Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 10: Collecting Rent

"This humble cultivator, Bingfeng, greets the two upper-class cultivators. May I ask what brings you here? I am late today, please forgive my lateness."

He was certainly puzzled, and a surge of anger welled up inside him, after all, he had just been humiliated and extorted by the patrol guards who also belonged to the Chen family yesterday.

As a qualified low-level cultivator, being able to assess the situation is a basic survival skill. On the surface, he showed no impatience whatsoever, and instead revealed a fawning smile once again.

"Young friend Tong is the owner who rented this place. Although we belong to a family, there is no need for such formalities. We should treat each other as equals."

"We are here today on the orders of our family to collect the rent for the cave dwelling for the next three months. Young friend Tong, you only need to pay three spirit stones."

One of the monks spoke quite calmly, yet the firmness and unyielding nature of his words were crystal clear.

Upon hearing the purpose of the other party's visit, Tong Bingfeng broke out in a cold sweat. According to the regulations of Binghai Market, only one month's worth of spirit stones should be paid each time, but today the amount had suddenly increased to three.

Moreover, he was extorted by the market guards just yesterday, and all the spirit stones he had painstakingly accumulated were gone. The connection between these events is truly terrifying to think about.

This interconnected action was not the work of the market patrol or the management office alone, but rather a collective action from the market or the Chen family.

Their purpose was nothing more than to expel the group of rogue cultivators who had rented the Ice Spirit Island and disperse them to the first-tier spirit islands belonging to the Chen family.

"Is your wallet a little empty, young friend?"

"The family anticipated this, and the change in the market's monthly rent collection method was also a breach of contract on the part of the family. Young friend Tong, you can relocate to the top-grade first-tier Ice Azure Spirit Island on the outskirts of the family. The first three months' rent will be waived, and you will only need half a spirit stone per month thereafter. You can also enjoy a stable supply of first-tier mid-grade spiritual energy for three hours every day. How about that?"

"With your current cultivation level, young friend Tong, you may be able to advance to the fourth level of Qi Refining within three months."

As expected, seeing Tong Bingfeng's silence, the cultivator seemed to have been prepared and proposed another tempting compensatory measure.

On the surface, moving to the Ice Green Spirit Island would not only not cause him any loss, but would also save him the cost of spirit stone rent and allow him to enjoy a higher quality supply of spiritual energy.

But Tong Bingfeng's heart was colder than the ice surface of the Northern Frontier, and he had some guesses about the true purpose of the Chen family's naked and reckless expulsion.

Ultimately, the Northern Ice Region is still the domain of various demonic beasts, and the recurring beast tides are always a disaster for the cultivators living on the Spirit Island.

As a Foundation Establishment family with a history of over a thousand years, the Chen family naturally possesses a stable source of information. Taking precautions, they drove a group of rogue cultivators to a first-tier spirit island. Once the beast tide breaks out, with nowhere to retreat, the rogue cultivators will have no choice but to fight to the death, serving as the first line of defense.

"Although the Upper Clan has changed its rent collection rules, I will naturally comply. I must not cause any burden to the Upper Clan. Here are three spirit stones as rent for three months. Please leave a receipt."

Tong Bingfeng was naturally unwilling to be schemed against and driven away for no reason. Although his words were as beautiful as lotus flowers, they were of no use. With a Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the second-tier spirit island, its safety was incomparable to that of a first-tier spirit island.

As the Chen family's base, Ice Spirit Island will undoubtedly employ all its most secret self-defense measures should the entire family not suffer a devastating blow. Once a beast tide breaks out, Ice Spirit Island will be the place where the family has the best defenses.

"Young Master Tong is indeed from a wealthy family, able to pay three months' rent. In that case, the family is naturally willing to grant your request."

The leading cultivator pocketed the three spirit stones, his words carrying obvious aloofness and dissatisfaction. However, faced with the market regulations, he had no choice but to accept the spirit stones and reluctantly left behind a receipt stamped with the market management office's seal.

"Since you have paid three spirit stones for rent today, the family and the market will naturally abide by the rules, and this courtyard will continue to be your residence."

"However, if you encounter any troublesome problems in the future, you can apply for a refund of the three spirit stones at the market management office within the next ten days. After all, we cultivators should prioritize our cultivation and never fail to distinguish between primary and secondary tasks."

The second cultivator, a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator who had remained silent throughout, made no attempt to conceal his threat.

Of course, this cultivator from the market management office was more angry at the patrol guards for their incompetence than at Tong Bingfeng, an insignificant little cultivator.

"I, Xiao Xiu, will heed your teachings and remember the blessings of my family."

Given the opponent's provocative words, and being outmatched in strength, one naturally wouldn't confront them head-on.

"That's all for today. Take care, young friend. From now on, you will be following the family's new rules: collect three months' rent each time and pay it on time at the market management office."

Before the words were finished, the two cultivators, who had failed to achieve their goal, turned and left, heading towards their next objective.

In fact, most of the struggling cultivators at the bottom were powerless to resist such a series of schemes and could only passively carry out the Chen family's plan.

Even if other cultivators made the same choice as Tong Bingfeng, heading to the Ice Domain to hunt monsters and gather spiritual herbs, it would still be quite difficult to gain anything in just one day, given the lack of experience, powerful magical artifacts, and trustworthy companions.

"We implore the upper-class cultivators to grant us some leeway. There are still three days until the rent is due; why press us so relentlessly?"

"The child is still an infant. Moving him now might make it difficult for him to adapt to the new environment. Please make an exception for us."

"Here are three Qi Refining Pills. Please accept them, sir, to buy this old man a little time."

Sure enough, not far away, cries of pleading and resentment echoed in all directions. These were the cultivators who had not paid three months' rent but were clearly aware of the potential dangers of moving to a first-grade high-level ice spirit island.

"Hmph, you all have quite the nerve to resist the family's new rules. We are ready to kill you on the spot. If you cannot pay the rent as required, you will all be moved out of the courtyard first thing tomorrow morning and go to live on Ice Spirit Island."

"If you resist stubbornly, then I'll let you little cultivators taste the flavor of this sword at your waist. Don't blame me for not warning you. *Whoosh*"

As a streak of silvery-white light flashed by, a hard bluestone that had been sitting for a long time shattered into pieces. What seemed like a reckless act was actually the most suitable for the unspoken rule of the cultivation world, where strength is paramount.

The group of low-level cultivators, who had been trying to persuade him to move but were still reluctant to do so, immediately fell silent and dared not continue to pester him.

After all, sword cultivators are renowned throughout the Northern Ice Region for their unstoppable frontal destructive power, and with the aid of a high-quality flying sword, they possess the ability to fight against opponents of higher levels even at a lower cultivation level.

Not to mention that these weak cultivators could not possibly pose a direct threat to the mid-stage Qi Refining sword cultivator in front of them.