36: Inner Zone Tickets and the Greedy Butler

The morning in Cuizhu Lane was noisier than usual.

Gu Fan from the neighboring Courtyard Jia 15 knocked on the door early in the morning with dark circles under his eyes. He looked both excited and frightened, holding a box of spiritual tea as a thank-you gift.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou! It's a miracle! Truly a miracle!"

As soon as Gu Fan entered, he lowered his voice and gestured excitedly, "The Li Family exploded last night! Literally 'exploded'! I heard that Li Family Elder who was always giving me trouble had his eyebrows and beard burnt off by a sudden out-of-control earth fire. He's jumping around cursing at home right now!"

Zhou Wannian was loosening the soil in the spiritual field. Hearing this, he just smiled honestly and wiped his sweat: "Really? Then Fellow Daoist Gu must be relieved. But how could that Formation suddenly explode? Could it be improper operation?"

"Definitely!"

Gu Fan nodded with certainty, "I said long ago that the Formation structure was unstable, but they insisted on forcing in a Fire Gathering Formation. This is retribution! Now they're too busy with their own problems to come and ask us for money. This matter is finally over!"

Seeing Gu Fan's look of surviving a disaster, Zhou Wannian's heart remained calm.

The Li Family's explosion was something he had calculated long ago. That level of "backdoor" eruption would only destroy the Formation nodes and cause chaos. As long as no one looked deeply into the three nails in the Formation eye (which had already blown away), it would be a standard "operational accident."

"Since it's fine, then it's a blessing." Zhou Wannian took the spiritual tea and asked seemingly casually, "What are Fellow Daoist Gu's plans next?"

Gu Fan sighed: "The market's outer district has been too chaotic lately. I plan to seek refuge with a distant relative. Although I'll be living under someone else's roof, it's at least a bit safer. How about you, Fellow Daoist Zhou?"

"Me?"

Zhou Wannian looked up at the inner city in the center of the market, which was shrouded in dense spiritual light, a flash of determination in his eyes.

"I want to move inside."

...The night was quiet, and the midnight had arrived.

Zhou Wannian sat cross-legged in the secret room, the familiar bronze tortoise shell placed before him.

To move into the Inner District, money alone was not enough.

The Chen Family's control over the Inner District was extremely strict. Residents had to undergo "identity verification" and "skill assessment." Especially recently, due to rumors of demonic Cultivators, the intensity of the audit was abnormal. Chen Li, the vice-captain of the Law Enforcement Team known for his ruthlessness, often personally oversaw the audit point.

If he fell into Chen Li's hands, with Zhou Wannian's past that couldn't withstand scrutiny and his disguise, something could easily go wrong.

"I dare to ask the heavenly secrets."

Zhou Wannian's mind sank into the Dao Disk, "Tomorrow, I will go to the Chen Family's General Affairs Hall to apply for residency in the Inner District. When should I go and whom should I seek to avoid Chen Li's inspection and pass smoothly?"

Buzz—

The bronze tortoise shell rotated slowly, and this time the light that flowed out carried a hint of worldly copper stench.

[Today's Divination: Middle Fair (Spend money to avoid disaster)]

[Ominous Warning: Tomorrow at the hour of the snake (9-11 AM), Chen Li will conduct a surprise inspection of the General Affairs Hall, strictly checking the backgrounds of Loose Cultivators. Anyone suspicious will be taken away for interrogation.]

[Auspicious Guidance: Tomorrow at the third quarter of the hour of the goat (around 2 PM), Chen Li will leave. The duty steward will change to 'Wealthy Chen', a branch member of the Chen Family. This person is greedy and lustful, with poor eyesight, and likes 'sensible' people best.]

[Solution: The host needs to display a 'First Tier High Grade Rushing Thunder Talisman' as proof of skill, but do not show the 'perfect version'. It should show some flaws to establish the persona of an honest Talisman master who 'matured late and broke through by luck'. Additionally, prepare fifty Spirit Stones as a 'writing fee' to ensure a smooth path.]

"Wealthy Chen? Greedy?"

Zhou Wannian looked at the divination, a relaxed smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He wasn't afraid of corrupt officials; he was afraid of honest officials (or cruel ones like Chen Li). Corrupt officials had a price; as long as you paid, you could get things done. Cruel officials were priceless; you give them money, and they still want your life.

"Fifty Spirit Stones for a writing fee... although it hurts a bit, for safety, it's worth it."

...The next afternoon, the third quarter of the hour of the goat.

Qinghe Market, the General Affairs Hall at the entrance of the Inner District.

This was the gateway connecting the outer and Inner Districts, and also the place where countless Loose Cultivators dreamed of leaping over the dragon gate.

Zhou Wannian changed into a slightly more decent but still somewhat worn green Daoist robe. He didn't apply an overly exaggerated sallow ointment to his face, but instead disguised himself as a middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion but the traces of time at the corners of his eyes.

His cultivation aura was also adjusted to Qi Refining Level Four.

This cultivation level, combined with the identity of a "barely First Tier High Grade Talisman Master," seemed reasonable (years of accumulation leading to a sudden Epiphany) and wouldn't be too conspicuous.

Entering the General Affairs Hall, the lobby was deserted. Chen Li's surprise inspection in the morning had scared away many Loose Cultivators with guilty consciences.

Behind the counter, a plump, oily-faced middle-aged Cultivator was napping there, holding a purple clay teapot.

It was Wealthy Chen.

"Ahem."

Zhou Wannian stepped forward and lightly tapped on the counter.

"Who is it? Disturbing someone's dream in the middle of the day..." Wealthy Chen looked up impatiently, his small eyes scanning Zhou Wannian, "What are you here for?"

"Greetings, Steward Chen."

Zhou Wannian bowed, keeping a very humble posture, "I am Zhou Wannian, a Talisman master from the outer district. I have come today to apply for residency in the Inner District."

"Talisman master?"

Wealthy Chen yawned and lazily stretched out his hand, "Do you know the rules? The Inner District doesn't support idle people. You either have a Family guarantee or a specialized skill. Which one are you?"

"I was lucky; a few days ago, I gained some insights into drawing First Tier High Grade Talismans."

As Zhou Wannian spoke, he took a wooden box from his robe and handed it over with both hands.

"Oh? First Tier High Grade?"

Wealthy Chen perked up slightly. A First Tier High Grade Talisman Master was considered technical talent even in the Chen Family and was someone worth recruiting.

He opened the wooden box, inside which lay a Talisman quietly.

It was a "Rushing Thunder Talisman."

But it wasn't the terrifying "spiral drill version" that Zhou Wannian sold on the black market, but a "castrated version" he had specially made last night.

Although the Talisman structure had the frame of a High Grade one, the brushstrokes were slightly awkward, the spiritual power flow wasn't smooth enough, and there was even a tiny charred flaw at the end.

This gave the impression that the Talisman master had indeed drawn it, but his level was very strained, the success rate probably wasn't high, and he belonged to the "just started" category.

"Hmm... Rushing Thunder Talisman."

Wealthy Chen picked it up and looked at it, his brow furrowing slightly, "The talisman core is a bit weak, and the spiritual power isn't condensed enough. It barely counts as High Grade, but it's just a low-quality item."

He threw the Talisman back into the box and squinted at Zhou Wannian, his tone becoming somewhat difficult:

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, it's not that I'm making things hard for you. The slots for the Inner District are limited, and your level... is a bit shaky. If you go in and can't afford the rent, or if you can't draw Talismans later, I, as the reviewer, will have to take responsibility."

This was typical "extortion."

Zhou Wannian sneered in his heart, but on the surface, he looked fearful and sincere.

"The Steward is right to teach me. I am indeed of dull Aptitude and rely entirely on diligence."

As he spoke, using his sleeve as cover, he slid a heavy, pre-prepared Spirit Stone pouch along the counter to Wealthy Chen's hand.

"This small amount for tea, please accept it, Steward. If I can move into the Inner District in the future, I will certainly ask for more guidance from you."

Wealthy Chen's hand naturally covered the pouch.

A light squeeze.

Hardness, size, weight... hmm, about fifty stones.

Wealthy Chen's oily fat face instantly bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you're being too formal!"

He quietly put away the Spirit Stone pouch, his tone immediately becoming warm, "Although your Talisman has some flaws, seeing your attitude, Fellow Daoist Zhou, I know you are a steady person! Our Chen Family welcomes steady people the most!"

"Come, come, let's register."

Wealthy Chen took out a Jade Slip and wrote vigorously, "Zhou Wannian, Third Layer of Qi Refining, First Tier High Grade Talisman Master, audit passed!"

"Many thanks, Steward Chen!" Zhou Wannian bowed again.

"Regarding the rent, the cheapest courtyard in the Inner District is in the Ding Block, six hundred Spirit Stones a year. Since you are technical talent, the settlement fee is waived, you just need to pay the rent."

Wealthy Chen's efficiency was extremely high now, directly throwing out a Restriction token and a contract, "Once the money is paid, this courtyard is yours."

Zhou Wannian did not hesitate and counted out six hundred Spirit Stones.

Although it hurt, this money had to be spent.

"By the way."

After receiving the money, Wealthy Chen was in a great mood and lowered his voice to remind him, "Since you've entered the Inner District, stay well-behaved. Things are not peaceful outside lately; the outer district... hehe, there might be big moves. Moving in now means you've made it in time."

Zhou Wannian's heart skipped a beat.

Even a branch member like Wealthy Chen, who was just waiting for death, knew there would be "big moves" in the outer district. It seemed the bloodbath of the outer district by the Black Wind Stockade was already a certainty.

"Thank you for the tip, Steward. I will certainly stay behind closed doors and not cause trouble."

...Half an hour later.

Zhou Wannian, holding the token, passed through the thick Inner District wall.

Once inside the Inner District, the feeling was completely different.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi here was almost twice that of the outer district! The streets were clean and wide, the shops on both sides were luxuriously decorated, and most of the Cultivators passing by had calm expressions. One could even see many Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators drinking tea by the street.

No stench of the Shantytown, no noise of the outer district.

This place seemed like a peach blossom spring in a chaotic world.

Following the guidance of the token, Zhou Wannian found his new home—Yard No. 88, Ding Block.

Although it was the "cheapest" side room, this courtyard was a size larger than his one in Cuizhu Lane, and the built-in defense Formation was a "Second Tier Low Grade Small Sumeru Formation," with ten times the defensive power of the Cloud Mist Formation!

"It's worth it."

Zhou Wannian walked into the courtyard, closed the gate, and activated the Formation.

Until this moment, the sense of crisis that had been hanging over his head finally dissipated a little.

He sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, looking at the solid surrounding walls, and let out a long breath of turbid air.

"Finally... I've survived into the final circle."

But this was only the first step.

Zhou Wannian knew very well that although the Inner District was safe, it was also more expensive. With a rent of six hundred Spirit Stones a year, if he didn't work hard to earn money, he would be kicked out next year.

Moreover, interpersonal relationships in the Inner District were more complex. The neighbors here were no longer destitute Loose Cultivators like Gu Fan, but representatives of various intertwined major forces.

" We need to hurry up and do it.‘ Wan Nian Fu Shop’ Drive it."

"Openly sell Medium Grade Talismans to make a living, and secretly continue to let Old Mute sell 'Thunder Duke Drills' in the black market."

"Walking on two legs is the only way to walk steadily."

Just then, the transmission talisman in his Storage Pouch suddenly vibrated.

It was from Old Mute.

There was only a short line of words:

[The main force of Black Wind Stockade has assembled, targeting Cuizhu Lane. Action tonight at the midnight.]

Zhou Wannian looked at the transmission talisman and then up toward the outer district.

It was dusk, and the setting sun was as red as blood.

"It's starting."

He murmured to himself, "Gu Fan, I hope you run fast enough."