Immortality and Cultivation: I Have Three Times the Lifespan

Chapter 86 Future Plans

"By order of the family, I am here to repair the protective array at the residence of the robbed cultivator. I have inspected your courtyard. The basic array base is not severely damaged. The main problems are the damaged array flags and the broken spiritual energy channels. Repair will take about an hour."

His voice carried a hint of businesslike indifference, devoid of any expression.

He paused, then added, "The family also bears responsibility for this unrest. As compensation, all affected tenants will have their rent reduced for the next three years."

"Three years' rent!" Yang Changsheng's heart skipped a beat.

The annual rent for a small courtyard in Tingchao Lane is 72 low-grade spirit stones, which would amount to 216 stones over three years.

This is by no means a small amount, especially for a rogue cultivator like him who is meticulous in his calculations and for whom every spirit stone is hard-earned; it is a considerable compensation.

That's almost equivalent to the net profit he made from painstakingly creating several low-grade first-tier puppets.

The Lu family's move was clearly intended to appease the people and consolidate their rule, but it did indeed relieve some of the urgent needs of the independent cultivators.

Those who were affected by the war and died did not receive this treatment.

"Thank you for the Lu family's consideration. I'm grateful for your help, fellow Daoist." Yang Changsheng cupped his hands again, his tone becoming more sincere.

He didn't say much, but stepped aside to make way.

The middle-aged cultivator nodded, said no more, and walked straight into the courtyard.

He was clearly an experienced array master, and his movements were swift.

He took out the array plate from his waist, and his fingers flew as he made hand seals, sending rays of spiritual light into the core of the array.

He then took out several brand-new array flags and moved quickly around several key points in the courtyard, precisely inserting the flags into the pre-reserved array base holes in the ground.

A ray of light danced at his fingertips, like fine threads, carefully connecting and repairing the spiritual energy channels that had been violently damaged.

Throughout the process, he appeared focused yet exhausted, clearly indicating that he had performed similar restoration work countless times during this period.

Yang Changsheng neither returned to the workshop nor disturbed the other party.

He walked to the eaves, pulled over a newly made wooden stool and sat down. His gaze seemed to be fixed on the busy array master, but his thoughts had already drifted far away.

The Lu family has made a very big move.

Shifting the development focus from Bishuihu Port Market to the new Royal Estate Market, which has a better geographical location and a more auspicious spiritual energy, is a very strategic move.

The cultivation world is not the mortal realm. As long as there is enough financial and human resources, plus cultivators who are proficient in earth-based magic or earthworks, even the most magnificent building complex can rise from the ground in a short time.

Large airships have the capacity to rapidly transfer massive amounts of supplies and personnel.

At that time, the decline of the port market will be almost a foregone conclusion.

It is foreseeable that the Biyue Lake area will completely return to its original form in the future, a large spiritual lake with the Lu family as its core.

Only fishermen and cultivators who rely on aquatic products such as crystal shrimp and crayfish will remain here, along with the Lu family's collateral descendants and some guards who reside here.

The bustling market scene of the past, where wandering monks gathered, merchants came and went, and people from all walks of life came together, will recede like the tide and become a thing of the past.

The commercial value, information flow, and accessibility of resources in this area will all plummet.

What does this mean for Yang Changsheng?

His puppet sales channel, which he relies on to earn spirit stones, will inevitably shrink significantly.

In a desolate land where the number of cultivators has dwindled and demand has decreased, who would spend a lot of money to buy combat puppets?

He needs higher-grade elixirs, auxiliary spiritual materials for cultivating the "Great Evolution Myriad Souls Technique," the ability to comprehend puppetry, and more profound scriptures for inheritance.

Even the preparations for future study of the "Azure Emperor's Longevity Scripture" will become more difficult.

Once the port market declines, the core strength of large shops like Baicaoge and Wanbaoge will inevitably move to the new market, and the branches that remain here may even close down.

Relocation seems to have become an inevitable choice.

However, this also comes with risks.

Although Xinfang Market is nice, it is quite a distance from Bishui Lake.

Is the route safe? Can the Lu family effectively control the newly opened trade route and prevent robbery and disturbance?

He had been operating in Biyue Lake for several years and was familiar with the environment, although Liu Xiaoying, a partner in the mutual aid association, had already left.

Wang Ergou married into the family, but Su Wanqing and Li Qingshan are still around, and there is still a stable channel for selling puppets.

Is it really wise to rush into a completely unfamiliar new environment where competition may be fiercer and power struggles are deeply entrenched?

"Never mind, things will work themselves out."

Yang Changsheng murmured to himself, clearing his mind of the jumbled thoughts.

His consistent philosophy of survival is to be steady and cautious, but never lacking in adaptability and decisiveness in dealing with changing circumstances.

"With my puppetry skills, I can always find a way to survive unless it's a desperate situation. The key is to have a safe route and sufficient preparation to deal with risks... After this matter is settled, I'll inquire more about the situation in the new city and the safety of the relocation route."

He silently adjusted his future plans.

First, expedite the processing of the remaining Xuan Tie woodcutter materials and finished products, and then prioritize the production of the Blazing Fire Archer.

At the same time, take advantage of the three-year rent reduction buffer period to accumulate as many spirit stones and trump cards as possible, especially the Fiery Archer, to lay a more solid foundation for a possible long journey or to establish oneself in a new environment.

"Buzz..."

A soft buzzing sound interrupted Yang Changsheng's thoughts.

Above the courtyard, a light blue light curtain rippled out like water, spreading rapidly until it formed a complete hemispherical light curtain that enveloped the entire courtyard.

The light on the screen subtly shifted, restoring its basic functions of isolating detection, defending against foreign objects, and eliminating sound.

The middle-aged array master let out a long sigh, wiped non-existent sweat from his brow, and turned to Yang Changsheng, saying:

"The formation has been repaired and is functioning normally. The rent reduction will be recorded by Zhaihang, so you don't need to pay it again."

He spoke succinctly, then put away his tools, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and left, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the somewhat deserted Tingchao Lane.

Yang Changsheng got up and walked into the courtyard.

He stretched out his fingertip and gently touched the warm and resilient light barrier. A familiar fluctuation of spiritual energy came through, bringing a long-lost sense of security.

Although this is only the most basic protection and is far from enough to withstand the invasion of high-level cultivators, it is important enough to keep out prying eyes and warn of danger.

He turned around, his gaze falling on the tightly closed door of the puppet workshop. With a slight thought, he activated the core array plate in his hand that controlled the restrictions on the courtyard.

The flowing light curtain completely isolates the inside and outside of the courtyard.

A flash of light appeared on the door, and it quietly slid open, allowing Yang Changsheng to step inside.

Inside the workshop, the dim lights illuminated the cold metal components and the unfinished puppet shells.

The air was filled with the scents of spirit ink, metal, and spirit wood.

He walked back to the workbench, picked up the half-carved black iron arm bone, and once again focused his spiritual power into the carving knife.

"Shh...shh...shh..."

The steady and rhythmic sound once again became the sole main melody in this small world.

The blade moved across the cold iron, tracing mysterious paths.

External changes and future risks are like a thin mist outside the window, no longer disturbing Yang Changsheng in the slightest.