Chapter 72: Chapter 72: This is Your Lives Purchased by
Spirit Stones 1
Translator: 549690339
“We need to be careful. Hunger can lead to many problems.”
“Especially those cultivators who are on the brink of starvation, who knows what they might do.”
“We must be cautious of the potential riots and their thievery of our food these days.”
Zhou Sui warned sternly.
While they currently had no worries about clothing and food, not all cultivators were as lucky.
Even the secular kingdoms could face rebellions due to food shortages and consequent rampant disaster victims.
The cultivation world would likely be even more terrifying.
After all, cultivators wield formidable power. If they were to riot, it would inevitably wreak enormous chaos.
A momentary lapse in attention could lead to the collapse of Misty Cloud City and provide the Ghost Demon Sect an opportunity to invade.
He was constantly on guard against any possible uprising.
“Don’t worry, I’ve set up a Superior-grade First Order Array around our house.
If any cultivator dares to invade, well immediately detect them.”
“If they have ill intentions, they will be killed by the power of the Array.”
Xia Jingyan confidently assured him.
After all, she was a Superior First-grade Array Master, capable of easily setting up a First Order Array, which was more than enough to handle most cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Unless a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage comes around, the breaking of the array would be quite a challenge.
In fact, it wasn’t only Zhou Sui who did so; almost every cultivator’s residence was equipped with a Defensive Array.
However, most of them were merely Lower First-grade Arrays, providing only basic protection.
Nonetheless, it was wholly sufficient, at the very least, for early warnings. “Excellent.”
Hearing those words, Zhou Sui was instantly gratified. As long as no
Foundation Establishment cultivator made an appearance, his location would be relatively safe, without having to worry about the covetous glances of other cultivators.
After all, he had made many preparations to forestall the possibility of disturbances. These preparations were certainly not wasted.
During the afternoon,
As Zhou Sui was refining pills, improving his Alchemy level in his private room, a deep voice echoed from outside the house, spreading throughout the entire street.
“I am Fan Ze, the steward of Immortal Mist Sect.”
“All cultivators who are residing in these houses should come out to me.” Swish, Swish!!
Instantly, the doors of the entire row of courtyards were swung open, and each cultivator walked out, including Zhou Sui.
Zhou Sui noticed a large number of patrollers in Misty Cloud City. Most of them were disciples of the Immortal Mist Sect, with a small portion belonging to the Lu family.
These two forces had combined to become the most substantial power in Misty Cloud City, essentially maintaining law and order.
At the same time, they were also responsible for eliminating the cultivators of the Ghost Demon Sect outside the city.
The cultivation levels of these patrollers were no less than the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.
Seeing that all the cultivators had come out, Fan Ze, the Steward of the Immortal Mist Sect, spoke very satisfactorily, “I have something to inform you all. Starting from today, your rent will be increased by double, and you will have to pay four Middle Grade Spirit Stones every month. If you paid in advance, you would need to make up the difference for the increased rent. If you lack the Spirit Stones, all of you will have to leave these houses.”
What?!
Upon hearing this, the faces of the surrounding cultivators changed drastically. Although they had heard similar news, which stated that Immortal Mist Sect intended to increase the rental prices and would raise it by a significant margin,
they remained skeptical until it actually happened.
But now, the Immortal Mist Sect had truly doubled the rent, leaving them no way out.
“Have you lost your minds? Four Middle Grade Spirit Stones each month, that’s outright robbery! Where would we get so many Spirit Stones?” a cultivator cursed.
Despite the Immortal Mist Sect’s formidable reputation and power, when pushed to a dead end, they had no choice but to fight back.
“Exactly, it’s not just the rent that has been increased. The prices of Spirit Rice and Spirit Meat have also risen, and they are even rationed. It seems like you, Immortal Mist Sect, don’t intend to give us a way to survive.”
“Although we are Loose Cultivators, we are not easy to bully. If you push us too hard, we might as well fight you to death.”
Many Loose Cultivators were infuriated and glared at the patrollers of the Immortal Mist Sect.
Each one of them was ready to activate their cultivation spells, gearing up for a fight.
The patrollers grew tense as well. After all, if these Loose Cultivators were to rebel, they might not end up well.
“Are you fellow cultivators rebelling? Are you?”
Hearing these words, Fan Ze, the Steward of the Immortal Mist Sect, roared angrily, “All of you are living off the Immortal Mist Sect’s resources, dwelling in the Immortal Mist Sect’s houses, yet you are hesitating over kowtowing a few Spirit Stones. You have to understand that you are all alive now because of our Immortal Mist Sect’s protection. If you are unwilling to pay the rent, you may leave Misty Cloud City. Let’s see if those Demonic Path Cultivators allow you to live.”
He swept a glance across the cultivators present, his gaze full of disdain.
What?!
Hearing these words, the faces of the Loose Cultivators turned ghastly pale. They fell silent and could not retort.
Clearly, if they really left Misty Cloud City, they would undoubtedly be torn apart by the cultivators of the Ghost Demon Sect.
Perhaps a few might be able to escape, but the vast majority of cultivators would be doomed.
Although life was tough in Misty Cloud City, at least they could maintain their lives.
Should they really leave Misty Cloud City, they were basically throwing themselves into the arms of death.
“Of course, we are not forcing you. The increase in rental fees is for the benefit of all.”
Seeing that the various Loose Cultivators had calmed down, Fan Ze, the Steward of the Immortal Mist Sect, was quite satisfied. His tone softened, “After all, the large Second Stage Array of our Misty Cloud City requires a lot of Spirit Stones as energy. Without these Spirit Stones, the Array would certainly stop running. If that happens and Misty Cloud City gets breached, we’ll all die. We are increasing your rent out of necessity. The extra Spirit Stones and rent that we collect are all for your protection and for maintaining the operation of the Misty Cloud City’s array. You think we want to collect so many Spirit Stones? These Spirit Stones are being used to buy your lives. Don’t you understand this simple principle?”
“This!”
The various cultivators were taken aback, not knowing what to retort.
After all, if Misty Cloud City was really breached, none of the cultivators present would be able to survive.
If paying some Spirit Stones could maintain the operation of the Misty Cloud
City’s array, then it might be a reasonable move.
“Of course, there’s still a way out of this situation.”
At this moment, Fan Ze, the Steward of the Immortal Mist Sect, changed his tune and continued to say, “If you genuinely cannot afford the high rent and lack Spirit Stones for meals, you can join our patrolling team and become a member of our patrolling team.”
In doing so, not only can you secure free accommodation, but you would also be provided three meals a day. The patrolling team will certainly ensure there are no worries regarding your clothing and food.”
“Of course, if you lack Spirit Stones or do not wish to become a member of the patrolling team, then I’m sorry to say that Misty Cloud City will not tolerate idlers. You will have to die.”
His tone was filled with a deep chill, and a terrifying murderous intent.
Obviously, this was the strategy of the Immortal Mist Sect.
It was either to give money or effort.
Living in Misty Cloud City for free was simply an impossibility..