Chapter 15 – Too Poor To Cause Trouble
A group of grey-robed disciples moved briskly through Jun De’s courtyard, working with efficient coordination. They wore simple sashes, identifying them as Servant Disciples who had been allowed to enter the Sect to train but must perform humble but essential duties for the Sect.
These Disciples lacked the talent to enter on their own merits, but they could become Outer Sect Disciples if they worked hard enough and showed improvement.
Two of them carefully hoisted the broken trunk of a peach tree using a pair of floating jade talismans and guided the remains toward a waiting cart. Others swept up splintered wood chips, while a pair of younger disciples reassembled the damaged bridge over the pond, expertly resetting the beams and repairing the damage with their Qi.
Despite their efficiency, the damage Jun De had caused wasn’t minor.
Elder Shen stood at the entrance of the courtyard with his hands tucked behind his back and watched the work being done with an amused, but exasperated, smile on his face.
“If you keep blowing up your residence, Jun De, the Sect will start deducting contribution points just to cover the cost of repairs.” The Elder gently chided.
On one hand, causing such damage to a courtyard couldn’t be encouraged, but the fact that Jun De managed to do this while training was impressive. The young man had only been in the Sect for a few months and was already displaying his talent.
“Yes, Elder. I understand and apologize.” Jun De offered him a deep, respectful bow with his hands clasped in front of him.
On the surface, Jun Dee looked calm and composed. But inside, a chill crept down his spine.
‘Elder Shen isn’t joking!’ Jun De thought.
Jun De’s gaze drifted to the broken peach tree, now nothing more than a heap of debris being levitated away.
Thankfully, the ‘Heavenly Deflection Art’ and the ‘Luminous Step’ hadn’t caused any damage, but that didn’t mean either was easier to control than the ‘Falling Star Palm.’
Jun De was coming to a clear conclusion, one that made him uncertain of how successful he would be on his cultivation journey and left him feeling depressed.
His body was supremely blessed with talent. It had a knack for cultivation and an aptitude for the Radiant Sunflow Art. But Jun De himself was a terrible cultivator. He lacked comprehension and understanding of how this world worked and the strange concepts needed for cultivation.
It was likely that, unless he could reconcile the two, he would cause a lot more damage to his courtyard as he trained.
And worse, he couldn’t think of a solution that didn’t involve more training! It would be an endless cycle of destroying his home to improve, and everything led to an even greater problem, one so monumental that he needed to address it right away.
He was too poor to cause any more trouble!
Jun De couldn’t afford any more repairs; he didn’t have any spiritual artifacts or cultivation resources. He was even running out of fasting pills!
Jun De’s mind began racing. Fasting pills were cheap, but nothing was free in the Sect. Everything costs contribution points or spiritual stones.
Spiritual stones were incredibly rare and valuable. They could be used to buy resources, food, pills, weapons and even private lessons with the Elders. They also contained pure spiritual energy that acted as cultivation accelerants and components for spiritual arrays.
Jun De snuck a glance at Elder Shen.
‘Looks like I can’t rely on handouts anymore.’ Jun De thought sadly.
Jun De straightened and took a deep breath while he watched the servant Disciples put the final touches on the repaired bridge. The pond’s surface settled once again, calm and unbothered by the events that had taken place before.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“I suggest going to the Training Hall and looking at the task board there. It is not good to spend all of your time in seclusion. Earning contribution points and experiencing the world will help you.” Elder Shen recommended as he patted Jun De on the shoulder and turned to leave.
“Thank you, Elder Shen. I appreciate all you have done for me.” Jun De replied earnestly, and the Elder nodded gently and left.
The Outer Sect Training Hall was a long, open-walled structure built of rich wood and green jade, with polished floors that gleamed in the light. Hundreds of Outer Sect Disciples moved about inside, many clustered around the tower task board at the center.
The board was layered with strips of paper pinned in organized rows with descriptions of tasks, rewards and contact names. Most of the tasks were from the Elders of the Sect, but some were from wealthier Disciples looking to outsource difficult or menial work.
Each slip would detail the job and, at the bottom, would list the promised contribution point reward that was carefully inked in red.
As Jun De stepped into the hall, conversation slowed, and most eyes turned his way. He felt the weight of their attention immediately.
Despite only being in the 1st Level of Qi Condensation, Jun De’s reputation had grown in the Outer Sect. The golden glow over the Upper Ridge, the rumours and false stories of his multiple breakthroughs, the tales of him hiding his cultivation in order to guard his secrets, and finally his destruction of his own courtyard while training, were enough to have his name on everyone’s lips.
Jun De did his best to ignore them and walk with measured, practiced calm toward the task board.
His blue robes fluttered gently with each step, and despite the fact that they were the same as all the other Disciples, they seemed to look different on him. More grand and beautiful, to match his peerless appearance.
Jun De could hear their whispers as he walked past.
“That’s him!”
“Senior Brother Jund De, from the Upper Ridge!”
“Didn’t he destroy his courtyard with a single palm attack? I heard it tore through the restrictions and destroyed an Elder’s pavilion.”
“I heard that it was strong enough that the Inner Sect Elders have taken an interest in him. Jun De told them that he didn’t want to leave the Outer Sect yet, not until he gained more experience.”
“How humble of him! No wonder he is concealing his cultivation!”
The rumours began to grow increasingly out of control, and Jun De had to struggle to maintain his calm fa?ade.
‘Where the hell are they getting these ideas from?! I barely reached the 1st Level, and I’ve never met anyone from the inner sect!’ Jun De screamed internally.
Everyone, even those who were clearly higher in cultivation than he, were calling him ‘Senior Brother.’ According to the Sect rules, rank had to do with cultivation level first, then age or talent second.
But apparently, that rule didn’t apply to Jun De.
Redoubling his efforts to ignore the insane rumour mill, Jun De was within a few feet of the board and about to scan the task slips when a soft, confident voice interrupted him.
“Senior Brother Jun.”
Recognizing the person who called out to him, Jun De turned around with a small, polite smile on his face.
Mei Lian stood just within the entrance of the Training Hall, dressed in the standard blue robes of an Outer Sect Disciple. Her appearance had changed since the last time he had seen her, and Jun De thought she looked more elegant and composed than when they had travelled together.
She had a slender sword resting at her waist, tucked neatly into the sash she had wrapped around her. Her hair was tied into a high ponytail, with a jade pin keeping it in place.
Mei Lian’s eyes were full of warmth and happiness as she looked at him, and Jun De felt uncomfortable as he saw a hint of expectation there as well.
A group of six other Disciples stood behind her, an even mix of men and women who were all close in age and wore the same blue robes. Judging by their spiritual presence, Jun De estimated that they were all 1st or 2nd Level Qi Condensation cultivators.
Each of them had a look of confidence and a bit of arrogance, but they clasped their hands and bowed to him in greeting.
“I heard you finally left your courtyard! Are you here to take a task?” Mei Lian asked with a smile.
“I am. Elder Shen recommended that I earn contribution points.” Jun De replied, nodding politely to the group and clasping his own hands together to return their greeting.
Mei Lian glanced toward the crowded board, then back at him.
“You should consider joining us. We’re heading to the rear spiritual herb valley. The Qi there is dense enough for wild spiritual plants to grow, and beasts are common.” Mei Lian offered.
“I’m not familiar with the area. Is it far?” Jun De asked curiously. He hadn’t spent any time outside his courtyard and didn’t know much about the Sect.
“Not too far. We’ll stay near the outer edge, where the danger is manageable. It’s suitable for those between the 1st and the 3rd Level. We’re after herbs and beast components. Whatever we collect, we split evenly and turn in for contribution points.”
One of the Disciples behind her added. “We’re leaving now for a week.”
“It’s safer to go in groups, and with your talents, I will feel much more confident in our chances of success. What do you think, Senior Brother?” Mei Lian asked, and the others behind her nodded their heads eagerly.
They had all heard the rumours about Jun De, and learning that Mei Lian had a personal connection to him was a great surprise. If they could get Senior Brother Jun to accompany them, the benefits would be enormous!
Jun De looked over their group before making his decision. They looked well-prepared, equipped and disciplined. They had also been to the area before, and they had assured him it was reasonably safe.
Jun De gave Mei Lian a polite nod and smiled.
“Very well, count me in.” Jun De agreed, and a surge of excitement went through the group.
