"Working it is!"
Lü Yang quickly adjusted his mood.
"Strictly speaking, I could actually commit suicide and restart right now. However, the book of hundred lives has a limited number of 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 knowledge of the entire Cultivation world was limited to what he'd read in books. While he already had the idea of restarting, to accumulate advantages for his next life, he still ought to live a little 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."
Transactions between official Disciples, posting bounties, and even accepting Sect missions mostly took place in the Good Deeds Building, where they could receive the Sacred Sect's protection.
Lü Yang walked into Good Deeds and approached a counter.
"Senior Brother, are Sect missions collected here?"
"Nonsense, you... hmm?"
As he finished speaking, the young Daoist at the counter first glanced indifferently at Lü Yang, 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."
"This one is Lü Yang, greetings, Senior Brother."
Lü Yang hastily bowed, while also activating his Disciple token to verify his identity.
Zhao Xuhe looked at the token, his expression growing softer, and his smile even brighter: "Excellent, excellent, Junior Brother Lü is a talented individual, very good indeed."
Zhao Xuhe then scrutinized him with a gaze that made Lü Yang very uncomfortable, then suddenly said: "Junior Brother Lü, since you want a Sect mission, I happen to have a mission here, or rather, a great fortune I can bestow upon you. If it succeeds, it will guarantee you a vast Immortal Path in the future."
"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 find a son-in-law for his daughter. I see you have a dignified appearance."
Lü Yang: "???"
I came looking for Sect missions, wanting to earn money with my own two hands, through diligence and hard work. Now you want me to live off a woman?
"What, not willing?"
Seeing Lü Yang's stiff expression, Zhao Xuhe persuaded him even more actively: "This is an immense 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 aplenty. Taking this step correctly can save you sixty years of detours."
Despite Zhao Xuhe's elaborate claims, Lü Yang remained unmoved.
Actually, if it truly meant living off a woman, Lü Yang wouldn't mind.
But where was this? The Chu Sheng Sect! The orthodox Demonic Path! With Liu Xin's precedent, how could he believe Zhao Xuhe's so-called offer of a son-in-law?
There must be a problem!
Thinking 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 startled by his words: "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.
A 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. No matter how proper Lü Yang's appearance, the Peak Master could never allow his daughter to become a 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 face. 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 anticipated this, as all newly admitted Disciples wanted such missions: "I really do have one here."
With that, he handed Lü Yang a Jade Slip.
"The Yin and Yang Immortal Flower requires a Qi Refining stage Cultivator to nourish it with essence blood and True Qi to survive. Butian Peak acquires them at the highest price, 150 contribution points per flower."
Zhao Xuhe kindly said: "This is a mission issued by the Peak Master, his venerable self. There's no limit to the quantity; we'll buy as many as you grow. And you don't need to have the corresponding spiritual plant cultivation skills, Junior Brother. The Yin and Yang Immortal Flower 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 soon shook his head again.
Zhao Xuhe frowned at his reaction: "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 can't afford to buy the Immortal Flower seeds."
"So that's it."
Zhao Xuhe also sighed: "I, your Senior Brother, also went through that stage, and I 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 thin air on his token!
Zhao Xuhe smiled slightly: "These are your reserve contribution points at the Sanhe Association. Use them as needed in the future. Go buy Immortal Flower seeds."
Lü Yang frowned tightly: "Senior Brother, isn't this the same as the Cultivation Technique loan? I'm afraid..."
"The Sanhe Association is a major power within the Sacred Sect's inner Sect. New Disciples borrowing money can also enjoy thirty days of interest-free loans, which is much cheaper than the Sacred Sect's Cultivation Technique loan."
"And aren't you looking to buy Immortal Flower seeds?" Zhao Xuhe's tone was gentle and friendly: "My Sanhe Association has a Senior Brother who specializes in selling these. Since you've borrowed from our Sanhe Association, I'll put in a few good words for you, and he can sell you the Immortal Flower seeds at cost price."
"There's such a good thing?" Lü Yang looked surprised.
"Isn't it because you and I, Junior Brother, have a connection?" 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 figure, Zhao Xuhe curled his lips into a cold smile, then immediately began searching for his next prey in the Good Deeds Building.
Lü Yang didn't rush to find the "reliable Senior Brother" introduced by Zhao Xuhe to buy the Yin and Yang Immortal Flower. Instead, he first returned to his Immortal Cave and then did some calculations.
"A loan of 500 contribution points can buy ten Immortal Flower seeds. The annual interest rate, like the Cultivation Technique loan, is 36%."
"Getting up early and working late every day, watering them with essence blood and nourishing them with Spiritual Qi, it's estimated it will still take a year for them all to mature, earning 1500 contribution points."
"After paying rent, only 1140 contribution points will be left."
"After paying the principal and interest of the Cultivation Technique loan, another 460, 680 contribution points will remain. Then, the principal of 500 for the Immortal Flower 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 confusion. After a long while, he came back to his senses and burst out laughing in anger.
Good heavens, it's all calculated, they don't even leave me money for food!
As expected of the Chu Sheng Sect!
As a Sacred Sect Disciple, one starts by accumulating debt, and then the Sacred Sect pulls you to your limits on the financial chain. 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 on more missions.
Otherwise, with the slightest carelessness, if the financial chain breaks, the several massive loans he carries 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 essence, it's about holding bottom-tier Disciples hostage with essential needs, forcing them to work themselves to death, thereby adding bricks and tiles to the glory of the Chu Sheng Sect.
"Bastards!"
Thinking this, Lü Yang couldn't help but curse, then comforted himself:
"I work for the Sacred Sect, the Sacred Sect issues contribution points, loans, and collects contribution points for Immortal Caves. It's essentially the Sacred Sect's self-production and self-sale, and I'm just enjoying the benefits in between!"
Immediately after, Lü Yang remembered the previously kind and solicitous Zhao Xuhe, and then looked at the 500 contribution points loan on his Disciple token, a cold sneer forming in his heart.
"And since you're unkind, don't blame me for being unjust."
"Usury? I'm a defaulter!"
Despite his words, the plight of the Sacred Sect 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 was pulled back. It turned out Yun Miaoqing had heard Lü Yang's curses, so she got out of bed and came over to see what was happening.