Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 187 Huge Money
"First-tier spiritual herb, Sunflower, is purchased at a price of one low-grade spirit stone per plant. There is no limit to the quantity purchased, and the price is better for large quantities."

"First-grade spiritual herb, Ganoderma lucidum, is available for purchase at two low-grade spirit stones per plant. This is the best price in the entire city."

……

As the dominant force in the surrounding area, the Fire Cloud Sect's influence extends throughout the entire desolate western region. Every day, various flying boats of all sizes shuttle back and forth, and cultivators from the south and north come in an endless stream. The area is bustling with commerce and extremely lively.

There are as many as seventeen or eighteen shops in the city that buy spiritual herbs, including those that also sell medicinal pills.

Chen Li visited all the acquisition sites to get a general idea of ​​the prices before he began to change his appearance and attire repeatedly, selling off the mountains of herbs piled up in his storage bag in batches.

The herbs he had were of low quality, all of them were first-tier, with the best batch being only first-tier superior grade.

However, the quantity is large.

For a typical Qi Refining cultivator, finding even one of these plants in the forest would be a cause for great joy.

If you can gather five plants, you can live comfortably for the whole month. You can not only eat your fill of spirit rice and monster meat, but you can even have some left over.

The amount of herbs Chen Li had was measured in tons.

Moreover, these herbs have been dried and processed.

Fortunately, Stanley City has a large enough market to absorb this batch of goods.

After working hard for most of the day, Chen Li had 398 high-grade spirit stones in his hands when the last batch of goods was successfully sold.

Adding to what he already had, Chen Li now possessed a total of 436 high-grade spirit stones.

And this doesn't even include the remaining spoils from the battle of Tianxing Sect, or the three array components of the Zhenhuan Sect's protective mountain array.

Having just received such a large sum of money, Chen Li, who was itching to make a purchase, couldn't wait to start a big shopping spree!

Cloud Pattern Robe: A second-tier superior robe, with a built-in second-tier level 7 shield armor spell.

It cost 85 high-grade spirit stones.

Although he can cast a full-level Water Shield spell comparable to a second-tier level 8 spell, the shield spell that comes with the robe is actually only at the second-tier level 6 level. The defense is much stronger than the shield spell, but casting the spell takes time. In sudden battles or when you are ambushed, the most scarce resource is time, which will not allow you to deal with the situation calmly.

The only drawback is its relatively weak defense.

However, this is already the best robe available for purchase, unless you try your luck at an auction.

The robes are different from the magical artifacts. The process is more complicated, and the production time and difficulty are far beyond those of the magical artifacts. To embroider various runes on silk cloth that is as thin as a cicada's wing and as light as nothing, higher-grade materials must be used to make up for it.

For low-tier robes, the materials are easy to find.

The higher levels are more difficult.

This "cloud-patterned robe" is made from the fur of a third-tier demon beast.

Fortunately, it was roughly the same, and it could at least stop a surprise attack from a typical late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. This amount of time was enough for Chen Li to react.

Guiyuan Pill: Used to assist cultivators in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage in their cultivation.

One bottle contains twelve mid-grade spirit stones.

More than twice as expensive as the Heqi Dan, Chen Li bought one hundred bottles.

It cost another 12 high-grade spirit stones.

"Money really goes by so fast," Chen Li sighed inwardly. "I've already spent nearly a hundred high-grade spirit stones in one go. And then there's the house, which will be another considerable expense."

Chen Li had already inquired about it.

Houses are indeed available for purchase here, but they are all extremely expensive.

A small courtyard covering half an acre costs around five high-grade spirit stones. Based on his annual salary in the True Realm Sect, it would take him five years of not eating or drinking to afford it.

Renting is also not cheap.

Each year, it requires at least thirty mid-grade spirit stones.

All things considered, if you're planning to stay long-term, buying is still the more cost-effective option.

The small courtyard of half an acre was clearly too small for Chen Li.

Not only are activities restricted, but even setting up formations is difficult. Even a low-grade second-tier Yin-Yang Five Elements Spirit Gathering Formation would require at least four or five acres to function perfectly. "Expenses are increasing rapidly. The money earned from the Golden Light Amulet is no longer enough to cover expenses, and the shortfall is widening. At this rate, the remaining money will only last for another ten or twenty years at most." On his way back to the inn, Chen Li silently calculated in his mind:

"We still need to learn how to refine the Essence Water Shield Talisman as soon as possible to replace the Golden Light Protective Talisman as a new source of wealth!"

The area is a bustling commercial hub, attracting numerous cultivators from the north and south every day. The number of Foundation Establishment cultivators is astonishing. Second-tier talismans, which don't sell well in the True Sect, are readily available here.

……

The next morning, Chen Li went to the place that specialized in renting and selling houses.

The gate here is still tightly closed.

There was already a long queue outside.

Are there this many people here every day?

Chen Li called over the Qi Refining cultivators who were at the front of the line.

The Qi Refining cultivators were well-informed and, upon seeing Chen Li's second-tier robe, knew he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. They quickly cupped their hands in greeting: "Senior, this is a third-tier spiritual land. If we rogue cultivators were to change locations, we would have no chance to enter. If a Qi Refining cultivator could rent here for a year or two and break through his cultivation level, or even reach Foundation Establishment, it would be all worthwhile."

Unfortunately, there are too few rooms and too many people, so you have to come as early as possible. I've been here for three days now, and every time it's almost my turn, there aren't any left.

"I see!"

Chen Li immediately understood.

Back then, it was for advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.

He even ventured deep into the forest in search of a higher-level sacred site.

Here, it's obviously much more convenient and safer.

For Qi Refining cultivators, the annual rent of thirty mid-grade spirit stones is indeed extremely high, but not unattainable.

After all, he spent 440 mid-grade spirit stones just on those two Foundation Establishment Pills.

That amount of money could have kept me here for fourteen years.

When will this place open?

"That depends on when the manager comes. It's usually around noon, but it's not certain. Sometimes he might not come if something comes up."

Chen Li: "..."

Chen Li felt helpless and could only wait obediently.

He chatted casually with the Qi Refining cultivator, and time passed little by little as the line behind him grew longer and longer.

Just as the sun was about to reach its zenith, an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator dressed in the robes of the Fire Cloud Sect finally strolled over slowly.

The old man was well-off, with thick bags under his eyes and swollen eyelids, looking sleepy. He didn't even blink when he was standing in such a long line.

He went over and opened the door, speaking slowly and deliberately as he walked inside:

"There are only 32 spots available for renting today. If you don't get a spot, please come early tomorrow!"

The group immediately stirred up a commotion.

"Sigh, there are even fewer spots available today than yesterday. I'll have to come back tomorrow."

"I've been staying at the guesthouse for half a month now, when will there be a room available?"

……

Most of those who felt it wasn't their turn left with sighs, while others wanted to keep trying, hoping for a miracle.

The business is processed very quickly.

Not long after, it was Chen Li's turn, and he was the last one.

"The rental units are all gone. If you want one, you'll have to buy it." Seeing that it was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the old man raised his eyelids and added a few more words.

"I will purchase it myself. Ideally, the area should be around five acres. Please, steward, choose a stable and livable place." Chen Li quickly presented a high-grade spirit stone, placed it in the other party's hand, and cupped his hands in thanks.

The old man's previously wooden and stiff face instantly blossomed into a smile like a chrysanthemum, and he became warm and enthusiastic, a complete transformation from his previous self.
"Of course, of course! I wonder if you have some free time now? I'll take you there to choose one by one right away!"