146: The high housing prices and hidden wealthy people in Tianxing City

Two months later.

The Inner Sea of the Chaotic Star Sea, central region.

A seemingly ordinary blue-gray flying boat pierced through layers of sea mist and finally sailed into a calm area of the sea.

Even from ten miles away, one could still feel the visual shock brought by the giant island ahead.

It was a sky-piercing giant mountain that defied description.

The mountain's base was submerged in the deep sea, while its body pierced straight into the clouds, appearing like the backbone of the world. On that giant mountain, buildings were densely packed like honeycombs, built along the slopes from the foot all the way to the clouds, with countless streaks of light darting between them like fireflies.

Most awe-inspiring was a faint layer of starlight shielding the entire giant mountain.

【Tianxing City】.

The headquarters of the Star Palace, the greatest power in the Chaotic Star Sea, and the safest, most prosperous Holy Land in the entire Human Race's cultivation world.

"Is this... Tianxing City?"

At the bow of the boat, Ling Yunxiao craned his neck, unable to see the mountaintop even until his neck grew sore. He held a newly exchanged sword in his arms, his eyes filled with the shock of a country bumpkin entering the city.

"It's truly massive... it's at least a hundred times larger than Qiyuan Island."

"A hundred times?"

Zhou Wannian (Old Man Han) was still dressed as an unremarkable grey-robed old man, fiddling with two iron balls (which were actually two miniaturized Star Stones) in his hand.

"Any random market here could fit the entirety of Qiyuan Island."

"Also, rein in that Killing Intent on your bodies."

Zhou Wannian glanced at the nearby Li Feiyu. "This is Star Palace territory; they care about 'rules'. Those business dealings of killing people and seizing treasures in the Outer Sea won't fly here—at least not on the surface."

"Yes, Old Man Han." Li Feiyu forced out a smile that looked somewhat kind (but was still a bit ferocious).

"And Tie Zhu."

Zhou Wannian patted the burly figure behind him, who was draped in a wide cloak.

By now, Tie Zhu had been disguised once more. The purple starlight membrane on his exterior was covered by a layer of specially made 'Spirit-Concealing Glue,' making him look like an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage Body Refining guard.

"Let's go, enter the city."

"Remember our current identities."

"I am 'Han Li,' a down-and-out Golden Core Loose Cultivator who has come to Tianxing City to retire, and you two are my good-for-nothing nephews."

...Tianxing City, South Gate Pier.

This was the entrance for Mortals and low-level Cultivators, bustling with noise and excitement.

"Halt! Newcomers?"

Several Foundation Establishment Cultivators wearing Star Palace uniform white robes blocked their path. Although they were just gatekeepers, the arrogance on their faces made it seem like they were second only to the heavens.

"Indeed."

Zhou Wannian slightly released a trace of Early Golden Core Stage Spiritual Pressure.

The guards' expressions changed slightly, and their arrogance lessened a bit, but they didn't show much fear. In Tianxing City, while Golden Core Cultivators were respected, they were not rare.

"Since Senior is at the Golden Core Stage, you may take the VIP passage. However..."

A guard took out a Jade Slip and said matter-of-factly, "According to Star Palace laws, external Golden Core Cultivators settling in Tianxing City must apply for a 'Permanent Residence Permit.' It's eight hundred Spirit Stones per person."

"Eight hundred?!"

Ling Yunxiao, following behind, almost jumped. "The entry fee in the Outer Sea is only three Spirit Stones! You're basically robbing us!"

The guard sneered, looking at Ling Yunxiao as if he were a pauper.

"Think it's expensive? If it's too expensive, you can go live on the deserted islands outside the city. Inside Tianxing City, we have the protection of the The Twin Saints, and there has been no war for ten thousand years. The Spiritual Qi concentration is five times that of the outside world. These eight hundred Spirit Stones buy you your life and your future on the Immortal path."

"Shut up."

Zhou Wannian glared at Ling Yunxiao and casually tossed over a bag of Spirit Stones.

"For three people, process it."

The guard weighed the Spirit Stone bag, and his expression instantly became as warm as a spring breeze.

"Senior is straightforward! Here are your residence permits. With these, you can move freely within the first thirty levels of the city. If you wish to go to the core area above the thirtieth level, you must apply separately."

Zhou Wannian took the tokens and led the two into that massive starlight shield... As soon as they entered the city, a sense of prosperity rushed toward them.

On both sides of the wide streets were towering pavilions. Medicinal Pill shops, Magical Artifact stores, and Spirit Beast markets were lined up one after another. Even a street sweeper walking by had a cultivation of the third or fourth level of Qi Refining.

But Zhou Wannian was in no mood for sightseeing.

His first goal was—buying a house.

After all, carrying a Soul Transformation Stage Clone and a pile of precious treasures that couldn't see the light of day, staying in an inn indefinitely was not a long-term solution.

Two hours later.

Tianxing City, twenty-eighth level, a brokerage (real estate agency).

"What?! One million Spirit Stones?!"

Ling Yunxiao's voice rose by eight octaves again, causing the surrounding customers to look over.

The brokerage manager sitting opposite them was a middle-aged woman who still retained her charm. She was currently covering her mouth with a round fan and chuckling.

"Young man, this is the 'Sages' Residence' on the twenty-eighth level. It comes with its own small Spirit Gathering Array and is patrolled day and night by the Star Palace Law Enforcement Team. It's safe and worry-free. One million is already a fair price."

"But this is too..."

Ling Yunxiao was about to say it was daylight robbery, but Zhou Wannian waved his hand.

"I don't want this one."

Zhou Wannian pointed to a red dot in a corner on the map.

"I want this one."

The manager was stunned and looked where he was pointing.

"This... this is the 'Yun Zhu Courtyard' on the fiftieth level?"

Her expression was a bit strange. "Senior, although the Spiritual Qi is denser on the fiftieth level, this Yun Zhu Courtyard is in a very remote location, and..."

"And what?"

"And it's said to be connected to Tianxing City's 'abandoned Spiritual Vein node' below. Occasionally, Earthly Evil Qi will well up, making it unsuitable for cultivation. The previous few owners all moved out due to Qi Deviation, so it has always been a haunted house."

"A haunted house?"

Zhou Wannian smiled.

A haunted house was good.

Earthly Evil Qi welling up? That was because it was connected to the earth veins. His Cloud Seal Heavenly Scripture was best at regulating earth veins, and that so-called Evil Qi was, for him, the best nourishment for tempering Tie Zhu and his Clone.

The most crucial part was that the location was remote, so no one would disturb him.

"How much?"

"Because it's a haunted house, it's only... four hundred thousand Spirit Stones. And it's a permanent property right."

"Bought."

Zhou Wannian made the decision grandly.

Ling Yunxiao and Li Feiyu looked at each other, both muttering in their hearts: Old Man Han's old habit is acting up again, specifically picking these dilapidated places that no one wants... The fiftieth level, Yun Zhu Courtyard.

This place was located halfway up the mountain of Tianxing City, surrounded by clouds and mist.

The courtyard wasn't large, with only three sections. It leaned against a cliff at the back and was indeed a bit cold. But it excelled in being quiet, with no other residents for several miles around.

"Fei Yu, close the door, release Tie Zhu."

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Zhou Wannian immediately reverted to his shrewd appearance.

"Ling Yunxiao, go dismantle all the original Formations here and replace them with our own 'Cloud Seal Star-Concealing Formation'."

"Tie Zhu, go dig a basement in the backyard, the deeper the better. We need to place the 'Star Lord' Clone on the Spiritual Vein node."

After arranging the manual labor, Zhou Wannian himself walked into the shop at the front of the courtyard.

That's right, this courtyard also came with a storefront in front.

"Old Man Han, are we really going to open a shop here?"

Ling Yunxiao asked while working, "There isn't even a ghost here, who are we going to sell to?"

"Who said I'm going to sell things?"

Zhou Wannian pulled an old wooden plaque from his Storage Pouch, and with his finger like a knife, he carved several large characters with a flourish.

【Qingyun Recycling Station】.

Below it was a line of small characters:

【Professionally recycling all types of broken Magic Treasures, waste Medicinal Pills, and unknown Ores. Repairing Magical Artifacts, honest prices for all.】

"Selling Magic Treasures in Tianxing City has too much competition; we can't compete with those large merchant guilds."

"But..."

Zhou Wannian hung the wooden plaque at the entrance, looking at the deserted street with a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes.

"Every day in Tianxing City, countless Cultivators return from hunting demons in the Outer Sea."

"They have a large number of damaged Magical Artifacts, unknown Materials, and even some 'trash' they can't identify."

"The large merchant guilds won't take these things, or they'll suppress the price extremely low."

"This is our market."

"I have the Star Artifact Creation Record in hand, I can turn waste into treasure."

"I have the Heavenly Secret Dao Disk in hand, I can find hidden gems and appraise treasures."

"This is simply..."

Zhou Wannian took a deep breath of the air in Tianxing City that carried the scent of money.

"A business with zero cost and pure profit."

...Three days later.

Qingyun Recycling Station opened for business.

There were no firecrackers, no ribbon cutting.

There was only a grey-robed old man who had moved a lounge chair to sit by the entrance, holding a tattered cattail fan, looking as if he had fallen asleep.

Most Cultivators passing by occasionally saw this tattered plaque and mostly scoffed, hurrying away.

Until evening.

An Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, covered in blood and looking panicked, came stumbling over.

He held half a broken Flying Sword tightly in his arms; it was his only reliance and his entire net worth.

"Boss..."

The Cultivator's voice trembled. "Can you... really repair Magical Artifacts here?"

Zhou Wannian slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the broken sword.

【Red Copper Essence Fire Sword (Damaged)】.

【Damage Level: 70%】.

【Repair Difficulty: Low.】

【Value: 10 Spirit Stones before repair, 500 Spirit Stones after repair.】

"Can repair."

Zhou Wannian slowly extended one finger.

"Fifty Spirit Stones, pick it up in half an hour."

"Fif... fifty?" The Cultivator was stunned. "Other shops want two hundred..."

"Take it or leave it." Zhou Wannian shook his cattail fan and closed his eyes again.

"I'll repair it! I'll repair it!"

The Cultivator was like a drowning man grasping at a straw, hurriedly pulling out his remaining Spirit Stones.

Half an hour later.

When that Cultivator walked out of the shop holding the Flying Sword, which was not only as good as new but even had its power increased by ten percent, he was completely dazed.

He bowed deeply to Zhou Wannian and then ran off wildly.

Watching his retreating back, the corners of Zhou Wannian's mouth curled up slightly.

"Word of mouth—isn't it coming now?"

He did not know.

This small interlude would be like the wings of a butterfly, stirring up a storm in the bottom layer of this Tianxing City, where Ranks were strict and interests were entrenched.

And the true "Great Tycoon of the Chaotic Star Sea" was currently lying on this tattered rattan chair, dreaming of making his fortune.