Chapter Six: Dwelling

A few traces of bashfulness appeared on Sun Qi’s face. “Brother Mu, you jest; what I respect is the spirit crystals.”

As expected, Li Mu smiled. “You are a cultivator, while I am but a common mortal. If one desires spirit crystals, why not simply rob them?”

In a place like Creek Village, life was as cheap as a dog’s, and he had learned to be wary.

Sun Qi hurriedly raised his hand. “Don’t say such things, Brother Mu. In Deyang City, no one dares break the rules. Whether cultivator or mortal, anyone who causes trouble will come to a bad end.”

“But I’m only a novice on the path of cultivation, hardly a cultivator at all.” As he spoke, he sounded somewhat resigned.

Li Mu took a mouthful of spirit brew; the flavor was light and floral.

He recalled hearing such things before, but now they were confirmed with even greater clarity.

The city was nothing like its outskirts—here there was order, while beyond, there was chaos. In Deyang City, one was forbidden to commit acts of violence; anyone who dared would face strict punishment.

But he also knew this could only be temporary.

Travelers could remain in Deyang City for only one day; the next, they had to leave. Outside the city, there was no protection, and countless treasures were simply handed to others.

However, those who became true citizens of Deyang City and resided there long-term could receive the city’s protection.

The two spoke quietly for a while, and Li Mu gained a deeper understanding of Deyang City and the Cloud Mountain Realm.

“You’re short of spirit crystals?” Li Mu asked.

Sun Qi sighed, pain etched across his face. “Terribly short. I want to buy a pill to cure my brother’s illness. Without it, he will soon die.”

For a cultivator newly in the Qi Condensation stage, there were indeed very few ways to earn spirit crystals. He had to try everything, no matter how urgent, doing whatever work he could find. Even a single inferior spirit crystal was worth the loss of a cultivator’s dignity.

Li Mu nodded in understanding and did not inquire further.

Everyone bore their own burdens—no one could carry another’s.

“Later, help me obtain a permanent residence token. I’ll pay you for your trouble.”

Li Mu produced three inferior spirit crystals. “Here’s half your payment in advance.”

“Thank you, thank you, Brother Mu.” Sun Qi quickly stood and bowed. Though a few inferior spirit crystals were nothing much, to him, they were precious.

Li Mu, holding a bowl of rice, said, “Eat quickly.”

Spirit rice, rich in spiritual energy, could be absorbed and transformed into true power within the body, slightly increasing one’s cultivation. For ordinary folk, a single meal could stave off hunger and thirst for three days. Used over time, it could refine the mortal body and increase one’s strength.

Yet the price was far beyond the reach of most, and few ordinary people could afford to eat it.

“Fourth Brother, Brother, you should try this—it’s delicious.”

Li Ying picked up a snowy white piece of fish and placed it in their bowls.

“Mmm...” With his mouth full, Li Si could only nod, unable to speak.

Watching their joyful faces, Li Mu felt that the spirit crystals had been well spent.

Inside the city’s sundry hall—

A blue-robed cultivator spoke coldly, “Ten inferior spirit crystals per month—no distinction between mortals and cultivators.”

The price was truly steep. Could they do without it? Li Mu shook his head, then took out sixty inferior spirit crystals. “Immortal sir, two months for our group.”

The blue-robed cultivator looked surprised—he hadn’t expected these youngsters to have such wealth.

But this was not unheard of. Stunned for a moment, the blue-robed cultivator quickly regained his composure.

“This way.” He led them to a smooth jade wall. “Stand over there.”

Li Ying obediently stood before the jade wall, head swaying from side to side.

A flash of light, and her image was projected onto the jade wall, clear and lifelike, almost indistinguishable from reality.

“Oh!”

Li Ying stared, dumbfounded, at her reflection in the jade wall. Lifting her hand, she asked, “Are you also Ying’er?”

The blue-robed cultivator could not help but smile faintly. With a gesture, the image vanished, and two jade tokens appeared in his hand.

“Little girl, this is for you. It’s your proof of residency in Deyang City. Pour a trace of true power into it, and you can access your information. If anything happens, you can also use it to communicate...” Halfway through his explanation, the cultivator paused and smiled. “Ha, why am I telling you this? You’re not a cultivator, after all. It’s been many years since I’ve seen mortals apply for residency.”

“Thank you, uncle.” Li Ying accepted the jade token and inspected it with interest.

Soon, everyone received their proof of residency.

The blue-robed cultivator pointed at Sun Qi. “He’s your guide. He’ll take you to your lodging.”

Sun Qi nodded to show he understood.

The blue-robed cultivator added, “If you wish to stay longer than two months, return three days before your term ends to renew your permit. Remember this.”

Li Mu bowed in thanks, and the group left the sundry hall together.

Sun Qi collected a jade token, infused it with a trace of true power, and nodded. “Brother Mu, your lodging is in the eastern district. I’ll take you there now.”

Anyone who registered for a residency token also received a place to stay.

To cultivators, the lodgings in the eastern district were crude and plain; spiritual energy there was thin and unsuitable for cultivation. The city center, rich in spiritual energy, was far more expensive—ten spirit crystals would not suffice.

But to Li Mu and his companions, these lodgings were not crude at all. Compared to Creek Village, they were luxurious and comfortable.

Rows of neat two-story buildings, all constructed from thick copper peachwood—sturdier even than stone. Arranged in a triskelion pattern, the buildings stood with ample space between them. Behind each one, there was even a patch of lush green grass.

“Ah!”

Li Ying gazed at the beautiful buildings, eyes shining. “Brother, is this where we’ll live from now on?”

Li Mu smiled. “Yes, this is our new home.”

“How wonderful.” Li Ying murmured softly. In the past, she had envied the homes of others, but even the wealthiest man in the village, Li San, could not have afforded a house like this.

Li Mu turned to Li Si. “Ah Si, take Ying’er inside and don’t wander off. I’ll be back shortly.”

Li Si nodded, raising his head to look at Li Mu with determination. “Brother Mu, when will we avenge our wrongs?”

Li Mu glanced at Sun Qi nearby, then said seriously, “Stay with me and focus on living well for now. Vengeance will come, but not yet.”

“Oh, I’ll listen to you, Brother Mu.” Li Si nodded fiercely, taking Li Ying’s hand and heading indoors.

Li Mu sighed inwardly—Li Si’s thirst for vengeance came from a place beyond his understanding, but perhaps that was not a bad thing.

Turning to Sun Qi, he asked, “Is there somewhere private here? I’d like to speak with you.”

Sun Qi looked puzzled. “About what?”

“Cultivation—I want to know how to become a cultivator.”

Li Mu’s gaze was resolute, revealing an unspoken determination.

Cultivation was his goal. Sun Qi was the only cultivator he could speak with, and he could not let the opportunity slip away, no matter the cost.

Sun Qi hesitated. “Now?”

“Right now. I can pay you in spirit crystals,” Li Mu replied firmly.

Sun Qi quickly waved his hand. “No need—six inferior spirit crystals are more than enough. What do you want to know?”

Li Mu’s expression softened, and he nodded. “Everything you know. Tell me everything.”