Chapter 41

  Betting & Competing (VI)

  "Ha ha, Sect Master; I can barely keep up with those two..." I tried to squirm my way out of being given more disciples.

  I'd already planned on just asking for some resources from Daoist Mu and forgoing a new disciple. Honestly? I can barely keep up with the two I have. Even with the massive windfall of bets, it, at most, buys me a year (if that). I could take in more disciples, but despite the monthly quests, I decided against it, as just having more numbers didn't actually guarantee anything.

  If I got Creation Points any time any headway was made by any of my disciples, I might have considered it. But from the looks of it, outside of the system Quest, the only way I can get Creation Points from my Disciples is if they break through a major realm.

  And even if the Foundation Establishment Realm wasn't a monumental hurdle or anything, kids still needed some talent for it. Maybe, one day in a distant future when I can create methods and arts that completely ignore talent and work anyway, I'll be able to just take in anyone who comes. Today? Nah.

  "Hm," the anxiety born of that gaze grew; it was somewhat odd, the cold kind. Kind of like a mixture of fear and anxiety, sort of like when you're waiting for the exam results that will either make or break your entire year. "I have a hopeless little abandoned ferret; I'll send her to your peak in the coming days. I hope you show her the same generosity as you do your other two disciples."

  ... Well, that's that, I guess. There's no way I'm saying 'No' to anything the Spirit Sage demands, not when he could kill me with an eyelash.

  As the competition came to an end, I descended a level and found Daoist Mu (and many other Deacons and lesser members of the Sect) rather... red-faced, it could be said.

  "You hid yourself, Elder Lu," tsk. It's like these guys all get the same script and deliver the lines in the same way. No creativity! Where are the bad guys with cool, damning lines--scratch that; please, I don't need no bad guys--crap, that's a double negative. I meant that I don't need bad guys, yes, that's it. Keep the bad guys far away from me.

  "Here is a list, Daoist Mu," I said and tossed him a preprepared parchment; it was made with Long Tao's help. Though the old monster didn't tell me what he needed those things for, I decided to just get them for him. Save me a headache. "Have those things delivered to my peak by the month's end."

  "W-what?! Annela Herb? Three blades of Moonflower?! Are you insane?! I'd have to sell everything I own to afford this!"

  "..." Yeah, figures. But, strong front. A strong front is all that matters. "Then start selling."

  I thus spun and left, somewhat hurried; what if they started seeing red in the moment and just jumped me? Gotta get the hell out of there fast!

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  Long Tao and Dai Xiu were waiting for me on the outside; the two didn't fight in the final round, with Xiu surrendering. Her gaze was shifty and evasive, and she seemed worried that I might chastise her, while Long Tao... well, he looked kind of bored.

  "Good job, you two," I said. All three of us ignored the gazes of the dozens upon dozens of the passing disciples and servants, all likely wondering where the hell these two came from. "We made a killing today. We could have made more, but some of us decided they're above it."

  "I'm so sorry, Master!!" Dai Xiu cried out--both literally and figuratively. "I, I don't know what came over me! Please don't kick me out; I will do anything! I--"

  "--no, no, I meant Long Tao," I quickly interrupted. "No, you did amazing, okay? Master is very proud."

  "R-really?"

  "Yes, yes, very proud."

  "... thank you, Master!" She took a step toward me but froze, bowing instead.

  Haah.

  Kids are... tough. I kind of want to indulge her, but I also kind of don't want to, if that makes sense. Even I'm not dumb enough not to realize that if I just keep it this way, she will not grow up to have a healthy relationship with the world.

  But also, I don't really have the heart to be strict with her. And yet I must. Damn.

  "Come on, let's go back," Amidst the countless gazes, the three of us left for the central valley and then up the Lonesome Mountain.

  On the way, Xiu asked extensively about how she could fight better in the future, but, thankfully, she didn't bother me nearly as much as she did Long Tao. By the time we climbed to the top, the old monster sprinted away and literally locked himself in a room.

  I don't blame him 'cause I was tempted to do it too.

  "Would you like me to make you some tea, Master?" she asked, and I assented.

  Luckily, Hua had stayed behind and kept the doors and windows open, clearing up the air in the house. The boy servant was rather efficient and hardworking, far more than I expected.

  Hm.

  Wait.

  I never did check him out with my Creator's Eyes, did I? I mean, he's probably completely ordinary, but you never know if, like Dai Xiu, he hides some deep talent.

  [--Creator's Eyes used]

  [Target: Zhuang Hua]

  [...]

  [--Host realm is insufficient.]

  [Spend 30 Creation Points to take a peek at the target]

  ... what?

  No, wait, what?!

  What kind of bedeviled devil did I let live with me, man?!! Holy crap! Spend it, spend it immediately!

  [--30 Creation Points spent]

  [...]

  [Target: Zhuang Hua]

  [Age: 17(493)]

  [Talent: ???]

  [Cultivation Realm: Early-stage Demigod]

  [Cultivation Method: ???]

  [Martial Arts: ???]

  [...]

  [Traits (Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, ???)]

  [Oathbound (???) -- swore an Oath of Servitude, binding his life and well-being to Dai Xiu. If she dies, so will he; if she's ailing, so is he]

  [Mortal Manifestation (Legendary) -- cannot directly interfere in the matters of the Lesser Realm. Can only display the same level of cultivation as the target of his Oath]

  [Kinslayer (Epic) -- killed his Master in a bid for power and was excised from the sect. The stain remains with him to this day, disallowing any progress in cultivation]

  [???...]

  [Assessing suitability...]

  [... Host lacks cultivation realm to discern target's special Physique]

  [...]

  [Recommended: requires specialized heart-cleansing art; recommended that the host pass on the Heart-Stitching Art. Though not perfect, it would allow the target to start cultivating again after they master it]

  [...]

  [Final assessment: a realized, transcendental talent; due to limited access to information, not much else can be ascertained at the moment]

  Right.

  Of course.

  Haah.

  You know, humans are just like this, aren't they? While they don't know something, they are just aggressively desperate to learn it. Would do anything for it. Yet, when they learn, they wanna forget.

  'cause boy, do I ever want to forget. I've been making a Demigod sweep and clean and build stuff for me. If it takes courage to stand up for yourself against a bully, what should I call my nonchalance in dealing with a half-god? Herculean ignorance?

  Yeah, sounds about right.