6

"Oh! This?" Picking up the second book, the old man let out a chuckle.

"Don't worry, this one is a normal technique that you can practice without any special materials."

Placing the book on the counter, the old man took a deep breath and explained further.

"This is the physical path of cultivation." With a low voice, he spoke further "There are two paths of cultivation. The first is the spiritual and the second is the physical paths."

"Just like the spiritual path, the physical path of cultivation is divided into grades. This book here contains the first realm of physical cultivation."

"Yes, yes... I know. You must be thinking why is there physical cultivation in a sword sect?" With a smile, he just shrugged "What can I say? I am a collector."

"How much?" It was only now that Lin Kai asked about the price. Even though he had earned some coins, he wasn't sure if they were enough.

And sure enough, the next words from the old man shattered his dreams.

"50 spirit shards for this physical cultivation."

"Gulp." For a moment, Lin Kai thought he had heard it wrong. After working tirelessly for three months, he was able to sell his crops for three coins. If he were to go at this speed, it would probably take him around four years. The more Lin Kai thought about it, the more he realized just how hard it was to earn money here.

"What about the first one?" Pointing at the 'Bitter Earth', Lin Kai asked for the price. Even though the old man said that it was impossible to practice without the blood of the ancient beast, he still wanted to buy it. At least it would give him a rough idea about such techniques. 

"Oh, this one?" Picking up the thin book, the old man weighed it in his hand before quoting his price. "Five spirit shards."

"I have three spirit shards here." 

"Deal." 

Before Lin Kai could even finish his sentence, the old man immediately agreed and handed him the book as if afraid he would change his mind. 

"..." Looking at the wretched crafty smile on the old man's face, Lin Kai was speechless. Even in his previous life, he never bargained with anyone. If someone quoted him the price, he would either buy it or leave it. This was perhaps his first attempt at bargaining and Lin Kai already felt like he was deceived. 

"Forget it." Since the deal was made, there was nothing to say. Taking out the three spirit shards from his pocket, Lin Kai handed them to the old man before taking his leave. He still had some questions, but after this little incident, he wasn't sure whether the old man was trustworthy or not. 

"Wait."

Just when Lin Kai was about to leave, the old man stopped him before speaking further. "You need to make an oath first."

Looking at Lin Kai's confused expression, the old man shook his head before explaining to him.

Every time someone buys any techniques or martial arts from the Sutra Hall, they need to take an oath of never leaking it. If they break this oath, then they will face the punishment of the heavens.

After hearing his explanation, Lin Kai let out a sigh and made an oath before walking away.

After making the purchase, he didn't immediately head back home but headed to the 'Request hall'. Right now he was out of money, so the only thing he could do was to ask for seeds. 

----------

"No... No... NO." The moment Lin Kai mentioned the matter of seeds, the fatty sitting on the counter immediately shook his head.

"The first time you got the seeds for free was because you were a newcomer. Now that you have already harvested once, you need to pay for the seeds."

"How am I supposed to pay for the seeds when I am already paying seventy percent of my harvest as taxes?" The more Lin Kai spoke, the darker his face got. He couldn't believe the galls of these people asking him for money after taking such a huge chunk of his harvest. 

"Sounds like a YOU problem." The fatty just ignored him and focused on the snacks in front of him. 

"Forget it." Looking at the fatty, Lin Kai knew there was no use arguing with him. "How about lending the seeds to me? I will pay you back next year."

The fatty thought for a moment before reaching for the nearest shelf and taking out a small cloth bag. "Since you are a newcomer, the only seeds I can give you are those of the yellow orchids."

Handing him the cloth bag, the fatty took out a notebook and began to note it down. After registering Lin Kai's name and location, he spoke for one last time. "Remember, you need to come here three months later with the harvest. As always, seventy percent will be handed to the sect and twenty percent will be paid for these seeds."

Listening to such an absurd condition, Lin Kai wanted to throw the bag of seeds on his face. But thinking about how he couldn't do anything else, he let out a helpless sigh. If he knew he was going to face such a situation, he would have saved some money first instead of purchasing the technique.

But alas! There is no medicine for regret.

After walking out of the shop, Lin Kai wandered around for a while. The vendors there were selling medicines and resources that could help in cultivation. Unfortunately for Lin Kai, he couldn't afford them.

After taking one last look at them he headed out of the market. And just when he was wondering where to go next, he was greeted by a hoarse voice.

"Hello, friend... Are you a newcomer here?"

"Huh!?" Startled by this sudden greeting, Lin Kai turned to his left only to see a man in his early thirties standing there with a smile.

"You are?" Lin Kai narrowed his eyes as he observed him carefully. Just like him, the man was wearing a grey robe with a wooden token on his waist. Compared to normal people, he was a bit frail. His sunken eyes that had dark circles underneath them along with his sunken cheekbones gave him the appearance of a beggar.

"The name's Sun Kai. You can say I am your senior." Though he gave his introduction with a smile, his eyes were constantly scanning Lin Kai from top to bottom. Upon seeing the seed bag along with the thin book in his hand, his eyes flashed with disappointment. But soon, he smiled again.

"I can see you are a man of great destiny. How about we have a little chat?"

"Farewell."

As soon as the man stated his purpose, Lin Kai immediately turned around and began to walk away. What a joke... He was very familiar with scammers like him. The less he talked with people like them, the better it was for him.

"Wait... Junior brother wait." Looking at the departing figure of the young boy, the man was stunned for a moment before chasing him in frustration.

"Don't you want to become strong? I have news that will change your entire life."

"Wait... Why are you running even faster?"

Looking at the young boy whose speed got faster after he finished his second sentence, the man gritted his teeth. He knew he needed to speak up his mind or else this boy would run away too.

"I am looking for teammates to enter the ruin. It is a chance for all of us to turn our life around. I just want to invite you to form a team."

Lin Kai's finally stopped in his tracks before turning around. Looking at the man he suddenly let out a smile with a nod.

"So that's it. But..." There was some hesitation on Lin Kai's face as if he was hesitating about something.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and spoke "Can I bring some more people?"

"Of course. The more the merrier." The man couldn't help but let out a laugh. When he first heard that a ruin had been discovered near the sect, he too wanted to explore it. After all, there were too many stories about people becoming stronger after getting a chance inside these ruins. Who knows... He might be the next one in line.

The only problem was... That no one was willing to team up with him. After all, he was a celebrity in this area.

Helplessly, he could only look for newcomers by himself. After days of struggle and coaxing others, he was finally able to find someone willing to team up with him. How could he let go of such a chance? Even if the other party was just a mortal, it was at least better than going alone.

"Good. Then I will bring someone with me here tomorrow. Let's meet at the same time." With a smile, Lin Kai agreed before walking away.

It wasn't until his figure disappeared in the distance that the man woke up from his happiness.

"WAIT... You didn't tell me your name." He tried to catch up with Lin Kai, but he was long gone. Now the only thing the man could do was to pray for his timely arrival.

-------

"Heh... What a joke."

After getting rid of that man, Lin Kai made his way towards Old Xu's farm. As for meeting the man tomorrow... He had no such intentions.

Firstly, he didn't believe any words thst came out of the man's mouth. The second reason was that he didn't need to take any unnecessary risks. No matter what type of opportunity there was inside the ruin... Could it be better than the panel in front of him?

He had just arrived in this world not too long ago, and till now, he didn't have a clear understanding of this world. Rushing blindly would be foolishness. 

Lost in his train of thought, Lin Kai didn't even realize he had reached his destination. 

"Um!?" Coming out of his stupor, he looked at the scenery before him.

In front of him was he familiar old hut with the figure of an old man sitting there on a bamboo chair in a daze.

"Old Xu..."