Longevity Gu Dao: Start From Refining Infatuation Gu

Chapter 72: Buying Your Lives with Spirit Stones

"We still need to be careful. Hunger can lead to many problems," Zhou Sui said in a deep voice.

"Especially those cultivators who are on the verge of starving. No one knows what they might do," he continued.

"We must be cautious of those rogue cultivators who might riot and rob us of our food," Zhou Sui warned.

Although they were currently free from worries about food, other cultivators were not so fortunate.

In the mortal world, famines could lead to peasant uprisings and widespread suffering.

In the cultivation world, the situation would be even more terrifying.

Because cultivators possessed greater power, if they were to revolt, it would surely bring about tremendous chaos.

One misstep could cause Misty Cloud City to crumble, providing an opportunity for the Shadow Demon Sect to invade.

Zhou Sui remained vigilant, always on guard for any potential riots.

"Don't worry, I have set up a first-grade superior formation around the house. If any cultivator dares to intrude, we will immediately detect them," Xia Jingyan confidently said.

"If they have ill intentions, the power of the formation will kill them."

After all, she was a first-grade superior formation master and could easily set up a first-grade formation, which was enough to deal with most Qi Refining stage cultivators.

Unless a Foundation Building stage cultivator came, it would be difficult to break through.

In fact, Zhou Sui was not the only one doing this. Almost every cultivator's room was equipped with defensive formations.

However, most of them were first-grade inferior formations that could only provide simple defense.

But that was enough. At least it could serve as an early warning system.

"Very good," Zhou Sui said, satisfied. As long as no Foundation Building stage cultivators attacked, his location would be relatively safe, and he wouldn't have to worry about other cultivators coveting his position.

After all, he had made many preparations in advance to prevent any turmoil, and those preparations were not in vain.

...

In the afternoon, Zhou Sui was refining pills in his quiet room, trying to improve his skills as an alchemist, when he suddenly heard a loud voice outside, echoing throughout the entire street.

"I am Fan Ze, an official of the Immortal Mist Sect. All cultivators staying in their houses, come out immediately."

Swish, swish!

Instantly, the doors of the houses in the row opened, and cultivators, including Zhou Sui, walked out.

Zhou Sui saw a large number of Misty Cloud City guards on the street. Most of them were disciples of the Immortal Mist Sect, with a few from the Lu family.

These two forces combined to become the most powerful force in Misty Cloud City, maintaining law and order throughout the city and eliminating Shadow Demon Sect cultivators outside the city.

The cultivation level of these guards was at least at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Seeing that all the cultivators had come out, Fan Ze, the official of the Immortal Mist Sect, said with satisfaction, "There is something I need to tell you. Starting today, your rent will double, and you will have to pay four middle-grade spirit stones per month. If you have already paid in advance, you will need to make up for the increased rent. If you are short of spirit stones, you will have to leave your house."

What?!

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the surrounding cultivators changed drastically. Although they had heard similar news before, saying that Immortal Mist Sect intended to continue raising the rent and even double it, they were still skeptical until now.

But now, Immortal Mist Sect had actually doubled the rent, which was simply not giving them any way out.

"Are you crazy? Four medium-grade spirit stones per month, this is simply robbery! Where do we have so many spirit stones?" A cultivator cursed angrily.

Although Immortal Mist Sect was powerful and prestigious, they were also forced into a corner and had no choice but to resist.

"That's right, not only did the rent increase, even the prices of spirit rice and spirit meat have gone up, and there are even purchase restrictions. I see that Immortal Mist Sect doesn't want to give us any way out."

"Although we are Independent Cultivators, we are not to be trifled with. If you push us too far, we will go down together."

Many Independent Cultivators were furious, glaring at the guards of Immortal Mist Sect.

One by one, they wanted to use their techniques and start a big battle.

The guards also became nervous, after all, if these Independent Cultivators rebelled, they would probably not end well either.

"Rebellion, do you all want to rebel?!"

Hearing this, the steward of Immortal Mist Sect, Fan Ze, shouted angrily, "You all eat from Immortal Mist Sect, drink from Immortal Mist Sect, and live in the houses of Immortal Mist Sect. Now we just need you to pay a little bit of spirit stones, and you resist and make excuses.

You should know that you are still alive because of the protection of Immortal Mist Sect. If you don't want to pay the rent, you can leave Misty Cloud City. I wonder if those demonic cultivators will give you a way out."

He swept his gaze over the many cultivators, full of disdain.

What?!

Upon hearing this, many Independent Cultivators had extremely ugly expressions, they were speechless and immediately silenced.

Obviously, if they really left Misty Cloud City, they would definitely be torn to pieces by the cultivators of Shadow Demon Sect.

Perhaps a few of them could survive, but most of the cultivators were doomed.

Although life in Misty Cloud City was a bit difficult, at least they could still live.

If they really left Misty Cloud City, it would be a matter of life and death.

"Of course, we are not forcing you. The reason we are increasing the rent is for everyone's own good."

Seeing that many Independent Cultivators calmed down, Fan Ze, the steward of Immortal Mist Sect, was quite satisfied and his tone softened, "After all, the second-grade formation in our Misty Cloud City requires a large amount of spirit stones as energy. If there are no spirit stones, the formation will definitely stop running. By then, Misty Cloud City will be attacked and we will all die.

We are increasing your rent because we have no choice. The extra spirit stones and rent we collect are used to protect you and maintain the operation of the Misty Cloud City formation. Do you think we want to collect so many spirit stones? We are using spirit stones to buy your lives, don't you understand this logic?"

"This!"

Many cultivators were stunned, they didn't know what to say to refute.

Because if Misty Cloud City was really breached, every cultivator present would have a hard time surviving.

If paying some spirit stones could maintain the operation of the Misty Cloud City formation, it might not be a bad idea.

"Of course, there is still room for negotiation in this matter."

At this moment, Fan Ze, the steward of Immortal Mist Sect, changed his tone and continued, "If you really can't afford the expensive rent and have no spirit stones to eat, then you can join our patrol team and become a member of our patrol team.

This way, not only can you get free housing, but you will also have three meals a day. The patrol team will definitely ensure that you have no worries about food and clothing.

Of course, if you don't have spirit stones and don't want to become a member of the patrol team, then I'm sorry, Misty Cloud City doesn't support idle people now, we can only ask you to die."

His tone contained a deep chill and was filled with a terrifying killing intent.

Obviously, this was the strategy of Immortal Mist Sect.

Either pay or contribute.

It was basically impossible to live in Misty Cloud City for free.

(End of this chapter)