"Lady Qing Tan, it truly hasn't been easy, I finally get to see you again."
This person was none other than the young master of the You family, You Xiwang.
"The debt of gratitude for saving my life is something You will never forget. Lady Qing Tan's elegance is also something I greatly admire. Here is a modest gift You has prepared, hoping it will be to your liking."
The You family was a small clan in Suichuan Immortal City, with only the family head, You Xiantong, being a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
The scene of Yu Qingtan instantly killing a Flame Wolf in the Trial Demon Tower made You Xiwang believe she was extraordinary.
After returning home, You Xiwang and You Xiantong discussed this matter, and You Xiantong also agreed with You Xiwang's judgment. Both decided unanimously to befriend Yu Qingtan.
After watching Yu Qingtan's performance later on and learning more about her, You Xiwang felt that even taking her as a wife wouldn't be a bad idea.
Unfortunately, the redemption price for a disciple inside Tianxiang Pavilion was no small sum, and Yu Qingtan might not be willing. After all, it was said that she had even refused the proposal of a marital engagement from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of Tianxiang Valley.
Yu Qingtan took the items presented by the servant.
Glancing at them, Yu Qingtan was quite surprised.
It was actually a real estate deed made of spiritual materials and a key.
There were many residential areas in Suichuan Immortal City, with prices varying greatly depending on location, concentration of spiritual energy, strength of protective formation, and interior decoration.
Behind Tianxiang Pavilion, there was a small residential area that belonged to upper-class housing. Many of Tianxiang Pavilion's senior and veteran inner disciples resided there.
And this real estate deed was for a 60-square-foot house in that residential area, which if purchased, would start at 6,000 spirit stones for a 100-year property right.
"This, this is too valuable, Young Master You, please take it back."
Yu Qingtan had already received many gifts, but this one was certainly too precious. What did this mean?
"Lady Qing Tan, I am the young master of the You family, and I am my father's only son. You saved me, and this is a gift especially prepared for you by me and my father. Please do not refuse it. If I take this back home, my father would beat me."
"Then Qing Tan will accept it with gratitude," Yu Qingtan said, her heart certainly wanting it.
"That's more like it. And Lady Qing Tan is always welcome to visit our home."
"I will visit when there's a chance. Young Master You, do you want to watch a dance or listen to music today?"
"Haha, I'll listen to 'Love of Butterfly Lovers'; I can never tire of hearing Lady Qing Tan play this piece."
"Then Qing Tan will humbly perform."
…
"What, you received a set of rooms!"
"Ahhhh, I want it too, I'm so jealous!!"
The next day, when Shen Wanning came over for a meal, she heard the news and was filled with envy.
"You want it, go ask your brother from the Song family!" Yu Qingtan teased.
"Hmmph, maybe that young master of the You family is entertaining the same thought."
"Maybe. Anyway, he said it was to repay the life-saving favor, so I'll take it as genuine."
"Have you checked it out yet?"
"Not yet."
"Then take me to see it!"
"Finish your breakfast first."
After breakfast, Yu Qingtan took Shen Wanning to see one of the managers from the inner building, and was granted a jade token for entering and exiting Tianxiang Pavilion through the back door.
"Even though the distance is short, and there are Protecting Disciples patrolling nearby, still pay attention to your safety. Especially at night, try not to travel alone between the Pavilion and the residential area," the manager instructed.
Then Yu Qingtan and Shen Wanning left through the back door. After about half a teacup's time, they found the house.
The house was a one-story tile-roofed house with a bedroom combined with a cultivation room, a living room, and a kitchen.
The house had a protective formation that could soundproof, and also withstand three strikes from an early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
"It's so small, and there's no furniture at all, but I'm still so envious!"
"I'll ask Manager Liao to buy some furniture later. Go back to studying, and you'll have one too someday."
"You just want to work us to death, hmph!"
Although Yu Qingtan had found accommodation outside, she could only stay there from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. the next day.
The hour of si was drawing near.
...
When she returned to the pavilion, Yu Qingtan found Manager Liao and asked her to help buy some furniture.
She wanted furnishings similar to those in the room she was staying in; Tianxiang Pavilion was not stingy with its internal disciples and provided only the best.
Manager Liao indicated that she could get it done that day, and someone would be waiting at the door when Yu Qingtan returned that evening.
In the evening, after finishing work, Yu Qingtan went to her new home.
Indeed, there were servants and shop assistants waiting at the door to move the furniture.
It was quickly settled, and upon closing the door, Yu Qingtan let out "Erha."
When "Erha" had been put into the System Space earlier, Yu Qingtan told it that it was being put into a Spirit Beast Pouch, and "Erha" did not resist.
After coming out, "Erha" didn't see anything resembling a Spirit Beast Pouch on Yu Qingtan, but seeing the bowl filled with meat, it didn't think much about it and limped over to eat the meat.
"It seems you're not an ungrateful white-eyed wolf who can't be domesticated; let's give you a name. Let me think... How about Xiao Tao?"
Thinking of someone who even now made her want to gnash her teeth, Yu Qingtan came up with such a name.
"Aoow~" Xiao Tao called out, apparently having no objections.
Yu Qingtan didn't invite Shen Wanning to live with her, and Shen Wanning didn't bring it up either, mainly because cultivators typically maintain quite strong personal boundaries.
There are many couples and Dao companions who do not live together.
Before starting her cultivation, Yu Qingtan opened the system panel.
[Spirit Roots: Water 72/100; Wood 57/100; Earth 56/100; Metal 30/100; Fire 8/100]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer 311/500, Body Refinement Third Layer 123/300]
[Cultivation Technique: Clear Water Technique, Ice Skin Jade Bone Art]
[Spells: Cleansing Spell Beginner 73/100, Water Escape Technique Great Completion 10/400]
[Skills: Exquisite Dance Minor Completion 99/200, Butterfly Dance Minor Completion 5/200, Zither Art Minor Completion 76/200, Chess Skill Beginner 16/100, Calligraphy Beginner 12/100, Painting Skill Beginner 9/100]
[Charm Points: 2733]
[Affection Value: 2]
[System Space Slots: Five Lower Grade Spirit Stones, Cherry Red Sword, 31 Wasteland Crystals, Mysterious Seed, 1 drop of Spirit Dew]
[System Shop: Primary Spirit Root Upgrade Card 0/1 (100 Affection Value), First-Rank Cultivation Upgrade Card 1/3 (10 Affection Value), First-Rank Spell Upgrade Card 3/10 (1 Affection Value), First-Rank Skill Upgrade Card 2/10 (1 Affection Value)]
[Lucky Draw: 10 Charm Points for one draw (can do ten consecutive draws)]
Among these, there were two new devotees:
You Xiwang, Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.
Song Zhenbo, Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.
With the help of Wasteland Crystals, Yu Qingtan's Body Refinement Cultivation Level was increasing rapidly, but sadly the crystals were being consumed just as quickly.
While her Qi Cultivation Level was growing very slowly, it was already much better than before. The concentration of Spiritual Energy here was also much higher than that in her room in Tianxiang Pavilion, so her cultivation speed should be faster.
She put some miscellaneous items into her Storage Bag, which she had sewn into the lining of her sleeve.
After exchanging 1000 Spirit Stones for Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level the last time, Yu Qingtan's stock of Spirit Stones was almost depleted.
She still wanted to try cultivating with Elixirs.
"Fortunately, it won't be long before the monthly distribution of Spirit Stones from the pavilion."
Given the number of patrons she had this month, she could expect an income of close to 500 Spirit Stones.
"I wonder how Han Daniu is doing over there."