"Liuzi, bringing more guests again?"
A hoarse, weathered voice echoed through the cold, cavernous interior of Binglan Palace. Despite the vast hall, the sound seemed to calm the atmosphere even further. An old woman reclined lazily on a lounge chair. Her eyes opened slightly, casting a casual glance at Luo Chen and his companions.
Xu Xiaoliu hunched his shoulders and stepped forward. "Senior Shi, these three are friends of my uncle. They’re looking to rent a cave residence."
The old woman’s eyes flicked toward them again. Luo Chen stepped forward and cupped his hands in a polite salute. She gave a noncommittal grunt and then called into the depths of the palace, "Ah Lan, bring the Spherical Compass Formation."
"Coming, Granny!" came a cheerful voice from within.
Moments later, a young girl trotted out, cradling a large, spherical enchanted artifact. Moving with practiced ease, she placed it gently on the table before them.
"Are the three seniors here to rent a cave residence?" she asked with a bright smile.
"Yes, yes, they—" Xu Xiaoliu eagerly leaned forward to respond, but before he could finish, the woman shot him a sharp glare.
"I asked the seniors, not you. Why are you interrupting?" the old woman barked.
Xu Xiaoliu scratched his head sheepishly and retreated to the back, not taking it to heart.
Luo Chen cast him a glance before stepping forward. "Is there anything we should know about these cave residences? And what’s the rent like?"
The girl, named Shi Lan, nodded and sent a stream of spirit power into the Spherical Compass Formation. At once, images swirled across the orb’s surface, revealing detailed glimpses of various cave residences’ interiors.
Some were humble and natural; others luxurious and ornate. Some clung to the mountainside with sweeping views of the city, while others featured cascading waterfalls that formed pearl-like curtains. Each cave residence had its own character, its own charm.
"All our cave residences in Tianlan Immortal City are built into the rear of Tianlan Peak," Shi Lan explained in a lilting, pleasant voice. "This mountain houses a third-tier spirit vein. Its energy spreads out, making the entire region within three thousand li a place of abundant spirit energy."
Luo Chen, Li Yixian, and Nangong Jin found themselves nodding with approval. They had already sensed it upon first entering the city; the ambient spirit energy in Tianlan Immortal City was easily equivalent to that of a first-tier spirit vein. It was no less rich than the SiHeYuan back in Dahe Market. And this was just the spirit energy on the streets. One could only imagine how dense the energy must be near the heart of the main spirit vein.
"The city and the nearby sacred mountains are mostly built on first-tier spirit lands," Shi Lan continued with a warm smile. "Only Tianlan Peak itself holds second-tier and even third-tier spirit lands! Since all three of you are in the Foundation Establishment Realm, I suggest renting a second-tier cave residence."
As she spoke, Shi Lan rotated the Sphere Formation Compass, revealing various interior images marked with vacant white lights. At first glance, there was nothing unusual, but Luo Chen’s gaze lingered, and he asked in surprise, "Why do the second-tier cave residences show white lights in three different shades: pale white, pure white, and deep white?"
Shi Lan gave a cheerful smile and said, "That’s because even among second-tier cave residences, there’s a difference in quality! We divide each tier of spirit lands into top, mid, and low grades. The higher the grade, the denser the spirit energy. On Tianlan Peak, there are first-tier top-grade cave residences suitable for Qi-Refining cultivators as well as three grades of second-tier cave residences for Foundation Establishment cultivators. If you want, you could even rent a low-grade third-tier cave residence."
Behind him, Nangong Jin and Li Yixian exchanged a glance. They hadn’t expected the classification of cave residences to be this meticulous. Still, they said nothing. By now, it was clear to them that Luo Chen was best suited to handle such matters. It was better to stay quiet than risk saying something wrong.
Luo Chen understood their thoughts but didn’t mind. This was hardly worth worrying over.
"What about pricing?" Luo Chen asked.
Shi Lan answered patiently, "For the first-tier to the third-tier, prices are counted in hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands. We rent by the month, billed annually. The longer the term, the lower the cost."
That was a bit complicated! Nangong Jin frowned, and Li Yixian looked equally confused. Only Luo Chen nodded as though everything made perfect sense.
He asked, "If I want to rent a second-tier cave residence for one year, what are the prices for each grade?"
Without hesitation, Shi Lan replied, "A second-tier low-grade cave residence costs one thousand low-grade spirit stones per month, ten thousand for a year. A mid-grade is two thousand a month, twenty thousand for a year. Top-grade is four thousand per month, forty-eight thousand for a year."
"Wait a minute!" Li Yixian interrupted. "Why do the low-grade and mid-grade ones offer two months’ discount, but the top-grade ones don't have any price cut at all?"
Shi Lan blinked, answering casually, "Because there are many low- and mid-grade cave residences, but only twenty top-grade second-tier caves. They’re always in high demand, so we can’t offer discounts."
Fair enough! It wasn’t something worth arguing about. This was simply how the Ice Fortress set its prices. Take it or leave it.
"What about three years?" Luo Chen asked.
Shi Lan replied, "Three years would still follow the base rate. For any real discount, you’ll have to rent for at least ten years."
Ten years! Li Yixian nearly broke down at the thought. If they rented a top-grade one, wouldn’t that cost almost half a million? She could sell the entire Li family and still not have enough spirit stones.
Shi Lan smiled sweetly at the three of them and asked, "So, which grade of cave residence would the three seniors like to rent?"
Li Yixian hesitated. Nangong Jin’s gaze shifted back and forth between the low- and mid-grade cave residences, his indecision plain to see.
Luo Chen spoke up, "Would it be possible to view the actual cave residences first?"
Shi Lan paused in surprise. Viewing the cave residences in person?
A cough came from nearby. "Little Lan, take them. Treat them with proper courtesy."
Shi Lan quickly nodded. "This way, seniors. Please follow me."
Xu Xiaoliu tried to follow, but a glare from the elder stopped him in his tracks. He could only stay behind obediently.
Luo Chen glanced at the pair in amusement, shook his head, and strode after Shi Lan.
***
A curtain of water stretched between Tianlan Peak and Tianlan Immortal City, as though splitting what should have been a single domain into two separate realms. As Luo Chen looked up at the dazzling, multicolored water curtain glittering in the sunlight, his expression turned solemn.
"A defensive formation?" Luo Chen murmured.
Li Yixian drew in a sharp breath and asked, "A third-tier defensive formation?"
They exchanged glances, their astonishment not at its tier but at the fact that it was active at all times. Everyone in the cultivation world knew how much spirit energy formations consumed. Even powerful sects would hesitate to keep one running at all times unless absolutely necessary. Yet here was Tianlan Peak, maintaining a third-tier defensive formation at all times.
Shi Lan approached the water curtain, withdrawing a jade token and casting a seal with practiced ease. At the same time, she began explaining to Luo Chen and the others.
"This is Heaven’s Springwater Formation," she said. "It’s formed naturally by the land itself and is self-regenerating, so its energy consumption isn’t as high as you might think. With this formation guarding the mountain, cultivators residing on Tianlan Peak can cultivate in peace of mind. There are also people assigned to check and maintain it regularly to ensure no mishaps."
She gestured toward a nearby pavilion, where a Foundation Establishment cultivator was lying fast asleep. "That’s Daoist Uncle Wang. He’s stationed here to keep watch. If anyone without residence rights approaches, he’ll drive them away. You don’t have to worry; if you rent a cave residence, you’ll be given a personal identification token."
Shi Lan gave her token a wave. The water curtain rippled in response, a seamless gate opening to reveal the path ahead.
"Let’s go!" said Shi Lan.
As they stepped forward, Luo Chen cast a curious glance at Daoist Uncle Wang. Foundation Establishment cultivators working as security? Still, this was probably a job many dreamed of. Situated right on the border between Tianlan Peak and Tianlan Immortal City, the spirit energy here was so dense it was practically a free cultivation site between the first and second tiers.