The Hunting Ground was understandably silent. It was set in a vast range of forests carved into the side of the mountain, some parts natural and some artificial. From what Li Ling knew and had researched, the hunting ground was twice as large as the entire market itself, due to the sheer amount of life forms existing within. Perfect for him who aimed to kill until the grass became soaked in red.
When one first entered the hunting ground, they were admitted into a sort of buffer zone where there existed no demon beasts, along with a rather sizable encampment where various cultivators decided to stay. The hunting ground's entrance fee was per entry and there was no rule requiring people to come out at a certain time, so many opted to stay long term in the hunting ground, especially those who made a living like this.
Li Ling, who planned to be here until he reached the limit of his cultivation, naturally entered this encampment and searched for the person in charge. While this was not an officially sanctioned place, it definitely would not be allowed to exist without the backing of someone significant.
Li Ling quickly found who he was looking for, noting a shifty-looking man above the age of thirty with a cultivation of Qi Refinement level 7 who was watching everyone coming and going casually. When he saw Li Ling staring at him, he naturally came over with a smile on his face, with Li Ling naturally smiling back when they cupped their fists in mutual greeting.
"Welcome, fellow dao brother. May I ask if you need any help?" The shifty-looking fellow asked smoothly, sizing Li Ling up openly.
Li Ling skillfully handed over 2 Spirit Shards with a smile and spoke amiably. "Nothing more than some information and some assistance, if fellow friend has the free time."
Seeing one skilled in worldly matters like Li Ling, the shifty-looking man became relaxed and more casual, taking the Spirit Shards then chuckling. "Of course, fellow dao brother, I would be extremely willing to help. I assume you want the full layout of the hunting ground as a first timer?"
Li Ling smiled. "Fellow friend is truly sharp, understanding my situation in a single glance. Please enlighten me."
The man waved his hands casually. "No need for such praise, and fellow dao brother may call me Dong Bo."
"Then, Senior Brother Dong Bo may call me Li Ling, or Xiao Ling, if necessary." Li Ling offered in return.
"Mm, Junior Brother Li is quite forthright, much to my liking! As for the hunting ground, there's not much to say, but there are also some things that must absolutely be said in order to avoid giving oneself a tough time."
Dong Bo placed his hands behind his back in a sagely manner. "The first thing is that this encampment is the main one that is supported by a myriad of factions in the upper market area. There are other encampments set up at different points in this buffer zone, some near and some far, but all of them are backed by other, weaker factions."
He continued. "The importance of who manages an encampment is crucial, because it affects your peace in the hunting ground. This is the sect's richest and most lucrative commercial endeavor so its control is very strict, but it also allows for those of us entrenched in the market to drink the remaining soup."
Dong Bo glanced at Li Ling pointedly. "As such, encampments, and those who control it, are given certain… leeways."
Surprisingly to Dong Bo, Li Ling nodded knowingly. "The sect and marketplace only guarantees retribution in the case of death. It doesn't actually actively stop death and definitely does not stop bullying, torture or extortion, right?"
Dong Bo gave Li Ling a silent look, as if registering him anew in his mind. "Yes, that is the case. This encampment is the Market Encampment, named after the market itself because it has the most support. Here, you can rent a plot and set up a tent to rest when you are coming and going from your hunts, as well as to store your catches in the interim."
Saying this, he gestured to the various tents spread out in an organized manner in the area, using a linear method of equidistant establishment. The tents were mostly uniform, with those nearer to the center of the camp being bigger and more decorated.
"A plot costs 1 Spirit Shard per day and you can also purchase a tent as well as habitation materials on the side from me." Dong Bo said, glancing at Li Ling directly.
Li Ling immediately handed over a single Spirit Stone, which was equivalent to 10 Spirit Shards. "Please help me through the necessary procedures Senior Brother Dong Bo. I would like to rent for a week and purchase a tent as well for my stay."
Dong Bo took the spirit stone and smiled. "No problem, follow me."
Dong Bo guided Li Ling to the center of the encampment, where there was a large tent that was frequented by many cultivators, also in possession of two Market Guards in official uniform who stood on either side of the entrance flap.
When Dong Bo and Li Ling came over, they glanced over casually and then greeted Dong Bo familiarly while ignoring the weak Li Ling, who was no different from an ant to them.
Dong Bo brought Li Ling into the busy tent, specifically to a registration point where his token was verified again by a Market Guard seated there, and then the necessary procedures to stay at the encampment were handled. After that, Dong Bo took Li Ling to a nearby tent which was more like a convenience store, selling various talismans, arrays, and pills that cultivators would need on a daily basis while hunting.
It was there that he led Li Ling to purchase what he needed and recommended some other things that Li Ling would definitely need that he was not aware of, using the remainder of his 3 Spirit Shards from the previous spirit stone without embezzling anything.