Chapter 149: Chapter 109: Cave Dwelling Intelligence

"How could he not be magnanimous? Mr. Liou’s achievements in Chouhuai City essentially saved an entire city."

Zhao Feiyue smiled slightly, recounting another reason why the Jin Dynasty values Liou Yuan so much.

"Moreover, you are Mr. Liou’s younger brother, making it even less probable for them to neglect you for the sake of your brother."

"Miss Zhao, you have a clear understanding." Liou Yuan nodded in agreement.

Since he couldn’t open the box for now, Liou Yuan didn’t waste any time. He carefully stored it in his storage bag and then cupped his hands toward Zhao Feiyue, "I apologize for troubling you, Miss Zhao, to make this trip."

"It’s no trouble. Thanks to Mr. Liou’s contribution, I’ve also reaped some benefits." Zhao Feiyue referred to reporting the calamity-level Star Evil in Chouhuai City.

She had indeed benefited from Liou Yuan’s achievements.

Liou Yuan didn’t mind. The advantages of befriending the Zhao Family far outweighed the credit taken by Zhao Feiyue.

Having delivered the items, Zhao Feiyue, because of the issues involving Liou Tao, felt it inappropriate to linger at Xiaopei Mountain, so she prepared to take her leave.

Liou Yuan thought about choosing a cave dwelling for himself.

With Liou Zhen in seclusion, he couldn’t find anyone knowledgeable about the cave dwellings in Five Extremes Mountain.

Being a member of the Zhao Family and already owning a cave dwelling, Zhao Feiyue was somewhat familiar with the cave dwelling situations.

He hurriedly called out to Zhao Feiyue, informing her about his recent plans to select a cave dwelling and implying he’d appreciate her guidance.

"Indeed, reaching the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, the stellar energy on this mountain is no longer sufficient for Mr. Liou. It’s time to select a cave dwelling." Zhao Feiyue glanced around Xiaopei Mountain.

She realized something.

Liou Yuan had always stayed on Xiaopei Mountain, without the abundant stellar energy support inside a cave dwelling, yet he still broke through to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer so quickly.

She, on the other hand, was the first of the disciples to break through to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, partly because of the advantage of having a cave dwelling.

If Liou Yuan were given a cave dwelling, wouldn’t he cultivate faster than she?

"Alas, it all comes down to me benefiting from the family’s connections." Zhao Feiyue felt a sense of frustration.

However, with Liou Yuan present, she dared not reveal her emotions, instead methodically recalling the distribution of cave dwellings on the Fifth Peak and slowly sharing several good cave dwellings she knew about.

"Cave dwellings above class C on the Fifth Peak are for late-stage Qi Cultivation disciples; for Mr. Liou’s current cultivation, renting those would be pure waste."

"Besides, they’re expensive and not cost-effective."

"I’d advise you to select from class D cave dwellings; they offer sufficient energy for practice up to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer."

"You can switch to class C or better afterwards."

"Indeed, class C cave dwellings are frighteningly expensive." Liou Yuan hadn’t run around these last days for nothing and learned that the starting price for class C dwellings is 50 merit points per year.

"Are there any suitable recommendations among the class D dwellings?"

"The three cave dwellings near the Alchemy Pavilion’s herb garden and the four near the class C dwellings are class D with relatively higher Spiritual Qi."

"They are Class D eleven, Class D twelve, Class D..."

"Mr. Liou should keep an eye on them to see if any become available."

The Zhao Family has operated on Five Extremes Mountain for years, so Zhao Feiyue casually shared such internal information.

Listening, Liou Yuan’s eyes squinted with delight, nodding continuously.

After mentally noting those seven cave dwellings, Liou Yuan asked, "Miss Zhao, do you know an outer sect disciple named Sheng Zeming?"

Sheng Zeming was the outer sect disciple of Five Extremes Mountain who owed for Bai Ling Spirit Medicine, and Liou Yuan had agreed to help Bai Ling collect the debt.

He had been busy with his breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer upon returning to Five Extremes Mountain, hence the delay.

Now, he finally had spare time to fulfill his promise.

After all, the primary incentive was the promise of collecting half of the star stones owed, which numbered fifty — enough to pique Liou Yuan’s interest.

Zhao Feiyue tilted her head in thought before shaking it, saying, "The Five Outer Sect Peaks of Five Extremes Mountain have so many disciples."

"Unless it’s a particularly famous disciple, I don’t recognize many outer sect disciples myself."

After pondering, Zhao Feiyue added, "Does Sheng Zeming have an issue with Mr. Liou?"

"Would you like me to inquire about him for you?"

Of course, Liou Yuan wouldn’t trouble Zhao Feiyue with such minor matters.

The help she mentioned would most likely involve Zhao Family resources. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Owing them a favor for such a trivial matter wasn’t something Liou Yuan would do, so he quickly shook his head, "It’s no big deal. I’ll just keep an eye out myself, no need to trouble you, Miss Zhao."

"Very well, then I won’t disturb you further."

"Let me escort you, Miss Zhao." Liou Yuan refrained from speaking much more, merely smiling and gesturing invitingly.

He then accompanied Zhao Feiyue off Xiaopei Mountain before returning.

"The Zhao Family would definitely keep tabs on any renowned outer sect disciples."

"The fact that Zhao Feiyue has never heard of Sheng Zeming indicates that guy isn’t anyone formidable in the outer sect of Five Extremes Mountain."

Not gaining information from Zhao Feiyue about Sheng Zeming, Liou Yuan’s face showed no signs of discouragement; instead, he was filled with smiles.

The conversation with Zhao Feiyue allowed him to roughly gauge Sheng Zeming’s cultivation realm.

"So at most he’s at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer."

"As long as he’s not at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, collecting this debt shouldn’t be too troublesome."

With this thought, Liou Yuan went directly to the peak of Xiaopei Mountain and knocked on Xie Miaobo’s door.

Xie Miaobo was known for his resourcefulness, and Liou Yuan thought it best to entrust him with investigating this matter.

Upon opening the door, Liou Yuan saw two other individuals inside, naturally, they were Qiu Ming and Fu Xueping.

"Finished chatting?" Qiu Ming, sitting there, winked at Liou Yuan, his usually earnest face surprisingly carrying a hint of mischief.

Fu Xueping, beside him, covered her mouth, giggling quietly.

"Finished, you rascal, stop spreading rumors all day." From the expressions of everyone present, Liou Yuan could guess what Qiu Ming must have said during his conversation with Zhao Feiyue.

He glared at Qiu Ming in exasperation and then asked Xie Miaobo the main question.

"Sheng Zeming?" Xie Miaobo rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and then shook his head, giving the same answer as Zhao Feiyue.

"Never heard of him, I’ll help Mr. Liou inquire around."

"Alright, thanks." Liou Yuan patted Xie Miaobo on the shoulder.

The two had come out of Yanhe City together; despite the gap in their cultivation now, previous promises still held in Liou Yuan’s mind.

Should Xie Miaobo need help in the future, Liou Yuan wouldn’t hesitate to assist.

Leaving Xie Miaobo’s hut, Liou Yuan began to have other concerns.

"Let’s hope Sheng Zeming isn’t already dead somewhere, or this could become an impossible debt to collect."

The mortality rate for outer sect disciples of Five Extremes Mountain is rather high.

Tasks such as supporting the Jin Dynasty in defense duties had resulted in the deaths of three disciples above the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.

Sheng Zeming’s deceit regarding Bai Ling’s Spirit Medicine occurred seven years ago, so it’s not impossible for him to have perished.

"No bother, we’ll see once Xie Miaobo finds out more."

While placing debt collection on his agenda, Liou Yuan also didn’t forget the matter of selecting a cave dwelling for himself.

Recollecting the information Zhao Feiyue had shared before leaving, he headed straight to Zhe’an Tower on the Fifth Peak.

Liou Yuan’s luck was good, as two of the dwellings Zhao Feiyue had mentioned were currently unoccupied.

Despite the many disciples on the Fifth Peak, few could truly afford to rent a class D cave dwelling, with a starting price of thirty merit points per year, equivalent to nearly a hundred star stones.

More disciples would rather choose somewhat inferior class E cave dwellings, with the highest cost being just ten merit points per year.

"A well-located cave dwelling with abundant stellar energy spares the need for star stones to aid cultivation."

"Over time, it can also save quite a bit of expenditure on star stones."

Liou Yuan understood clearly, which was why he was willing to spend significantly to rent a class D cave dwelling.

Another advantage of well-located dwellings is their position along the stellar paths.

Due to the Spirit Gathering Array, these cave dwellings can store more stellar energy to supply their inhabitants for cultivation.

Even if all the stellar energy at Five Extremes Mountain is absorbed, the stellar energy within the Spirit Gathering Array can last for a while.

Thus, the dwelling owner can always enjoy a rich supply of stellar energy, maintaining steady progress in cultivation.

From a long-term perspective, superior dwellings offer more value for the investment.