The Grey Rat's Demon Path

Chapter 174: Chapter 159: Spirit Vein Dojo (Part 2)

The cave abode he rented was located on Shuyun Peak, the fifth mountain of Cloud Sea Peak.

The lease was for twenty years!

A five-year deposit was required, with rent in Demon Stones due every five years.

The payment was twelve thousand five hundred Demon Stones every five years.

Over twenty years, the total cost in Demon Stones would be comparable to several Supreme-grade Magical Artifacts.

This kind of financial pressure was difficult for even Veteran Great Demons to bear!

Therefore, most of the Demons on Cloud Sea Peak had a special skill and a way to make money.

There were a total of five cave abodes officially for rent on Shuyun Peak, situated at the various Spirit Vein nodes on the mountain.

Previously, two were vacant, but with Xu Chang’an moving in, only one remained empty.

"Gray Rat Alchemist, this is your cave abode!"

An exceptionally beautiful woman spoke to Xu Chang’an with a beaming smile.

This woman was a Steward from Peacock Mountain named Sherri, primarily responsible for matters concerning Cloud Sea Peak.

The Demon Race studied the ways of the Human Race, and the more noble and powerful a demon was, the more likely they were to adopt the habit of taking on a human Illusory Transformation.

A Demon capable of renting a cave abode on Cloud Sea Peak was naturally no ordinary being.

So, it was perfectly normal for Sherri to appear in human form.

In fact, Sherri’s true form was an Elk Demon with an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Minor Achievement cultivation.

Under her command were a dozen or so Qi Refining Demons, ready to be dispatched at any moment.

Together, they served the many Demons who rented on Cloud Sea Peak!

Xu Chang’an steered his Magical Artifact, looking down from the sky.

This cave abode he had rented... Though called a cave abode, it occupied a considerable area.

After all, the entire Shuyun Peak had only five cave abodes.

Outside the cave abode was a large open space where some Spirit Plants were grown. There was also a pavilion on the empty plot.

To one side of the pavilion was a disused pond.

"Gray Rat Alchemist, this cave abode has been vacant for some years. It wasn’t like this before.

The pond used to be filled with Spirit Fish and Spirit Flowers—it was beautiful. It was surrounded by a Hundred Flower Garden, and sitting in the pavilion to enjoy the view created quite a wonderful atmosphere.

However, considering the maintenance costs, all of that was removed a few years ago.

If you’re willing to contribute some Demon Stones, we can restore and renovate this open space in front of the cave abode!"

Sherri explained from the side.

"Alright. Just run the plans by me first."

Xu Chang’an readily agreed.

He was financially well-off. Compared to a few Demon Stones, he valued a pleasant living environment more.

The two demons steered their Magical Artifacts and landed in front of the cave abode.

The cave abode was located within the mountain, specially reinforced with a Tier Two Array.

Walking inside, he found it to be very high and wide, over a hundred feet tall.

It didn’t feel cramped or narrow at all; on the contrary, it was quite comfortable.

An Alchemy Room, Meditation Room, Reception Hall, Storage Room, and Secluded Meditation Chamber—it had them all.

Every room was reinforced with its own Array.

The Secluded Meditation Chamber, in particular, was protected by a Tier Two High-grade Array, sufficient to block the prying Demon Sense of a Great Demon!

In addition, its defensive capabilities were also extremely well-assured!

Even though it wasn’t his first time seeing it, Xu Chang’an was still quite satisfied.

"Gray Rat Alchemist, we will start designing the renovations for your cave abode as soon as we get back. We will report to you once we have a plan."

Although Sherri was a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, she was very respectful toward Xu Chang’an.

A Tier Two Middle-grade Alchemist was capable of refining the Foundation Establishment Pill. If not friends all over the world, they at least had a vast Demon Vein of connections.

"Alright."

Xu Chang’an nodded.

After seeing Sherri off, Xu Chang’an got busy inside his cave abode.

First, he set up the Tier Two High-grade Alchemy Furnace he had purchased earlier. Then, he sorted through the Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials he had, organizing them by category.

He had some Array Flags on hand, which were perfect for setting up a few Arrays.

And so, Xu Chang’an reinforced the cave abode even further.

By the time he was done with all this, the sky had grown dark.

He sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate.

His Primary Cultivation Technique was no longer the Sun and Moon Swallowing Technique from his past; he had switched to one of a higher grade.

Xu Chang’an’s current Bloodline aptitude had improved to Middle-class, and his cultivation speed was much faster than before.

Although he still couldn’t match a normal Top-tier Great Demon, he had closed the gap considerably.

Generally speaking, those who could become Foundation Establishment Great Demons usually had Upper-class Bloodlines, though some had Middle-class Bloodlines.

Those who could become Top-tier Great Demons were basically the cream of the crop among Upper-class Bloodlines.

’Tomorrow, I should pay a visit to my new neighbors!

Also...

I need to sell off and get rid of the loot from the Leopard Spirit and the Ox Demon as soon as possible!

Convert it into resources and Energy sooner rather than later!’

Xu Chang’an mused.

...

The next day, Xu Chang’an took several bottles of Tier Two Middle-grade Elixirs and went to visit his neighbors in the other cave abodes one by one.

The Scorpion Spirit, the Big-horned Sheep Spirit, and the Powerful Bear Demon!

These were Xu Chang’an’s three neighbors on Shuyun Peak.

The Scorpion Spirit had a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Minor Achievement cultivation and her Illusory Transformation was that of a graceful woman.

Dressed in a long Black Veil gown, her figure was faintly visible, making her incredibly alluring.

She was an Array Master with Tier Two High-grade Array skills.

The Big-horned Sheep Spirit, with a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Great Success cultivation, was a bona fide Demon Talisman Master and also seemed to know some Puppetry Skills.

However, he primarily relied on his craft of making Demon Talismans. He was a Tier Two Middle-Grade Demon Talisman Master and a Quasi-Second Tier Puppet Master.

His Illusory Transformation was that of a robust, middle-aged man, though he retained his two large horns.

The Powerful Bear Demon, at the Peak of Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, had no particular trade skills.

He held a position at a large merchant guild in Peacock Demon City.

He often went out, taking on escort missions to earn Demon Stones.

Although Xu Chang’an only had a Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivation, his Tier Two Middle-grade Alchemy Skill made the other demons not dare to underestimate him in the slightest.

Any Alchemist represented a massive network of interests.

Especially a Tier Two Middle-grade Alchemist who could refine Foundation Establishment Pills!

Xu Chang’an arrived with Elixirs and, in return, received some Demon Talismans, Spirit Fruits, and Spirit Wine from the other demons.

It was a show of reciprocity, and they had established an initial connection.

There was no competition between the demons. Since they all lived on the same mountain, they should watch over and help one another.

With that, Xu Chang’an had officially settled down on Shuyun Peak.

Shuyun Peak was not far from Peacock Demon City, so a day later, Xu Chang’an made a trip there.

He shared an update on his situation with Pill Master Ye.

He was still considered a Guest Alchemist for the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop, which had occasional alchemy requests.

At the same time, he was also maintaining his channels—whether for purchasing Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials or for gathering information.

The Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop was an excellent choice for this!

A few more days passed, and Sherri came to find Xu Chang’an with the renovation plans.

After reviewing them, Xu Chang’an offered a few suggestions and gave her the go-ahead to begin the work.

After settling on Shuyun Peak, Xu Chang’an sent out several letters in succession.

Yu Ruyan of Red Cloud Mountain, Cheng Mengying of Lion’s Mane Cave, Jin Yuanba, Jin Ling’Er, and Xiong Da of Langlang Mountain, and the Yellow Wasp Spirit of Yellow Wasp Mountain.

He explained his situation, stating that he was now residing on Shuyun Peak and that any future correspondence should be sent to this new address.

Xu Chang’an was officially striking out on his own to start a High-grade Elixir business, so he naturally needed to establish multiple channels.

These factions were all good prospects!

At Lion’s Mane Cave, he hoped to gradually develop the market through his connection with Cheng Mengying.

Although Lion’s Mane Cave also had a resident Tier Two Alchemist, their internal system was mainly based on exchanges for Merit Points. Some Demons from Lion’s Mane Cave who were rich in Demon Stones but short on Merit Points could purchase Elixirs from him.

Furthermore, he had several exclusive Elixirs that he could sell!

With Langlang Mountain, his main goal was to develop the market in the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.

There was no resident Tier Two Alchemist in the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace, giving him a unique advantage there.

Having Langlang Mountain help make the connection, rather than approaching the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace directly, was a way of honoring their past friendship.

The bit of business with the Yellow Wasp Spirit was more of a bonus. They had known each other for years, and this was also a way to help the Yellow Wasp Spirit with its Elixir problems.

’Places like the White Maple Mountain Marketplace... trading hubs between mountains, some alliances of Loose Cultivator factions, and the territories of ordinary Foundation Establishment Great Demons...

These are all potential channels for sales!’

Xu Chang’an thought to himself.

’However, I’ve just struck out on my own. As a newcomer, forcing my way into these channels...

I’m afraid I’ll displease some factions!

I still need to find a faction to act as my patron!’

To possess a Spirit Vein Dojo, be backed by a powerful faction, open up multiple channels, and run a business of high-grade, custom-made elixirs.

He currently had the first and the last parts, but he was still lacking the middle part—the backing of a powerful faction.

’What if...’

Xu Chang’an made a decision.

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