

Li Qing carried the sleeping Zhou Yao, moving cautiously the entire way. He specifically chose remote alleys where there were few pedestrians and even patrolling Cultivators could not be bothered to look. Finding a secluded dead end, he sent Zhou Yao into his Portable Cave Abode.

Only after placing Zhou Yao inside the Immortal Cave could Li Qing truly feel at ease.

Afterwards, Li Qing hailed a carriage, with his destination being the Yingshui City Immortal Cave Rental Office.

The Immortal Cave Rental Office was considered a prominent place in Yingshui City, situated near the Spiritual Vein in the center of the city. The building was not particularly luxurious, yet it exuded a solemn atmosphere. Two guards at Qi Refining Stage 6 stood at the entrance; one look was enough to tell that it was not comparable to ordinary places.

Li Qing walked to the entrance. The guards merely swept a faint glance at him. Seeing that he only had the cultivation of Qi Refining Level 8, they did not ask further questions and let him in.

Within the territory of the Luoshui Sect, Li Qing did not conceal his aura or disguise himself.

Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage could be seen everywhere in the city; doing so would only attract more attention.

Besides, Li Qing was only wanted by the Houtu Sect; what did that have to do with the Luoshui Sect?

Therefore, Li Qing felt very secure here.

Walking into the rental office, the interior was spacious and bright. In the center stood a long bluestone table, behind which sat a steward wearing a grey robe. This steward looked to be in his forties or fifties, with a cultivation of Qi Refining Perfection. His gaze was calm but revealed a hint of shrewdness; one look told that he was a veteran who had been doing this business for years.

Seeing Li Qing enter, the steward put down the account book in his hand and spoke slowly: "Fellow Daoist, have you come to rent an Immortal Cave?"

Li Qing nodded and said in a flat tone: "That is correct. I would like to rent an Immortal Cave for a temporary stay."

Upon hearing this, the steward was not surprised and stood up to introduce things to Li Qing.

He gestured while speaking, his tone familiar:

"Fellow Daoist, the Immortal Caves in our Yingshui City are divided into Low Grade and Intermediate types. Advanced Immortal Caves are only available in the main city, Luoshui City; our small city does not have them."

"Let's start with the Low Grade Immortal Cave. It is built on a branch Spiritual Vein outside the city. The area is not large, just one main room and one small side room. It comes with a basic Spirit Gathering Formation. Although the Spirit gathering effect is not top-tier, it is much stronger than ordinary houses outside. The Spiritual Qi can be twenty to thirty percent denser. Moreover, the Formation can prevent petty theft and block Divine Sense probing from outsiders; its privacy is impeccable. The price is one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month, which is neither expensive nor cheap."

Pausing for a moment, the steward continued to talk about the Intermediate Immortal Cave:

"The Intermediate Immortal Cave is different. It is built on a branch of the main Spiritual Vein within the city. The Spiritual Qi is more than double that of the Low Grade Immortal Cave. The Formation is Advanced; not only can it block Divine Sense, but it can also withstand attacks from Cultivators at Qi Refining Great Perfection. The interior space is large, and there are dedicated Cultivation rooms, pill rooms, and some even have small spirit springs, making it very comfortable to live in. However, the price is also high, requiring three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month. Generally, only Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage or wealthy Cultivators at Qi Refining Great Perfection would rent one."

After finishing, the steward looked Li Qing up and down and added with a smile: "Come to think of it, there really aren't many people like you, Fellow Daoist, at Qi Refining Level 8 who rent an Immortal Cave. Most Loose Cultivators at Qi Refining Level 8 are reluctant to spend these Spirit Stones. Only occasionally do a few who want to Cultivate in peace and do not want to be disturbed come to rent a Low Grade Immortal Cave, so I am not surprised."

Li Qing had already planned this in his heart. In fact, he had enough Spirit Stones to rent an Intermediate Immortal Cave, but he dared not do so. He was just a Loose Cultivator at Qi Refining Level 8, without a sect or faction, and usually did not appear to have any special Opportunities. If he were to rent an Intermediate Immortal Cave for three hundred Spirit Stones a month right off the bat, he would definitely be targeted.

In the Immortal Realm, human hearts are treacherous. He understood the principle of not flaunting one's wealth better than anyone. Once people felt he possessed treasures or Spirit Stones, it might invite a fatal disaster. By then, let alone protecting Zhou Yao, he would not even be able to protect himself.

Therefore, after much thought, he decided to rent a Low Grade Immortal Cave. One hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month was a normal expense for a Cultivator at Qi Refining Level 8 and would not be too conspicuous. It satisfied his needs for safety and privacy without attracting unnecessary attention—it was just right.

Thus, Li Qing said to the steward: "I will rent a Low Grade Immortal Cave. Just choose one that is a bit more remote and quiet."

The steward nodded without trying to persuade him otherwise, turned around, took a jade token from the shelf behind him, and handed it to Li Qing:

"Very well. I will select the Low Grade Immortal Cave in the corner of the west side of the city for you. It is sparsely populated and quiet there, suitable for Cultivation. You pay the rent for one month first, one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. This jade token is the key to the Immortal Cave. Injecting it with Spiritual power will open the door, and the Formation will automatically recognize its master. Even if others obtain the jade token, they cannot enter without your Spiritual power."

Li Qing took the jade token. It was ice-cold and engraved with simple Formation patterns. He counted out one hundred sparkling Low-Grade Spirit Stones from the Storage Pouch at his waist and handed them to the steward.

The steward took the Spirit Stones, carefully counted them, and after confirming there were no errors, said with a smile:

"Alright, this Immortal Cave is yours to use for one month. Just come to renew the lease three days before it expires. If you no longer wish to rent it, just return the jade token. Oh, and do not tamper with the Formation inside the Immortal Cave. If it breaks, you will have to pay for it with Spirit Stones."

Li Qing agreed, thanked the steward, took the jade token, and left the rental office.

Following the direction the steward gave, he walked all the way to the Immortal Cave area on the west side of Yingshui City. Here, rows of Immortal Caves were built against the mountain, all constructed of bluestone, looking orderly and sturdy. At the entrance of every Immortal Cave was a faint curtain of light; that was the protective Formation.

Finding his own Low Grade Immortal Cave, Li Qing injected Spiritual power into the jade token. The light curtain at the entrance of the Immortal Cave swayed slightly and opened a gap that could only allow one person to pass through.

He walked in and was instantly surprised by the environment inside; it was much better than he had expected.

The inside of the Immortal Cave was spotlessly clean. The floor was made of polished bluestone slabs without a speck of dust. The main room was spacious and bright, with several night-luminescent pearls embedded in the walls, illuminating the entire Immortal Cave brightly.

In the corner, there was a stone table and two stone stools. Beside it was a stone bed; it must be very comfortable to lie on it and Cultivate.

As for the Spiritual Qi inside the Immortal Cave, compared to Li Qing's Portable Cave Abode, it was just a small fry.

Li Qing felt the Formation. The Formation around the Immortal Cave was constantly operating slowly. Not only could it gather Spiritual Qi, but it could also completely isolate outside sounds. Standing inside, he could only hear his own breathing; the privacy was maxed out.

Li Qing felt completely at ease; this choice was indeed correct.

Although it was much more expensive than renting a small courtyard, its advantage lay in safety and secrecy.

Isn't this exactly what Li Qing needed right now?

After settling Zhou Yao down, Li Qing left the Immortal Cave, heading towards the Law Enforcement Hall of the Luoshui Sect in Yingshui City.

The bounties for Hua Zirong and the Pi Island Three Brothers had yet to be collected.