Chapter 24: New House

In the courtyard, beneath a towering tree, two figures sat together, drinking tea and chatting in a relaxed manner. Lan Rui and Sister Wei Xin exchanged lighthearted conversation over several cups of tea before he finally brought up the reason for his visit.

"Sis Wei, I want to move to the inner market, but I'm not sure which area would be best. Can you help me?"

Wei Xin smiled knowingly. "So, you've decided to move? A wise choice. The conflict has escalated even further, and the Mu Family has finally decided to join the fray."

"This likely signals the approaching final battle between the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. The Mu Family wouldn't want too many of their clansmen caught in the crossfire."

She then studied him for a moment before adding, "It's also quite impressive that you've already reached the Fifth Layer within just a month."

Lan Rui chuckled. "I was just lucky. Meanwhile, I assume you've succeeded in breaking through as well, right?" he asked with a knowing smile.

She let out a soft laugh. "I've been stuck at the Seventh Layer for five years before finally making an attempt to break through. You, on the other hand, succeeded within a month. It's a different story entirely."

"Still, you should stabilize your foundation before attempting another breakthrough. It will make future advancements smoother," she advised.

Lan Rui nodded. "I understand, but with the way things are unfolding, I can't afford to stay idle. If I lack strength, everything else is meaningless."

Wei Xin sighed, acknowledging the truth in his words. Even a solid foundation was meaningless in the face of an overwhelming cultivation gap.

"How much are you willing to spend on rent?" she asked.

"About 400 spirit stones per year," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. He had more spirit stones stored away, but he needed them for supplies and other necessities.

Wei Xin raised an eyebrow. "Did you rob someone?" she asked, feigning shock.

"Don't slander me like that, Sis Wei! I've been working hard all month," he protested sheepishly.

She laughed. "I know. If you ever turned to thievery, I'd be the one to visit you instead."

He shuddered at her words. "Is she still keeping an eye on me?" he wondered to himself.

Before he could dwell on it further, she continued, "Even with 400 spirit stones per year, your options are limited."

Lan Rui sighed. "I was hoping to live near your neighborhood, but judging by the size of your estate, I doubt I can even afford the monthly rent there."

As they continued chatting, a pair of resentful eyes watched them from the shadows, their gaze locked onto Lan Rui.

.....

Standing before a house with a courtyard about one-fifth the size of Sister Wei's estate, three figures conversed.

"So, Young Master Lan, what do you think? Does this residence suit your tastes?" the man in the gray robe asked.

Lan Rui eyed the house skeptically. "How much did you say the rent was again?"

"Only 400 spirit stones per year," the man replied smoothly.

This man was an official in charge of residential properties in the inner market. Earlier, when they arrived at the office, Sister Wei Xin had asked Lan Rui to wait outside.

Though puzzled, he complied. When she finally emerged, a gray-robed official had followed her out, brimming with enthusiasm.

Now, standing before this house, which was just two streets away from Wei Xin's residence, Lan Rui felt suspicious. Property this close to her neighborhood should be far more expensive.

As he glanced at her, he asked cautiously, "Sis Wei... Hasn't the rent increased lately?"

Wei Xin merely smiled without answering.

Lan Rui sighed in resignation. "Fine, I'll take it."

"Excellent choice, Young Master! Let's finalize the paperwork."

After an incense stick's time, all the necessary procedures were completed, and Lan Rui, alongside Sister Wei, made their way to his new residence. She showed him how to activate the protective array before settling in the courtyard.

"Sister Wei, I also plan to visit the Black Market. Could you show me the way?"

"Of course. But the Black Market only opens about an incense stick's time after sunset. We'll go tonight."

After a brief conversation, she left, allowing him time to settle in. However, before he could enter his new home, a cold-faced man approached him.

"You! Who are you, and what is your relationship with Fairy Wei?" the man demanded loudly.

"Fairy Wei?" Lan Rui repeated, confused by the unfamiliar title.

"Don't play dumb! I saw you happily chatting with her the entire day. Don't try to deny it!" the man growled.

Lan Rui raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you mean Sister Wei? Of course, I know her. But who are you to question my personal affairs?"

The moment the man heard the words "personal affairs," his face turned red with rage, and a surge of killing intent radiated from him.

"You! How dare a lowly cultivator like you speak of having personal affairs with Fairy Wei! Consider this a warning, stay away from her, or you won't even know how you died!"

With that, he turned and stormed off.

Lan Rui watched him leave with narrowed eyes. "Was he watching us from morning until now? I should inform Sister Wei about this tonight."

Shaking his head, he entered his house and began arranging his belongings.

.....

Later that night, he arrived at Willow Leaf Teahouse and made his way to the second floor. A black-robed woman sat beside a secluded table. Recognizing her instantly, he raised his hand in greeting before approaching.

"Sis Wei, is this the Black Market?" he asked.

"No, but it's the entrance to one of the passages leading there," she replied.

She then stood and led him to the back of the building, where a round jade plate with intricate engravings lay on the ground.

"Step onto it, and the plate will transport you to the Black Market."

Lan Rui's eyes widened. "Is this a teleportation array?"

"Not quite. This is a Transfer Array, a lesser version of a Teleportation Array," she explained. "It can only transport someone to designated checkpoints within a hundred-kilometer radius. Several of these exist across the market, forming a network."

She smirked. "Only a major power like the Cloud Sword Sect possesses an actual Teleportation Array, and even then, it's a minor one, and they have only one. Enough talk. Step onto the plate."

Lan Rui nodded and stepped onto the jade plate. The engravings lit up, and in a flash of radiant light, he vanished

.....