Above the clouds lies a temple-like structure. It was built on top of a flat ground full of spiritual grasses and surrounded by hollowed parts of the mountain, making it look like an inactive mouth of a volcano. A pond lays besides the temple, and a small wooden boat floated on top of this pond.

A person sat in a lotus position in that boat, a fishing rod held comfortably in his hands as it's net was deep within the gentle pond. Outside, the pond looked pristine and unpopulated. Beyond the surface of the water were countless school of fishes that swam around with their colorful fins. A silver hook that shone in this pond was rather eye-catching if someone swam in this water.

On the surface, everything was peaceful. The scenery was like a picture taken as even the guy sitting in the boat was unmoving. Then the water rippled as a certain weight settled on the other side of the boat. The unmoving man in a lotus position smirked, his closed eyes opened to show beautiful green eyes.

"What is it?"

Behind him was another man, this time wearing all black, who suddenly appeared sitting with his head lowered.

"Zhi Wanyi has left the sect grounds. Should we pursue?"

The man sighed before he shook his head.

"Tsk tsk... People with divine luck shouldn't be monitored by our eyes. Let her be. Our sect will flourish with her presence alone."

"But Sect Leader... if we follow her, we might know where that child is getting those treasures. We might possibly gain more if we take things by ourselves!"

"Haa... such narrow-minded views. It's why you have been put as the shadow." His calm eyes sharpened as the atmosphere itself suddenly turned heavy.

The guy in all black gulped, and his posture was tensed as he awaited the next words of the guy fishing. The thick pressure that held the whole space quickly vanished as if it was an illusion, while the guy shook his head.

"Ouyang Yiluo, you have been living for a long time so you should know. Heaven's design cannot be controlled by mortal hands. Don't think that the peak of Golden Core amounts to something from the Heavenly Dao. Such hubris would cause the downfall of our sect!"

The black robed guy, now identified as Ouyang Yiluo, lowered his head greatly. His eyes, the only one exposed from his robes, was crestfallen.

The serious atmosphere quickly dissipated as the fishing guy chuckled. Then he stopped, his fishing rod set aside as he fully turned around and regarded the guy.

"I know how loyal you are for our sect. You monitor everything, and guard our sect for dangers beyond our capabilities. Still, we are the weakest sect within the Cerulean Sky Region. If we try to offend the Heavens, our four hundred years of legacy will be destroyed. I cannot afford that. I promised under the Heavens that I, Hua Qingque, will maintain and lead this sect until death."

"I am wrong. Please punish this foolish one!"

The white haired sect leader simply shook his head, before he gazed at him with calm eyes.

"It's fine so long as you know." He turned around and looked below the still waters of the pond. "These immortal treasures will help the future generation of this sect. Zhi Wanyi will be the one who will help us with her heaven-defying luck."

The ring in his finger shone for a bit before a white crystal materialized on his palm. He took hold of it and looked at it, mesmerized at the Immortal Qi it exuded. Then he held it above the pond with a smile.

"That is right, it's been a month since I offered it an ancient crystal. Hopefully, the Ethereal Grand Nature Array had expanded enough to accept another."

As he said that, he let the crystal fall from his hand. It fell on the pond without any fanfare. The white crystal shone lightly as it drifted in the depths of the pond. The fishes within crowded around the crystal, though they haven't gotten close and simply encircled it as it fell to the floor of the pond.

When it fell on top of many other crystals, the fishes left. Leaving the white immortal crystal among many spiritual stones piled up in this water floor. If someone could peer beyond the mountain of spiritual stones buried deep within this pond, they would see a green sapling that shone with a gentle green glow. Beneath this small sapling, deep within the rock where it was planted were gigantic roots that connected straight to the ground.

If others peered a lot closer and could sense beyond what the mortal could sense, they would find the ghostly image of a tree with branches and roots that covered the entirety of the mountain ranges that the sect owned. Each roots were wrapped tightly around the mountains, and few ghostly leaves were slowly forming around them.

Once more, the air seemed a lot more purer. Each time he took a breathe, rich refreshing Qi gathered on the sect leader's nose. The Qi barely needed procession within his core as it felt so divine and untainted by other elements.

He returned to his fishing, a serene smile on his face while his eyes were deep within his imagination, envisioning a grand future where their sect rose once more from its former glory.

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The Red Lantern City is large. It's a lot larger than hundreds of my hometown.

This is my first time inside a city, and I can say it's very exciting. There were lots of people and stands that sells food. There were stalls that catered to both mortals and cultivators alike.

I easily managed to enter after the guard saw me. They quickly recognized that I'm part of a sect, likely because of the robes that I wore. Even if it looked somewhat plain, it is still the standard robe worn by outer disciples of the Green Lotus Sect.

After my little tour of the city, I looked for a place to stay. I have a week before I have to go back to the sect. I'd like to use all of those time and enjoy my time in the city. This is my first time in a city after all.

I asked the others about it, and they said there were some high class inns that would serve an esteemed cultivator like me. I just nodded at their words and ignored their exaggerated politeness they directed at me. I'm just an outer disciple so there was no need to call me with such lofty titles.

I walked on the busy streets of this city, passing through the crowd until I arrived in one of the larger establishments I saw. Written on the red plaque hanged on top of the traditional covers above the entrance had "Luoxin Pavilion" written on it. I slid the paper screen door and entered the establishment.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Within was a wide room with a line of beautiful women wearing festival-like long gowns. All of which gazed at me and calmly greeted me.

""Welcome to Luoxin Pavilion, Esteemed Cultivator!""

That was surprising. Is this how they treat cultivators here?

One of the women approached me with her head slightly lower and her eyes on the floor.

"Greetings, this one is Ru Mei. May I know how may I call our esteemed guest?"

That's too formal! I can't handle this kind of atmosphere!

"Uh... there is no need for such formalities. I'm just an outer sect disciple."

"My, how wonderful. Being a disciple of a sect is surely a great honor, isn't it?"

"... Yes. You're right."

She wasn't wrong. My parents said that being a cultivator was a blessing for mortals. That meant we could achieve greater things in the whole world. We could become god among men.

"Anyway, I'm Zhi Wanyi. I don't mind how you refer to me, but please don't be so formal. I am not used to it..."

"Understood. Will it be fine to refer you as Lady Zhi?"

"Suit yourself." I just shrugged, already feeling tired at talking to them.

"Great. So, what can we do for you, Lady Zhi?"

"I'd like a place to stay. Is there anything else you can do other than that?"

Ru Mei smiled before she told me their other services. Other than a room to stay, they also serve food, give massage, give tour guides, run errands from their guests, and even drive guest to any part of the city. All of which costs spirit stones.

Thankfully they only charge one spirit stone for each services. Even staying a room for a single day cost a single spirit stone. This was obvious though as low grade spirit stone was equivalent to a hundred gold coins, or so I have heard.

"Hmm... how much service I can get with this?"

I took a top grade spirit stone from my spatial ring and showed it to them. I heard some gasped, and others have eyes as wide as saucers as few covered their mouth with their sleeves. I noticed Ru Mei gazing intently at the spiritual stone before she lowered her head once more.

"If you are willing to give that much, then Luoxin Pavilion will be at your disposal for a whole year."

Oh, she could decide it like that?

"Is that so? Won't the owner complain?"

"You don't have to worry about that." Ru Mei straightened her posture as she gestured to herself. "I'm the owner of the Luoxin Pavilion."

... That was surprising.

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I have been given the largest room they had. It had a large bed, and many furnitures where I could store my stuff. There's also a small stage to the side where I could call a servant to play music to me.

Not like I would. I simply spent one of my top grade spiritual stones because I can. Throughout my three hour long sprint to this city, I spent my time messing around with the mysterious System. I realized I could fuse my stuff even if they were inside my spatial ring.

So I turned all of my low grade stones into top grade ones. I don't have a reason to turn them into immortal crystals. It looks like no one knows what it was so it might have no value in this city if I showed it.

After I got my room, I left the pavilion as I have other plans for this day. I didn't rush here just to sleep once more. I've already taken a long nap in my room on the sect.

I refused their offer to escort me with their personal carriage. I don't really plan to use their services right now. I wanted to experience the city with my own eyes and feet, so I walked on my own and roamed around this busy city.

I found many restaurants, large mansions, and many stalls around the street. After touring around the city, I stopped at a stall that sold weapons. I just randomly picked one. This street is crowded with cultivators. I could feel many qi signatures moving around, so I knew they were cultivators.

Well, there were many cultivators around here. Even at the pavilion, I sensed muted qi signatures from Ru Mei and some of the ladies working there. The guy who manned this weapon stand also had flickering qi signature within him. They were likely holding back their aura.

It's something I learned from some of the techniques I have. Controlling the qi we cultivators naturally released. I have no reason to hide my cultivation. I'm just a Qi Condensation weakling. There's no way they would pay attention to someone like me.

Maybe when I got stronger, I'll have the adoration of many people. For now, I have to be satisfied with this.

"What can I do for you little lady? Are you looking for weapons?"

"Right. I'd like to purchase some."

"Oho, if you are looking for weapons suitable for cultivators, you've gone to the wrong stall. I only sell mortal weapons!"

"That's fine. I'd like to buy some."

"Oh, is it for training?"

"... Something like that."

The man with bulky arms manning the store shrugged before he stepped to the side. Behind him were more weapons displayed on wooden racks.

"Just choose what you want. All of them costs 20 silver coins."

"Uh... I only carry spirit stones."

"That's fine. I think you said it's a bulk order right?"

"Yes." I showed him one of my top grade spirit stones "How much could I get from this?"

I glanced at him and saw his body had turned into stone. His eyes gazed intently at my spirit stone, just like the time I showed it to Ru Mei.

"... A-are you sure? T-these are only mortal weapons, you know!?"

"That's right. I'd like to buy them with this."

After I said that, as if a man possessed he moved with surprising speed. Wrapping spears, swords, axes, and many other weapons displayed on his stall before putting each sacks in front of me.

"I'm sold! Thank you so much Esteemed Lady!"

Before I could utter a word, he had quickly covered his stall with a tarpaulin and left the scene with hurried steps. I think I heard him laugh when he got to a reasonably far distance, saying something about being rich and not having to work anymore.

I'm pretty clueless about handling money. This was the first time I have done so as I'm used to exchanging stuff with sect points. When I was still at the village, my parents were the ones who took care of our finances, so I have no knowledge about it.

As he left the place, I felt a lot of gazes suddenly pointing at me. Most came from the stall owners around me, while some from the crowd who stopped and stared at me. Some of their gazes felt like smoldering rays that might burn me.

"Miss, if you are looking for quality gear, just buy my stuff! I'll give you a discount!"

"We have the greatest artifacts all over the Dragon Continent! Please take a look at my wares, young lady!"

"Shut up! Don't listen to them! Their products are trash compared to the ones at the capital!"

"Did I offend you? Don't throw slander on my business, you two bit hack!"

"What did you say!?"

And then all hell broke loose as many tried to call out to me, and most fought against each other. I wondered why they were suddenly fighting. I could feel some unpleasant gazes from certain directions around me, though I couldn't accurately tell where it originated.

... Wait, maybe it's like that?

Father said something about peddlers having it hard. He said they were rabid when it came to customers, willingly trying to squeeze out as much as they can so they could profit from another. I think I understand somewhat. They might have a lot of children or were supporting their parents, so they needed a lot of money!

There is one thing I have to do then. As someone who will become the strongest in the future, I have to show my compassion to them.

Truly, my mercy is equal to my high intellect. As expected of me!

"Sure, I'd buy your products."

I showed more top grade spirit stones at them, and everyone stared at me before they quickly gathered around me with drools on their mouth. I didn't shy away and bought every product they showed at me.

It wasn't like they were expensive. They were willing to sell all of their products with a single top grade spiritual stones. I have plenty to spare at them.

It's not like something bad will happen by doing this right? I'm just helping up some mortals on their business!

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A commotion had occured in the city. In one of the square catered for cultivators, a rich lady was throwing top grade spirit stones left and right. Stalls were emptied by her sheer wealth and even big business and other prominent merchants were notified of her existence.

Someone carrying top grade spirit stones wasn't normal. They might have a great backing if they were daring enough to show that much wealth. Every organization within the city became interested at this girl.

Of course, most assumed she had great backing. They wouldn't dare touch her in fear of backlash from their organizations. Though there were some who were foolishly brave, incredibly greedy, or simply stupid to think that far. Their eyes were blinded by greed as they settled their eyes to Zhi Wanyi.

"Hehehe... I'll be rich after I rob her!" One guy in black robes said as he gazed at the lone girl intently.

Others were a group, already planning a raid on the pavilion where she stayed. Then there were those who couldn't wait and planned to ambush the girl before she could even return to the pavilion.

All of this and Zhi Wanyi wasn't aware of this. She walked back to the inn without a care in the world, her steps were like bunny hops as she hummed a happy tune. Feeling incredibly satisfied of herself.