Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
Even if only a small group of people were manufacturing flying chariots, the patent fees they paid were enough to make Lu Yang's earnings overflow.
Lu Yang had always thought the patent was still under review and the flying chariots hadn't been mass-produced, so he put the matter of patent fees out of his mind.
But with flying chariots gleaming overhead, one couldn't claim the patent hadn't been approved.
"Could it be that Elder Five is kind in appearance but dark at heart, embezzling my patent fees?"
This thought flashed through his mind and was quickly dismissed.
Elder Five wouldn't covet such a small profit.
"Forget it, I'll just ask Elder Five when I see him." Lu Yang decided not to dwell on the issue any longer.
Old Horse pulled the cart, taking Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to the foot of the mountain, where a newly built inn stood.
The Qingzhou Festival was held for seven days, and cultivators couldn't be expected to sleep rough during that time—it would be undignified.
Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou arrived early and found rooms still available.
"Two of your best rooms, please!"
"Certainly, two Heavenly Chambers. Would you like to book a room for your horse as well?"
Meng Jingzhou was surprised, wondering if the innkeeper had realized their Old Horse was an extraordinary being and should be treated as a person.
The innkeeper explained with a smile, "Dear guests, our inn offers complimentary care for spiritual beasts, but space is limited. We accommodate them in the backyard. However, during the Qingzhou Festival, powerful individuals often bring high-level spiritual beasts, and keeping them in the backyard can affect other beasts. If you don't mind your beast being affected, we can take care of it for free."
Meng Jingzhou thought for a moment. Although he didn't know Old Horse's true strength, the fact that the family had sent it as a protector meant it must be quite powerful—it would be good enough if it didn't bully others.
But considering Old Horse's penchant for seducing mares, it seemed best to give it a separate room.
"Then please book a separate room for Old Horse."
"Right away, three Heavenly Chambers!"
"Old Horse, give me a hint about your cultivation level. I promise to act none the wiser," Meng Jingzhou asked quietly.
Old Horse glanced at Meng Jingzhou, snorted dismissively, and clearly didn't believe Meng Jingzhou's empty words.
After Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou went upstairs, another group came to stay at the inn, though they weren't as wealthy as Meng Jingzhou.
"Innkeeper, three Human Chambers, please."
"Dear guest, I'm sorry, but we don't have Human Chambers."
The other party was stunned, "Are the Human Chambers sold out?"
He calculated his expenses and found it just enough, "Then give us two Earth Chambers."
Two rooms would be tight but manageable.
"My apologies, dear guest, we only have Heavenly Chambers left."
"What?"
They were merely at the Qi Refining stage and couldn't afford such luxurious rooms.
"Senior Brother, let's stay at another inn."
The innkeeper said with a smile, "I'm afraid all the other inns only have Heavenly Chambers left as well."
Their faces darkened. Were they to be left homeless on the first day of the festival?
The innkeeper was unfazed, "It's not as you imagine. Every year at the opening of the festival, there are fights over the Heavenly Chambers. To prevent this, the Qingzhou authorities have instructed us to upgrade all rooms to Heavenly Chambers, keeping the prices of Human Chambers unchanged, with the excess cost subsidized by the authorities."
To avoid the chaos and disorder caused by fighting cultivators, the Qingzhou authorities would rather spend more spirit stones to nip the risk in the bud.
***
Meng Jingzhou was unaware that the Heavenly Chamber he was staying in was quite affordable, as he never paid much attention to such trivial amounts of money.
"Lu Yang, once you're settled, let's go out and explore. I've heard there's a street on the mountain selling all sorts of antiques and magical treasures."
"Alright."
Lu Yang had nothing to pack. After a tiring journey, he took off his clothes. Since he didn't know the Purification Spell, he had to use the room's array to wash his body, then changed into fresh, neat clothes and went out to stretch his legs.
Old Horse also had nothing to pack. After a tiring journey, set down his saddle. Knowing the Purification Spell, he didn't need the room's array to wash up. He then released his divine sense to see if there were any mares staying nearby.
"Foundation Establishment Pills with pill patterns, guaranteed success in Foundation Establishment or a full refund!"
"Beast pelts, perfect material for crafting magical treasures from beasts at the peak of Qi Refining!"
"Beast barbecue, freshly delivered from next door, from beasts at the peak of Qi Refining!"
"Solidifying Essence Technique, Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship, Secret Manual of Clear Sounds… All kinds of techniques and spells, everything you could need!"
"The most complete star charts, painstakingly drawn by myself after twenty years of observing the stars, essential for cultivating star-related techniques!"
"Phoenix Blood Stones, invigorating for men; Taiwen Stones, enhancing the quality of blades; Gold Attracting Stones, capable of absorbing gold!"
The street was bustling with constant shouts and a lively atmosphere.
As soon as Lu Yang entered the market, he felt a sense of suppression, not of his cultivation level, but of his divine sense.
After all, with things like techniques, a sweep of divine sense would reveal their contents, so what would the vendors have left to sell?
"They even have Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship?" Lu Yang was surprised. The Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship was created by the True Monarch of Flowing Clouds two thousand years ago and was extremely rare, not available on the market.
Meng Jingzhou, more worldly than Lu Yang, advised, "Don't trust the techniques sold here. The Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship written by the True Monarch can be called by that name, but anyone can write a sword technique and call it Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship. The buyers haven't seen the real thing, and even if they realize there's a problem after purchase, they can't claim it's a fake."
"It's quite normal for new techniques to emerge daily and share the same name."
Lu Yang suddenly understood the twists and turns of the place.
"Do you have a star chart?" Lu Yang took note of what the vendor said.
His cultivation technique had nothing to do with stars, but he could buy one to guess which stars were his senior sister's Golden Elixir.
"Dear guest, you have a keen eye. This star chart is the only one in the world, drawn using a long-range viewing device. My own cultivation technique is related to vision, and I've poured my heart and soul into creating this star chart!"
"May I take a look?"
Upon hearing this, the vendor became wary, "No, I can't see through your cultivation level. Even if divine sense can't be used here, you might have a mental space where you can memorize the contents of the star chart with just a glance and then not buy it."
Lu Yang chuckled, as he had no such intentions.
"How many spirit stones? I'll buy it."
"There's only one copy of the chart in the world, two thousand spirit stones, non-negotiable."
Two thousand spirit stones were affordable for Lu Yang. Just as he was about to pay, he heard an excited voice from behind.
"Senior Brother, look, there's a star chart here!"
"What?"
The Senior Brother was overjoyed. He had a True Disciple Senior Sister who cultivated a star-related technique and needed a star chart.
To win his Senior Sister's favor, the star chart was essential.
Seeing Lu Yang's friendly face, he thought he would be easy to talk to. He rehearsed in his mind: Esteemed Senior Brother, the star chart is essential for a technique my admired Senior Sister cultivates. Could you kindly part with it for me?
He repeated the line twice, feeling the words and tone were just right. Suppressing his nervousness, he clasped his fists and said to Lu Yang:
"Esteemed Senior Sister, the star chart is essential for a technique my admired Senior Brother cultivates. Could you kindly part with it for me?"
Lu Yang turned around, confirmed his own gender and the other's, and silently stepped back two paces.