41: Evil spirit, staying at the hotel

"You two use the sky as a blanket and the earth as a mat, with the wind and snow providing music; how very pleasant, isn't it?"

Lu Xian's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Uh..." The male Cultivator hadn't expected Lu Xian to be so blunt. He pondered for a long moment before changing the subject. "I am Tang Jingcheng. May I ask for this Fellow Daoist's name?"

Tang?

Why would someone from the Tang Family come here? They were the runners-up in the last Grand Competition; logically, they shouldn't be lacking anything from the auction.

However, it could be for something else. As a Golden Core Family, the Lin Clan Immortal Family didn't actually have any fundamental conflict with those at the Foundation Establishment stage, so it was normal for the two parties to have dealings.

"Since it's a misunderstanding, This Han will not disturb you further. You may continue; we shall not meet again."

Before the words had even faded, Lu Xian's figure flashed repeatedly, vanishing into the wind and snow.

Du Qinghong was stunned for a moment before hurriedly taking off to follow him.

Back at the spot.

Tang Jingcheng gazed in the direction where the two had disappeared, his eyes dark and gloomy.

The Han Family, is it?

"Jingcheng, why didn't you just take that person down! How dare he interrupt our fun." Beside him, his female companion adjusted her disheveled clothing, her tone filled with resentment.

She had almost reached the peak just now; recalling it now made her itch with desire.

"Hmph! When out and about, if you are as reckless as this, you won't even know how you died!"

Tang Jingcheng snorted coldly and strode away.

"Wait, Jingcheng~ let's continue, okay? Just now, you made me feel so comf..."

"We can go shopping after we're done. I've got my eye on a treasure in the marketplace..."

The female companion twisted her waist as she chased after him, her voice sickeningly sweet.

She didn't finish her sentence.

Tang Jingcheng didn't even look back, casually flicking a Talisman behind him.

"Ah—"

A crimson pillar of fire roared, and the shrill scream came to an abrupt end!

The final look of horror froze in the female companion's pupils, and her entire body turned into ashes, scattering down and merging into the vast white snow.

"What kind of status do you think you have to be making demands of this Tang?"

Tang Jingcheng's figure vanished into the wind and snow, as if he had merely flicked away a speck of dust.

He was on a mission to inspect the industries during this trip; how could he let such a plaything hold him back?

As for the Loose Cultivator he encountered on the road, it was just for fun.

Using a High Grade Vermilion Flame Talisman to dispose of the body was already an act of extraordinary mercy.

...

"Brother Han, was that really someone from the Tang Family?"

Du Qinghong still felt lingering fear; he felt that the man exuded an indescribable wickedness.

"There's no mistake; he must be a direct descendant, although his cultivation is slightly inferior..." Lu Xian had already analyzed the result.

The difference between direct Family descendants and branch members was revealed in the subtle details.

For instance, that Tang-surnamed Cultivator wore High Grade magical robes and possessed extraordinary accessories.

Even his storage Magical Artifact was a more practical and rare Storage Ring, not an ordinary Storage Pouch.

"It really is them. That's a major Family that's consistently in the top three. Although they're just a small worm compared to the Lin Clan Immortal Family, we can't afford to provoke them, definitely not."

Du Qinghong shrank his neck.

Lu Xian didn't care; he was only at the seventh level, and upon meeting him, Lu Xian had already thought of several ways to deal with him.

However, if there was no direct conflict, he didn't want to kill a direct descendant.

After walking the final twenty miles, the two finally arrived at the marketplace gate before the sky turned completely dark.

Looking up.

A sign hung on the gate, reading "Lin Clan Immortal Family, Third Marketplace".

"You two Fellow Daoists are new here. The rule is an entry fee of three Spirit Stones each!"

Two guards at the entrance wearing standard magical robes, one of whom took the initiative to speak.

"You two, how is the market for this year's auction? Are there any rare treasures?"

Lu Xian tossed out 8 Spirit Stones and asked.

The gatekeeper took them, immediately overjoyed—it was a tip!

"Fellow Daoist, to tell you the truth, it's the same as always this year. The grand finales for the Qi Refining stage are still the foundation establishment pill, top-grade Magical Artifacts, and top-grade Spirit Medicine. As for the second-tier spiritual items used by Foundation Establishment Seniors, that's not something we can inquire about."

The other person hurriedly added, "Right, but there's a new rule this year. Cultivators are allowed to trade freely within the marketplace, and the Lin Clan Immortal Family guarantees safety!"

"And they don't ask about the origin of the items, even if it's... well, taboo stuff, that's fine too!"

The two spoke in a rush.

Clearly, they were quite pleased with that one Spirit Stone tip.

"Many thanks to you both!"

Lu Xian cupped his hands and then stepped into the Third Marketplace.

The layout of the marketplace was simple: two main streets, one vertical and one horizontal.

There were many pavilions on both sides, but over seventy percent had been temporarily converted into inns, and many had already hung out "Full" wooden signs.

There really are a lot of people this year. Is the free trading rule that attractive?

Or did the Lin Clan Immortal Family deliberately spread the word just to earn more Spirit Stones?

Du Qinghong clicked his tongue.

"Brother Han, the auction is still two days away. Shall we find a place to stay first?" he suggested.

"Let's go with that one in front..."

Lu Xian pointed to a pavilion not far away that was impressively decorated and had noticeably denser Spiritual Qi.

The plaque above the door read "Qianli Inn".

Walking into the lobby, he saw that the first floor was actually filled with dazzling shelves, selling various Spirit Medicine and Medicinal Pills.

A female Cultivator with charming features, dressed in a pale pink long dress, saw guests arriving and, shaking her ample bosom, walked over with small steps.

"Two Fellow Daoists, this concubine is Yao Xianger. Greetings to you both."

She curtsied, her deep cleavage fully exposed.

"Cough, cough... cough, cough." Du Qinghong's eyes drifted, and he coughed twice dryly.

Lu Xian's eyes swept over calmly; the surroundings were filled with goods.

"Does this shop not provide accommodation? I saw lanterns hanging outside?" he asked simply.

"Of course there is! To welcome Fellow Daoists coming from afar, the shopkeeper specifically designated the upper three floors as guest rooms. Would the two of you like to take a look?"

Yao Xianger said softly, her fox-like eyes flashing.

Outsiders, unfamiliar faces—fat sheep had arrived!

Lu Xian nodded slightly.

Yao Xianger immediately and attentively led the way, introducing the rooms.

The third floor had Low Grade rooms, with no Formation protection; they were only for shelter, with no privacy to speak of.

The fourth floor had Medium Grade rooms, equipped with soundproofing Formations, but they could not block Divine Sense probing; the space was narrow, only enough for one bed.

The fifth floor had High Grade rooms, with soundproofing, Divine Sense blocking, Spiritual Qi gathering, calming the mind... fully functional, spacious, and comfortable.

"Fellow Daoist, the fifth floor has the top-tier rooms on the same level as the shopkeeper; staying there offers special 'services'~"

Yao Xianger puffed out her proud chest, her words full of implications.

Seeing Du Qinghong's eyes go straight, she was secretly delighted, fearing this deal was about to be made.

"No need. Two Medium Grade rooms will suffice. For those who cultivate the Dao, there is no need to indulge in pleasure."

Lu Xian didn't say one thing: even if he were to indulge, it wouldn't be in this kind of...

He sighed inwardly; the people in this marketplace really knew how to do business, even classifying rooms into four grades.

He carried basic Formation Flag stones with him, and he had long since learned simple Formations; after checking in, he could just set one up casually.

Besides, with his Divine Sense comparable to the Foundation Establishment stage, who could spy on him without him noticing?

Upon hearing this, Yao Xianger's face showed disappointment, her pitiful appearance fully displayed.

"Guest, that service is truly excellent~ Sigh, my younger brother at home is still small, and my father only knows how to indulge in gambling dens. It all relies on this concubine and my mother to struggle and support... This is really important to this concubine, please..."

She was on the verge of tears.

"Ah? How many Spirit Stones is that top-tier guest room per night?"

Before Lu Xian could speak, Du Qinghong asked anxiously, as if it were his own Family member.

"It's not expensive, not expensive at all, one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. This concubine only gets two pieces as hard-earned money; the service lasts until dawn..."

Seeing a reversal, Yao Xianger extended a jade finger and smiled brightly.

Du Qinghong was greatly shocked—one hundred?

"No, no, why don't you go rob someone! One hundred Spirit Stones is enough for me to have fun and live freely at the Joyous Union Pavilion in the city for a month without repeating the same thing! Listen to Brother Han, just the Medium Grade!"

With beauty before him, it ultimately couldn't overcome the realization of the pain of losing Spirit Stones.

This was his Family fortune that he had run his legs off and endured several dangers to save up!

"Oh."

The mournful look on Yao Xianger's face instantly vanished, replaced by a normal smile as she twisted her waist and turned to lead the way.

"Two Medium Grade rooms, twenty pieces per night, sixty Spirit Stones for three nights! Guest, please follow me. After finishing, this concubine still needs to go greet the next distinguished guest."

She just wanted to quickly dismiss these two poor wretches.

Lu Xian handed over sixty Spirit Stones.

Du Qinghong stood by, wanting to say something but holding back.

"For the next two days, I have things to do. You just help me collect items outside; the accommodation fee will serve as your payment."

When Du Qinghong heard this, his face immediately collapsed, his heart dripping blood:

No, Brother, you should have said that earlier! I could have slept on the street!

Thirty pieces—how many spirit eggs would I have to sell to get that kind of commission?