Chapter 8: The Tale of a Cultivation Workhorse
Chapter 8: The Tale of a Cultivation Workhorse
"If I have to work, so be it!" Lv Yang quickly steadied his emotions.
"Strictly speaking, I could commit suicide right now and reincarnate. But the Ten Thousand Lives Scroll has limited pages—wasting one so soon would be a loss."
Though now a Formal Disciple, Lv Yang knew little about the Primordial Sacred Sect or the cultivation world beyond books. While he'd considered reincarnation, he decided to prolong this life to accumulate advantages for the next.
Heaven-Mending Peak housed countless cultivation caves, but two locations stood out: the peak lord's cave dwelling and a towering nine-story building.
The building bore the name "Merit Accumulation Hall."
Formal Disciples conducted trades, posted bounties, and accepted sect missions here, all under the sect's protection.
Lv Yang entered the hall and approached a counter.
"Senior Zhao, may I ask where to claim sect missions?"
"Foolish question. You—wait, what's this?"
The young cultivator at the counter initially glanced at him indifferently, then did a double-take at Lv Yang's striking features.
In an instant, the man's face softened into a warm smile.
"Call me senior no more. I'm Zhao Xuhe, a steward disciple of the Merit Accumulation Hall. You're new, aren't you? Haven't seen you before."
"Lv Yang, at your service, Senior Brother Zhao."
Lv Yang bowed deeply, activating his Disciple Talisman to verify his identity.
Zhao Xuhe examined the token, his expression growing even gentler. "Outstanding! Lv Yang, you truly embody the ideal disciple."
He sized Lv Yang up with a gaze that made the latter's skin crawl before suddenly leaning in. "Brother Lv, I happen to have a mission—no, a golden opportunity. Succeed, and your cultivation path will flourish."
"Really?"
Lv Yang feigned interest while inwardly raising his guard.
"Absolutely! Peak Lord's daughter seeks a husband. With your looks—"
Lv Yang blinked.
I came for a mission, not to become a kept man!
"Uninterested?" Zhao Xuhe pressed, misreading his silence. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! Marry into the peak lord's cave, and you'll instantly become a Foundation Building disciple. Resources, techniques, contribution points—all yours. Skip sixty years of toil!"
Though Zhao Xuhe's words dripped honey, Lv Yang remained unmoved.
Truthfully, he wouldn't mind being a kept man—under normal circumstances.
But this was the Primordial Sacred Sect, the orthodox sect of the demonic path! With Liu Xin's fate as precedent, how could he trust this sudden matchmaking?
Certainly a trap.
Sighing, Lv Yang said, "Senior Zhao, it's not that I disdain such fortune... but I have an incurable shame."
"Incurable?" Zhao Xuhe stiffened.
Lv Yang lowered his voice, face flushed. "I suffer from a Venereal Affliction."
Zhao Xuhe's enthusiasm evaporated instantly.
Venereal Affliction itself wasn't rare—he could cure it. But the question lingered: how did a disciple contract such a disease? The cause itself was damning.
"What a pity", Zhao Xuhe muttered, shaking his head. Even with Lv Yang's looks, the peak lord would never allow his daughter to wed a man who couldn't control his own desires.
Lv Yang bowed again. "Apologies for disappointing you."
Maintaining politeness, Zhao Xuhe's expression softened. "Then let me assign you a proper mission. What kind do you seek?"
"High contribution points, low risk."
Zhao Xuhe chuckled knowingly. Every novice sought such. "I have one."
He handed Lv Yang a jade scroll.
"Yin-Yang Immortal Bloom. Requires Qi Gathering stage cultivators to nourish with blood and true qi. Heaven-Mending Peak buys each bloom for 150 Contribution Points, no quantity limit. Just plant them in your cave—their adaptability ensures survival."
Lv Yang hesitated. "Senior, I must also pay next month's cultivation cave rent. I can't afford the seeds."
Zhao Xuhe sighed. "I've been where you are. Here—" He extended his hand. "Give me your Disciple Talisman."
After Lv Yang complied, the talisman suddenly gained 500 Contribution Points.
"This is Three Rivers Association's emergency fund. Interest-free for thirty days. Use it for seeds."
Lv Yang frowned. "Isn't this like the Cultivation Technique Loan?"
"Three Rivers Association is an inner sect powerhouse. Far better than the sect's usurious rates. Plus, a merchant disciple there sells seeds at cost if you borrow from us."
"Such kindness?" Lv Yang feigned delight.
"Only for those I favor", Zhao Xuhe laughed, handing him another jade scroll. "This connects to my associate. Prosper, Brother Lv!"
Grateful farewells exchanged, Zhao Xuhe watched Lv Yang leave, then smirked, seeking his next target.
Back in his cave, Lv Yang calculated:
"500 points buys ten seeds. 36% annual interest. A year's labor yields 1500 points. After rent, 1140 remain. Repay 460 for the loan, leaving 680. Then repay 680 for seeds..."
He froze.
Wait—my profit?
After all calculations, not a single point remained. The sect's loans devoured all returns, leaving him penniless.
"Brilliant exploitation!" Lv Yang spat bitterly. "Borrow to survive, survive to borrow. The Primordial Sacred Sect truly masters the art of grinding disciples into dust!"
He clenched his fists. "You play dirty? Fine. Let's see who cheats better."
Suddenly, the curtain rustled. Yun Miaoqing entered, having heard his outburst.
"Did you call me a demon?" she asked, half-annoyed, half-amused.
(End of Chapter)
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