Chapter 653: Wealth is King
Xiao Chen simply smiled when he heard all this news. He ignored them and continued to focus on his own Quintessence.
Out of the ninety-nine transparent Quintessence drops, the number that had turned pearly steadily increased. Xiao Chen's Quintessence became much purer than it was.
Xiao Chen only came out of his room after another twenty days. This time, he had to come out because it was the first time the new disciples would receive their remuneration.
This monthly stipend was ten thousand Superior Grade Spirit Stones and ten Inferior Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls free. There was no point in letting them go.
Zhuo Yushi had been waiting outside Xiao Chen's door for some time already. For the past month or so, whenever Zhuo Yushi was free, he would come and have long chats with Xiao Chen. Thus, they had become rather familiar with each other.
"Brother Xiao, let's go. I already asked around and found out where to receive our stipend." Zhuo Yushi felt extremely excited even though the Spirit Stones that he would obtain would pay for the rent.
However, the ten Spirit Gathering Pearls had a high value. The exchange rate was five thousand Superior Grade Spirit Stones for one Inferior Grade Spirit Gathering Pearl.
However, unless one was in urgent need for Spirit Stones, no one would be foolish enough to exchange Spirit Gathering Pearls for them.
After leaving the residential area, Zhuo Yushi led Xiao Chen with easy familiarity through the busy streets. After passing through a few winding walkways, they arrived before the gates of a hall.
Many inner sect disciples were standing in a long queue here to collect their monthly stipend.
Xiao Chen finally got to see several of the inner sect disciples with better resources. These people seemed to be in the later stages of Inferior Grade Martial Monarch.
However, they were different from Zhuo Yushi. These disciples had withdrawn auras and very pure Quintessence.
Even though they were all late-stage Inferior Grade Martial Monarchs, if Zhuo Yushi were to fight them, he would not be able to endure more than ten moves.
If Xiao Chen guessed correctly, these people should have already consumed the Quintessence Gathering Pill and then cultivated back to peak Inferior Grade Martial Monarch.
Aside from this, Xiao Chen also noticed something else: some people obtained more remuneration; and some, less.
The most an inner sect disciple obtained was a hundred thousand Superior Grade Spirit Stones and fifty Inferior Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls.
Xiao Chen asked Zhuo Yushi, who was behind him, "What's up with those people?"
Zhuo Yushi explained, "Those are inner sect disciples who ranked rather highly on the Contribution Ranking. They completed many missions for the sect and gained extra rewards.
"That's right, speaking of this, we have to take a mission this month. If we do not, we will be chased out of the inner sect."
Supreme Sky Province was very vast with countless cities in it. There were also many merchant associations, clans, City Lord's Residences. When these people met with problems they could not solve, they turned to the Supreme Sky Sect for help.
The Supreme Sky Sect was glad to help out. Firstly, they could maintain the peace of the province. Secondly, they could temper their disciples.
Some missions were issued by the sect's true inheritors, elders, or administrators. When they had problems that they did not have time to solve, they would issue them as sect missions, letting the disciples solve them. All they had to do was pay a reward.
Zhuo Yushi explained, "When we do missions, we will be able to obtain rewards as well as some contribution points. There will be extra rewards with the monthly stipend. This is the greatest source of income for the inner sect disciples.
"However, the rewards and contribution points come with risk. There are disciples who left on missions but never came back again."
As the two spoke, time passed quickly. Soon, it was their turn to collect their stipend. The process was simple: they just had to hand over their identity medallion and let the person at the counter verify it.
Zhuo Yushi did not have much savings. When he received the ten Spirit Gathering Pearls, his expression became very excited. He clutched the Spirit Gathering Pearls and said, "This is great. I finally have the money to purchase a Quintessence Gathering Pill."
Xiao Chen felt it was strange. He asked, "Why are you exchanging your Spirit Gathering Pearls?
Inner sect disciples could just use a tenth of a Rank 1 Spirit Vein to cultivate. Under such conditions, the effects of a Superior Grade Spirit Stone was much weaker.
They would only use Superior Grade Spirit Stones when they went out, using it as money. Superior Grade Spirit Stones were not as valuable here as they were in the lower realms.
However, Spirit Gathering Pearls were different. Not only could they be used in making breakthroughs, but they were also more effective than using the Spirit Vein. Of course, the prerequisite was that one had sufficient Spirit Gathering Pearls.
Zhuo Yushi smiled bitterly and said, "I don't want to, either, but I should be able to become a peak Inferior Grade Martial Monarch at the end of the month. By then, I will need to use the Quintessence Gathering Pill."
Xiao Chen understood that he only managed to obtain two hundred thousand Superior Grade Spirit Stones because he killed several old Martial Monarchs.
Not everyone was like Xiao Chen, who had just advanced to Martial Monarch yet dared to disregard those lower-realm old Martial Monarchs.
"Let's stop speaking about this. Come, let's go buy the Quintessence Gathering Pill. After that, I will have to enter closed-door cultivation," Zhuo Yushi said.
The city floating in the sky was the Supreme Sky Sect's inner city. The inner sect disciples could go up there once a month.
According to rumor, there was a Rank 4 Spirit Vein in the inner city. Not only did it shroud the city in spiritual mist all year round, but it could also generate a large number of Superior Grade Spirit Stones.
If one cultivated up there, even if they did not use the Spirit Vein's origin, its effect would be much better than in the rooms of the inner sect disciples.
After going through the dense mist formed by Spiritual Energy, the two registered at the inner city gates and succeeded in entering.
Compared to the bustling Supreme Sky City below, the inner city was quiet and peaceful. The people on the streets rarely spoke loudly.
Occasionally, strong disciples with unfathomable cultivations walked into view; no one dared to underestimate them.
Zhuo Yushi had come to the inner city during the previous month, so he was familiar with the place that sold the Medicinal Pill. Soon, he led Xiao Chen to a herb store.
When the shop owner saw business coming, he immediately greeted them warm-heartedly. He smiled and said, "Two Little Brothers, what kind of Medicinal Pill are you looking for?
Zhuo Yushi said in a hurry, "Give me an Inferior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill. I will pay with Spirit Gathering Pearls, is that fine?"
"Sure, sure, naturally you can." The shop owner smiled even more broadly. This was already a big sale in the first place. Now, his customer was paying in Spirit Gathering Pearls. This was a huge gain.
"Wait for a moment," Xiao Chen called out. "I will pay for his Quintessence Gathering Pill. On top of that, get me a Superior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill."
Zhuo Yushi exclaimed in shock, "Brother Xiao Chen!"
"Don't look at me like that. I am just lending you the Spirit Stones. You have to return them to me." Xiao Chen smiled slightly.
Zhuo Yushi was very touched. Spirit Gathering Pearls were much more valuable than Superior Grade Spirit Stones. Furthermore, they were rarer; they could not be obtained just because one wanted to.
If Zhuo Yushi were not approaching peak Inferior Grade Martial Monarch and did not need to use the Quintessence Gathering Pill, he would not use his Spirit Gathering Pearls.
"Xiao Chen, thank you. I will not bother saying unnecessary things, but you are definitely a friend for life." Zhuo Yushi patted Xiao Chen's shoulder heavily.
After paying the Spirit Stones, Xiao Chen took the two Quintessence Gathering Pills and compared them. He discovered that they were not very different, only the glow of the Superior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill was deeper.
The store owner chuckled as he explained, "Ha ha, Little Brother, there is not much difference between a Superior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill and an Inferior Grade one. However, if you cultivate an Earth Ranked Cultivation Technique, a Superior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill will not display its full effect.
"Under normal circumstances, a Medial Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill is sufficient for most people. It is still not too late for you to change your mind."
Xiao Chen carefully put away the Superior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill, saying, "There is no need. I want the Superior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill."
Xiao Chen was not in a rush to leave. He continued asking the store owner about natural treasures or Medicinal Pills that could help him with the Firmament Body Tempering Art.
"This is the Blood Refinement Pill. It is priced at four hundred thousand Superior Grade Spirit Stones. It can refine the blood of a cultivator. It has the best effects in aiding a Body Tempering Cultivation Technique."
"Spirit Freezing Pill. This can ease the pain that comes from cultivating a Body Tempering Cultivation Technique. It is priced at one hundred thousand Superior Grade Spirit Stones.
"This is the Yellow Spirit Flower. It is a rare natural treasure that can penetrate deep into the marrow. It is priced at five hundred thousand Superior Grade Spirit Stones."
A cultivator that tempered the body required a large amount of natural treasures to aid their cultivation. When the store owner heard Xiao Chen asked about this kind of pills, he immediately introduced his wares fervently, his eyes seemed to have Spirit Stones dancing around in them.
Several things caught Xiao Chen's eyes, but he could only shake his head helplessly. All he could do was look. The store owner's eyes filled with disappointment as the two left the herb store and rushed back.
After an hour, the two paid the rent for the month and prepared to return to their rooms. At that moment, they were stopped by a group of people.
"He he, we have been waiting for you two for some time. You finally returned."
The thin man that attacked Gong Yangyu in the past stood in front, leading a group of people and blocking the two.
Zhuo Yushi's expression changed. He said in a whisper, "That person is Gui Wu. He is the leader of one of the two new big factions. They probably do not have good intentions."
It turned out this person was called Gui Wu. After not seeing him for one month, this person's cultivation had not changed. However, his Quintessence became much purer compared to the past.
The purity of Gui Wu's Quintessence seemed to be about the same as some of the inner sect disciples with deep pockets. In fact, his seemed slightly stronger.
Xiao Chen looked at Gui Wu and said calmly, "If you have something to say, just say it. Don't block the way."
Gui Wu smiled coldly and said, "In that case, I will be direct. Each of you, hand over five Spirit Gathering Pearls."
The moment Gui Wu spoke, the six people around him immediately released their auras, locking down on the two.
Although this group of people did not have as high a cultivation as Gui Wu, their Quintessence was very pure as well. They probably had already used the Quintessence Gathering Pill; they could not be underestimated.
Xiao Chen remained silent. He only quickly evaluated the strength of both sides. Gui Wu had consumed the Quintessence Gathering Pill and had recultivated to peak Inferior Grade Martial Monarch.
Out of Xiao Chen's ninety-nine drops of Quintessence, he had only refined sixty-six of them. Furthermore, he had not used the Quintessence Gathering Pill.
In terms of purity of Quintessence, Gui Wu's Quintessence was purer than Xiao Chen's for now. When it came to Martial Techniques and combat experience, Xiao Chen was not afraid.
If he fought Gui Wu now, he should have a fifty percent chance of victory. He was not very confident of his odds. Furthermore, his opponent clearly came prepared.
Gui Wu had a group of people with him. If all of them worked together and attacked, he and Zhuo Yushi would not stand much of a chance.
Perhaps the two might be able to flee, but they would not be able to avoid the harassment of these people. That would affect their cultivation.
Zhuo Yushi felt rage in his heart. However, when he noticed the strength of the other party, he was helpless. If he did not hand over the Spirit Gathering Pearls, it would be hard for him to avoid getting injured. Furthermore, this group of people would continue to seek trouble for him.
Gui Wu laughed loudly and took five Inferior Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls from Zhuo Yushi's hand. Then, he looked at Xiao Chen and asked, "What about you?"
Xiao Chen flicked his finger, and five Spirit Gathering Pearls flew over to Gui Wu in an arc.
Gui Wu stretched his hands out and caught the five Spirit Gathering Pearls easily. He seemed somewhat surprised. He had not expected Xiao Chen to agree so readily.
Chapter Notes:
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