Leaving Steward Zhang's courtyard, it was still early. Gu An decided to head straight to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to find Steward Xiao.

While the others were still hesitating, striking early was the only sensible course. Otherwise, once the cultivators with deep pockets entered the fray, his measly four hundred Spirit Stones wouldn't even make a splash.

The Black Wind Kerchief flew against the wind, leaving a long trail of black smoke that lingered in the sky.

Gu An leaped off the Black Wind Kerchief, stowed it away in his Storage Bag, and strode toward the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

Although it was daylight, over a dozen bronze oil lamps burned brightly inside the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. Light smoke curled from an incense burner, carrying a pleasant woody fragrance.

It was currently the time for duty, so the hall was mostly empty.

As Gu An walked deeper inside, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Senior Brother Huang, you've returned as well?"

The figure ahead was none other than Huang Xuan. He had also rushed back!

It made sense. Gu An had delivered that letter to him recently; counting the days, the timing was just about right.

Hearing someone call out from behind, Huang Xuan turned around and saw Gu An. He quickly cupped his fists and laughed. "Many thanks, Junior Brother Gu An! If not for your letter, who knows if your senior brother would have made it back!"

Gu An smiled back and politely replied, "Senior Brother Huang is too kind. Given your sharp ears, even without my letter, you wouldn't have delayed things."

Huang Xuan shook his head, his expression turning solemn. "Junior Brother Gu is mistaken. If not for that letter, I truly would have been caught!"

Gu An raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

Huang Xuan didn't keep him guessing and continued, "Once I received your letter and realized the severity of the matter, I immediately fled. But when I reached the border between the Yun Kingdom and the Qingyuan Mountains, I was almost intercepted by a group of bastards."

"Knowing the danger, I didn't hold back. I immediately activated the Blood-Burning Escape and charged right through them."

Gu An felt a lingering sense of relief, secretly praising his own swift escape. If he had been blocked, he definitely wouldn't have been able to force his way through.

Frowning slightly, Gu An asked with concern, "Won't the Sect look into this and cause you trouble?"

Huang Xuan waved his hand dismissively and scoffed. "Only if those bastards could recognize me. Besides, I was being hunted by disciples of the Beastmaster Sect. Fleeing in a panic is a perfectly reasonable excuse, right?"

In truth, the matter wasn't quite as simple as Huang Xuan made it out to be. Though he hadn't been caught on the spot, there weren't many Qingyuan Sect disciples stationed in the Yun Kingdom. A quick investigation would easily expose him.

Still, no matter the consequences, it was far better than being dragged away to serve as fodder on the front lines. Because of this, Huang Xuan looked upon this junior brother with increasing fondness.

Clapping Gu An on the shoulder, Huang Xuan grinned. "Tomorrow, once I finish my Handover, I'm buying you a drink!"

"I live at the foot of Qianyuan Peak. It's the seventeenth courtyard inward-the one with a large bluestone by the door."

Just then, Steward Xiao, who was seated behind a jade desk, interrupted them impatiently.

"Hey, are you two finished?"

Huang Xuan quickly put on a flattering smile and hurried over. Before Steward Xiao could scold him, a Storage Bag smoothly slid from his sleeve onto the desk. A flood of sweet words poured from his mouth like free water, quickly coaxing Steward Xiao into a beaming smile.

Gu An watched in awe. It seemed his own social skills still needed a lot of work!

A moment later, having finished his Handover, Huang Xuan waved at Gu An, reminded him again about drinks tomorrow night, and hurried off.

Stepping forward, Gu An smiled warmly at Steward Xiao. "Steward Xiao, this disciple has come to lease a piece of Spirit Land. Might you have any good locations in mind?"

Hearing that someone wanted to lease Spirit Land, Steward Xiao glanced up. Recognizing the young man who had bribed him with Spirit Stones just yesterday, his mood improved even further.

"Leasing Spirit Land, eh? Tell me, what kind are you looking for? Which grade of Spirit Vein, and do you have any special requirements?"

Gu An had thought this through long ago and answered without hesitation. "This disciple would like to lease a First-Grade High-Tier Spirit Vein. I need a water region, and the area must be large."

Hearing this, Steward Xiao fell into thought for a moment before slowly taking a sip of his tea.

"There aren't many that fit those demands. Blackwater River, within the borders of the Chen Kingdom. It's considered fairly good among First-Grade High-Tier Spirit Veins, and the territory isn't small."

"Peach Blossom Lake, located in the Yun Kingdom. Also a First-Grade High-Tier Spirit Vein. The local specialty, Peach Blossom Fish, has quite a fine taste."

"Great Return Bend, in the Chen Kingdom. A First-Grade High-Tier Spirit Vein, with a very expansive area."

Listening to the three locations Steward Xiao listed, Gu An's brow furrowed. What kind of wretched places were these!

Peach Blossom Lake was right on the border of the Yun Kingdom. The only reason it was vacant was because the Beastmaster Sect had slaughtered the cultivator family living there. He had barely managed to flee the Yun Kingdom alive, even burning a hundred Spirit Stones to do so. Only a madman would run back there now.

Gu An also knew a bit about the Blackwater River and Great Return Bend. Both connected to the Yong River, a massive waterway that flowed down from the Cloudmist Mountains. Rumor had it that Golden Core great demons roamed its depths.

Even if Golden Core great demons couldn't be bothered with such shallow waters, what if a Foundation Establishment Demon Beast showed up? It wasn't as if such tragedies hadn't happened before!

Knowing this old man was subtly demanding more Spirit Stones, Gu An reluctantly tossed over a small cloth pouch. He refused to even part with a proper Storage Bag. Inside rested a modest sum of ten Spirit Stones.

"Steward Xiao, it was Steward Zhang who told me there were prime locations available, which is why I came seeking you."

Upon hearing this, Steward Xiao's hand paused in midair over the pouch. He hesitated for a moment, then grumbled, "You're one of Old Zhang's people? Why didn't you say so earlier!"

Shaking his head, he tossed the little pouch back with immense reluctance, his entire demeanor deflating into lethargy.

"Let me be clear-the Spirit Stones from yesterday are non-refundable. As for locations, there are only two left. One is Bluewave Pool, the other is Greenplate Lake."

"Bluewave Pool is located within the Qingyuan Mountains, not far from the Sect. Its Spiritual Qi is only average for a First-Grade High-Tier, but the territory is vast, the waters are deep, and above all, it's very safe."

"Greenplate Lake is farther away. The density of Spiritual Qi there is considered top-notch among First-Grade High-Tier Spirit Veins. However, the area blessed with Spiritual Qi is quite small, entirely confined to a central peninsula within the lake."

Thinking it over, Steward Xiao realized that since he had already pocketed a hundred Spirit Stones yesterday, Old Zhang would definitely come looking for a fight if he gouged the kid again. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I'll give you Bluewave Pool for one hundred and ten Spirit Stones a year, or Greenplate Lake for one hundred and twenty. No bargaining. This is already the rock-bottom price."

"If I didn't owe Old Zhang a favor, you wouldn't even get to hear the names of these two Spirit Lands, let alone rent them at such a steal!!"

Seeing Steward Xiao's fierce glare, Gu An knew this was truly his bottom line. He didn't press his luck any further and replied decisively, "I will take Bluewave Pool. I'll lease it for three years upfront. But after three years, I want the priority right to renew."

Steward Xiao impatiently waved his hand. "Three years is fine. Priority renewal is impossible. Three years from now, who even knows if Old Zhang and I will still be sitting in these chairs!"

"When the time comes, if you have the means to rent it, rent it. If not, pack up and leave. This is the first time I've ever heard of someone demanding priority renewal. Keep dreaming!"

Hearing this, Gu An knew there was no room for negotiation. He counted out the Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag-three hundred and thirty in total-and handed them over to Steward Xiao. This sum accounted for more than half his entire net worth, but it was absolutely worth it.

Steward Xiao pulled out a sheet of green parchment, swiftly drafted the lease, and stamped it with a large, heavy seal shimmering with spiritual light. The seal itself was remarkably a Magical Artifact.

Gu An dabbed his thumb in red ink and pressed his fingerprint onto the document. The lease was now official.

Tucking the lease safely away into his Storage Bag, Gu An felt his spirits lift. His future cultivation was finally secure!

Suddenly, Steward Xiao's face didn't look quite so detestable anymore. The price was indeed very fair. Even counting the hundred Spirit Stones he'd lost yesterday, the cost was much easier to stomach.