Chapter 112: Spending Money Like Water

Ge Qian left Ye Feng and the others waiting outside and quietly pushed the door open.

A short-statured mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator regarded Ge Qian with a half-smile, half-smirk.

He immediately approached respectfully, pulling out a bulging storage pouch and handing it over. “Thanks to your help, senior, we made quite a profit this time. We deceived the disciples of the Tianxing Sect, making them chase their tails. By the time they realized what happened, I had already fled far away. Not only that, I’ve contacted a few seniors to pull off a big deal—kidnapping the young master of a certain family. We made a hefty sum. This time, I’d like to borrow your teleportation array to get to Tianding City. Please, senior, grant me this favor; I’d be eternally grateful.”

The short Foundation Establishment cultivator was delighted inwardly. If this teleportation array continued to be used this way, wouldn’t it become a money tree? That brat was cunning, committing petty crimes like a street thief. He’d surely keep using my teleportation array in the future, and then wealth would pour in endlessly.

He said, “For the sake of my friendship with your uncle, I’ll allow it. But I cannot activate a medium-sized teleportation array. It must be one person at a time.”

“Yes, yes, that’s fine. It’s much safer than me running around with the hostage,” Ge Qian smiled.

The elder nodded. “Bring them in; let’s begin.”

Ge Qian quickly summoned Bai Ruyu and the others into the teleportation hall. The elder didn’t inspect closely; these ragtag-looking people were clearly scattered cultivators. Seeing the black pouch they carried, there was no doubt—it was the hostage.

Having cooperated once with Ge Qian, the elder had gained some trust. Among these three scattered cultivators, two were of the same realm as himself, with strong auras. It was better not to provoke them. Their eccentric personalities and disregard for discipline, their involvement in kidnapping—it was clear they wouldn’t hesitate to do anything.

Thus, the teleportation was completed swiftly. On the other side, Wu Jiang was more accommodating. Who would refuse spirit stones? Upon learning of Ge Qian and his group’s situation, he immediately activated the teleportation array to the Scattered Dragon City of the Scattered Cultivators’ Alliance.

This showed that the power of the Beast Master Sect was far more complex than it appeared; their influence spread across almost all of Zhao Kingdom.

The Xuanwu Continent had thirteen cultivation nations; Zhao Kingdom ranked in the upper-middle tier. At the top was Renyi Nation, where the continent’s foremost sect, the Renyi Sect, was based, even naming the country after it.

Scattered Dragon City was the gathering place of the Scattered Cultivators’ Alliance, dominated by the late infant transformation stage grand cultivator Zuo Long, who suppressed all around, assisted by the early infant transformation stage cultivator Mu Lei. They were considered regional overlords.

The Scattered Cultivators’ Alliance rivaled the five great sects of Zhao Kingdom in power.

The alliance was a self-organized group of scattered cultivators. These lone wolves were often despised by major sects and families, frequently falling victim to disciples stealing treasures or killing them. They lived in constant fear, their cultivation resources scarce. Being lazy and disliking control, they refused to join any sect. Eventually, Zuo Long, a grand cultivator of scattered origins, emerged and founded the alliance, constructing the magnificent Scattered Dragon City.

It provided a haven and business hub for scattered cultivators, with minimal rules. As long as one paid a fixed amount of spirit stones on time, residency was guaranteed. Outside, even if other sects oppressed them, they would be under Zuo Long’s protection.

Legend had it that when Mu Lei, a late core formation stage cultivator, was chased nearly to death by the Red Fiend from the Red Fiend Desert, Zuo Long descended from the heavens, battling the Red Fiend for three days and nights, ultimately driving him off and rescuing Mu Lei.

He even spent vast resources to help Mu Lei ascend to the infant transformation stage. From then on, Scattered Dragon City had two infant transformation stage cultivators stationed, instantly boosting its prestige.

Scattered cultivators flocked to seek refuge, finally finding a home and belonging.

Soon, the sixth great power of Zhao Kingdom rose rapidly. The five sects naturally wished to maintain balance, but scattered cultivators were ruthless; those who thrived had endured countless hardships unlike sect disciples.

With two infant transformation stage cultivators—one a late-stage grand cultivator—anchoring the city, if any escaped, they could wreak havoc on low-level disciples of the five sects.

Thus, the existence of Scattered Dragon City was tacitly accepted.

Though only six centuries old, the city had grown mighty, boasting its own enforcement squad. There were about thirty core formation stage cultivators. Discipline was not as strict as other sects but had its own style: no matter the hatred within the city, no one was allowed to kill, or they would face relentless pursuit by the enforcement squad until death.

Hence, Scattered Dragon City was safe. As long as one had spirit stones, life there was comfortable. Without them, one was better off leaving quickly—to avoid starving on the streets or being expelled by the scattered cultivator management team.

After stepping out of the formation, Ge Qian threw down a hefty bag of spirit stones. The elder guarding Scattered Dragon City for the Beast Master Sect was a wretched-looking man named Xue Fei, with small, darting eyes. Overjoyed by the spirit stones, he became utterly careless. In Scattered Dragon City, spirit stones made one the master; without them, merely a servant.

He immediately gave Ge Qian a detailed map of Scattered Dragon City free of charge, arranged lodging for the group, and handed each of them a copy.

Ge Qian gratefully accepted the elder’s kindness; having an acquaintance was always useful.

The inn they stayed at had average spiritual energy and cheap prices, a favorite among scattered cultivators. After all, scattered cultivators barely earned enough spirit stones, and most went into cultivation. Luxury inns were found only in the inner city.

Ge Qian and company only planned to stay briefly, so they didn’t explore Scattered Dragon City but gathered in their room to discuss the next day’s itinerary.

Bai Ruyu, Ying Xue, and Ye Feng were utterly stunned by Ge Qian’s lavish generosity. Not only did he spend spirit stones freely, but his network was excellent, and he solved every difficulty with ease.

Though the three had some backing, none were yet family heads, unable to mobilize large amounts of spirit stones. Ge Qian’s strategy was different: whenever it benefited everyone, he spent spirit stones without hesitation.

Ye Yu watched this with a heavy heart. If so many spirit stones were spent before even reaching the Red Fiend Desert, what about mine?

Ye Feng smiled awkwardly. “Brother Ge, I’ve never traveled far before. I didn’t expect to spend so many spirit stones. I promise to repay you someday.”

Ge Qian smiled faintly. “No need to be so formal. If it weren’t for Ye Yu’s serious illness, we could have traveled slowly and spent less. Besides, spirit stones can be earned again, but if we lose our lives, that’s the end.”

Ying Xue obediently said, “Brother Ge, I didn’t realize you were a wealthy man. Where do you get so many spirit stones? Any secrets to earning them? Please share with us.”

Ge Qian replied, “It’s simple. I both refine pills and craft talismans, and occasionally do some small business. That’s how I get spirit stones.”

Bai Ruyu said, “We don’t have your talents. Let’s discuss how to enter the Red Fiend Desert tomorrow.”

Ge Qian nodded, pulling out a map of the Red Fiend Desert he had bought earlier and spreading it out. “According to the map, Scattered Dragon City is six thousand li from the Red Fiend Desert. If we travel day and night, it will take two days. The desert is shaped like a cone, with the Red Fiend residing in the core area. We’ll enter from the base of the cone. After traveling a hundred li, we should find Warmheart Grass. Once we gather that, we must withdraw immediately—no lingering.”