Auspicious Farming Method - 3

It was around noon when Yuan Yi reached the Brilliant Sword Sect outer courtyard. The massive gate was easily one hundred meters tall, and the approach to it had at least a thousand stairs. It wasn't easy getting up and down the mountain.

Often, Yuan Yi would see the power cultivators fly on their swords up to the gate. Some of them even had the privilege to fly to the inner courtyard. Everything in this world was earned with contributions, and nothing was free.

In this world, it wasn't that strange to liken it to the jungle. It was eat or be eaten. Every year, only a handful of Outer Disciples would be selected to enter the Inner Sect. The first year when Yuan Yi came here, he saw an Outer Disciple win the Selection Tournament, and despite that, he was not allowed to join the Inner Sect. Why? - only that disciple knew.

At the end of the day, a Sect lives and dies by the talent that it nurtures. An Outer Disciple has to bring glory and treasure to the Sect when they become an Inner Disciple. After that, they likely become an Elder of the Sect, nurturing the next generation. In a way, Yuan Yi understood this very well. He was the son of a small business owner. His father procured medicine and weapons for the mortal kingdoms, in an age of strife, and he taught his son how to follow in his shoes. Though, all of that was for naught when his father was killed by thieves.

Thinking about that, Yuan Yi was put into an even worse mood. Now it showed on his face.

The guard at the gate saw Yuan Yi and lifted an eyebrow. Yuan Yi's clothes were torn and stained with blood and dirt. He certainly did not look like he belonged in this place. To dirty his official uniform like this... that was unacceptable.

But perhaps the guard saw Yuan Yi's expression and understood quite well what it was like to be an Outer Disciple. Especially one like Yuan Yi. He was well known in the outer courtyard. Both as scum and incredibly talented.

They would say: 'That Yuan Yi, if only he'd stop chasing girls so much, he could certainly become an Inner Disciple. Such a waste. The Heavens blessed a pervert with talent.'

Those words stung in his heart. They weren't even true. Yes, he had eyes on a girl, but he tried his hardest, every day, to become an Inner Disciple. Sure, he did not join the Brilliant Sword Sect to become a righteous warrior and vanquisher of evil, but when it comes right down to it, he could provide the same thing as any other Inner Disciple could: fame, treasures and glory. What was wrong with that?

There was not a single person in the world that was wholly just, or wholly evil. In fact, Yuan Yi thought that this kind of thinking was quite naive. It was a great ideal to strive towards, of course, but fundamentally unachievable.

"Excuse me, Senior Brother," Yuan Yi approached the guard. "Where would I go to acquire the deed for a farm plot?"

The guard looked at Yuan Yi and frowned. It was just a small frown, mostly because Yuan Yi showed him great respect by calling him a Senior Brother. Guards were Outer Disciples that were too old to join the Inner Sect. Eventually, they'd remain in the Sect to perform some function or another.

"The Acquisition Pavilion, most likely," the guard eventually said, pointing in the direction of the pavilion.

"Thank you, Senior Brother," Yuan Yi said, cupping his hand and fist together respectfully.

The guard nodded, pleased.

[You have earned 1 CP.]

Yuan Yi was surprised. Why did he just earn a point?

[Award reason: For identifying someone's weakness, and using it to manipulate them.]

Yuan Yi scowled. It was true that he showed respect to the guard because he knew that they regretted never joining the Inner Sect, but he didn't do it to manipulate him. Or did he? Wasn't it the same thing at the end of the day? At the very least, it was quite insincere.

What was he even doing in a Just Sect?

Luckily, the Acquisitions Pavilion was not that far, and it was on the opposite side of his Training Squad quarters. The chances of running into his rivals was slim. Acquisitions usually dealt with items, tools and such, so rarely anyone came that way. Yuan Yi went only once, as far as he could remember. When he entered the Outer Sect, he received his uniform and sword there. He never needed anything else.

The pavilion had eight floors, but Yuan Yi was only allowed to enter the first four. Yuan Yi entered the first floor and greeted the Elder.

"Elder Zhao," Yuan Yi said, clasping his hands together respectfully.

Elder Zhao looked up from a scroll he was reading and frowned. "You cannot come in here looking like that."

"My apologies, Elder Zhao. I do not want to make any excuses, but I cannot return to the dormitory right now..." Yuan Yi tried to explain.

Elder Zhao was expressionless for a long moment and then nodded. "I understand. But I cannot help you. You are on your own."

"It is not about that, Elder Zhao," Yuan Yi said. "I would like to acquire a deed to a farm plot."

"You have given up on entering the Inner Sect?" Elder Zhao asked.

Yuan Yi knew that this surprised Elder Zhao, even though they did not show it. After all, Yuan Yi was an important prospect for the Inner Sect.

"No, this is for the Sect," Yuan Yi said, once more being respectful to the Elder. "I wish to recover my strength, while contributing to the Sect." Not to mention that being away from his Squad was possibly the best course of action. Could it be that the System was really looking out for him?

Elder Zhao nodded after a moment. "Very well. In this I can help you. I have a deed, it just came in. One of the Outer Disciples abandoned their plot. It has two fields and a small cottage. Considering its state and size, I can give it to you for one hundred contributions."

100 contributions wasn't terrible. The manual from the Scripture Pavilion was 500. The only problem was, he didn't have any contributions.

"You can pay the contributions later," the Elder added.

Yuan Yi sighed in relief. "Thank you, Elder Zhao."

Elder Zhao found the deed in one of the drawers and handed it to Yuan Yi. "Good luck, junior."

[Urgent quest completed: Acquired an abandoned farm plot.]

[Congratulations on avoiding a calamity. CP increased by 25.]

[Current CP: 40/100]