Li Mu took the map and carefully examined it. He noticed that the locations of these shops were indeed very good, surrounded by many other shops and stores opened by Cultivation Clans, forming a relatively mature commercial circle. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"What are the rent and taxes for these shops?" Li Mu asked.

"The rent and taxes are determined by the size and location of the shop. Generally speaking, the annual rent for a medium-sized shop is around several hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones, and taxes are collected according to a certain percentage of the turnover..." Ji Hanyan looked at Li Mu and began to explain in detail.

Renting and doing business on someone else’s turf, Ten Thousand Stars Island certainly requires collecting rent and taxes.

Li Mu nodded, indicating his understanding. Such rent and taxes were not a problem for him; the key was to choose a shop with a good location and moderate size.

"Currently, there are a few shops with average strength that just happen to be up for transfer. How about I take you to see them now?" Ji Hanyan suggested, looking at Li Mu.

"Alright, let’s talk as we go!"

Li Mu nodded, signaling to her.

Ji Hanyan nodded happily, and together with Li Mu, flew away from Thousand Leaf Island, releasing the Tier Three Spiritual Ship and heading towards Ten Thousand Stars Island.

About an hour later, their spiritual ship slowly flew into Ten Thousand Stars Island. At this moment, the sunlight fell on the Spirit Island, reflecting a golden hue across the land. Li Mu looked around, seeing various sizes of spiritual ships rising and falling on the island, decorating it like a poetic painting with stars scattered all over.

The commercial atmosphere on Ten Thousand Stars Island was intense, and its bustling nature was not inferior to the Floating Harbor of Desolate Ancient City. Shops lined both sides of the streets, with a dazzling array of goods that were overwhelming. The flow of people was like weaving meshes, with pedestrians and cultivators constantly moving, among whom were many Divinity Transformation Cultivators and Nascent Soul Cultivators.

Li Mu also noticed quite a number of Sea Race and Half-Demons swaggering through the crowd, their brazen demeanor drawing attention. These exotic creatures carried a peculiar aura, evidently possessing cultivation methods and cultures vastly different from human cultivators.

Seeing Li Mu’s change in expression, Ji Hanyan explained, "Elder, Ten Thousand Stars Island holds a strong sense of free trade, and the Sea Race, Demon Race, and other exotic races have some rare resources that we human cultivators lack. Therefore, they also have a certain market presence here."

Li Mu nodded, showing his understanding. He scanned the surroundings, noticing that the shops had a vast variety of goods, not only including Spiritual Artifacts, talismans, pills, and other cultivation items but also rare creatures, Spirit Grass, and elixirs.

"It seems the commercial competition here is quite fierce!" Li Mu exclaimed.

"Indeed, Elder. If you don’t have absolute confidence, opening a shop requires caution," Ji Hanyan advised thoughtfully.

Ji Hanyan had assisted the Sect with numerous powerful cultivators and Cultivation Clans in arranging shop rentals and had witnessed many shop owners on the island suffering heavy losses due to fierce competition.

Li Mu had just rented a Spirit Island and started operating it. Now, he was about to rent another shop. Ji Hanyan was surprised at his wealth, yet she was also worried that he might ultimately be unable to sustain the shop and lose everything.

"Miss Ji, rest assured. I am an Alchemist and also have special sources for goods. I have confidence in running a shop, so just find me a good shop!" Li Mu smiled slightly and explained.

"I see! Alright, then!" Ji Hanyan suddenly realized and looked at Li Mu in surprise, feeling relieved as she nodded joyfully.

"Elder, please follow me. There’s an empty shop just ahead." Ji Hanyan gestured invitingly to Li Mu and led the way.

Li Mu quickly followed, and the two soon arrived in front of a closed shop.

"This shop is of a moderate size, well-equipped, and has a very good location, situated in the busiest part of the street. The rent is reasonable, just right for opening a Pill Store." Ji Hanyan pointed to the shop and introduced it in detail: "This shop was originally an ordinary store, but due to poor management, it’s up for rent. If you’re interested, you might consider taking it over."

Li Mu glanced at it, then at the street location, furrowing his brows in disdain: "The frontage and shop area are too small; let’s find one several times bigger. Let’s change to another!"

The shop area looked only around seventy square meters, far from meeting Li Mu’s requirements.

Ji Hanyan initially planned to detail the rent and fee situation, but seeing Li Mu’s refusal, she immediately withheld her words and changed her proposal: "Alright, Elder, follow me. We’ll check another large shop not far from here."

Li Mu nodded, following closely behind Ji Hanyan’s steps.

Subsequently, Ji Hanyan took Li Mu to see several shops, each differing in scale and location; some were situated in bustling commercial districts, while others were hidden away in quiet alleys. Though every shop had its unique aspects, they also held various drawbacks, none of which particularly satisfied Li Mu.

Ji Hanyan felt a bit awkward upon observing this, aware that Li Mu had high standards for shops, making it difficult to find one that met his satisfaction.

Suddenly, Ji Hanyan remembered something and asked Li Mu, "Elder Li, there’s one more shop that might meet your requirements. However, this shop is still operational, although it’s not doing well and is open to transfer, but you would need to take over the inventory as well. Would you mind?"