Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

That a mere one hundred and fifty Top-grade Spirit Stones was enough to make Jiuyan act this way showed that even though Qi Yun City was prosperous and wealthy, making a living here was far from easy.

"The Spirit Stones have been paid. I have no objection if you want to go back to your spot, but you need to settle this bill first."

Jiuyan was in a bind but couldn’t say a word. Fang Qingyuan, however, wasn’t about to indulge him. Ordinary methods wouldn’t work on a sly old fox like him.

"Don’t want to pay me back, huh? Alright then. Since I helped you out, it’s only right that you repay me in kind. Let me ask you one thing—can you make Dongzhen Incense?"

Hearing this, Jiuyan jolted. He finally understood Fang Qingyuan’s goal. It turned out he was after his incense-making skills.

It was just that making Dongzhen Incense was quite tedious and costly. Jiuyan had never actually made it before, but at this moment, he hardly dared to admit he couldn’t.

So, Jiuyan said with an air of confidence:

"Dongzhen Incense? Well, I can make it, but I can’t guarantee the quality of the finished product."

Fang Qingyuan nodded, saying:

"As long as you can make it, that’s all that matters. Don’t worry about the quality; you’ll get the hang of it after making a few. How about this: go pack your things. You’ll be leaving with me in a little while."

"Leave? Where are we going? I’m not going to any weird places."

Fang Qingyuan ignored Jiuyan’s questions, simply taking out a small storage pouch and handing it to him:

"Let’s reintroduce ourselves. I am Fang Qingyuan, Sect Leader of the White Mountain Qingyuan Sect. This is your signing bonus. Take a look inside before you speak again."

Jiuyan took the storage pouch and opened it for a look. His jaw dropped.

Fang Qingyuan patted his shoulder and continued:

"My Qingyuan Sect is under the official protection of the Great Zhou Academy, so you can rest assured. Oh, right. You could also try to take the money and run. See if I can’t find you."

Seeing Fang Qingyuan’s incredible generosity, remembering the beautiful Golden Core Female Cultivator who had personally vouched for him yesterday, and now hearing that his sect was under the protection of the Great Zhou Academy, Jiuyan was deeply moved and immediately pledged his loyalty:

"Sect Leader Fang, please accept this bow from Jiuyan."

...

「Half a month later」

Xu Taichu brought Fang Qingyuan some not-so-good news: Cao Jie’s confinement had been extended.

The expected half-month period had somehow suddenly become half a year. It was said to be his sister’s handiwork.

Fortunately, although Cao Jie couldn’t get out himself, he kept his promise. He managed to get his family’s Jade Chen Awakening Spirit Opening Heaven and Earth Gate Array and had Xu Taichu bring it to Fang Qingyuan.

For this Array, the Cao Family only charged the cost price of four thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones. After factoring in the money for the Sacrificial Sword, the Tribulation Crossing Magical Artifact, and the expense of recruiting Jiuyan, Fang Qingyuan’s total expenditure for the trip was just over seven thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones. This was far less than he had anticipated.

Meanwhile, Xu Taichu had converted the ninety bottles of Blood Life Pills into Spirit Stones. After deducting Xu Taichu’s commission and all his other expenses, Fang Qingyuan still ended up with a net gain of around seventeen thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones.

After getting the money, Fang Qingyuan asked Xu Taichu to convey his thanks to Cao Jie. Then, he took Jiuyan and boarded a High-tier Flying Shuttle belonging to the Qi Yun Sect, preparing to hurry back to White Mountain.

Just before leaving, Fang Qingyuan learned from Xu Taichu that Cao Jie’s sister—that seemingly fierce Golden Core Female Cultivator—had a name that didn’t quite match her personality:

"Cao Qingmei."

Standing on the deck of the flying shuttle, waiting for the behemoth to start up and ascend, Fang Qingyuan gazed at the brilliant Qi Yun City and thought to himself, ’Next time I come here, I’m absolutely not setting foot in that jail again.’