Chapter 163: 122. Cultivator on the Island: The Struggle of a Commoner Cultivator (4K, asking for monthly votes)_2
Seeing one spot to know the whole leopard—Xu Xing, having once been a Capital Official, recognized the chicanery involved at a single glance.
He too had received such "bribes" in the past.
Charcoal tribute and ice tribute were customary silver received by Capital Officials.
It wasn’t considered corruption!
However, unlike Capital Officials who served as patrons for officials from other regions, the Sect Executives and House Elders lacked the capability to become such patrons for the External Cultivators.
Such "bribery" was mostly for mutual benefit—it’s always easier to get things done when you have connections in the Sect!
The banquet in the inner palace continued uninterrupted for three days. During this time, Xu Xing not only became acquainted with Fengping Valley and the Luo Ying Two Immortals but also several other External Cultivators.
Besides the External Cultivators, there was also Executor Ding Zhong from the Lianbao Pavilion.
"If you want to purchase Magical Artifacts in the future, you can find Executor Ding," Jiang Yan whispered to Xu Xing as they feasted and drank merrily. "He can report damaged and old Magical Artifacts to the Sect, then sell off inferior ones as good quality. The price is eighty percent of the Sect’s official listed price, saving you twenty percent in Spirit Shells..."
All the Cultivators present were "leeches" on the Sect, so such matters were hardly surprising. With no outsiders nearby, Jiang Yan spoke bluntly without any reservations.
"Although Senior Brother Ding is capable..." Xu Xing began, "I’ve always been rather solitary and not adept at socializing. If I truly need to purchase Magical Artifacts, I’ll have to rely on Senior Brother Jiang to put in a good word with Senior Brother Ding..."
A glint flashed in Xu Xing’s eyes; he immediately understood this was Jiang Yan’s test. So, this was about the transfer of benefits between Deacons... A line that External Cultivators couldn’t arbitrarily cross. If he were to purchase Magical Artifacts and bypass Jiang Yan, it would be tantamount to indirectly breaking a taboo. While this wouldn’t significantly impact his future, it would also mean being ostracized from this little clique. In the future, profiting by leveraging this network of connections would likely become very difficult. Purchasing Magical Artifacts would mean going to Jiang Yan, who would then go to Ding Zhong, adding an extra step. This way, Jiang Yan would inadvertently get a cut. And in Ding Zhong’s circle, anyone wanting Jiang Yan from the Lu Shi Pavilion to do something would go through a similar process, allowing Ding Zhong to get his cut as well... No one could overstep the boundaries!
Understanding the unspoken message, Xu Xing readily gave Jiang Yan his assurance.
On the other hand, this arrangement also had its advantages. If Ding Zhong were to fall from grace in the future and the Sect investigated, it would be a network woven by Sect Executives and House Elders. Touching one part would affect the whole, so major issues would be downplayed, and minor ones dismissed. But if a Deacon’s dealings were merely collusion with a few External Cultivators, the Sect wouldn’t easily show favoritism and would instead round them all up and deal with them according to sect law.
"Good, good..." As Xu Xing finished speaking, Jiang Yan beamed, thinking to himself, Indeed, it’s much easier to deal with intelligent people. He clinked glasses with Xu Xing, and they both took a sip of the fine wine. "We are all brothers of the same Sect. I, as your Senior Brother, am happy to help with such a trivial matter, Junior Brother..."
"I wonder, Junior Brother, do you intend to stay in the Sect or be stationed externally in the future?" he asked, changing the subject.
Although the earlier probing was routine, it had inevitably caused Xu Xing some displeasure. What Jiang Yan said now was, in truth, just filler.
It was difficult for Commoner Disciples who hadn’t joined an Aristocratic Family Line to become Sect Deacons or House Elders. Generally, once a Commoner Disciple finished building their Immortal Base, they would automatically be transferred to become External Cultivators.
Being a Capital Official was arduous, yet if an official from an outlying region had the chance to become a Capital Official, who would readily relinquish it? Becoming a Sect Deacon or a House Elder, and managing to secure such a position, meant gaining a vast network of contacts within a few years. Furthermore, at each Realm of cultivation, there would be corresponding welfare benefits from the Sect, leading to an extremely comfortable life.
As for External Cultivators, while those who dared to fight and strive might make a fortune, the reality for most was that although their days might seem carefree, they would exhaust all their earnings exchanging them for Sect Pills, Magical Artifacts, and the like, ending up quite wretched.
Truly successful External Cultivators, those who could ride the wind and soar, were few and far between!
"Senior Brother Jiang, what ability does this Junior Brother possess to remain in the Sect and serve as a Deacon..." Xu Xing gave a wry smile, shaking his head as he looked at the Luo Ying Two Immortals. "Senior Brother Luo and Senior Sister Ying managed to earn enough Spirit Shells on Luo Ying Island to afford seeking Deacon positions within the Sect, hoping to use Sect benefits to break through to the Returning Core Realm. This Junior Brother has no connections and no resources; I can only become a struggling External Cultivator."
He hadn’t forgotten the Thousand-year Ganoderma Fruit beneath Folding Mountain Island! A single Thousand-year Ganoderma Fruit, capable of helping him swiftly break through the three minor realms of the Late Immortal Foundation Stage, was worth no less than the Shell Field on Luo Ying Island. Conservatively estimated, it was worth nearly a million Spirit Shells. Besides, his only overt backer was Lingyin Peak. Although Lingyin Peak could arrange for him to be a Deacon, it would most likely be a Deacon position within Lingyin Peak itself. Such Deacons couldn’t compare to those in major Sect Organizations like the Lu Shi Pavilion or the Lianbao Pavilion. Deacons within a Peak not only endured frustrations but also had no opportunities for illicit gains. It would be better to be assigned out as an External Cultivator. Once he earned enough money out there, he could follow the example of the Luo Ying Two Immortals, enter the Sect to seek a Deacon position, and then use the benefits afforded to Deacons by the Sect to break through to the Returning Core Realm. One’s path shouldn’t be too rigid.
"I wonder, Junior Brother Xu, where would you like to be stationed externally? The mortal countries? The Wangchuan Islands? The Tianyun Peaks? If I were to advise you, Junior Brother, I’d say become an island stationed cultivator..." Fengping Valley, who was sitting beside Xu Xing, chimed in with advice. "Although the various islands in the Wangchuan Sea beyond the mainland are troubled by Sea Bandits and hostile Powers, they are also rich in Resources. Take Junior Brother Luo, for example; discovering a Shell Field has put him on a promising Immortal Journey. As for the mortal countries and the Tianyun Peaks, while they offer stability, the benefits gained are less than half of what an island stationed cultivator can earn."
The Flying Feather Immortal Palace, aside from the mortal countries and parts of the Wangchuan Sea, also controlled a mountain range to the southwest. This was called the Tianyun Mountain Range, and Biyuan Mountain, where Xu Xing was temporarily residing, belonged to a smaller sub-range within these mountains.
"That’s natural..." Xu Xing nodded, expressing agreement with Fengping Valley’s view. He seized the opportunity to ask, "Senior Brother Feng, do you have any islands to recommend to this Junior Brother? You’ve been an island stationed cultivator for many years and must have a wealth of experience. This Junior Brother is just a novice..."
Folding Mountain Island was his true objective. However, he couldn’t blatantly state his desire to be stationed on Folding Mountain Island and ask Jiang Yan to arrange it. If he did, Jiang Yan and the others would undoubtedly become suspicious.
"Hmm..." Fengping Valley was quite willing to discuss such minor matters. After all, it wouldn’t cost him a single Spirit Shell—a small, effortless favor—and in return, he could earn some goodwill from Xu Xing. "My post was Guang Chuan Island in the Eastern Sea region of the Wangchuan Sea... Recently, I heard that several large, resource-rich islands like Glass Island and Xuan Fire Island are temporarily without stationed cultivators. Junior Brother, if you’re looking to secure a post, these islands are excellent choices..." He paused, pondering for a moment before offering his suggestions.
Next, fearing Xu Xing might not grasp the benefits of these two islands, he began a detailed, methodical explanation. "Glass Island is abundant in flowing light fish, a delicacy used for preparing Spiritual Feasts. According to Sect regulations, an island stationed cultivator can take a five percent share of their stationed island’s profits. Junior Brother, you could learn a Spell for cultivating Spirit Fish in the Heavenly Book Pavilion... You could earn at least five thousand Spirit Shells a year! Of course, you’d have to dedicate some effort to cultivating the flowing light fish. Xuan Fire Island is rich in various types of Xuan fire..." Fengping Valley elaborated slowly.
"I practice the Evergreen Taoist Scripture, so Xuan Fire Island is incompatible with my Cultivation Method; I cannot go there. As this Junior Brother would be an island stationed cultivator for the first time, I wish to prioritize my own Cultivation. I wouldn’t have the inclination to manage the flowing light fish..." Xu Xing casually found suitable excuses.
He then shifted the conversation, "I wonder, are there any islands in the Western Sea worth considering?"
Considering his aptitude and his relationship with Jiang Yan, his own ’Fate Deduction’ indicated that the Sect would absolutely not assign him to a resource-poor island. In that case, Folding Mountain Island must be a decent island in the Western Sea.
Sure enough, after mentioning a few other island names, Fengping Valley uttered the words "Folding Mountain Island."
"Folding Mountain Island, characterized by its overlapping mountain ranges and abundant spiritual qi in its flora, doesn’t have any particularly noteworthy natural resources. However, there’s an Immortal Workshop on the island where Cultivators trade. It only requires someone to manage it a little, and you can collect a substantial share of the profits. It’s a lucrative position within the Sect. However, securing the post on Folding Mountain Island is no easy task..." Speaking of Folding Mountain Island, Fengping Valley shook his head and sighed.
"Junior Brother Xu, rest assured..." Jiang Yan interjected, seeing a flicker of interest in Xu Xing’s eyes. He knew Xu Xing must have taken a liking to Folding Mountain Island. And why not? Folding Mountain Island perfectly matched Xu Xing’s needs: plenty of money for little work, close to the Western Sea Inland Sea, and not dangerous. An excellent place for secluded cultivation. "With my help, Folding Mountain Island will definitely be yours."