Qingyang Market, on the main road.
Qin Ming received a Sound Transmission Talisman from Shopkeeper Liao.
He immediately put down his work and hurried to Juxuan Pavilion.
Lately, the market has been overcrowded, with unfamiliar faces occupying most of it.
Just when Qin Ming was about to move forward.
There was a large crowd blocking the middle of the road ahead on the main road.
Blocking his path.
The road was filled with cultivators watching.
He furrowed his brows, looked ahead.
He saw a grandfather and grandson kneeling on the ground, pleading bitterly with a few young cultivators in front of them.
"Sir, this Jade Water Golden Crystal is an ancestral treasure of mine."
"If you only give a hundred spirit stones, I’d rather not do this business!"
"Please, return the crystal to me! I beg you!"
The grandson was also pleading bitterly, tears and snot flowing.
At a glance, Qin Ming found one of the young cultivators very familiar.
The other was wearing a blue robe with golden silk, a core disciple’s emblem of Spirit Feather Sect.
He suddenly remembered.
’Isn’t this one of the core disciples who came from Spirit Feather Sect’s Crossing Abyssal Dharma Ship the other day?’
Among the few, he seemed to be the leader, though he hadn’t spoken from beginning to end.
Rather, it was a short young cultivator beside him who cursed:
"Who told you this is Jade Water Golden Crystal?"
"This is ordinary cold iron, you old man, thinking we don’t know?"
"Giving you a hundred spirit stones is already generous."
"Move aside, don’t block the way."
Saying this, the short young cultivator didn’t care how many people were watching.
He kicked the old man far away, instantly knocking him unconscious.
The child’s cries immediately became more mournful.
The short young cultivator didn’t care.
He mischievously stuffed the Spirit Ginseng into the core disciple’s hand from Spirit Feather Sect.
Those around watched the scene.
But didn’t dare to intervene, considering they were core disciples of Spirit Feather Sect.
Watching this scene, Qin Ming couldn’t help but ponder.
’Forced sale, huh?’
After completing their actions, the few young cultivators walked away as if nothing had happened.
"Alas, how did this old man provoke them?"
"Who were these people just now? So arrogant and domineering!"
"Son of the Chief Elder of the Punishment Hall of Spirit Feather Sect, core disciple Jiangg Kun."
"Absolutely rampant! No one can control them, this is the third time this month."
"In the market, anything they fancy is taken."
"Sigh, can’t afford to provoke them, better stay away."
Some people nearby were furious, rushing to help the old man.
Qin Ming shook his head, sighed, and didn’t linger.
Juxuan Pavilion.
Shopkeeper Liao saw Qin Ming coming from afar, smiled enthusiastically to greet him.
He detected the mana fluctuations on Qin Ming.
His eyes brightened, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qin for breaking through to the Mid-stage Qi Cultivation, advancing in the Immortal Dao."
Truly a savvy businessman.
Fluent compliments and smooth rhetoric.
"I heard Pavilion Master Guu wants to meet me?" Qin Ming asked directly.
Shopkeeper Liao led Qin Ming upstairs, answering as they walked, "That’s right! The rental spot at Ruan Family Mansion has been secured by the Pavilion Master."
"But, whether Fellow Daoist Qin can get the spot depends on how the discussion with the Pavilion Master goes."
Qin Ming nodded without a word.
Juxuan Pavilion has nine floors.
Shopkeeper Liao led him to the seventh floor.
The door to a box room at the innermost was open.
Shopkeeper Liao bowed to report, "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, Fellow Daoist Qin has arrived."
"Let him in." a cold voice from inside the box room replied.
Qin Ming stepped in.
Upon entering.
Guu Qingzhao wearing a simple garment, was reading a scripture without standing to greet him.
A spirit incense was burning on the tea table beside, its curls of smoke rising.
The aroma entered Qin Ming’s nose, instantly refreshing his spirit.
"Fellow Daoist Guu." Qin Ming greeted first.
Guu Qingzhao then put the book down, inviting casually, "Please sit, Fellow Daoist Qin."
Qin Ming sat opposite upon hearing her.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, how did you come to know Master Su?" Guu Qingzhao asked, not looking at Qin Ming, lightly stirring the tea with the cup lid.
Qin Ming was stunned, not understanding her angle.
With nothing to hide, he recounted knowing Su Yuqing.
Guu Qingzhao realized their relationship was simple.
Her brows briefly showed disappointment.
Then she said, "I heard you want the rental spot at Ruan Family Mansion?"
"Yes, Shopkeeper Liao said the spot now belongs to Fellow Daoist Guu. What price is required for exchange?" Qin Ming asked bluntly.
Guu Qingzhao didn’t answer directly, instead asked, "What price can Fellow Daoist Qin offer?"
"Let’s hear it."
"As you know, the spot is hard to obtain."
Qin Ming contemplated for a while.
From the start to Guu Qingzhao’s current reactions.
She intended to use Qin Ming’s connections to pull in the young High-Grade Alchemist Su Yuqing.
Unexpectedly, Qin Ming and Su Yuqing were just regular friends.
Making her lose interest quickly.
Realizing this, Qin Ming knew.
Without presenting something valuable, his goal might not be achieved.
"How about Premium Beast Fang Rice?"
Upon saying this.
Guu Qingzhao across him showed a hint of surprise.
She put down the scripture, earnestly asked, "You mean Premium Beast Fang Rice?"
"Yes, in a year, the Beast Fang Rice from my Spirit Field will be of premium quality." Qin Ming asserted.
She eyed Qin Ming, "If so, that’s acceptable."
"If Fellow Daoist Qin adds a clause to the prior agreement, increasing the Beast Fang Rice sold to my pavilion by twenty percent."
"I’ll sell you the spot."
Hearing this, Qin Ming furrowed his brows.
Thinking for some time.
He had Blood Locust Rice anyway, the Premium Beast Fang Rice was bound to sell eventually.
So he agreed without fuss, "Deal."
Then they added to the agreement.
Guu Qingzhao took out a jade token, handing it to Qin Ming, "This represents the pavilion’s spot as a Restriction Token."
"With the token, register and pay additional rent at Spirit Feather Sect’s Steward Hall."
"Besides, pay an extra three hundred spirit stones, not part of the rent."
Qin Ming: "..."
Transaction completed.
Leaving the shop.
Qin Ming examined the jade token from Guu Qingzhao, noticing a ’Mirror’ character.
He proceeded to Spirit Feather Sect’s Steward Hall.
Upon finding someone there, beginning registration.
A lazy voice came from behind, "Hold on!"
Qin Ming looked back.
To see Jiangg Kun leading Spirit Feather Sect disciples.
Qin Ming scanned them, sensing intense mana like mountains.
Blocking his Spiritual Sense.
All were Late-stage Qi Cultivation.
Jiangg Kun seemed Qi Cultivation Perfection, nearing Foundation Establishment.
Jiangg Kun glanced at Qin Ming: "Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer? Hand over the spot."
PS: Thanks to ’JiuJ’ for voting with a monthly ticket.