“Working it is!” Lü Yang quickly adjusted his mood.
“Strictly speaking, I could actually commit suicide and restart right now, but the Hundred Lifetimes Book has limited pages, so restarting directly like this would be too much of a loss.”
Although he was now an official Disciple, Lü Yang still didn't know much about the Chu Sheng Sect, and his understanding of the entire Cultivator world was limited to what he had read in books. Although he already had the idea of restarting, in order to accumulate advantages for his next life, he should live a bit longer in this one.
Within Butian Peak, there were countless Immortal Caves, but only two places were most conspicuous: one was naturally the Peak Master's Immortal Cave, and the other was a tall building.
The building had nine floors and was named “Good Deeds”.
Most transactions, bounty postings, and even Sect missions between official Disciples would take place in the Good Deeds Building, where they could receive the Saint Sect's protection.
Lü Yang walked into Good Deeds and approached a counter.
“Senior Brother, may I ask if Sect missions are collected here?”
“Nonsense, you… Hmm?”
As he spoke, the young Daoist at the counter first glanced at Lü Yang indifferently, then his eyes lit up when he saw his handsome face.
The next second, a friendly smile appeared on the young Daoist's face.
“Don't call me Senior Brother, my name is Zhao Xuhe, a Deacon Disciple of the Good Deeds Hall. Junior Brother, you must be new to the Sect, right? I haven't seen you before.”
“My name is Lü Yang, greetings, Senior Brother.”
Lü Yang quickly bowed, simultaneously activating his Disciple token to verify his identity.
Zhao Xuhe looked at the token, his expression becoming even softer, and his smile even brighter: “Not bad, not bad, Junior Brother Lü is a talented individual, very good indeed.”
Zhao Xuhe then scrutinized him with a gaze that made Lü Yang very uncomfortable, before suddenly saying: “Junior Brother Lü, since you want a Sect mission, I happen to have a mission here, or rather, a great fortune I can give you. If it succeeds, it will guarantee your future on the Immortal Path will be vast…”
“Really?”
Lü Yang feigned interest on the surface, but inwardly, he became wary.
“Absolutely! Couldn't be more real!”
Zhao Xuhe grinned, pointed towards the top of Butian Peak, and said: “The current Peak Master intends to recruit a son-in-law for his daughter, and I see you are quite handsome…”
Lü Yang: “???”
I came to find a Sect mission because I want to earn money with my own hands, through diligence and hard work. Now you want me to be a kept man?
“What, not willing?”
Seeing Lü Yang's stiff expression, Zhao Xuhe became even more enthusiastic in his persuasion: “This is an enormous fortune! If you can enter the Peak Master's Immortal Cave, from then on you'll be a Foundation Establishment Disciple, with contribution points, Cultivation Techniques, and resources galore. Making this right move can save you sixty years of detours…”
Despite Zhao Xuhe's eloquent persuasion, Lü Yang remained unmoved.
Actually, if it truly meant being a kept man, Lü Yang wouldn't mind.
But where was this? The Chu Sheng Sect! The orthodox Demonic Path! With Liu Xin's prior example, how could he believe Zhao Xuhe's so-called son-in-law recruitment offer?
There must be a problem!
Thinking of this, Lü Yang simply sighed and said: “Senior Brother Zhao, it's not that I don't want to be a son-in-law, but I truly have an unspeakable difficulty.”
Zhao Xuhe was stunned to hear this: “An unspeakable difficulty?”
“To be honest.” Lü Yang looked embarrassed: “I suffer from a venereal disease…”
At these words, the eagerness on Zhao Xuhe's face immediately cooled.
Venereal disease wasn't much; he could even cure it. The problem was, why did he get a venereal disease? The reason behind it was the key.
“Alas, what a pity.”
Zhao Xuhe shook his head. Even if Lü Yang's appearance was impeccable, the Peak Master would never allow his daughter to become Dao Companion with a man who could get himself sick.
Lü Yang respectfully said: “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother.”
One doesn't hit a smiling person. With Lü Yang so respectful, Zhao Xuhe's expression softened a bit, and he said: “In that case, I'll pick a good mission for you.”
“What kind of mission do you want?”
Lü Yang said: “High contribution points and relatively safe.”
Zhao Xuhe's smile remained unchanged, clearly having expected this, as every new Disciple wanted such a mission: “I truly have one here.”
With that, he handed Lü Yang a Jade Slip.
“The yin yang immortal bloom requires Qi Refining Cultivators to nourish it with essence blood True Qi to survive. Butian Peak acquires it at the highest price, 150 contribution points per bloom.”
Zhao Xuhe said kindly: “This is a mission issued by the Peak Master, his venerable self. There's no limit on quantity; we'll buy as many as you cultivate. And Junior Brother, you don't need corresponding spiritual plant cultivation skills; the yin yang immortal bloom is extremely adaptable. As long as you plant it in your Immortal Cave, it won't easily wither.”
Lü Yang was initially tempted by these words, but he quickly shook his head again.
Zhao Xuhe frowned when he saw this: “What's wrong?”
“Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother, but…” Lü Yang looked bitter: “I still have to pay next month's Immortal Cave rent, and I truly cannot afford to purchase the immortal bloom seeds.”
“I see.”
Zhao Xuhe also sighed: “I, your Senior Brother, also went through that stage and know your difficulties… Alright, I'll help you.”
Then Zhao Xuhe extended his hand: “Give me your Disciple token.”
Lü Yang obediently handed it over. A moment later, he was surprised to find that 500 contribution points had appeared out of nowhere on his token!
Zhao Xuhe smiled slightly: “These are your backup contribution points at the Sanhe Association. You can use them whenever you need them in the future. Go and buy immortal bloom seeds.”
Lü Yang frowned: “Senior Brother, isn't this like the Cultivation Technique loan? I'm afraid…”
“The Sanhe Association is a major power within the Saint Sect's inner Sect. New Disciples can also enjoy thirty days of interest-free loans, which is much cheaper than the Saint Sect's Cultivation Technique loan.”
“And don't you want to buy immortal bloom seeds?” Zhao Xuhe's tone was gentle and kind: “My Sanhe Association has a Senior Brother who specializes in selling these. Since you've taken a loan from our Sanhe Association, if I put in a few words for you, he can sell you the immortal bloom seeds at cost price.”
“There's such a good thing?” Lü Yang looked surprised.
“That's because you and I have a connection, Junior Brother.” Zhao Xuhe also laughed heartily: “Otherwise, I wouldn't tell just anyone about such an opportunity!”
With that, Zhao Xuhe took out another Jade Slip and handed it to Lü Yang, saying: “This is that Senior Brother's communication Jade Slip. I wish you an early fortune, Junior Brother.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
Lü Yang left, expressing his profuse gratitude.
Watching his retreating back, Zhao Xuhe's lips curled into a cold smile, and he immediately began searching for his next prey within the Good Deeds Building.
Lü Yang did not rush to find the “reliable Senior Brother” introduced by Zhao Xuhe to buy the yin yang immortal bloom. Instead, he first returned to his Immortal Cave and then calculated his finances.
“A loan of 500 contribution points can buy ten immortal bloom seeds. The annual interest rate, like the Cultivation Technique loan, is 36%.”
“Working from dawn till dusk, watering them with essence blood and nourishing them with Spiritual Qi, it's estimated to take a year for them all to mature, earning 1500 contribution points.”
“After paying rent, only 1140 contribution points are left.”
“After paying the principal and interest for the Cultivation Technique loan, another 460, I'll have 680 contribution points left. Then the principal of 500 for the immortal bloom purchase plus 180 in interest will be due…”
“Gone!?”
Where's my money?
With this question, Lü Yang calculated again, then looked at his hands in a daze. After a long while, he came back to his senses and immediately laughed in anger.
Good heavens, they've calculated everything, not even leaving me money for food!
As expected of the Chu Sheng Sect!
As a Saint Sect Disciple, one starts by being in debt, then the Saint Sect pulls them to their financial limits. The contribution points earned from missions are only enough for expenses.
To earn more and save money, one has to work more overtime and take more missions.
Otherwise, if one is slightly careless and the financial chain breaks, the massive loans on his back will instantly become the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
As long as you're willing to suffer, you'll have endless suffering.
In short, it's about dangling essential needs in front of the lower-level Disciples, forcing them to work themselves to death, thereby adding bricks and tiles to the glory of the Chu Sheng Sect.
“Beasts!”
Thinking of this, Lü Yang couldn't help but curse, then comforted himself:
“I work for the Saint Sect, the Saint Sect issues contribution points, loans and Immortal Caves collect contribution points. This means the Saint Sect is self-sufficient, and I'm just reaping the benefits in the middle!”
Immediately after, Lü Yang remembered the previously kind and attentive Zhao Xuhe, and then looked at the 500 contribution point loan on his Disciple token, a cold sneer forming in his heart.
“And since you are unjust, don't blame me for being disloyal.”
“Usury? I'm a deadbeat!”
Despite saying this, the plight of the Saint Sect's Disciples still made Lü Yang feel stifled. The more he thought about it, the more unpleasant it became, and an unidentifiable anger surged within him.
“.Devil Head?”
Just then, the curtain lifted. It turned out that Yun Miaoqing had heard Lü Yang's curses and had gotten out of bed to see what was happening.