Chapter 36

When Qin Feng mentioned this, his hand holding the teacup paused again: "The most important thing is that they were previously exploited by the Iron Knife Society. When they came to our street to set up stalls, they couldn't even afford the regular fees. What do you think I should do?"

Zhuang Wudao was speechless. He didn't really care about the Northern City Patrol Office. Even if he offended them, it wouldn't matter much. Yan Jun, the City Patrol Captain, held a low rank but had authority over the four city patrol offices.

However, the opinions of the merchants that Qin Feng mentioned could not be taken lightly. Any merchant who could do business in Yuecheng had considerable resources and at least dozens of guards and retainers.

Since their Sword Robe Hall relied on these people for survival, they inevitably had to do some dirty and tiring work for them. Not only did they have to ensure the safety of these people within the city, but they also had to maintain order on the streets, prevent disturbances, and eliminate theft. Otherwise, why would they pay a large sum of money every month?

As for the regular fees, this rule could not be broken. In the world, inequality is more feared than scarcity. If he took care of these few people, what would the others think? If others don't have to pay, why should we? Shouldn't we be exempted too?

However, there was a way to be flexible.

After a moment of deep thought, Zhuang Wudao's expression was uncertain: "I can pay the fees on their behalf. Qin Ge, do you remember the past? Both of us came from the beggar's pile, knowing the taste of hunger and cold. We were forced to take this path, unable to avoid theft, murder, or extortion. But we can't completely lose our conscience. As long as there is a way out, we shouldn't drive people to the brink."

Qin Feng listened quietly, showing no surprise. After Zhuang Wudao finished speaking, he couldn't help but chuckle: "Is it really that serious? Forget it, Wudao, I won't tease you anymore. Isn't there an empty plot in Dongchuan Alley? A geomancer once said it was an inauspicious site, unsuitable for building a house. But I don't think it's that bad. Since the land is idle, I thought of buying it and building a market. We can move all the street vendors there. This way, they will have a place to make a living, and we can earn more money."

Zhuang Wudao was slightly moved. He knew about the empty plot in Dongchuan Alley. It was about a hundred acres, well-connected to four main streets, and surrounded by wealthy households. However, a famous geomancer from a hundred years ago had declared it inauspicious, saying that building a house there would lead to the death of family members. Therefore, despite its prime location, no one dared to buy it.

Qin Feng's plan to build a market was not just to increase income and provide a living for the street vendors. The real purpose was to add more vitality to this Yuhua Street. More people would mean more prosperity and prosperity for the street.

Zhuang Wudao suspected that Qin Feng had already planned this when the Green Robe Hall was destroyed, but he had kept it a secret.

This guy really wasn't joking when he said he wanted to turn the Sword Robe Hall into a major force in Yuecheng. Just this market alone could increase the Sword Robe Hall's monthly income by two to three thousand taels of silver. Building dozens of storefronts and hundreds of stalls for rent could bring in five to six thousand taels a month. The surrounding land prices would also increase, allowing the Sword Robe Hall to recruit more people and more bone-marrow cultivators. Despite his usual lack of seriousness, Qin Feng had a grand vision.

Then, he recalled that Qin Feng's words earlier had a playful tone. Zhuang Wudao couldn't help but feel annoyed, glaring at Qin Feng fiercely before leaving the main hall without looking back.

Qin Feng was even more delighted, laughing loudly, his voice shaking the house. The Green Robe Hall members guarding outside were all surprised, looking at each other in confusion.

***

Although they had lived on the same street before, Zhuang Wudao was very unfamiliar with this former Green Robe Hall compound. He had never been here before, and a few years ago, he was chased away like a fly when he tried to take a look.

Fortunately, someone led the way, and they soon arrived at a main house in the eastern courtyard. When he saw it, Zhuang Wudao was slightly moved.

The floor was made of marble, the furniture was all redwood, the pillars were inlaid with gold, and the carvings of dragons and phoenixes were exquisite. The decoration of this room was no less luxurious than those of the wealthiest families. The places he had lived in before couldn't even be called doghouses compared to this.

What made him most delighted was the side room on the left, which had been renovated. It was expanded and equipped with a spirit array, turning it into a spirit room. The spiritual energy was dense, comparable to the one he used at the academy. It was said that the courtyard where Shi Bao used to live was now directly assigned to him.

Zhuang Wudao was thrilled. With all the events of the day, he found it hard to sleep. So, he decided to practice boxing in the spirit room.

He took a marrow-nourishing pill and started with the Tiger Subduing Fist. After finishing, he felt a slight pain in his bones, which puzzled him. Could this be a hidden danger from the rapid cultivation of the Bull Demon Yuan Body?

But this morning, he had felt nothing when he woke up. He tried asking the sword spirit, but 'Yun'er' didn't respond.

He couldn't initiate contact with the sword spirit of the Light Cloud Sword, but Luo Qingyun could speak to him if she wished.

With no choice, Zhuang Wudao practiced another set of Tiger Subduing Fist. The pain in his bones worsened, so he stopped and sat cross-legged, following the 'Sword Cultivation Technique' to regulate his breathing.

Strangely, a few days ago, practicing this technique had caused pain in his meridians, but now he felt no discomfort, only comfort. The Bull Demon Yuan Body seemed to have strengthened his physical body and meridians significantly.

With no more concerns, Zhuang Wudao gradually focused. He could faintly feel a sword forming in his chest and abdomen.

"The Sword Cultivation Technique, cultivating a sword? Could it really create a sword? Yun'er said that when this technique is perfected, it can open forty-nine pseudo-spirit orifices and cultivate a supreme innate mystic technique. I wonder if it's true?"

"Regardless, if I can cultivate a pseudo-spirit orifice before reaching the Qi Condensation stage, like Beiting Wan'er, I would be content."

Zhuang Wudao was envious of Beiting Wan'er's pseudo-mystic technique 'Hundred Cuts, Thousand Blades' on the ferry. She lost to him not because the technique was weak, but because she was injured and encountered the supreme martial arts master 'Yun'er.'

Cultivating the Sword Cultivation Technique required a state of no self and no object, but Zhuang Wudao, who started with external techniques, couldn't yet clear his mind and thoughts.

While his mind wandered, he followed the 'Sword Cultivation Technique' to regulate his breathing, gradually losing consciousness and falling into a deep sleep.

In his dream, he found himself in a misty, colorful fog. The beautiful girl still floated in front of him.

"Master, you're here!"

Yun'er bowed, her face expressionless: "Yun'er's spirit energy was depleted and couldn't respond to your call. Please don't be angry."

"Spirit energy?" Zhuang Wudao raised an eyebrow, curious since the battle with Zhuang Tong.

"Yes, spirit energy. It is gathered and is the source of techniques."

Yun'er nodded, her voice slightly tired: "The Light Cloud Sword is heavily damaged, and the spirit energy it gathers daily is limited. After the previous consumption, Yun'er needs three days to recover and help you."

"In other words, the time you can control my body is limited?"

When he said this, Zhuang Wudao felt a sense of relief.

Yun'er, however, seemed unaware of his feelings: "Previously, I could sustain for an hour, but now, with the loss of some primordial spirit, I can only sustain for a moment. The stronger you become, the shorter the time. Unless I find enough primordial spirit or heavenly treasures to recover."

Zhuang Wudao was silent for a moment, then changed the topic: "Why did my bones hurt earlier?"

"Your mastery of the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Subduing Fist is not yet at the first level."

Yun'er explained calmly: "You were able to use the Dragon-Tiger Unity because the Bull Demon Yuan Body increased your strength and reinforced your bones. However, it also injured your bones."

"Is that so? No wonder—"

Zhuang Wudao recalled and realized it was true. When he first used the Dragon-Tiger Unity, he felt something was off, but he forced it with his enhanced strength.

He wondered if there would be any hidden dangers later.

"Just rest for a night, and you'll be fine. The Bull Demon Yuan Body not only makes the body strong, comparable to ancient divine rhinos, but also has remarkable healing abilities. However, you don't need to practice the Tiger Subduing Fist anymore. It won't help you strengthen your body and may even be harmful. Instead, focus on the thirty-six stances of the Bull Demon Yuan Body. This technique can lead you to the Golden Core stage and even the Spirit Body stage."

Zhuang Wudao knew that cultivation techniques were divided into different levels, from the lowest to the highest. According to Yun'er, the cultivation world was divided into nine grades, from the fourth grade being extremely rare, the third grade being extraordinary, the second grade being saintly, and the first grade being heaven-shielding, among eleven levels. The differences were not significant at first but would become more apparent later.

In addition, there were different cultivation stages. For example, his Dragon Subduing and Tiger Subduing Fist was a fifth-grade external technique that could only be practiced to the third level, up to the Golden Core stage, with no further techniques.

Therefore, this technique was far less valuable than a sixth-grade technique that could be practiced to the fifth level, reaching the Void Condensation stage.

The Bull Demon Yuan Body, however, could be practiced to the late Golden Core stage, according to the records in the academy's library. This made Zhuang Wudao somewhat worried.

"But what should I do after the Spirit Body stage?"

In the Lichen Sect, there must be subsequent techniques. But what if he could only practice to the Spirit Body stage?

According to Yun'er, each cultivation technique had several levels, and almost every level could cultivate a supreme innate mystic technique.

His greatest wish was to reach the Spirit Body stage, or at least the Golden Core stage. He never worried about such things before, but now he was concerned.

"According to my knowledge, the Lichen Sect has existed for seven calamities. Initially, it was a small sect with only forty people, but it gradually grew and became significant by the fifth calamity. However, the Lichen Sect in this world is not the true Lichen Sect but a branch. The Lichen Sect has survived seven calamities and, although not a major sect, has invaluable cultivation texts."

Zhuang Wudao's eyebrows raised. A branch? This world? Could there be other worlds beyond the Tianyi countries? Could there really be a celestial realm as the immortals claimed?

However, according to his knowledge, all famous cultivators in the past ten thousand years had died of old age. Death, in a better sense, meant the end of life.