Chapter 451: A Single Melody of Lanyou, Eight Hundred Years
One hundred million spirit crystals, seemingly an astronomical price, was enough to scare off many cultivators in the Fish-Dragon Realm.
However, in Zhang Ruochen's view, it was within an acceptable range. Most importantly, that was a mansion once inhabited by a Half-Saint, and it surely contained powerful defensive formations left behind.
How important were defensive formations?
Just looking at the destruction of the Silver Sky Mercenary Group made it clear how crucial they were.
If the Silver Sky Mercenary Group's defensive formations had been even a little stronger, how could the Black Market cultivators have broken in?
Sometimes, merely setting up a powerful defensive formation could cost more than one hundred million spirit crystals.
Moreover, in a place where a Half-Saint had lived for years, the plants, buildings, pillars, doors, and even the soil would undergo a certain degree of sanctification. Even drinking a mouthful of spring water could extend an ordinary person's life.
As the saying goes, "When one attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven." That was the principle.
Lu Youcai managed to buy that Half-Saint mansion for one hundred million spirit crystals, probably because the seller was showing respect to the Sacred Sword Sect, agreeing to a low price.
"Let's go. Take me to see it." Zhang Ruochen said, unable to hide his eagerness.
Lu Youcai immediately led Zhang Ruochen into a carriage and left the Martial Market Courier Station, heading toward Ming King Avenue, not far from the Holy Academy.
As the carriage moved forward, Lu Youcai spoke, "Ming King Avenue is thirty-four thousand meters long. On both sides of the street, there are four hundred and thirty-two mansions. The owners are either Half-Saints or high-ranking members of Saintly clans. Not to mention the evil cultivators of the Black Market, even the followers of the Moon Worship Demon Sect wouldn't dare set foot on Ming King Avenue."
Since Lu Youcai was an external affairs elder of the Sacred Sword Sect, he had learned immediately about Zhang Ruochen's danger in the Silver Sky Mercenary Group. That was why he said this.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, slowly took a deep breath, and showed an expression of intoxication. "Such rich heaven and earth spiritual energy. This Ming King Avenue is extraordinary, practically a sacred ground for cultivation."
Lu Youcai chuckled. "Brother Zhang, have you heard that there is a sacred vein within the Holy Academy?"
"Of course, I've heard of it."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "It is said that deep within the Holy Academy lies a sacred mountain. Beneath that mountain, there is a sacred vein that has been deposited for a hundred million years, capable of releasing sacred qi."
"If a martial artist breathes in sacred qi while cultivating their techniques, one year of practice can equal ten years of ordinary bitter training. Unfortunately, only Half-Saints within the Holy Academy can open a cultivation cave in the sacred mountain. Ordinary holy disciples don't have such treatment."
Heaven and earth spiritual energy was the foundation of cultivation.
When heaven and earth spiritual energy condensed to a certain degree, it formed a "spirit vein" rich in spiritual energy.
When a spirit vein was deposited underground for millions of years, subjected to geological pressure and the impact of special natural forces, it would form a "sacred vein."
A sacred vein could transform heaven and earth spiritual energy into sacred qi.
Deep within the Holy Academy, there was such a sacred vein, with a history of over a hundred million years.
Lu Youcai laughed. "Hehe! A branch spirit vein of the Holy Academy's sacred vein flows out from the academy and passes beneath Ming King Avenue. Although there is no sacred qi beneath Ming King Avenue, there is abundant spiritual energy."
"That is why many Saintly clans have their outstanding heirs live in the mansions on Ming King Avenue. Such a treasure land is fiercely contested by countless people."
Zhang Ruochen was slightly moved and asked curiously, "If that's the case, why did the owner of that Half-Saint mansion sell it at such a low price? Such a mansion, if put up for auction, would sell for at least five hundred million spirit crystals."
A strange smile appeared on Lu Youcai's face. "When you meet the owner of that Half-Saint mansion and ask them directly, won't you find out?"
Zhang Ruochen felt that Lu Youcai's words carried hidden meaning, and things were probably not that simple. He wondered what kind of person that Half-Saint mansion's owner was.
Ming King Avenue was very bustling, with a constant flow of traffic and countless martial artists coming and going.
The carriage stopped outside a magnificent vermilion mansion. On either side of the main gate stood a stone qilin.
These were not carved stone qilins but real qilin stone beasts, living creatures, classified as fourth-rank upper-level savage beasts.
The qilin stone beasts were seven meters tall, their bodies as hard as iron, with thin qilin blood flowing within them. They were natives of the Cloud Stone Ruins Realm.
When the army of the First Central Empire broke through the Cloud Stone Ruins Realm, they captured large numbers of stone beasts and brought them back to the Kunlun Realm, selling them at high prices to guard mansions.
The two qilin stone beasts opened their eyes, bent their front legs, and knelt before Lu Youcai, Zhang Ruochen, and Nie Honglou, speaking in human language: "Greetings, esteemed guests."
Lu Youcai smiled. "Brother Zhang, these two qilin stone beasts are both fourth-rank upper-level savage beasts, capable of unleashing attacks comparable to a Heaven Extreme Realm Great Extreme Position martial artist. In the Martial Market, you would have to spend at least two million spirit crystals to buy one. They are one of the gifts that come with purchasing the mansion."
Nie Honglou was quite tempted. "So, if you buy this mansion, from now on, Zhang Ruochen will be the master of these two qilin stone beasts?"
"Of course. Mr. Nie, are you also interested in buying this Half-Saint's former residence?" Lu Youcai asked.
Nie Honglou shook his head. "I can't afford it."
Although Nie Honglou was a powerhouse at the sixth change of the Fish-Dragon Realm with profound strength, he had spent all his wealth on cultivation resources and had little savings.
Not to mention one hundred million spirit crystals; even coming up with ten million spirit crystals would be difficult for him.
Although he couldn't afford it, he was well aware of the growth potential of qilin stone beasts.
If they were fed large amounts of qilin blood, they could even grow into fifth-rank savage beasts in the future.
A fifth-rank savage beast, comparable to a Fish-Dragon Realm cultivator, would cost over ten million spirit crystals.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at the two qilin stone beasts, nodded, and continued following Lu Youcai through the mansion's main gate.
As soon as they entered, a group of beautiful maidservants came out to greet them. They were all dressed in spotless white robes, not at all like servants but more like pampered daughters of wealthy families. Two of the women had even reached the Earth Extreme Realm in martial arts.
"Greetings, guests."
The maidservants all knelt and bowed, showing great respect to Zhang Ruochen.
Because, in the future, he would likely be their master.
"Rise, all of you." Lu Youcai said with a smile.
This mansion was extremely vast. It not only had a rockery hundreds of meters high but also a small lake, and patches of peach, bamboo, and pine forests. The deeper they went, the more secluded and tranquil it became.
Zhang Ruochen stopped outside an orchid valley, extended his five fingers, and pointed toward a certain direction in the void.
"Hua!"
Immediately, a layer of white light shield appeared in front of Zhang Ruochen's finger.
Even with the naked eye, one could see strands of formation inscriptions flowing on the light shield.
Zhang Ruochen had deliberately triggered the formation in the mansion to test its strength.
"What a powerful defensive formation. It should be a sixth-rank formation, and within it, there is still sacred power left by the Half-Saint, enough to block a full-force attack from an ordinary Half-Saint."
A look of amazement appeared in Zhang Ruochen's eyes. "Just this defensive formation alone is worth more than one hundred million spirit crystals. Who is the owner of this mansion? Why would they be willing to sell it at the low price of one hundred million spirit crystals?"
Just as Zhang Ruochen was filled with doubt, a melodious flute sound came from the bamboo forest in the distance.
The flute sound was pleasant to the ear, like a heavenly melody descending from the nine heavens.
"Hua hua."
The breeze stirred the bamboo leaves, producing an unusually rhythmic sound that harmonized with the flute melody.
Hearing this flute piece, Zhang Ruochen immediately stood still, even his breathing stopped, as if he had turned to stone.
His eyelids twitched, and his thoughts churned like a raging sea. "How could it be the 'Lanyou Melody'? How is that possible?"
At that moment, the beautiful face of a young girl appeared in Zhang Ruochen's mind.
It was his cousin, Kong Lanyou.
Eight hundred years ago.
"Cousin, why do you only practice swords every day? Won't you play with me?"
A young girl with a pair of beautiful peacock wings giggled, holding up her long skirt with one hand as she crouched by a stream. With her other hand, she scooped up water and splashed it onto Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen sheathed his sword and shook his head. "Lanyou, you're so playful and never train hard. How will you lead the Peacock Half-Human race toward prosperity?"
Kong Lanyou stuck out her tongue, put her hands on her hips, and laughed. "Isn't that what you're for? You can protect me! Stop practicing swords and play with me for a while, just a little while, okay?"
"No, I've already made a bet with Sister Chi Yao that I will master the Yang Yi Nine Swords before her." Zhang Ruochen said solemnly.
"Hmph! You only ever think about that Sister Chi Yao. You don't have me, your cousin, in your eyes at all. I don't like you anymore! Waa waa!"
Kong Lanyou plopped down on the ground, looking very annoyed, and rubbed her eyes as she cried.
Zhang Ruochen sighed, looked at a green bamboo not far away, and slashed with his sword, sending out two sword qi that cut the bamboo into three sections.
He grabbed one of the bamboo tubes, held it in his hand, and tapped it on Kong Lanyou's head. "Lanyou, stop crying. How about I play a tune for you?"
"Hehe! I was just kidding. I wasn't really crying. What tune are you going to play for me?"
Kong Lanyou laughed, made a funny face, immediately grabbed Zhang Ruochen's arm, pressed close to him, and opened her round eyes wide, asking curiously.
Zhang Ruochen smiled too, placed the bamboo tube to his lips, and said, "I composed it just for you. It's called the 'Lanyou Melody.'"
"Wow! Cousin, you can play the flute?" Kong Lanyou exclaimed in surprise.
"Nonsense! We took music lessons together, but you always fell asleep in class, so of course you know nothing about it." Zhang Ruochen said.
...
After a long while, Zhang Ruochen snapped out of his memories, feeling deeply moved, as if he had just woken from a dream.
He never imagined that, eight hundred years later, he would still hear the "Lanyou Melody."
Who was playing it?