Chapter Fifty: Preparing for Expansion

A year ago, the spiritual energy of Earth began to awaken. This so-called “awakening” was not a sudden eruption, but rather a silent, gradual increase and diffusion. Qin Jing was aware of this, but what he had not realized—or perhaps had not considered deeply—was that if this was an “awakening,” it meant Earth had experienced such phenomena more than once.

Several millennia ago, Earth had already undergone a wave of spiritual energy revival. Many ancient legends, it turned out, were true. When the spiritual energy waned, the mighty figures of antiquity vanished one after another, but that did not mean they would never return.

According to Zheng Qiuying, as the scale of the awakening expanded, many powerful beings from centuries past would reappear. Over the past year, the world had changed drastically, quietly and without warning. Coldsea City might be first in the nation economically, but in terms of heritage, it had little to show for itself.

The place truly teeming with hidden dragons and crouching tigers was Jinling City. Legend had it that a Ghost King of extraordinary seventh rank resided atop Purple Gold Mountain in Jinling. By the common reckoning that every three ranks in the Transcendent Realm marked a leap in combat strength, a seventh-rank transcendent was already akin to a deity in the eyes of ordinary people.

And in the fabled Central Plains, the core of Huaxia’s ancient legacy, there were even beings of the ninth rank. Compared to them, Qin Jing’s alchemical puppet, though outwardly of the ninth rank, was still an inanimate object tasked with protecting him—its true combat power fell far short.

The only comforting news for Qin Jing was that, as the awakening had only just begun, there were as yet no reports of mythical-level beings emerging.

Beyond this, Zheng Qiuying had provided many other noteworthy tidings.

For instance, aside from the return of ancient powers, there were new changes as well. Places like crematoriums and old burial grounds had become restless, and the authorities were actively advancing research into spiritual energy, with considerable results already achieved.

The official Spiritual Energy Supervisory Council, an organization overseeing all transcendents nationwide, would assign one or two powerful individuals of equal status to each region according to its resident experts. For example, in Coldsea, with Hathaway's recent advancement to the fourth rank, the branch chief had already been replaced by another fourth-rank powerhouse.

These various messy affairs and even rumors, when recounted by Zheng Qiuying, painted before Qin Jing an unfolding panorama of a world in the throes of spiritual awakening.

“I had originally thought to make a grand commotion through Hathaway and draw all sorts of transcendent beings here for trade, but now it seems I’ll have to hold off for a while.”

“Of course, with the alchemical puppet at my side, there’s no need to be too low-profile either. The shop can begin expanding, perhaps even make some bold moves. Aside from that, I mustn’t let my own cultivation progress be disrupted. No need to be rash—best to lay solid foundations first.”

Having made these decisions, Qin Jing made several phone calls—just to ordinary people—inquiring about renovations for his shop.

Afterward, he went out, prepared some small gifts, and headed for the residential area behind Erdaozi Lane.

“Qin Jing, you’re here? What a rare visitor—come in, have a seat.”

Wang Shouren, the local landlord of Erdaozi Lane, was also Qin Jing’s landlord, and the landlord of many nearby shops. He was thirty-three and worked as a civil servant.

“Is the professor not at home? Haven’t seen him in a while—I do miss the old gentleman. Just a small token of respect,” Qin Jing said as he entered, chatting cheerfully with Wang Shouren.

“My father can’t sit still. Some film crew insisted on inviting him as their art advisor. He couldn’t refuse, so off he went,” Wang Shouren replied.

His father, Wang Yikun, was a senior professor at Coldsea Art School. Qin Jing, who had studied photography, had once been his student. When Qin Jing was expelled from the school, the old professor had spoken up for him, but unfortunately, Hu Chaoyang’s connections were too deep, and Qin Jing’s expulsion was not reversed.

Later, it was through this connection that Qin Jing was able to rent his small shop in Erdaozi Lane.

“Brother Shouren, I’ve done some business lately and the shop is feeling a bit cramped. Do you think I could take over the vacant shop next door? I want to knock through the wall and expand the space.”

After chatting for a while, Qin Jing stated his purpose. To the right of his shop was Old Song’s antique store, and to the left was another shop, currently unoccupied. The previous tenant had moved out a month ago, leaving it vacant. Back then, Qin Jing had considered taking over the space, but lacked the funds. He had risked everything on waste paper collection and had invested all his money there.

“No one’s renting that place. If you want it, it’s yours, but…” Wang Shouren hesitated, then added, “There’s something you should know, since we’re friends. That place has a bit of a reputation.”

As Wang Shouren explained, Qin Jing finally learned that the previous tenant hadn’t moved out due to financial reasons, but because the place was haunted! Wang Shouren claimed to have witnessed it himself—a long-haired woman in white floating through the air at night. He had been so frightened he’d nearly lost control of himself. Even now, recalling it left him pale.

“Haunted?” Qin Jing mused. The place was right next door. If it was haunted, how could he have failed to notice? A month ago, he hadn’t started cultivating yet.

“Did you ever see that thing again, Brother Shouren?”

“The very next day, I invited a Daoist priest over to perform a ritual. That night, I asked him to stay there. We didn’t see anything afterward,” Wang Shouren replied with a smile. “If it were someone else, I wouldn’t mention it. But since it’s you, I felt you should know, in case the place wasn’t fully cleansed.”

So it had already been dealt with? Was that Daoist a transcendent as well?

Qin Jing felt a pang of disappointment. These days, he found himself quite interested in supernatural phenomena.

Nonetheless, Qin Jing insisted on renting the property, and Wang Shouren, seeing his resolve, handed over the keys.

Still, business was business—Qin Jing paid the full rent. He took both shops and the two large courtyards behind them, renting the whole lot—over 300 square meters—in one go. Even in that part of Erdaozi Lane, the monthly rent came to 150,000.

After signing the lease, as Qin Jing was leaving, Wang Shouren reminded him repeatedly to call immediately if anything happened—he still had the Daoist’s contact information.

With his business concluded, Qin Jing returned to Erdaozi Lane. It was only three in the afternoon—plenty of time left. He opened both shops, cleaning while continuing to do business.

Though he opened late, that day’s business was unexpectedly good. One after another, people brought in eight or nine items to sell, mostly luxury goods, and even a piece of jade.

According to Jennie’s descriptions of the Mythic World, the Eastern cultivation system there had a huge demand for jade, but the world’s own resources had long been depleted. Thus, jade was a rare commodity among common cultivation materials and could be used for trade.

By seven in the evening, as Qin Jing was about to close up, Hathaway’s assistant—the glamorous and commanding Susan—arrived.

…

Thanks to reader 20181128001717708 for the reward. Please vote for recommendations.