"I'll just work, then!"
Lu Yang quickly adjusted his mindset.
"Strictly speaking, I could commit suicide and start over right now. But the pages in the Hundred Lifetimes Book are limited. Starting over like this would be too wasteful."
Although he was now a formal disciple, Lu Yang still knew little about the Initial Saint Sect. His understanding of the entire cultivation world was limited to what he'd read in books. While he had considered starting over, to accumulate advantages for his next life, he should live longer in this one.
Within Butian Peak, countless cave dwellings dotted the landscape, but only two structures stood out. One was naturally the Peak Master's cave. The other was a tall building.
The building had nine stories and was called the "Hall of Merits."
Formal disciples mostly conducted transactions, posted bounties, and accepted sect missions here, under the protection of the Holy Sect.
Lu Yang entered the Hall of Merits and approached a counter.
"Senior Brother, is this where we accept sect missions?"
"Isn't that obvious? You… Hm?"
The young Daoist at the counter glanced at Lu Yang casually at first, then his eyes lit up at the sight of Lu Yang's handsome face.
The next second, a friendly smile spread across the young Daoist's face.
"Why call me 'Senior Brother'? My name is Zhao Xuhe, a disciple in charge of the Hall of Merits. Junior Brother, you must be new, right? I haven't seen you before."
"I am Lu Yang. Greetings, Senior Brother."
Lu Yang quickly bowed, activating his disciple token to verify his identity.
Seeing the token, Zhao Xuhe's expression softened, his smile growing even brighter. "Not bad, not bad. Junior Brother Lü is quite handsome. Very impressive."
Zhao Xuhe then scrutinized Lü Yang with a gaze that made him deeply uncomfortable, before suddenly saying, "Junior Brother Lü, since you want a sect mission, I happen to have one here. Or rather, a stroke of fortune I can bestow upon you. If you succeed, I guarantee you a bright future on the immortal path."
"Really?" Lü Yang outwardly showed interest, but inwardly grew wary.
"Guaranteed! Absolutely!"
Zhao Xuhe grinned, pointing toward the summit of Butian Peak. "The current Peak Master is seeking a husband for his daughter. I find you quite handsome."
Lu Yang: "???"
I came looking for a mission to earn money through hard work and diligence, and now you want me to be a kept man?
"What, unwilling?"
Seeing Lü Yang's stiff expression, Zhao Xuhe pressed even more enthusiastically. "This is an incredible opportunity! If you can enter the Peak Master's cave, you'll be a Foundation Establishment disciple from then on, with contribution points, cultivation techniques, and resources galore. Take this step correctly, and you'll avoid sixty years of detours."
Despite Zhao Xuhe's flowery words, Lü Yang remained unmoved.
Truthfully, if it were just about being a kept man, Lü Yang wouldn't mind.
But where was he? The Initial Saint Sect! The orthodox sect of the demonic path! With Liu Xin's example as a warning, how could he possibly believe Zhao Xuhe's so-called "son-in-law recruitment"?
There was definitely something fishy!
Thinking this, Lü Yang simply sighed. "Senior Brother Zhao, it's not that I don't want to be a son-in-law. It's just… I have a secret I can't reveal."
Zhao Xuhe was taken aback. "A secret?"
"To be honest," Lü Yang said with a face full of shame, "I suffer from syphilis."
Hearing this, the eagerness on Zhao Xuhe's face instantly turned cold.
Venereal disease wasn't a big deal; he had ways to cure it. The real question was how one got it. That was the key.
"Ah, what a pity."
Zhao Xuhe shook his head. Even if Lü Yang were handsome, the Peak Master would never allow his daughter to become Dao companions with a man who could give her such a disease.
Lü Yang said respectfully, "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother."
One doesn't hit a smiling person. Lü Yang's respect softened Zhao Xuhe's expression. "In that case, I'll pick a good mission for you."
"What kind of mission do you want?"
Lü Yang asked, "One with high contribution points and relatively safe."
Zhao Xuhe's smile remained unchanged; he'd clearly expected this. Every new disciple wanted such a mission. "I actually have one right here."
He then handed Lü Yang a jade slip.
*"The Yin-Yang Immortal Flower requires a Qi-Chaining Realm cultivator to nourish it with essence and true energy to survive. Butian Peak is buying it at the highest price: 150 contribution points per flower,"* Zhao Xuhe said kindly. "This is a task issued by the Peak Master himself. There's no quantity limit; he'll buy as many as you grow. And you don't need any special spiritual plant cultivation skills, Junior Brother. The Yin-Yang Immortal Flower is extremely adaptable; just plant it in your cave, and it won't wither easily."
Lu Yang was initially tempted but quickly shook his head.
Zhao Xuhe frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother, but…" Lu Yang said bitterly, "I still have to pay next month's cave rent. I really can't afford to buy the Immortal Flower seeds."
"I see."
Zhao Xuhe sighed as well. "I've been through this stage. I know how difficult it is for you. Alright, I'll help you."
Then Zhao Xuhe held out his hand. "Give me your disciple token."
Lu Yang obediently handed it over. A moment later, he was surprised to find 500 contribution points had appeared on the token out of thin air!
Zhao Xuhe smiled slightly. "This is a loan from the Sanhe Association. You can use it as needed. Use it to buy Immortal Flower seeds."
Lu Yang frowned. "Senior Brother, isn't this like the cultivation technique loan? I'm afraid…"
*"The Three Rivers Association is a major force within the Holy Sect's inner sect. New disciples can enjoy a 30-day interest-free period on loans, much cheaper than the Holy Sect's own loans."*
"And didn't you want to buy Immortal Flower seeds?" Zhao Xuhe said with kind warmth. "I have a senior brother in the Three Rivers Association who specializes in selling these. Since you've already taken a loan from our association, I'll put in a good word. Maybe he can sell you the seeds at cost price!"
"Such a good thing?" Lu Yang looked pleasantly surprised.
"It's because you and I have a connection," Zhao Xuhe laughed. "Otherwise, I wouldn't give this opportunity to just anyone!"
With that, Zhao Xuhe took out a jade slip and handed it to Lü Yang. "This is that senior brother's communication jade slip. I wish you good fortune soon, Junior Brother."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Lü Yang left, profusely thanking him.
Watching his retreating figure, Zhao Xuhe's lips curled into a cold smile. He immediately resumed his search for his next prey within the Hall of Merits.
Lü Yang didn't rush to find the "reliable senior brother" Zhao Xuhe had introduced to buy the Yin-Yang Immortal Flower seeds. Instead, he returned to his cave and did some calculations.
A loan of 500 contribution points can buy ten Immortal Flower seeds, with the same 36% annual interest as the cultivation technique loan.
Working from dawn till dusk, watering them with my essence and nourishing them with spiritual energy… It's estimated to take a year for them all to mature, earning me 1500 contribution points.
After paying the rent (360), I'd have 1140 left.
I'd pay the cultivation technique loan principal plus interest (460), leaving 680.
Then the Immortal Flower loan principal (500) plus interest (180) is due.
That's it!?
Where did my money go?
With this question, Lü Yang calculated again, then stared blankly at his hands. After a long while, he came to his senses and laughed in exasperation.
Good heavens. They've calculated it all! They didn't even leave me money for food!
No wonder it was the Initial Saint Sect!
As a disciple, you start in debt. Then the Holy Sect stretches your financial chain to the limit. The contribution points earned from missions are only enough for expenses.
To earn more and save, you have to work overtime and take on more missions.
Otherwise, one misstep, the cash flow breaks, and the huge loans you're carrying become the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
As long as you're willing to suffer, you'll have endless suffering.
To put it bluntly, it's about using rigid requirements to keep lower-level disciples hanging, forcing them to work like mad, thus contributing to the glory of the Initial Saint Sect.
"Beasts!"
Thinking this, Lü Yang couldn't help but curse, then comforted himself:
I work for the Holy Sect. The Holy Sect issues contribution points. The loans and cave dwellings collect contribution points. It's like the Holy Sect is producing and selling itself, and I'm… just the beast of burden reaping the "benefits"!
Then, Lü Yang thought of the previously kind and attentive Zhao Xuhe. Looking at the extra 500 contribution point loan on his disciple token, he sneered inwardly.
And since you're so heartless… don't blame me for being unjust.
Loan sharks? I'll be a deadbeat!
Even so, the beastly plight of Saintly Sect disciples still suffocated Lü Yang. The more he thought, the more uncomfortable he felt. A nameless fury rose within him.
"...Demon?"
Just then, the curtain was lifted, revealing Yun Miaoqing, who had heard Lü Yang's loud cursing and gotten out of bed to check on the situation.