Gu Li split the loot 50%, 25%, 25%. He had considered splitting it into thirds, and garner some good will from his Junior Brothers. However, it was a maxim of every cultivation novel that the subordinates would betray the master. Gu Li decided he’d keep the lion’s share of their ill-gotten gains for himself.
All together, Gu Li kept the twin flying swords, and gained 200 spirit stones. Hei Yu took some miscellaneous pills, and Fu Cao seized every little thing, even their clothes!
[Scan Item] A system notification popped up when Gu Li took possession of the flying swords.
Curious, Gu Li opened the system shop. Under the weapons tab, there was an option to scan the blueprints of a weapon. Upon further investigation, Gu Li figured out the reason why.
‘What a shitty shop! Everything is Realm One, and the most common of items!’ Gu Li squinted his eyes in anger.
Not only that, but every weapon was in a range of 200-400CP. That was two to four days of grinding!
Grumbling to himself in anger, Gu Li mentally slotted a picture of the flying sword into the shop.
A percentage bar popped up: [Analyzing 5%...20%...50%...100%]
[Analysis Complete]
After a minute had passed, the flying sword appeared in the shop. [700CP | Realm One | Twin Wind Flying Sword]
Focusing on the weapon, Gu Li spotted some flavor text: [Wind Attribute | Set Bonus 1/2 | Grade: 1.7]
Gu Li rubbed his chin, and thought about the system shop further. In fact, maybe it wasn’t so shitty.
He could see it now, everyone was fighting over a valuable item, or OP weapon. All he had to do was get his hands on it for a second, and slot it into his shop. Then he could throw the item back to the crazy mob, and bug out. All the while, he would have access to the item as long as he had enough CP.
“Heuh heuh heuh.” Gu Li quietly laughed to himself.
Calming himself down, Gu Li turned his attention to the spirit stones he had taken. Ordinarily, spirit stones were used as currency in cultivation worlds because they could increase a cultivator’s level. If the weapon could be purchased with CP, maybe he could convert his spirit stones into CP?
Reaching into his pouch, Gu Li put away the sword, then pulled out a spirit stone. In his hand, Gu Li held a small, blue, marble sized orb. This was the generic look of most spirit stones.
[Convert Spirit Stones x1? | Y/N]
Clicking on yes, the spirit stone in Gu Li’s hand disappeared.
[+0.1CP]
Doing some quick math, Gu Li multiplied 0.1 with 200. In total, he could gain 20CP with his current loot. He carried 142 spirit stones with him to cover expenses, so his total was 342 spirit stones.
He didn’t have anything like a pocket dimension, universe bag, or storage ring. He was only lowly Realm 1.5 cultivator, unable to afford such luxuries. Between the two swords, and provisions, Gu Li decided to save space, and converted 200 spirit stones into 20CP.
“Let’s go. Hyah!” Gu Li kicked the side of his mount, and set off. Dust trailed in his wake.
After Gu Li had traveled some distance, Hei Yu and Fu Cao shared a look.
“Did Senior Brother always mumble and laugh to himself while staring into nothing?” Fu Cao whispered.
“Keep it to yourself, and keep me out of it.” Hei Yu pulled on the brim of his straw hat, and rushed after Gu Li.
“What, it was a fair question! I thought we were on the same page here. We shared the look and everything! What?!” Fu Cao shouted at Hei Yu’s back.
----------------------------------------
A week had passed since they collected the traitor’s head, and the trio were resting in an inn half a days journey away from the Outer Sect. During that travel time, Gu Li scratched his brain for all the “advice” he could pass on to his juniors.
Such topics ranged from the mundane, such as brushing your teeth daily. To the ridiculous, such as advising Hei Yu to never scratch his balls with his clawed hand.
Like this, Gu Li gained 100CP every day. He currently had 720CP. He was holding onto his points for a little bit. He didn’t want to spread rumors of Li Ping falling into a treasure cave, only to show everyone else a remarkable increase in his own cultivation.
If he did that, then everyone would think he had a fortuitous encounter, and target him instead. In Xianxia worlds, two friends could team up for decades, or hundreds of years. However, in the face of fortuitous encounters, the notion of friendliness could disappear in an instant.
No, if Gu Li was going to spend his points on anything soon, it would be an occupation like blacksmithing, or alchemy. That way, he could farm more quests, earn spirit stones, and form connections. Whatever the universe, a skilled crafter was valued.
His game plan was to slowly and steadily improve his level at the rate of a “weak” genius. That way, he would be valued, and not written off as cannon fodder by the higher ups, while at the same time, being discounted by the other genius’. At the same time, he would strengthen his foundation. It would be a sad sight if he increased his power level to Realm Three, only to still be rocking Realm One spells and martial arts.
This way, Gu Li could remain somewhat low-key amongst the upper echelon, while also scaring off the hordes of weaker cultivators with his reputation. And should he ever take part in a competition, he would aim for 10th place. No way in hell would he be the nail that stood out!
Gu Li nodded to himself in satisfaction, this was the best he could do with what he had. It wasn’t easy surviving in a cultivator world. Be low-key, and a billion guys act like you’re trash, and attempt to steal your stuff. Be high-profile, and everyone treats you like a king, and attempts to steal your stuff! His aim was for a happy medium.
The sound of shattering porcelain broke Gu Li out of his fugue.
“You call this tea?!” A white furred bipedal tiger dressed in black taoists robes smashed the cup against the wall.
“Bring me something I can really drink!” The tigerman roared.
“Yes, yes, right away!” The bartender bowed multiple times, before fleeing back to the kitchen.
‘Looks like something out of Kung Fu Panda. My guy can also taste spit? I don’t hate Demonic Beasts, but this guy is truly built different.’ Gu Li sipped on his tea, and ignored the violent outburst.
“You can put on a robe, slap on some perfume, and speak like a man, yet a beast will always be but a beast.” A quiet, charismatic voice intoned.
All eyes turned to the table where the voice came from. A handsome man in silver-white robes casually drank his tea, and wore a bemused look on his face. He was flanked by two similarly dressed woman. On each of their clothes, they had the symbol “Heavenly Sword” emblazoned on their sleeves.
“Oh, Wey Lin, don’t trouble the poor animal, he doesn’t know any better.” A busty woman clutched his arm between her breasts.
“Senior Brother Wey is merely broadening our horizons. You need not take such an opportunity to cling to him in mimicry of those animals.” The second girl was flat chested, and spoke calmly. However, there was venom laced in her words.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“Hmph, and what would a manling know of culture? I am Hei Long, of the White Tiger Tribe, let all who hear it roar! This waiter spat in my drink. Be soothed, for I am in a good mood. Shall I be wronged once more, there won’t be room for parlay.” Hei Long smirked at the trio of Heavenly Sword disciples, his gums lifted, revealing sharp teeth.
“Is that a threat?” Wey Lin raised an eyebrow. His sword was out, and resting on the table in an instant.
“Dost thou want to go at it?” Hei Long scraped back his chair, and stood at his full size. He was twice as tall as any man in the building.
“A Demonic Beast from the White Tiger Tribe, I’d say he ranks somewhere in the Third Realm. And he’s picking a fight with a Heavenly Sword Sect’s disciple? How troublesome.” Hei Yu muttered to Gu Li, and Fu Cao.
“Don’t worry Senior Brother, I’ll take care of this.” Fu Cao whispered to Gu Li, then strode forward between the pair.
Gu Li was mid swig when Fu Cao spoke to him. He choked on his drink when the chubby man left the table.
“Who would dare be so bold in the Five Joys territory? Sitting here is a main branch member of the Gu Clan, Gu Li! His father is an important Outer Sect Elder, I would speak your next words carefully if I were you.” Fu Cao held his head high, and spoke in a serious tone of voice.
At the end, he briefly, and quickly turned back to give Gu Li a thumbs up.
‘I’m doomed.’ Gu Li slapped his forehead with an open palm.
“Hm?! Five Joys Gu Clan?! What are they worth? A two thousand year old clan, and they've never once broken out of the Middle Realms. Perhaps I'd be scared if it was the Gu Clan of the Carnivorous Insect Cult, but you? Hmph! Dogs of the Quolo Clan, go somewhere else, this isn't your affair!” The busty cultivator clinging onto Wey Lin told Fu Cao off.
“We’ll end this here. I’ll give the Five Joys Sect face today.” Wey Lin sheathed his sword, and went back to enjoying his tea.
“Be grateful that Senior Brother has let you off today.” The flat chested girl bit out.
“Perhaps the manlings know of culture after all.” Hei Long inclined his head to Fu Cao.
Once he returned to the table, Fu Cao was brimming with good cheer. “Pretty cool, wasn’t I?”
“It certainly was impressive, from a certain point of view. One of these days, you’re going to give me a heart attack Fu Cao. Let’s go.” Gu Li chugged his tea, then stood up to leave.
“Hey, where’s Hei Yu?” Fu Cao questioned.
“He’s outside waiting for us, I’m sure you’d understand why.” Gu Li sarcastically remarked.
“Oh, how considerate of him, getting our mounts ready!” Fu Cao quickly followed after Gu Li.
“Yes. That’s what he was doing…let’s go.”
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“Huah, we’re finally back!” Fu Cao wiped some sweat from his hefty brow, and cheered in relief.
“In-kuh-deed.” Hei Yu agreed between puffs of smoke.
After traveling on the major highway, they had finally made it back to one of the Five Joys Sect’s principle Outer Sect locations.
Each faction in the Five Joys Sect controlled a mega city in the five corners of their territory. And this outpost was a bastion for the greedy.
This was the city of cheats, freaks, and sharks, Spirit Stone Canyon. Anything could be wagered on this hallowed ground. A giant golden coin stood proudly on the top of the gates. It had the Chinese character for fortune, 財富embossed on it.
Located on top of a spirit stone mine, and bordering both an Orthodox, and Demonic sect, the city was the perfect host for a “neutral” territory. People of all moralities, and races gambled their lives away in this town. Righteous sword cultivators, demonic blood drinkers, and Demonic Beasts mingled together in the pursuit of profit.
Despite being the middle of the day, bright lights reminiscent of neon signs dotted the city. The architecture was different from most Xianxia cities. Where pagodas were the norm in other towns, here, there was an eclectic mishmash of designs. Pyramids, giant spheres, and zig-zag buildings dotted the locale.
Gu Li seriously suspected that some other transmigrator had a hand in the design of Spirit Stone Canyon.
Approaching the city, there was a line to enter where visitors had to pay a small fee.
As an Outer Sect disciple, Gu Li and his squad walked to a side door. Their sect tokens briefly vibrated like a restaurant buzzer as they walked under the door’s arch. They then passed through the city barrier unscathed.
Nodding at a few fellow sect members standing guard, the trio entered the city proper.
“After we settle things at the Mission Hall. You two go spread those rumors about Li Ping. And make sure to leave our names out of it.” At the end, Gu Li held Fu Cao’s eyes, before turning away.
“What’d I do?!” Fu Cao questioned Hei Yu.
“Keh, go act stupid somewhere else.” Hei Yu spat a wad of tobacco to the side, then rode his mount away.
Gu Li rode his Jioroc toward a nondescript alleyway off the main street. He found a sect affiliated stable, and deposited his mount.
“Jio!” The beast screeched at Gu Li.
Reaching into his pouch, Gu Li tossed some meat at the lizard-ostrich hybrid.
“You were good. Perhaps I’ll borrow you for future missions.” Gu Li complimented.
“Jio~!”
“Woah! Stupid beast!” Fu Cao was bucked off his Jioroc the moment they made it back to the stable.
“Enough of this, let’s go.” Gu Li took the lead once more, and briskly walked away.
Turning away from the stable, Gu Li delved deeper into the alleyway. After several twists, and seemingly random turns, he finally arrived at a poorly lit, dead end.
“Money changes hands.” Gu Li whispered a passphrase.
A second later, the wall began to gradually turn transparent, revealing a door.
Opening the door, Gu Li felt his sect token buzz once again, before it calmed down.
Inside the Mission Hall, two guards eyed him, but said nothing. Past the threshold, a little more than a hundred people were busy mingling with one another. They formed groups, shared rumors, and sought missions.
There were three stalls inside the hall. One for accepting missions, one for turning them in, and one that sold maps, and other information.
Approaching the mission completion stall, Gu Li stood in line for half an hour before it was his turn.
Behind the counter was an elderly woman. Her cultivation was in the Fourth Realm, placing her in the bottom rung of the Middle Realms.
Turning in the mission was a simple affair. Gu Li passed over the evidence of their victory, then passed over his sect token. The receptionist then confirmed their mission was complete. She scanned Gu Li’s, Hei Yu’s, and Fu Cao’s tokens.
“25 Merit Points have been added. Next!” The receptionist quickly, and professionally handled Gu Li’s case, sending him on his way.
Gu Li held the sect token in his hand, and appreciated it as something of a passport, and debit card all in one.
Sure, Merit Points couldn’t increase cultivation like spirit stones, but they could be used to attain goods that money couldn’t buy. Unique goods and cultivation methods were how Sects reeled people in. These things could only be acquired by Merit Points. It was a ponzi scheme on the level of education, or healthcare, but it worked.
Really, the concept of Merit Points drove one concept home to Gu Li. Regardless of universe, the people in charge wanted to work their subordinates for every penny.
In line with that thinking, Gu Li glanced at his two Junior Brothers. “Well, get to it then.”
Seeing them peel off from his sides, and approach some of the groups, Gu Li nodded in satisfaction.
Gu Li then took a seat at a nearby table, and started to think about his next steps.
First and foremost, he decided to ignore the issue with Miss Tsang and Li Ping. Eventually, the rumors should reach her, and she shouldn’t seek vengeance for her childhood friend.
If Gu Li stayed hands off, then Li Ping was most likely to avoid him when he returned to the sect as well.
Typically, the bullies in this situation would relentlessly pursue the protagonist. Gu Li resolved himself to back off from Li Pings affairs, and avoid all tournaments that had him as a contestant.
Why tournaments specifically? Because a tournament was the place where protagonists could legally, and morally attain revenge. 8 in 10 minor antagonists died to a protagonist in a tournament, the rest would die in a secret realm.
Gu Li didn’t know about any tournament happening anytime soon. However, given Li Ping fell down a cliff, and was about to achieve a meteoric rise in power, Gu Li would bet his life savings that a tournament would occur soon. Then, some Senior with ill intentions would probably take Li Ping in as a disciple. That or he would catch the eye of the sect’s Holy Maiden or some other life changing bullshit.
It was too classic not to happen. Li Ping would for sure be showing off some insane skills soon. He would think he was being “low-key” but there’s nothing low-key about winning a tournament, or crafting some god tier pill, weapon, etc.
Second, Gu Li wanted to see how well he cultivated without the aid of the system. If he could scrimp and save on CP, that would be ideal.
Third, was to pick up an occupation.The population of pill addicts on Earth was significant, leading to a huge money making operation. Multiply that by 100,000,000 and you would have the number of pill addicts here. Alchemy was a no brainer choice.
Lastly, he needed someone to teach cultivation to so he could farm more CP. Searching his memory, not many trustworthy people came to mind. However, there was one girl. It was his distant cousin in the Gu Clan, Gu Ying.
He had memories of her chasing him around, and begging for his attention. She was quite the meatball in terms of her appearance. However, fat women in these types of worlds always ended up into 10/10 beauties if they lost weight. It was settled then. He would have to find time, and add her to his squad.
While he was busy outlining his plan, an unreasonably muscular man with a square chin, and large biceps approached him. “Fairy Quolo Jing would like to speak with you.”
Gu Li’s face blanked as memories assaulted his mind. Quolo Jing, she was the real reason why he had attempted to murder Li Ping! She was a “Young Mistress” who lusted after Miss Tsang.
No, it all made sense to Gu Li! He was part of a subordinate family that answered to the Quolo’s.
Based on standard plot, Li Ping would kill him, then the bigger and stronger Quolo Jing, and Gu family would enter the picture! Then, as the Gu family died, and Quolo Jing suffered, the Quolo family’s elders would make a move! Quolo Jing would probably get “fucked straight” and join Li Ping’s harem! It was all so cliché!
Hell, given this information, Miss Tsang was probably some big shot playing at being a low level character. Her dad was likely the Sect Master, or maybe a Grand Elder was her grandfather! Or, or she was an outsider from another sect, with a legendary master!
Gu Li started to sweat up a storm as he stood there imagining all the bleak possibilities.
“Ahem, that wasn’t a request.” The man gripped Gu Li’s elbow, and gave it a light tug.
“Alright, I’ll go speak with Fairy Quolo. Let’s go!” Gu Li snatched his hand back, and scowled at the man.