A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 39: Chapter 38: Delving Deeper

Lin Le naturally agreed readily.

The few discussed briefly. Master Xuan Ji had consumed quite a bit of his spiritual power earlier and would first go to meditate and rest, then head to the Artifact Refining District to repair the Vermilion Bird Jade Seal damaged by Gui Water Divine Thunder.

Jiang Qingfeng and Jiang Baitao, however, wanted to explore and have fun.

When Qingfeng told Lu Qian this, she felt somewhat embarrassed. Lu Qian smiled.

Throughout their journey, Jiang Qingfeng was gentle yet strong, causing Lu Qian to nearly forget that she was only in her twenties. In the prime of her youth, it was rare to see such a bustling and peaceful place, and naturally, she should take the opportunity to explore.

Lu Qian also showed concern by asking if they had enough Spirit Stones, which made Qingfeng’s face flush. She hurriedly took off, pulling the energetic Baitao along.

Lu Qian, guided by Lin Le, first arrived at the Fifth District, the Comprehensive District.

Because the location to board the Wind-Controlling Giant Beast, the Flying Beast Pavilion, was there.

The Flying Beast Pavilion was situated at the edge of the Fifth District, close to the marketplace array boundaries. Before getting closer, Lu Qian smelled a strong scent of wild beasts in the air and couldn’t help but sneeze. A few more steps revealed a shadow resembling a small mountain amidst the buildings — it was the Wind-Controlling Giant Beast resting at the Flying Beast Pavilion.

”The Wind-Controlling Giant Beasts here are used both for transporting people and for carrying goods,” Lin Le explained. ”The cargo beasts come around every seven days — all sorts of items in the market are transported this way. What we’re seeing now is a cargo Sky Ray that arrived this morning. The passenger one runs every ten days, but it’s uncertain when the next one is.”

Lu Qian nodded, drawing closer and realizing the Flying Beast Pavilion was the general name for this cluster of buildings. On either side of the main entrance, many side doors were open, with large goods being moved out like flowing water.

Lin Le led Lu Qian through the main door, into the hall where procedures were handled. The hall had a row of counters lined up, bustling with people. Some were loudly arranging to ship and receive goods, while others queued to ride Wind-Controlling Beasts across the state commandery.

Listening intently, beyond the cultivators’ noises, there was also a faint, enormous booming sound emanating from the backyard.

”That’s the breathing of the Sky Ray; it’s honestly huge,” Lin Le said with longing, ”I wonder what it’s like to ride a Wind-Controlling Giant Beast...”

Lu Qian’s turn came in line. The one processing the paperwork behind the counter was a female cultivator at Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation.

Lu Qian asked, ”Fellow Daoist, I want to ride a Wind-Controlling Beast to Ningzhou, Ningzhou Haidong County. How long will it take? When’s the next ride?”

The female cultivator checked the map, her face expressionless: ”The Wind-Controlling Beast will pass by Tonglin Square in Haidong County; that’s where you’ll disembark. Time depends on your choice. If it’s the Sky Ray, which flies slower, including rest time en route, it’ll take about five days. The next ride is in eight days.”

”Are there other types of Wind-Controlling Beasts?” Lu Qian grew interested.

The female cultivator’s expression suddenly brightened: ”Of course, the Sky Ray carries five hundred passengers, so it’s very crowded. If you want speed and comfort, the best choice is the Wind-Wing Golden Eagle, which only carries ten passengers. Its speed is twice that of the Sky Ray. If you have needs, we also offer rentals of small Wind-Controlling Beasts — you can leave whenever and go wherever you want.”

The price naturally matches the service. Lu Qian found out that traveling to Ningzhou Haidong County on the Sky Ray costs one hundred Spirit Stones per person, the Golden Eagle five hundred Spirit Stones each, and renting a slower, five-passenger Hanging-Winged Falcon requires fifteen hundred Spirit Stones.

After confirming the departure times for the giant beasts and the fact that renting a small flying beast indeed allows for immediate departure, Lu Qian followed Lin Le out of the place, as their marketplace tasks were unfinished, and buying tickets wasn’t urgent.

Leaving the Flying Beast Pavilion, Lu Qian listened to the deep breathing of the Sky Ray and asked, ”Whose property is this Flying Beast Pavilion?”

”It’s owned by one of the four doors here, a large sect, the Spirit Beast Sect,” Lin Le said with a face full of yearning. ”I’ve heard the sect cultivators don’t focus on magical treasures and divine techniques, but everyone raises Spirit Beasts, whose cultivation is often higher than their owners’. In battles, they fight two against one, always triumphant.”

A large sect... that means there are Nascent Souls present, a sect capable of dominating thousands of miles, traversing an entire region... Could the Yunshan Sect grow to that level one day? Lu Qian suddenly felt a surge of boundless ambition.

Next, guided by Lin Le, Lu Qian explored the entire Fifth District. This Comprehensive District was mainly focused on the entertainment industry and various service sectors.

There were dozens of establishments like Changle Square, Money Attraction Tower, Hongxiu Pavilion, Primordial Yang Pavilion...

They entered a Treasure House, where dice, flower cards, dominoes, and leaf cards formed small mountains of Spirit Stones. Frenzied cultivators and scantily dressed mortal women crowded together, everyone’s eyes were red, expressions fierce. Lu Qian could sense several streams of spiritual pressure from Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars; unclear whether they were guests or stewards stationed there.

Outside again, Lin Le looked heavy-hearted, wishing to speak but hesitating. Lu Qian asked, ”What’s the matter?”

Lin Le bit his lip. As they traveled together, he could feel Lu Qian’s respect for him. This cultivator was different from most people, so he braced himself and said, ”Immortal Master, this place isn’t kind; many people lose everything here. I sincerely hope you prioritize your cultivation and never return.”

Lu Qian was taken aback, then burst into laughter. Was this child concerned for me?

”Don’t worry, I’m here just to clarify some things,” Lu Qian chuckled. ”Xiaolin, the next place, do you dare to go?”

He pointed with his finger, and Lin Le took a closer look.

Celestial Fragrance Square? Lin Le’s face flushed with heat. Before he could react, Lu Qian pulled him into the four-floor pavilion.

Entering, Lin Le was dizzy from the strong perfume scent, with charming laughter and heavenly beauty. Pleasing smiles felt like being amidst clouds, all eyes met with pink clouds. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

With visitors arriving, the beautifully dressed women encircled them like stars around the moon. A quick glance showed mortals and even a few female cultivators.

Thin gauze highlighted their ample bosoms, thin satin wrapped their bodies, embracing everything.

With breath like orchids, each could outshine Diao Chan, their grace surpassing Xi Shi.

Lu Qian shook his storage pouch, the Spirit Stones inside clinking crisply, prompting the women to be even more eager, clinging close with utmost attentiveness.

”Sorry, I’m a bit tired today and not handling business; I just want to chat with a couple of sisters,” Lu Qian joked, choosing one mortal woman and one female cultivator.

Over half an hour later, Lu Qian led Lin Le out again. Lin Le was red-faced, hunched back, looking quite worn out.

Lu Qian appeared calm, as they went on to visit the Beast Fighting Arena, the Performing Arts Studio, the Performer’s Hall, and also saw exotic plants and rocks, antiquities, and paintings. With the sun setting, they’d almost toured the entire Fifth District.

It seemed many items would have to be removed from the business plan.

As suspected earlier, the entertainment service industry doesn’t have much potential.

Cultivators’ major spending doesn’t center here; not only is the market small, but the competition is intensely fierce.

Moreover, considering the population proportion, only one cultivator emerges from ten thousand mortals. Cultivators can select the most excellent among mortals to serve them, with service quality far surpassing that of the modern era, leaving no room for optimization.