Immortality Cultivation: I Farm in the System Space

It wasn't just here, many places had collapsed houses, and most people could only meditate and rest atop the ruins. However, compared to those who had died, they seemed exceptionally fortunate. Soon, the sky brightened greatly, and the sun also rose. People from Fang Market finally arrived. Everyone then understood why there had been no Fang Market Guard Squad last night to eradicate the Flame Poison Centipede. Last night, the horde of Demonic Beasts had attacked Fang Market. Since the Fang Market Guard Squad had been engaged in resisting the horde last night, this had left Fang Market incredibly vulnerable. And that Flame Poison Centipede had taken advantage of the Fang Market Guard Squad fighting the Demonic Beasts, unable to spare any effort, and had burrowed from underground to stealthily enter Fang Market. Furthermore, the Fang Market administration also issued two announcements. The first was that due to last night's onslaught by the horde, the Fang Market Guard Squad had suffered heavy losses and decided to recruit a large number of guards. The second was that, considering the continuous uprisings of the Demonic Beasts outside, to prevent another horde attack, Fang Market decided to construct a large Defensive Array on the perimeter. Every cultivator residing inside Fang Market needed to contribute Spirit Stones. Before noon had even arrived, Steward Jiang brought people here. "Lin Daoyou." Steward Jiang approached, bowing with clasped hands. "Steward Jiang," Lin Jing returned the greeting with clasped hands. Steward Jiang turned his head and looked around, the surroundings were nothing but ruins and broken walls, as if an earthquake had occurred, with not a single house intact. "This Flame Poison Centipede, truly..." Steward Jiang sighed, then said to Lin Jing, "You've probably heard about the two announcements issued by Fang Market today, Lin Daoyou?" "Naturally," Lin Jing spoke. "How many Spirit Stones are required for the construction of the array this time?" Steward Jiang did not answer but instead stepped forward, coming a bit closer to Lin Jing. "Lin Daoyou, don't be hasty." "Actually, not only the matter of the array, but Fang Market has also decided to collect next year's rent in advance." "Furthermore, there is still…" "The losses of the Fang Market Guard Squad were significant, and it also needs replenishment, so every household also needs to pay a protection fee, to maintain the operation of the Guard Squad." "After all, they are risking their lives in battle against the Demonic Beasts for your safety; you cannot simply do nothing and reap the benefits." "Lin Daoyou, don't you agree?" "Yes, I understand," Lin Jing replied. "Steward Jiang, how much is needed in total, you say." "Lin Daoyou, rents within Fang Market have risen, each household must pay 20 Low Grade Spirit Stones every year, and for the construction of the array, 30 Low Grade Spirit Stones." "Lastly, the protection fee required to maintain the Guard Squad is paid monthly, 10 Low Grade Spirit Stones each time." "Altogether, that amounts to 60 Low Grade Spirit Stones." Having said this, Steward Jiang shifted the topic and continued, "If you, Lin Daoyou, are short on Spirit Stones, no worry, you can choose to join the Guard Squad." "Joining the Guard Squad means you won't need to pay any Spirit Stones, and Fang Market will also give you Spirit Stones each month." "Of course, if you find the Guard Squad too dangerous, you can also choose to help build the Defensive Array, which can also offset some of the Spirit Stones you need to pay." "Lin Daoyou, see… what do you choose?" "Steward Jiang, rest assured, I have enough Spirit Stones, here you are." Having said that, Lin Jing took out 60 Low Grade Spirit Stones from his bosom and handed them to Steward Jiang. After Steward Jiang accepted the Spirit Stones, he said, "Lin Daoyou, this afternoon, we will arrange for craftsmen to repair your house." "Don't worry, they are professionals, very quick, and will absolutely not delay your night's rest." After finishing, he pointed to the courtyard next door and said: "Lin Daoyou, if I'm not mistaken, that courtyard next door should belong to Daoist Wei, right?" "Yes," Lin Jing answered. "I see he is not here; when he returns, please notify him to pay the fees at the management office as soon as possible," "otherwise, in three days, we will reclaim this courtyard and rent it to someone else." After Jiang Manager finished speaking, he prepared to leave. "Jiang Manager." Lin Jing stopped him. "Wei brother has been away recently; let me pay the fees on his behalf instead." "You?" Jiang Manager was stunned for a moment, as he had never encountered someone paying Spirit Stones on behalf of a neighbor before. "That's fine," Jiang Manager said. If someone was willing to pay the Spirit Stones, it would save him much trouble later; why would he resist? After Lin Jing spoke, he took out 120 Lower Grade Spirit Stones and handed them to Jiang Manager. "And for them too, I will cover theirs as well," Jiang Manager looked in the direction Lin Jing was pointing. A plain-looking woman was meditating, and next to her, a little girl lay on a wooden plank covered with bedding, sleeping soundly. It was Ning Yue and Luo Luo. Ning Yue, out of urgency to save Luo Luo yesterday, had forcefully used a secret technique and got seriously injured; she was now meditating to heal. Luo Luo was sound asleep because she had not slept well last night and had been frightened. "Since that's the case, I'll accept it," Jiang Manager said as he took the Spirit Stones, then bid farewell to Lin Jing, preparing to leave. Before leaving, Jiang Manager leaned closer to Lin Jing and whispered: "Lin Daoyou, although Ning Daoyou is a good person and quite admirable…" "But…" "I'm afraid it's not likely between you two; previously, she and Su Daoyou were deeply in love, and I witnessed it myself, even though Su Daoyou unfortunately perished…" "In my view, Ning Daoyou might not accept anyone else in this lifetime." "So…" "Lin Daoyou, listen to my advice, it's better to give up…" Lin Jing couldn't help but smile wryly, as Jiang Manager had unexpectedly brought up this matter. "Jiang Manager, you misunderstand," "I've recently been studying the Alchemy Technique, and Ning Daoyou is essentially my mentor." Jiang Manager said sheepishly: "Oh, that's the case." "Sorry, I thought you had feelings for Ning Daoyou." "It's embarrassing for you to see me make such a mistake." "No matter, it's good to be open about it," Lin Jing spoke. "By the way, Lin Daoyou, since you are a Pill Master, I have to give you a piece of advice; stock up on Alchemy Ingredients these next few days," "The assault of the Demonic Beasts has destroyed many small families' and minor sects' Spirit Fields, and because of the beasts, the trade routes are also not smooth, which will greatly increase the transportation costs from other places," "I estimate that in a few days, the prices of Alchemy Ingredients will skyrocket." Perhaps out of guilt, before leaving, Jiang Manager disclosed this news to Lin Jing. This information was extremely useful for Lin Jing. He needed a large amount of Alchemy Ingredients right now. In the past three months, while cultivating, he hadn't stopped refining Elixir Medicines either. In those three months, he had refined over ten Flawless Elixirs alone and, since he didn't need so many for himself, he had sold a few in the black market. Together with the money from other Elixir Medicines, he now had over 6,500 Spirit Stones on him. This was why he was so prompt in paying when Jiang Manager came to collect the Spirit Stones. With this information at hand, he planned to start purchasing Alchemy Ingredients in bulk.