22: Chapter 22 A True Dragon Hidden in a Humble Alley? The Moving Day Shocks Everyone!

It was night.

The bedroom was warm and cozy.

Ye Linchuan held the two women in his arms as his Divine Sense sank into the System interface.

[Dao Companion: Shen Qingyan (Affection 96), Su Wanqing (Affection 85)]

[Wood Spiritual Root: Grade 8 (9988/10000)]

[Fire Spiritual Root: Grade 8 (9872/10000)]

Looking at the Spiritual Root data, Ye Linchuan had a realization.

These Wood and Fire Spiritual Roots were precisely what the System had brought him after binding Shen Qingyan and Su Wanqing as his Dao Companions.

Furthermore, through Dual Cultivation with his Dao Companions, he could not only increase his cultivation but also subtly improve his own Spiritual Root Aptitude.

Although each improvement was minuscule, over time, quantitative changes would eventually lead to qualitative changes.

And today, the two women were deeply moved.

The Spiritual Root bonuses fed back to him seemed especially significant.

He was only one step away from a Breakthrough.

"Husband,"

Su Wanqing snuggled in his embrace, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shimmering, "I am so happy today..."

Shen Qingyan also leaned softly against his shoulder, her eyes filled with complete reliance and happiness.

Ye Linchuan looked down at his beautiful wives and concubines in his arms, his heart filled with both tenderness and grand ambition.

"I am happy too."

His voice was low and carried a smile, "On such a joyous day, how could we let it pass so casually?"

"Qingyan, Wanqing..."

"Let us celebrate properly once more."

The bed curtains fell silently, and whispers and soft laughter began to rise.

The Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Art circulated slowly, even more smoothly and freely than usual!

...

Three days before moving.

Ye Linchuan felt that some matters needed to be finalized with Luo Yu before they set off.

He arrived outside the neighboring courtyard and knocked gently on the door.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, are you in?"

There was no response from inside.

He waited for a while and knocked again, "Fellow Daoist Luo, regarding the matter of our joint rental, I need to discuss it with you."

It remained silent.

Could she have gone out?

Ye Linchuan felt a slight tension in his heart. After hesitating for a moment, he reached out and tried to push the courtyard gate.

The gate was unlocked and opened at his touch.

"Fellow Daoist Luo? I am coming in?"

He stepped into the small courtyard while speaking, his gaze directed toward the house.

The courtyard was very small, and the situation inside the house was clear at a glance.

The next moment, Ye Linchuan's footsteps came to a sudden halt, and his breath hitched.

In the corner of the room, there was a waist-high wooden tub.

Luo Yu was standing by the tub, with her back to the door.

Her ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, damply draped over her snow-white shoulders and back.

Water droplets rolled down her graceful spine and disappeared into her waistline...

Ye Linchuan's head buzzed. He reacted instantly, retreating violently and shutting the courtyard gate like lightning.

"I-I'm sorry! Fellow Daoist Luo, I didn't know you were... I will go out and wait right now!"

He finished speaking at a rapid pace and retreated to the middle of the alley as if fleeing.

With his back to the courtyard gate, he took several deep breaths of cold air.

That was truly... abrupt.

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea passed.

The courtyard gate creaked open.

Luo Yu walked out.

She had already changed into a plain-colored martial outfit, and her hair was tied up with a cloth strip.

Her face still held no expression, but her earlobes were tinged with a slight, barely noticeable red.

She walked to a spot not far in front of Ye Linchuan and stood still, looking at him with calm eyes, "What is the matter?"

Ye Linchuan steadied his mind, suppressing his embarrassment, and cupped his hands solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Luo, it is regarding the joint rental."

"The spot gifted by Qiwu Pavilion is for Courtyard Jia-7, a Grade A detached house in Lingyun Courtyard. It has two floors, an independent entrance, and comes with a small protective array and a Spirit Gathering Array."

"However, while the Grade A area seems secure, the relationships there are actually quite complex."

"Since we know each other, looking out for one another is better than dealing with strange neighbors."

Luo Yu looked at him and then nodded, "I will live on the lower floor. I will pay 60% of the annual rent; this is the price I should pay."

Ye Linchuan knew this was her bottom line, so he did not insist and nodded, "No problem. I have already completed the procedures; this is the secondary access token."

As he spoke, he handed over a slightly smaller purple-gold jade token.

Luo Yu reached out to take it; her fingertips were ice-cold.

"When are we setting off?"

"Three days from now, at the Hour of the Dragon."

"That is fine."

The conversation ended.

Luo Yu turned back to her courtyard and closed the door.

Ye Linchuan stood in the alley and breathed a gentle sigh of relief.

Three days later.

The Hour of the Dragon was approaching.

Ye Linchuan instructed his wives and concubines to check their luggage one last time, then stepped out of the house first.

He went to the house next door, preparing to call for Luo Yu to set off together.

The courtyard gate was left slightly ajar.

Ye Linchuan knocked gently, "Fellow Daoist Luo, it is almost time."

At this moment, Shen Qingyan and Su Wanqing were already waiting at the door, their faces showing irrepressible excitement.

Seeing their husband and Luo Yu return together, the two women quickly bowed, "Senior Luo."

Luo Yu nodded slightly.

Ye Linchuan steadied his mind and said to his wives and concubines, "Is everything packed? Check one more time; don't leave anything behind."

"Husband, everything is packed. This is all there is."

Shen Qingyan pointed to two small trunks at her feet.

Their belongings were not many to begin with, and the valuable items were in the Storage Pouch.

"Alright, then let's go."

Ye Linchuan picked up one trunk, and Su Wanqing picked up the other.

Shen Qingyan carefully carried a bundle containing daily necessities.

The four of them walked out of the small courtyard.

Ye Linchuan looked back one last time at the old house where he had lived for so long, then gently closed the door.

Locked!

The morning light spilled onto the uneven stone road of Yuteng Alley, and the air still held the chill of the previous night.

They hadn't walked many steps before they ran into an acquaintance.

It was Fellow Daoist Wu, who lived in the middle section of the alley, along with two or three other familiar neighbors who seemed to be heading to the market together.

"Alchemist Ye, Fellow Daoist Luo, good morning!"

Fellow Daoist Wu greeted them with a smile, his gaze falling on the luggage in their hands. He paused, "Oh, this is... are you going on a long journey?"

Shen Qingyan was in a good mood. Hearing this, she smiled gently, "Senior Wu, we are moving today. We won't be living in Yuteng Alley anymore."

"Moving?"

Fellow Daoist Wu and the other neighbors looked over, somewhat surprised.

Although the environment in Yuteng Alley was poor, the rent was cheap, making it the choice of many low-level Cultivators.

Unless they could no longer get by or had made a lot of money, they rarely moved away.

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

Fellow Daoist Wu quickly cupped his hands, "Alchemist Ye has struck it rich! Where is this blessed land you are moving to? Could it be the Inner District?"

His words carried a hint of joking.

The Inner District was not a place that a Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivator could easily live in.

Ye Linchuan smiled, not yet speaking.

Su Wanqing, who was beside him, couldn't help herself. Her voice was filled with irrepressible joy, "My husband and Senior Luo have found a new home in Lingyun Courtyard!"

"Lingyun Courtyard?"

Fellow Daoist Wu and the others were stunned for a moment, then showed expressions of realization and envy.

"So it's Lingyun Courtyard! That is a good place; I hear it connects to a Spiritual Vein!"

"Congratulations, Alchemist Ye! Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Luo! To be able to rent together in Lingyun Courtyard, you two truly have ability!"

They took it for granted that it was Luo Yu, the Qi Refining Level 5 Cultivator, who had obtained the spot and brought Ye Linchuan along to share the rent.

After all, Luo Yu seemed mysterious, so it was not strange for her to have some ability.

Ye Linchuan did not explain, only saying peacefully, "It was just luck."

Fellow Daoist Wu laughed, "Alchemist Ye is being modest!"

"Lingyun Courtyard is great! It's safe, and the Spiritual Qi is abundant. Your Cultivation will be much smoother from now on!"

"It's a terraced small courtyard, right? The annual rent must not be cheap?"

Ye Linchuan nodded and added in a casual tone, "It is in the Grade A area, a detached house."

The air went instantly quiet.

The smile on Fellow Daoist Wu's face froze.

Several neighbors nearby also widened their eyes, their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.

Grade A area?

Detached house?

A Grade A detached house in Lingyun Courtyard?!

That was intended for Foundation Establishment Seniors, or Sect deacons, or core disciples of large Families!

They heard that the annual rent was at least thirty or forty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to start!

Ye Linchuan and Luo Yu...

A Qi Refining Level 4 Alchemist and a Qi Refining Level 5 female Cultivator sharing a Grade A detached house?

This was as absurd as hearing that an ant had lifted a big tree!

"Al-Alchemist Ye..."

Fellow Daoist Wu's voice was dry, and his Adam's apple bobbed, "Did you just say... Grade A area? Detached house?"

He suspected he had misheard.

At this moment, Luo Yu, who had been silent, spoke indifferently, "Yes, Courtyard Jia-7."

Her voice was not loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into stagnant water, stirring up stormy waves in everyone's hearts.

"The annual rent is twenty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

Boom!

This last sentence was like a thunderbolt, striking Fellow Daoist Wu and the others, leaving them standing there dumbstruck.

A Grade A detached house!

The annual rent is only twenty?!

This price was even cheaper than some ordinary terraced small courtyards!

This could no longer be explained by ability or luck!

What kind of heaven-defying background and terrifying connections must one have to obtain such conditions and prices?!

Incredulous gazes were nailed firmly onto Ye Linchuan and Luo Yu.

The previous rumors about him relying on women seemed so ridiculous now.

To be able to get a spot for a Grade A detached house and rent it at the dirt-cheap price of twenty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones—who exactly was standing behind them?!

The entire alley was so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard.

There were only heavy breathing sounds and the sound of racing hearts.

Ye Linchuan cupped his hands to Fellow Daoist Wu and the others, his tone remaining peaceful, "Fellow Daoist Wu, everyone, the time is getting late. We will take our leave first; we shall meet again if fate allows."

After speaking, he nodded to Shen Qingyan and Su Wanqing.

The four of them did not linger. Ye Linchuan and Luo Yu walked side by side in the front, with Shen Qingyan and the other woman following closely behind.

Under the dumbfounded gazes of Fellow Daoist Wu and the others, they walked calmly toward the market.

The morning light stretched their shadows until their figures completely disappeared at the end of the alley.

The deathly silent Yuteng Alley then erupted!

"A Grade A detached house! Annual rent of twenty! My God!"

"Am I dreaming? Quickly, pinch me!"

"Alchemist Ye... what exactly is his background?!"

"Fellow Daoist Luo is definitely not simple either! I always felt she didn't seem like an ordinary person before..."

"They actually lived in this dump of a place for so long?!"

"Hidden depths! This is true hidden depths!"

The sound of people gasping in shock rang out all around.